What if schools are just for studies and nothing else? No friends, no break. Just textbooks and tests. I would freak out. To me school is not just a place to study and obtain new knowledge, but also a place to meet new people from all around the world and learn things outside of the textbook. Isn’t that one of the core values that students in SSIS have to achieve? Balance in Life, balancing between studying, socializing and life outside of school. And I think that is what I am successful at. However I am also aware that I still have to improve on Academic Excellence.
Balance in Life is one of the ESLRs that I’m successful at since I’ve been participating in all kinds of activities inside and outside of school. Through out eighth grade, I’ve had lots of fun in the swim team and the soccer team. I always try my best to attend all the practices for both teams, to balance between two really different kinds of sports that I both love. Outside of school, I hangout with my friends and family on weekends. Sometimes I run with my friends or just simply hang around coffee shops and have a relaxed afternoon, without homework disturbing me. Since I also make sure that I finish homework before enjoying the fun with my friends, so I don’t have to worry about my homework while I am having fun. Additionally, I also attend church every Sunday with my family. After the church service, we have lunch with some friends from church, which I have more time to spend with my family. Chilling with friends, spending time with my family, reading books, playing piano, that’s how I spend my free time but still maintain my school work.
However, I’m also aware that I have to improve on the ESLR, Academic Excellence. First of all, I personally think that, my concentration on homework is too low. By that I mean texting or chatting while I’m doing homework and fiddling around my room, finding something more interesting to do. Secondly, I want to overcome my laziness and seek for help when I need to, not just stay back and work on my own. Therefore, if I ask questions and get proper help from a teacher, I will be able to fully understand the topic and do a way better job on assessments. In conclusion, this ESLR, Academic Excellence, is definitely one of the ESLR that I have to work on. My purpose is not too get a good grade, but fully understand the subject so I can still remember it after tests and quizzes.
In order to really improve on Academic Excellence for my understanding. I will find someone to ask my teachers questions that I have during breaks or after school, so I won’t be scared or lazy because that person might be pressing me to really go see the teacher. It might also benefit them! In order to concentrate on my work and nothing else, I will close all socializing networks including skype, facebook, my phone..etc. So I can have a cerain amount of time that I am just focusing on my homework and nothing else. Surely, the quality and quantity of my work will increase, since there will be way less distractions, disturbing me from my work. After this writing, chances are that I will forget about what I have written and go on with life, but by posting this on my blog that I use often, I will see it on a regular basis and remind me of this goal that I have in mind already.
There are totally five Expected School-wide Learning Results(ESLR) that our school focuses on. Dedicated Service, Sense of Self, Academic Excellence, Respect for All and Balance in Life. I am strong at some of them but also weak at showing some of the ESLRs, however if I try my best to improve and develop them not just in school but also outside of school. It will definitely benefit my life and my future and also people around me.
