Dear New APELC Student,
First off, I would like to commend you for being bold and deciding to take this course. Based on the reputation this course has, you have probably heard that it is tough. While the course truly was one of my more difficult courses, it really does a great job in preparing you for a life full of essay writing. This class, although quite challenging, provides you with the resources and skills to succeed in future high school classes, college, and whatever profession you intend on pursuing. This course, if you put in the work to truly improve your writing, can really help bolster your skills and help you in life.
The first bit of advice I would give to you is to not get hung up on the grade. In terms of myself, I, like yourself, had aspirations of coming in and getting an "A" for the year. I felt as though a single "B" would ruin my college aspirations, and ultimately be the end of the world. However, in reality, it's not. One of the main lessons I learned from this course is to not let a grade define yourself. If you have not yet understood this lesson, this course will teach you that. In a self-evaluation of myself, while I may not have gotten the "A" I had aspired to obtain, my writing skills improved immensely and with college essays now staring at me this summer, I don't feel like a deer in headlights, but instead one who has already made it across to the other side of the street, ready to frolic with other smart deer. While it is important not to let a grade define you as a person, you also need to stay motivated, and not "accept a B" too early. I have seen students who started out with 84's and 85's rise up to get A's by the end of the year. So moreover, the moral of this lesson: Don't let grades define you, but in the same breath, don't be complacent with low grades.
In terms of a method to being successful in this course, one of my main suggestions would be to conference with Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko as often as possible. Some of my worst essays were ones that I wrote without discussing them with anyone, and after these setbacks I learned to always talk with both teachers to make sure I was on the right path. Both of them are extremely open to reading and discussing your essays with you, and the benefit of this is that they are the ones actually grading your work. So in essence, you are getting the grader's feedback before you even submit your essay. By the end of the year, I was writing much better papers simply due to the fact that I discussed my ideas and really fleshed them out with both Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko.
So while you have probably come into this course thinking it's going to be difficult, which it is, if you persevere, get help, be diligent, and be in it for the learning, you will reap the benefits of this fantastic course. This year if chalked full of fun times like TOGA DAY, heated class discussions, and of course the mock and final AP Exam! Reflecting on this year as a whole, while I may have gotten a "B" in the course, I thought I was extremely well prepared for the actual exam, which is really what matters. This year, while it will be challenging, is only helping prepare you for college and the world. Don't forget to have fun with Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko as they are truly great people and possibly know how to have fun :)
Now Senior,
Aayush Sanghrajka
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