Reflection

Time has moved so fast, and it's still hard to believe that we've been in the pandemic for almost a year now. To be frank, this year was more emotional than my past 3 years of high school. The combination of COVID, online school, and colleges gave me so many new and unfamiliar things to deal with and stick with for a good chunk of the year that I felt like it would never end.

This year, I had burnouts more than ever. I definitely felt like I did more independent studying in my classes this year because of the online format and not having enough guidance during my rushed classes. First semester was overwhelming with consistent classes and homework and no day to stop and rest in sight, but I'm glad that it's halfway done. 

Specifically in English, I really enjoyed having more time and opportunity to read this year because I got to voluntarily explore and select the books I wanted to read. Since the last time I enjoyed reading was so long ago, I'm glad that I've been reading more books that are historical fiction and others about race. Looking back, I honestly was never an avid reader. From years of being assigned books that I didn't always end up loving to now being able to read books on my own, I've started to cherish and value books much more than I had before. I've enjoyed it a lot, so I really want to continue it and read a wide variety of works that keep me well informed. 

Thinking ahead, second semester still does worry me a lot even though there's a lot less at stake for me. The school going back to hybrid and seeing that AP exams seem to be administered in their traditional style makes me both uncomfortable and burdened that it'll all be a complicated hassle. Whatever the situation may be, I guess only time will tell. Even though I'm already thinking too far ahead about the possibilities, I hope that I can feel a bit more relaxed and have more time to spend with myself so that I can stay mentally well through this long and tough period.