The Experience

The stress and the days when I had to continue on with the struggle that the senior project offered was overbearing. I had my ups and downs, but still I didn't seem to bother as to why the senior project was so stressful and I wouldn't go anywhere. Still, I had fun. The most important thing that I learned after such experience was time management and organization. At times when i thought I didn't have time, I was too busy worrying about other stuff or doing things that I wasn't supposed to do, yet after everything that happened I was willing to change my behavior. Of all the things is to give advice to the future seniors who now have an idea of what to expect next year. My only hope is that the junior class uses their time wisely and try not to stress out too much. It'll be a struggle and it won't be easy, seeing that this year with all the things we had to do, the juniors as well will have to bear with the burden of doing everything possible to do well their senior year.

Last Blog

Because of my senior project I learned how to become much more organized. I knew the amount of time I had, so I had to get to work. I learned that everyone is always busy so you have to tell them ahead of time of your plans. You always have to have a plan B and C because most of the time your plan A won't work or something gets in the way. You also have to keep your focus, don't forget your project and leave it out in the blue.

Juniors don't get too caught up in the blogging because it may take away at your time. You have to have a good balance between your actual project and your blogging. Your blogging is important, but don't let it become more important than your project.

Last Words

This year I have learned a new sense of responsibility for my education through the senior seminar. I have learned that time management is an important skill to have as well as the ability to be able to prioritize your work. These were skills that I thought I had but learned that I lacked to some degree.

As a word of advice, I encourage the up and coming seniors to begin thinking about their project this summer and to begin the development of their idea so that they can hit the ground running. It would even be beneficial to begin the research portion of the project during the summer so the year can be used efficiently.

I also want to say that the time designated for the senior seminar should be respected and used solely to work on the project because if you use the time to work on college applications or other class work then you will surely fall behind on your work and you will be forced to try a find a way to finish the year off on a good note.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that you enjoy working on your project as much as I did.

End of the Year

Well the end of the year is here and I know that it is a time full of reflections and looking back not only at the year, but at high school and Chinquapin. One thing that made the year different from any others is that we had a Senior Seminar, a class which was really up for us to do anything that we wanted to do. Senior Seminar is a fun class. I learned that I need to always try to do something that I like to do, if not it really won't be an enjoyable experience. Advice for next year: do something that you like. If not it really isn't fun and it will just be a waste of time. Use your time wisely because it will go by so fast! Every class period counts and every class period is a chance to do something that you like to do outside from the other classes. Senior Seminar is a chance to start to put a foot down and step into the real world. It is a chance to learn what you like to do, to make mistakes, and to leave your last foot print at Chinquapin.

Reflection of the Year

This year has taught me that there is no way getting around deadlines and schedules. I have to say that before we embarked upon the Senior Project I never realized how important it was to learn to manage my time. Initially, I spent so much time trying to figure out what I was going to do. I also did not realistically access how much time the project would really take. I also learned that no matter what you do as Daniel Pink says you have to have some passion or care for what you do. If you are passionate about what you do there is a higher chance that you put more effort and dedicate time to you project.

I would say that I learned the skills of getting actual real world data. So this is when I advice everyone to pick people for your panel of judges who know about the subject of your project. They are essential tools. To tell everyone the truth, I had never really designed a science project of my own. Research for me required earnest dedication. I had to take time outside my busy schedule to read a few extra books and studies about shyness and girls. So, I advice everyone to seriously take time to research. You will have a lot to talk about.

I advice you all to pick something you love and actually care about. Don't do something just because there is nothing else to do. It will be easier for you in the long run. This leads me to my next point you cannot create time and wait until you have time. You have to set aside time. Since you all will pick something that interests you should not have a hard time doing this. At times you will have to a million other things to do that the Senior Project may seem another pointless and consuming class. Do not let it get to you. The way you do this is by actually taking advantage of the help that Ms. Adams provides you with. She will give you a schedule which you can choose to ignore or take advantage of. Also have your own planner. I'm sure you all do.

Lastly, I wish you all good luck. I hope that you enjoy this experience. Have fun with it.

Finishing Up! (finally)

The senior project has definitely done what it was purposed to do, keep us busy through out our senior year and discouraging laziness at the end of the year. Although I have not yet presented my senior project I am confident that I have been well prepared to do so. I am glad that we were the first ever Chinquapin students to participate in senior seminar and I am confident that it will be successful through out the future senior classes. It gave us an opportunity to experience true autonomy and taught it what it really means to get things done on your on and what it takes to do that.

At the End of the Road

So I will be presenting in 5 days. I am very excited that my project will finally going to be presented! I have gone through a great journey. I have learned more about music and have increased my love for it.

I would advise next year's Seniors to not slack off. Even from the beginning of the year when the end of the year seems so far away. You really don't have a lot of time. Some of your projects wil require much time and patience. Understand, also, that if one idea fails, keep trying. You won't achieve your goals if you just give up. My original idea is much different than what my final project will be.

Also, choose your panel members wisely. Don't just pick them because you like them or you talk to them a lot. Pick someone who will strengthen you in your subject. Also when you do finally pick your panel members, talk to them, ask them for advice, help. I'm sure they will have much knowledge on your subject. My panel members helped me by giving me books to read, more information, and personal stories on my subject. I didn't take as much advantage of my panel members as I should. I advise you all to take advantage of your panel members.