Wilma 1 Wilma Ramirez Professor Vana DerOhanessian English 114 11 September 2013

Did High School Really Prepare Me? I remember sitting in class looking around me and every single one of my classmates were either on their phones texting, listening to their iPods, even sleeping. My teacher was sitting at his desk reading his newspaper. On the board there was a calculus math problem, no one had no idea how to solve the problem the math class was algebra 2 not calculus. All my classes were a replica of my math class, students not paying attention and teachers being indifferent. The only time they cared was when the principle came in to observe them for evaluation. When that was the case they were exceptional teachers with an amazing talent of nurturing education into others. Then the next day when there was no principle the teachers would be indifferent once more. My AP English Teacher, Mr. Villalvazo, is the only teacher who taught us to care about school and to be ready for college.Through intensive coursework, numerous of essays, and life lessons I am now able to apply what I learned in his class not only at California State University of Northridge but throughout the rest of my life as well. Being a high school student as a Junior, college was not mentioned in any of my

classes unless it was one of my Advanced Placement classes, because our teacher kept on emphasizing the fact that we can get college credit if we pass the test. Other then that, my other classes, not even my school counselor told me a word.One day during nutrition an announcement came on promoting a room called the "College Center" and to come visit. During my free time I went to the college center and found out I had to take an SAT exam, and ACT. I was very confused, on how I did not know about all of those requirements earlier. I was upset at the school, and my teachers for not preparing us the way they should for college, provide more resources for students. Without those resources it can prohibit some students from going to college, because they would probably get into the mentality that if their teachers do not care, then why should they. So a skill I apply as much as I can now is to never put excuses when dealing with school and do whatever I can to further my knowledge and education. Another skill I use is to always ask for information around school campus, to find out about amazing opportunities, just the way I found about the college center. I wish I would have found out about it sooner. I would have prepared myself more thoroughly instead of being taken by surprise about the SATs and ACTs. When Senior year I made it a point to at least go to the college center 3 times a week. I was there so much that my friends and I decided to just take our nutrition and lunch at the center. Staff at the college center were so supportive and enthusiastic, they even provided step by step classes after school on how to approach your college applications and Personal Statements. I went to one of the classes and then I began going to my english teacher to look over my personal statement for grammatical errors.

Mr. Villavazo would simply read it over and give it back to me without even putting pen marks, and not say a word. I was confused to why he would not help me with feedback and just take my paper and leave. So at night I would look over it myself and I would make my paper bleed with ink. When I had another draft typed, even though Mr. V would not give me advice I would still return to his classroom during break so he can look over it. I remember vividly how he scanned my paper once over and nodded his head, his nod was not a full nod it was a sort of half nod. He handed my paper back to me and once more I took it home and looked over it myself, I made corrections but less corrections than my previous draft. I decided to take my paper to Mr. V for one last time before I turned the statement into my common application. I was sitting in front of him observing him as he read my paper, his expression would change from time to time as he read my paper from a smile to a sigh to a smile again. Once he was done reading the paper he put it down on the desk and looked at me, I thought to myself that he was going to do the same thing again, not say anything. I was reaching over to get my paper when he stops me. I looked at him puzzled as he took out a red pen and made two marks where I had forgotten to put a period or capitalize a word. Then he went on to telling me how he knew that I could do it on my own, and how I should not rely on people as much as I do, because by relying too much on classmates, teachers, etc, that I may not get all the information I am looking for. The person that I should rely on the most is myself. He emphasized the importance of looking out for myself and told me that he was not telling me this because he does not care like other teachers, it was because I would be going to college soon and I can not rely to get my exact answers if I do not

ask myself what exactly am I looking for. After telling me all of this he told me that he liked my paper and that it was well written and how he knew that I would be able to find my own mistakes and fix them. Mr. Villavazo taught me how to be an independent nonconformist individual. I apply my independency now at California State University of Northridge because I live on my own at an apartment and I cannot rely on my mom or family anymore, all I rely on is myself. I also taught myself to always stay informed and find out the latest news around the campus. That opened up my mind to different clubs, which now I am apart of Performance Ensemble which I would have not done without opening my mind to new opportunities. Although high school did not help me as much as I hoped, I learned with the help of my teacher and others at the college center. I even learned from myself discovering qualities such as independency and nonconformity that I will apply my heart and soul with all that I do