Seeing as how I've spent 3+ hours on the computer already, I might as well write the explanation regarding the reasons I'm taking this AP class. I call it "Ze Rant!". Here goes.
It's no surprise that seeing that bumped up GPA in the corner of your progress report is a plus, but aside from that there are other much larger factors involved. To be honest the GPA boost is quite nominal. The real reason is the class alone.
I got my first taste of the class junior year through being a T.A. and it was great! The books are fantastic (especially Great Expectations *cough*cough*) the relationships made look priceless, and the freedom of thought is quite liberating in a school like Righetti. It's quite demeaning to be told that your thoughts aren't really worth anything unless they relate to the periodic table or the Open Door Policy which is what a lot of my time in other classes felt like. That's not to say those things are unimportant, but rather that they were enforced in such a way that I began to look at my other thoughts as lacking value.
Don't get me wrong, I look forward to analytically studying Beowulf and critically thinking about Hamlet's soliloquy, but along with that venturing into other sectors of my mind. Not only venturing, but being encouraged to do so! Rather than being dumped with quadratic equations and being told that's what you need to get out of here I'll instead be able to balance school studies with my own studies and instead be told here's what you should know, what else are you interested in? How empowering to know that my own thoughts and interests are worth just as much merit as the ideas and dogmas implanted from the school.
This next part isn't to suck up, I swear. Dr. Preston really is my favorite teacher. His lectures are very interesting and get my mind to look at things differently. He stays in touch with his students even off campus via email which I find great and I wish more teachers would do this. He treats you like a friend if you reciprocate which I find very respectable seeing as how it's not required and he does so anyways.
The technology aspect of the class doesn't really worry me. I consider myself pretty tech savvy and typing is much less tedious than writing.
I think that does it for my rant.
Arrivederci!
