This is part two of Silva’s Q & A with Emily Su. If you missed out on part one, read that first!
1.) How intense are classes/exams now compared to last semester? Or are there any changes?
Classes are about the same intensity. We have a bit more Senior Project assignments to hand in and AP exams are coming up, too. But overall, it is about the same intensity except that you may lose motivation very easily. As college applications come to an end, you realize that schools that accepted you unconditionally do not require final transcripts. Therefore, you may lose motivation quite easily in getting good grades.
2.) What current goals do you have before you graduate? Are there any changes compared to last semester?
I think the current goals have changed quite a bit from the last semester. My high school life is coming to an end and I certainly want to be myself and get the most out of the last bit of my high school experience. Adding on to my goals from last semester, which is to stay alive, I hope to make friends and know more people in this school before I leave. Also, to create more memories and take more pictures so I will not forget things easily!
3.) Are there any other extracurricular activities you are doing right now?
When I turned into a senior, I pretty much let go of all my extracurricular activities. Not that I do not think they are important, instead, I wanted to free myself from the restrictions and also let myself rest in the last bit of high school. However, I worked on a school project that is DIS Academy. It is a part of the CSP (Community Service Project) class, in which we offer after-school study sessions that provide homework help. And I am also a part of the class officers which has quite a lot of work to do in senior year.
4.) Are there any things you would like to do before you graduate or go to university?
I hope to create more memories in this school and hang out with all [you] people. So if you are reading this right now and want to hang out with Emily, remember to text me before late August! Before going to university, I would want to spend more time with my family and also eat and pack a lot of Taiwanese food!!
5.) When you look back on this school in later years, what will you remember most? What has been the highlight of your senior year?
I think I will remember a lot of memories because I spent my whole childhood in this school. However, the most memorable memories are those from my extracurricular activities. Going to the World Scholar’s Cup, joining MUN, working in STUCO, and hosting our own MUN conference are definitely memories that I will look back on the most.
The highlight of my senior year is definitely my Senior Project. While I was struggling through senior year no matter in schoolwork or relationships, I lost and learned a lot while getting here. The experiments for Senior Project were the excitement of my life and what really kept me going. Although I ended up only sleeping two hours to complete a draft, it was also one of the firsts that I will remember and laugh about.
6.) As graduation day is approaching, do you have anything you want to tell yourself?
Counting down towards graduation day, I have a lot of things I want to tell myself. No matter trying to create more memories or just relaxing. Being a very pessimistic person, I constantly tell myself to think positively! Especially for our batch, we are walking out from our comfort zone at a very unstable point in time (no matter Covid-19 or Asian Hate). For now, I believe moral support is the best for both students themselves and the surrounding people.
7.) Any tips or suggestions for next year’s seniors or students?
For next year’s seniors: College applications are definitely hard and unpredictable. DO NOT compare yourself with other students because everyone’s situation is different and it will just upset you when you compare. Try to get yourself together from the start of the year. Every day is a nightmare and a challenge, but you have to get through every single day of it. However, once you get through it, remember to give yourself a pat on the back no matter how you did.
For students in general: Studying is definitely hard and tedious. And if you are not good at it, do not worry. However, do try to paint your student life with different colors especially with your favorite colors. Everyone is good at different things but do not worry if you fail at what you like or what you have to do. Also do not be shameful because people have short memories that will not remember every single thing, meaning things become unimportant in the long run. Just have confidence and have fun!
