I'll begin by introducing myself. My name is Maria, and I just recently moved to Newtown in August of 1997. Before that, I spent my childhood and the first fourteen years of my life in Trumbull, CT. The move was a change I had never experienced before and was at first very difficult to deal with. I soon found, however, that Newtown was a friendly environment, and I've accustomed to it accordingly.
Throughout my life, I've always been an overachiever, working hard to meet mine and everyone else's goals. I've loved to read and write ever since I was around five years old, and because of this I have excelled greatly in English study. I have never gotten below an A in English, and for that I am very proud. My experience in last year's freshmen English course was a very interesting one. It was difficult, but I found I could handle it easily as long as I stayed organized, and I ended up doing extremely well. Overall, I am very pleased with some of the writing I accomplished throughout the year.
I am a little nervous going into the start of this year's English class only because I have chosen to pick for myself a very hectic schedule. With all honors classes, sports, newspaper deadlines, and things to be done at home, time becomes very limited. English this year seems like it will take up a big chunk of my time, with many pages of reading and writing to accomplish. I do, however, expect many things from this class if I am going to commit myself so extensively. I expect to enhance my writing skills in all areas, including creative writing, expository writing, and poetry. I also am looking forward to expanding my vocabulary usage in writing and speaking, and exploring new classic literature I have not yet been exposed to. While reading, I like to discuss my feelings and opinions of characters, as well as listen and incorporate that of others, for it helps to broaden my outlook on the book. This I know we will be doing. It is also nice to view videos of certain literature we have read, and then touch upon the changes and developments that occurred. By doing this, I intend for my viewing skills to be developed to the same extent as the more usual skills English touches upon.
Besides expecting to accomplish certain things in class, I also have expectations of how I will handle myself throughout the year. My goal is to get an A every marking period and complete every task to the best of my ability. This will enable me to learn each skill thoroughly and make this English year worthwhile. It will not be easy and no doubt be very time consuming, but I know I am capable of these desires, and will end up at the end of this year not only meeting my goals, but surpassing them by great lengths. I expect a lot of myself, sometimes too much, but I would not be shooting for so much if I wasn't positive I could do it.
Overall, this year will be challenging, but it's a challenge that I as a person need. Many times things are too simple for me, and I get off easy, but finally I will test my mind to its limits. I will see just how far I can go, and how much farther I will soon be.