With marking period one having been over for a few weeks, students reflect on what they’ve learned going into the second marking period.. For many, this period served as an opportunity to adjust to the demands of the school year, both academically and personally.
For many students, the first marking period was a transition from the relaxed pace of summer to the rigorous demands of a full school schedule, and for freshmen, a transition away from an easier middle school life. Once familiar subjects became more challenging, and new topics required a greater level of understanding and engagement. According to freshman Semin Chun, “I definitely expected high school to be harder, but some classes like English honors were surprising.” Students like Semin are navigating having to balance extracurriculars, social lives, and academics, all while adapting to new teaching styles and expectations. However, she adds, “Now that marking period one is over I know what all of the teachers expect and that’s going to help for marking period two”. Although challenging, now with a better understanding of their courses, many students feel more prepared going into the next marking period.
In many classes, teachers emphasized the importance of mastering foundational concepts, with a heavy focus on skills that will build the framework for future learning. In subjects like math and science, students were introduced to new concepts that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For example, in geometry, freshman Daniel Mao comments, “Having to prove the theorems are a lot different from the other math courses”. In chemistry, they are forced to understand deeper concepts, as Matthew Yi states, “The concepts are harder, and it’s a huge step up from last year”. Many students are experiencing challenges moving up the levels of major subjects like maths and sciences.
Fortunately, some students express optimism about marking period one. For example, sophomore Ramond Garcia says “The first one to two weeks of school were hard, but getting into a rhythm was easier than I expected and I want to keep that going for the rest of the year”. School is a commitment that should prove at least slightly challenging for all students, but some students like Ramond, find that once they adjust, the workload becomes more manageable and they gain confidence in their ability to succeed. Similarly, sophomore Erin Cho says, “I learned some of the material over the summer, so coming into the school year wasn’t too hard”. For these students, their early preparation and ability to adapt helped ease the transition into the new academic year, setting them up for continued success.
In conclusion, while the first marking period presented its share of challenges, it also served as a valuable opportunity for growth. As students move into marking period two, they bring with them the lessons learned, the strategies they’ve developed, and a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed.
