Reflective Essay
Introduction -
As I approach graduation, I reflect on what I have learned so far in my 18 years and consider what direction to take after high school. I arrived at ACLC in the middle of sophomore year after a very difficult time at Encinal High School. In truth I had pretty low expectations of ACLC. School has always been a challenge for me and I thought this would be no different. I have a complicated IEP and an Attention Deficit Disorder diagnosis which makes classroom learning hard. It was so refreshing to be welcomed and not sigmitized for my learning and attention differences. Landing at ACLC really helped me during a hard time in my life by providing me with a safe, chill, and nonjudgmental learning environment where I could start over and begin high school again. Thank you ACLC!
Personal Qualities - Sociability, Integrity, Selflessness and Humanity
I am the type of person who cares about others and wants to make sure that there is harmony and peace in the environment. On my first day on campus I felt this good vibe with the students and the facilitators. Respect and kindness are important to me and I feel that at ACLC we relate to each other in a good way that fits with my values of treating others well. When I know that someone is having a difficult time or feels uncomfortable, I do my best to help them feel welcomed and that they belong. Even though I tend to be pretty quiet and introverted at school, in my home life with my family I am a big clown that often warms up the space by making people laugh, making connections, and (most of the time) helping out when things need to be done. I care about the way it feels to be in my family, and care that people feel welcome when they come to my home. I trust that my care for others and my impact on them comes across in the classroom as well.
Trustworthiness is another important quality that I try to cultivate. When I’m asked to show-up for something important I definitely try to come through on my commitment. I try to be reliable because I want to rely on others. I value integrity and want others to know that I am true to my word. Having ADD can make it hard to always follow through because I might forget or get disorganized with my school work and commitments. But I feel like I’m a work in progress and am improving all the time. I know that I will continue to improve if I just keep trying.
One aspect of me is my deep care for the suffering of others. Even as a small child I was always rescuing things, helping crying kids, feeling the way others feel. It’s kind of one of my superpowers. I really understand how people feel and I often feel them on the inside. This makes me want to do good in the world. To help reduce the suffering that exists and to bring a little more light and love into the world.
New Basics
A lot of people don’t know this, but I was a pretty late bloomer who didn’t start speaking until I was about 4 years old. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand, because I did understand everything that was happening around me. I knew what I wanted to say but I just couldn’t use my words the way I wanted. I remember being so frustrated that I just couldn’t speak like everyone else. Not being able to easily speak taught me to listen with my whole body. I listen to all the ways people communicate. I listen to their emotions and their energy, in addition to what they say. The way I listen means that sometimes just having words talked at me is boring and limits the way I receive communication. Unfortunately with the pandemic, Zoom classes have been particularly challenging for me, but I made it through!
Just as I listen and receive information in my own unique way, I also communicate to the world in my own unique way. I communicate in the language of art. I’ve always considered myself as an artist. I’ve loved drawing and creating things for as long as I can remember. A lot of my art shows up in ways that other people might not consider to be art. For example, when I take notes they are always pretty and organized, which I consider art. Being creative has always been within me and I carry it into my daily life.
Thinking and Reasoning Skills
I’ve always had a hard time paying attention in school, but most teachers didn’t know just how hard I was struggling. Keeping my attention on things that I am not fascinated with is extremely difficult. A work around to help me stay focused, is that I take “fancy” notes. In this way I use my creativity to keep me engaged and focused. I understand that I learn differently from other students, and that is okay. I’ve learned that I do better with one on one instruction when there is someone to help keep me on track. ADD medication does help me, but working with someone who is patient and willing to go at my pace helps me more than anything else. One of my most important learnings is about understanding how I uniquely learn and what supports me most to grow. This will be my life long journey. I feel good about where I am now, as well as where I’m headed after I graduate high school.
Interpersonal Abilities
Ever since I was little, my parents have been involving me in activism. I’ve protested throughout my life and come from a family that cares about peace and justice issues for marginalized people. Being a person of color and coming from mixed heritage means that I am always aware of issues of race. The last year in particular since George Floyd was murdered has been really hard because the racism that has always been there is being recognized by the general public. Even though it’s painful to look at and it can make people feel uncomfortable, I think working for a more just and equitable world is what we must do now. Sometimes I fear for my Mexican side of the family, and for my boyfriend Bryan and his family who are also people of color. It’s time to change the world by teaching love rather than hate. Our country is divided into sides that hate each other. I think that unless we learn to communicate and negotiate ways of respecting our differences, we will only continue to suffer. We need leaders in government, in our communities, and in our homes that value inclusion, kindness, respect, and fairness. In my personal life, I try hard to live from these qualities and to bring good energy wherever I go.
Technology
In truth, technology is difficult for me. My brain and technology don’t mix all that well. When I figure out how to use a system I stick with it. But technology is always changing and I guess I am too. I know that technology is a weak area for me, but I also know that I can continue to learn and grow. My work around in this area is that I know who I can ask for help, and also I don’t expect myself to immediately understand things that aren’t natural for me. Though sometimes I feel lost with all the technology out there and the way the world depends on it, I know that I will find my way and that there is help available.
Conclusion
I realize that, in truth, it has been difficult to know where to begin after graduation. I am interested in many different things, and with so many different options out there that I am often confused about what to pursue. Additionally, because of my ADD I often switch from idea to idea making it difficult to land on one thing. Even so, I am committed to becoming independent and strong on my own.
In exploring a direction for myself, I first thought of all the things I love. For a while I wanted to become a marine biologist, because I was fascinated by the ocean and the animals that live in it, especially whales. But that idea didn't stick long. The other directions I considered all involved being creative and working with my hands. For example, since I was little I have loved drawing and making things. I am passionate about the creativity of doing make-up and have considered becoming a professional make-up artist. I also love gardening.
After considering all of these options I think I found a hobby that truly inspired me! I am interested in majoring in horticulture and minoring in botany because I have always been inspired by plants. It amazes me that our planet is covered in these beautiful things that give us air, food, medicine, shelter, clothing and support the way we live life on Earth. Plants fascinate me. I've always had plants around me like the ones I keep in my house and in my backyard. I love nature and feel drawn to it. I am excited to learn more about plants and the natural world because I feel so connected and passionate about it. Working with plants, the environment, the landscape, and the living Earth is the path I would like to take with my future.
As I approach graduation, I reflect on what I have learned so far in my 18 years and consider what direction to take after high school. I arrived at ACLC in the middle of sophomore year after a very difficult time at Encinal High School. In truth I had pretty low expectations of ACLC. School has always been a challenge for me and I thought this would be no different. I have a complicated IEP and an Attention Deficit Disorder diagnosis which makes classroom learning hard. It was so refreshing to be welcomed and not sigmitized for my learning and attention differences. Landing at ACLC really helped me during a hard time in my life by providing me with a safe, chill, and nonjudgmental learning environment where I could start over and begin high school again. Thank you ACLC!
Personal Qualities - Sociability, Integrity, Selflessness and Humanity
I am the type of person who cares about others and wants to make sure that there is harmony and peace in the environment. On my first day on campus I felt this good vibe with the students and the facilitators. Respect and kindness are important to me and I feel that at ACLC we relate to each other in a good way that fits with my values of treating others well. When I know that someone is having a difficult time or feels uncomfortable, I do my best to help them feel welcomed and that they belong. Even though I tend to be pretty quiet and introverted at school, in my home life with my family I am a big clown that often warms up the space by making people laugh, making connections, and (most of the time) helping out when things need to be done. I care about the way it feels to be in my family, and care that people feel welcome when they come to my home. I trust that my care for others and my impact on them comes across in the classroom as well.
Trustworthiness is another important quality that I try to cultivate. When I’m asked to show-up for something important I definitely try to come through on my commitment. I try to be reliable because I want to rely on others. I value integrity and want others to know that I am true to my word. Having ADD can make it hard to always follow through because I might forget or get disorganized with my school work and commitments. But I feel like I’m a work in progress and am improving all the time. I know that I will continue to improve if I just keep trying.
One aspect of me is my deep care for the suffering of others. Even as a small child I was always rescuing things, helping crying kids, feeling the way others feel. It’s kind of one of my superpowers. I really understand how people feel and I often feel them on the inside. This makes me want to do good in the world. To help reduce the suffering that exists and to bring a little more light and love into the world.
New Basics
A lot of people don’t know this, but I was a pretty late bloomer who didn’t start speaking until I was about 4 years old. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand, because I did understand everything that was happening around me. I knew what I wanted to say but I just couldn’t use my words the way I wanted. I remember being so frustrated that I just couldn’t speak like everyone else. Not being able to easily speak taught me to listen with my whole body. I listen to all the ways people communicate. I listen to their emotions and their energy, in addition to what they say. The way I listen means that sometimes just having words talked at me is boring and limits the way I receive communication. Unfortunately with the pandemic, Zoom classes have been particularly challenging for me, but I made it through!
Just as I listen and receive information in my own unique way, I also communicate to the world in my own unique way. I communicate in the language of art. I’ve always considered myself as an artist. I’ve loved drawing and creating things for as long as I can remember. A lot of my art shows up in ways that other people might not consider to be art. For example, when I take notes they are always pretty and organized, which I consider art. Being creative has always been within me and I carry it into my daily life.
Thinking and Reasoning Skills
I’ve always had a hard time paying attention in school, but most teachers didn’t know just how hard I was struggling. Keeping my attention on things that I am not fascinated with is extremely difficult. A work around to help me stay focused, is that I take “fancy” notes. In this way I use my creativity to keep me engaged and focused. I understand that I learn differently from other students, and that is okay. I’ve learned that I do better with one on one instruction when there is someone to help keep me on track. ADD medication does help me, but working with someone who is patient and willing to go at my pace helps me more than anything else. One of my most important learnings is about understanding how I uniquely learn and what supports me most to grow. This will be my life long journey. I feel good about where I am now, as well as where I’m headed after I graduate high school.
Interpersonal Abilities
Ever since I was little, my parents have been involving me in activism. I’ve protested throughout my life and come from a family that cares about peace and justice issues for marginalized people. Being a person of color and coming from mixed heritage means that I am always aware of issues of race. The last year in particular since George Floyd was murdered has been really hard because the racism that has always been there is being recognized by the general public. Even though it’s painful to look at and it can make people feel uncomfortable, I think working for a more just and equitable world is what we must do now. Sometimes I fear for my Mexican side of the family, and for my boyfriend Bryan and his family who are also people of color. It’s time to change the world by teaching love rather than hate. Our country is divided into sides that hate each other. I think that unless we learn to communicate and negotiate ways of respecting our differences, we will only continue to suffer. We need leaders in government, in our communities, and in our homes that value inclusion, kindness, respect, and fairness. In my personal life, I try hard to live from these qualities and to bring good energy wherever I go.
Technology
In truth, technology is difficult for me. My brain and technology don’t mix all that well. When I figure out how to use a system I stick with it. But technology is always changing and I guess I am too. I know that technology is a weak area for me, but I also know that I can continue to learn and grow. My work around in this area is that I know who I can ask for help, and also I don’t expect myself to immediately understand things that aren’t natural for me. Though sometimes I feel lost with all the technology out there and the way the world depends on it, I know that I will find my way and that there is help available.
Conclusion
I realize that, in truth, it has been difficult to know where to begin after graduation. I am interested in many different things, and with so many different options out there that I am often confused about what to pursue. Additionally, because of my ADD I often switch from idea to idea making it difficult to land on one thing. Even so, I am committed to becoming independent and strong on my own.
In exploring a direction for myself, I first thought of all the things I love. For a while I wanted to become a marine biologist, because I was fascinated by the ocean and the animals that live in it, especially whales. But that idea didn't stick long. The other directions I considered all involved being creative and working with my hands. For example, since I was little I have loved drawing and making things. I am passionate about the creativity of doing make-up and have considered becoming a professional make-up artist. I also love gardening.
After considering all of these options I think I found a hobby that truly inspired me! I am interested in majoring in horticulture and minoring in botany because I have always been inspired by plants. It amazes me that our planet is covered in these beautiful things that give us air, food, medicine, shelter, clothing and support the way we live life on Earth. Plants fascinate me. I've always had plants around me like the ones I keep in my house and in my backyard. I love nature and feel drawn to it. I am excited to learn more about plants and the natural world because I feel so connected and passionate about it. Working with plants, the environment, the landscape, and the living Earth is the path I would like to take with my future.