Personal Narrative: AP Calculus

Coming into your Pre-Calculus class, I was under the impression that I had all the skills necessary to succeed. Having taken (regular) pre-calculus my junior year of high school and College Algebra the first semester of my senior year, I had studied the various functions, graphing concepts, and polynomials/factoring. I also studied an ample amount of angle properties, the trigonometry functions (and applications associated with them), and trigonometric graphs. Even with this background in algebra and trigonometry, dual credit pre-calculus has proved a formidable foe as I did not anticipate learning so many new concepts, such as conditional trigonometric functions or verifying identities. Most other concepts, like inverse trig functions and the various identities, had slipped my mind since my experience in regular pre-cal from the previous school year (this was probably due to the fact that I did not

Last year as a junior, my AP Calculus class and I received the opportunity to paint a mural on a wall to demonstrate our hard work throughout the year. The one catch, however, was we had to design and paint it all within fifteen days. My class and I were very motivated and began work as soon as possible. We brainstormed ideas for the design of the mural to incorporate as many calculus concepts as possible while also combining it with hidden messages that had special meaning to our class. At the same time, our goal was to make the mural fun and appealing to all by-passers. Now it was time to take our concepts, and begin the process of painting the mural. Initially, we had roughly seventeen students who could paint and help out but that number

I have always been capable of grasping new ideas quickly, and so my academic career has been relatively smooth sailing for me. At least, until Calculus BC. This class is unlike any other I have taken; the level of difficulty I have found myself presented with is so unbelievably overwhelming for a person who has not felt truly challenged in years. For me to go from the comfort of the soft stars to the harsh reality of failing an exam was inconceivable. I have never felt more out of my comfort zone, and yet, at the same time, I have never felt more compelled to succeed.

The first semester of my sophomore year I’ve decided to take the AP European History class so it made my first semester kind of difficult, it required for me to do more work that involved reading. This AP European class has helped me grow as a student to communicate ideas, for example my group and I were assigned a scientist and we had to present to the class why our scientist was so important. I have also grown as a student in investigating the world in my English class, we read different articles based on different cases from people around the world.

When I was in fifth grade, I was taking third grade math. I could not, for the life of me, figure it out. Math was a huge struggle, and it still is. However, now, I am in Algebra II. Algebra II is a junior class and I am taking it as a sophomore. I have worked very hard to get where I am. This situation has made me realize a couple things. Number one: it is OK to ask questions. Number two: If you work hard, you will accomplish something.

I have strive to do my best to my abilities in things in life especially in school. Everyone is not perfect including me so I intend to have flaws. My difficulties pertains to academic subject such as AP Calculus, which can sometimes be a little harder for me.AP Calculus has been a challenge for me because it consist of more than just numbers but shapes, degrees, angles, and etc. Even though I can try and complete a problem if needed so on the board, I still have a little trouble holding on to the concepts needed for that particular problem. I am not a math genius, but what sets me away from just giving up on the subject I continue to try and accomplish it. I knew for a fact I am the type of individual who loved to learn things to a point where

Many times throughout my life, I have needed advice from somebody. There are times when I am in a certain situation that I do not know how to handle, and therefore I seek help from people that I look up to. I have been given many pieces of advice that were brilliant ideas and that helped me solve a problem or deal with an issue that was burdening me. One particular piece of advice that I was given was undoubtedly the most important to me and it continually helps me through predicaments that I encounter.

This semester has been a challenge for me. Before, I arrived in this class I didn’t know certain things. I never been a good write but this class has pushed me to work harder. I have always been good at speaking my point out verbally, instead of writing it out.. I improved on expanding my paragraphs, staying on topic, and I’m still need working on style and voice.

Am I chosen for Advanced Math? I could barely listen over that repeating thought and my pounding heart as my teacher began listing out the selected students. I let out the breath I was holding in as I heard my name get called out. The next day, 15 of my fellow classmates and I carried our books to the classroom down the hall and peered inside. Noticing that it was empty, we lined up in number order near the doorway. As the clock ticked by, the sound of restless kids began to mix with our nervous chatter and fill the hallway the more we eyed at the classroom. The moment we saw a figure emerge, the hallway became silent. He was of medium height but towered over us with authority. His folded arms and hard-set face demanded respect as he looked at us for a long moment before

From the beginning of my academic career, math-from Intro to Algebra One to AP Calculus-has always been a subject I’ve gravitated towards. Utilizing my passion for this subject combined with the innovative future of technology, I plan to strive for academic excellence and a successful career out of college. I’m interested in pursuing a degree in Computer Science or Intelligent Systems Engineering. Currently, maintaining my studies are a top priority in my life, and attending college to earn these types of degree would only make my desire to succeed stronger. An exciting aspect of college is the internships and abroad studies that are offered to students; I aim to fully make use of these opportunities supplied to students and intern at a large

I am a student who has taken classes at many of the Peralta colleges; Berkeley City College, Merritt and Laney. My highest aspiration is to major in Economics and Business and I am currently looking to transfer to a 4 year university. Someday, I would like to have my own business.

Becoming a freshman in highschool, I expect many different changes but I feel as if I can do big things if I just pay attention and learn. So, my expectations for Algebra I this year is that it will be challenging and demanding. It’s going to be different from previous years because I couldn’t relate to the teachers as much as I relate to Mr.Barnes and it was just easier before.My grades in math are going to be so much better than my past grades. Therefore, I want to be on my A game all the time especially since I’m doing sports.

    I walked into my math class on the day of the placement test nervously. I took a chromebook and walked with distress to my designated seat. I thought to myself, “You can do this.” I logged in and found my way to the website. The test was timed which made me even more anxious.  The first couple questions were easy, but the problems got

and she told me she doesn’t like people who tried to influence him about other God or don’t respect her religion and her God.

Unlike before, I need to practice every day, be it at school, home or elsewhere for the purpose of improving my