Enrolling in APWH was something I thought twice about doing. As I said before, all the things I heard about students in the past scared me, I didn’t believe I was capable of passing a college level class. I remember the first 2 weeks of school I had some friends in the class that dropped out, I thought about it too. But I decided not to be like everyone else I didn’t want to aim for the easy or just go by what my friends were doing. I decided to take the challenge, to demonstrate to myself and only myself that I could do it. Throughout this course I have learned a lot by my teacher and classmates, I learned new topics, I challenged myself to aim for success, and I have no regrets.
Firstly, I can say that I challenged myself and want to aim for success. I put everything aside, all the things I heard people saying, the “you can’t do it” or the “it’s too hard, you won’t pass” and demonstrate I could do it. This course has so far been the most difficult class I have had, all the work, all the studying, and all the dedication put into it. I remember all those nights I would stay up late just to finish a reading, or doing synthesis notes, or any other assignment, it felt like it would never end. At the beginning everything seemed so difficult, there were times I would cry because of the stress I felt towards all the work I had to finish. However, as time went by I began to organize myself and understand more of the assignments, in other words I began to get used to it, it was like a routine. What kept me going was the thought of success, I didn’t want to give up, I wanted to grow as a person and push myself to the best I could do. Now that we are at the end of the course I can say I met my goal, I challenged myself, I grew, and I succeed.
Secondly, I can say that I have learned so much during this course, topics I never knew before. All the mornings with Mr. Rodriguez being their making sure we understood all the information made me learn a plethora of new interesting topics. For example, the most interesting period for me was unit 5, learning how the world grew since the interaction of both hemispheres, the way the enlightenment began to affect ideas, and the world wars starting to arise all to me seemed fascinating. So many new and important events, looking back and learning how things began, how much has changed and how much our species has grown. I remember thinking about history as the most boring subject there could be, I used to question myself why history is even important. Now that I look back and remember all the thoughts I had,I realize how ignorant I was saying that. This course not only taught me about world history but it also changed my perspective towards the world, everything now seems so interesting to learn, thinking of how many things there are ahead of me to learn.
Thirdly, I can finally say I have absolutely no regrets. If I had the opportunity to go back in time and take the class I would do it again, with no doubt. I have found this course very helpful for me, as it helped me grow and learn. Until this point I feel it has been the most efficient course in my school years. The assignments although out the year at first seemed unnecessary or too much to handle, but now I have realized it was all just what I needed. Some of the topics covered even helped me in math and science classes. All the work, the stress, the cries was all worth it. I never would have thought of myself saying this, but it has truly been worth it. The accomplished feeling I feel of having have passed this class with the grade I deserve is the best successful feeling I have felt.
In conclusion, throughout this course I have learned new topics, have learned to challenge myself and aim for success, and have no regrets. This course, what at first seemed impossible to pass, is now a worthy course to take and be challenged, thanks to my amazing mom and a that very special person, as well as my teacher Mr. Rodriguez for always believing in me and pushing me to finish strong, thanks to them for making it a very good year. Now I can finally say I made it.
