irvin-85I have not blogged in a really long time. The reason for this has been the incessant amount of work that this term has brought. Although to high schoolers three classes do not sound like a lot, believe me, three classes are more than enough in a place like this one. Never in my life had I felt as if I was drowning under the pressure, under the work. This was the first time ever when I wanted school to simply end or to take a break. I think it is a mixture of both the brutal New England winter and the extra fast pace of a nine week quarter.

Yet, despite the pressure, despite the desire for the quarter to end, I have to say that I am enjoying the academic and psychological challenge. It is a test of character and a test of how strong my ambition is. How bad do I want to get a degree from here and stand out from all these amazingly talented students? How bad do I want to learn as much as I can?

Every night, before I go to bed, I tell myself that I really want all of this. And I want it really bad.

A bit of advice for those in high school; be prepared to come to college and have your foundation shook. Part of the college experience is being broken down to see what you are truly made of. Despite the fact that this might hurt your pride and might change the image of who you are, it is a necessary part of your life. We cannot grow if we are not challenged, and part of that challenge is falling down and being able to get back up again and again.

Also, one more thing; when expectations get a lot higher, you have to place a lot more effort. It might be hard for some of us who were used to being able to put forth say 80{53c6eff5ce19621f7316832cfedf08caab022021f1679c62c3f44b8900ceaf72} of our effort and still manage to stand out. I have to admit that it is a bit strange for me to put so much more effort that I am used to. Doing physics for six hours? I would have never imagined that I would be doing such a thing! But, like the saying goes, you got to do what you got to do!