1. Are you a GPA-monger? A’s in AP classes count for a 5 on the 4 point scale, but you already knew that didn’t you? If you get an A, first I applaud your dedication and effort, way to go! Also you’ve just boosted your GPA, well done. Even if you get a B, still a lot of hard work, more applause, you will still find a grade booster in the effort.
2. The quote sheets. Essentially a list of inside jokes that you’re a part of! Hooray for friends! Plus, you can revel in the thought of people laughing about how funny you are by something you said, or at least could have said.
3. Your AP English class can become like a family. You’ve been through some good times, and oh, how you’ve been through some tough times, but it was all together. It’s so nice to have a group of people on the same page as you (oh, the English puns!). You’ll also find some fantastic friendships with people you wouldn’t necessarily befriend without this class.
4. Stickers. There is no greater accomplishment (total hyperbole guys, don’t worry, it’s not only downhill from here on out) than finding a shiny sticker atop your paper. You probably worked very hard for it, and you earned it, these bad boys are few and far between. Simply knowing that you are among the elite few to receive such an award should make you happy.
5. You’ll end up feeling like a really smart person, because you are, of course. This class stretched my brain further than most, from the sometimes deep in-class discussions to out of class papers.
6. The multiple choice game. At the end of the quarter, after working your butt off to maintain your thin-ice grade, lies two days of stress free pure competition. You can make up cool team names and cheers and cheer as you rack up extra credit points.
7. Understanding poetry is such a good skill in life. Not that people go around forcing poems upon others at gunpoint making them analyze them or die an early death, but I’ve heard stories. Seriously though, it’s nice not being a dense, soulless human being when it comes to poems.
8. Field trips! You may get a chance to go downtown to see Othello or another play you’ve read. As a bonus to the fun, you could be the lucky winner of a seat on the bus with Ms. Serensky.
9. For the day that it’s over. These two years of painful strife, as much as I would go back and do it again in a heartbeat and as much as I’ve grown as a person, have been well worth it, but it’s nice to know there is no datasheet in my immediate future. I cannot explain the pure elation I’ve felt today.
10. Bobbie Jo Serensky. You may fear her most, if not all, the time. But a) she’s 100% for your success, she’ll help you out; and b) she’s one of the funniest people I know, she will laugh at you, but you’ll probably deserve it, and it will be hilarious.
Mary Beth, you're a funny kid. You're jokes and puns in here are great. I completely agree with all of your choices, in fact many of them are on my list as well. Oh the great times of AP English.
ReplyDeleteMary Beth, I really liked your top ten list, nice work (especially the pun in #3)! I also wrote about your #9 in my blog. I never thought I would feel that accomplished at the end of the exam but when I handed in my test booklets, the feeling was indescribable. It really hit me after the exam, as I realized how much better I felt following today's exam than I did following the exam last year, the extent to which not only my writing has grown but also my intelligence as a result of AP English. I could not be happier that I followed Ms. Beach's advice to take AP English. I also like your #10. What you said could not be more true. I so appreciate all the time and energy Ms. Serensky has dedicated to helping me become a good writer and better educated adult.
ReplyDeleteMary Beth, I love your list of reasons to join AP English, especially #2. Every time those quote sheets come out I get so excited to see what mine was and the funny things everyone else says. I even read all of the juniors' quotes, even though I don't know half of them and they aren't in my class. Just the quotes that AP English brings out of people are astounding.
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