“What APs did you take in high school?” is a question I am often asked as part of my admissions ambassador job by incoming students. The reactions always get me as I list out all the APs my school had cut by the time it was my turn to take them. By the end of my senior year, it was a matter of which APs had they not cut yet. I hope this sets up the context for my pre-college background: an underfunded, Hispanic-majority, public high school.
During my first weeks of college, I was still strangled with senioritis from high school, where I had coasted many of my classes and was not that academically challenged. Chemistry 151 would be one of many wake-up calls to change that. Many of my courses were designed to aid students like myself to catch us up to speed and hopefully level the playing field as we progressed through higher-level classes. The part that I didn’t realize going into these classes was that we were basically doing two courses in one semester, one to learn the foundations of the subject, and the other to learn the actual subject. As such, my grades fluctuated throughout the semester like a rollercoaster.
For those who are worried about having similar situations, I would not stress about “fixing” our circumstances before starting college, as you only have one summer before college and self-learning college classes doesn’t seem the best way to spend it, especially when you don’t know how the professor will teach and grade it. Instead, I recommend that as you navigate these and even regular classes, utilize all your resources (to the degree you need)! Attend your classes, that’s a no-brainer. Go to office hours, your professors will appreciate it and notice your dedication to improving. Check out if your school has peer tutors, as these are often free services that are less stressful than office hours. Review, review, review! I do my best to attend review sessions our professors or TAs host before exams, which for me are effective study strategies. Also, if you feel comfortable, share with your professor your background and circumstances as they might be able to better help you and tune to your specific needs.
Throughout all this, don’t forget to have fun! I have made many of my favorite memories when I forced myself away from work to go hiking, have mini-road trips, get a meal with friends, write letters to loved ones, or do a self-care routine. Whatever your destressing routine may be, don’t be afraid to explore new avenues, especially with friends, as you might find new connections and experiences that you otherwise would not. Remember, your health and well-being are the most important, and as an upperclassman told me, “deadlines are suggestions.” See if your professor will give an extension or ask a dean for aid. In the end, you only have a few years of college, so I recommend you spend it balanced since if you’re reading this, I know you’re going to be fine and go far!
As always, please feel free to contact me through Williams’ Connect with a Student page!