Comments for Reschool Yourself

Comment on Remember This? #29 by Katie

Katie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:29:23 +0000

Oh. My. God. That picture is GOLD.

Comment on Reschooling Tool #8: Tackle Intimidating Challenges One Step at a Time by Melia

Melia — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:04:57 +0000

Thank you both for the encouragement. One of my only certainties right now is that I have a supportive community to see me through this period of transition. I’m grateful for that every day.

Stephen, you were the one who introduced me to SMART goals, and I am working on using them — instead of “Figure out what I’m doing with my life,” I can “Look up the Master’s in Education programs of three grad schools by Friday.”

Mom, you’re right - in the past, I’ve found those intangibles when I’m least needing or expecting them. On the days where I’m not concerned about time running out, I seem to have a lot of it. I stumbled upon my guitar class and started playing without ever intending to. I’ve heard that a successful approach tends to be clearing your mind enough to be attuned to opportunities as they present themselves. For the moment, I’m taking a breath, and another, and then another.

Comment on Reschooling Tool #8: Tackle Intimidating Challenges One Step at a Time by Mom

Mom — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:44:50 +0000

I’ve found that if you actively search for intangibles like love, wisdom, and fulfillment, they elude you. If you simply do things that make you happy, one day the fog will clear, and you’ll unexpectedly stumble upon the right path.

I have the greatest confidence in you. You’re smart, funny, talented, and beautiful, and you’ll find your way. XXXOOO

Comment on Reschooling Tool #8: Tackle Intimidating Challenges One Step at a Time by Mr. Hsu

Mr. Hsu — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:39:10 +0000

Whew! Thank you for the post. I was about to go into RSY withdrawals pretty soon. Those are three big challenges to be facing all at once. Remember your SMART goals…

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Timely

I wish I could give you some groundbreaking advice, something you haven’t heard a million times over, but I don’t believe there is anything new. So I’ll just stick with something that I’m certain will hit the spot: I love being your friend and I’m proud to know you, Doogie. Whatever it is you decide to do, be confident that the world is a better place just because you’re in it. And that’s the truth.

Comment on What’s to Come for RSY by lynnie

lynnie — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:28:13 +0000

Nope, computer engineering which is close but less math! Ah the rose garden and piano practice rooms. I remember those! I still had the core classes with the rest of the school in my attempt to be normal I especially enjoyed econ and my religious studies classes.

Comment on Remember This? #27 by Melia

Melia — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:05:50 +0000

I had a bottom locker freshman year that was located right next to the entrance to the algebra room. So I’d not only get hit in the head by the top locker, but also by the classroom door.

My best friend and I shared a full-length locker sophomore year, and we had an evolving collage of ridiculous images from teen magazines. We enjoyed cutting out photos of our classmates’ heads and sticking them on other people’s bodies (a cowboy, a pro wrestler, Gumby, etc.). This activity still makes me laugh no matter what.

Comment on What’s to Come for RSY by Melia

Melia — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:00:07 +0000

I’m still planning my SCU visit, but so far I know that I’ll be staying in the dorms, visiting classes (probably in Psychology and Religious Studies) and revisiting significant places for me on campus like the rose garden and piano practice rooms. You studied Computer Science, right?

Comment on Contact by Beandrea Davis

Beandrea Davis — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:45:35 +0000

Melia,

The world continues to get smaller. Last week a friend I know through Interplay (interplay.org) highly recommended your website as I try to figure out how to get where I’m going on my path for a livelihood that is fueled by my creativity. Feeling inspired and more connected to a sense of hope seeing what you are doing. More power to you! -Beandrea

Comment on Remember This? #27 by Siobhan

Siobhan — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:29:01 +0000

Awww, bottom locker hell! I’m SO glad I only had to deal with that for one year. I made sure to come to book-buying/locker-getting day EARLY for the other 3 years.

Comment on Five Assumptions About High Schoolers by lynnie

lynnie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:32:54 +0000

1. What elements would your ideal high school have, so that you would have attended purely out of interest and enjoyment?
I too would’ve loved to have a more career based high school. There weren’t many computer classes when I was in high school (I graduated ‘02) besides two measly programming classes. Due to my AP schedule, I couldn’t even take those! I wish the emphasis wasn’t so much on AP classes either…it seemed the more you had, the better you ranked in the scheme of things. Maryknoll had the Essential Learning program which (if I remember correctly) had a choice of 2 “core” classes and 2 electives. I enjoyed it and didn’t feel hurried to go from class to class. When it came to foreign languages, it was really language immersion: every other day was a full day of Chinese and the other days were 4 hours of Chinese + an elective. It was fun but I think it would’ve been more effective if I had wanted to take Chinese.

2. What impact did homework have on you?
Not much. I was given time to do it in class, did some at home and whatever I couldn’t finish, you could find me on before school and in homeroom cranking away. I didn’t have that much come to think of it.

3. Did it make sense to you to have to take P.E. only until a certain age? What impact did P.E. have on you? No. We had PE until senior year: the first class focused on running 2 miles as a goal, the second class was not only 2 miles but other fitness goals and the third was based on finding physical activity in golf, bowling, etc. Needless to say, the third class was the best. I wish we could’ve had some yoga (maybe that’s a little too recent) or tennis. It’s sunny for like 300 days of the year ANYWAY. Although I enjoy running, I think it would’ve made more impact with me now if I had learned yoga or played tennis back then.

4. Which rules at your school applied only to students and not to adults?
Not being able to go off campus for lunch. I think that’s a big privilege in most high schools but …some students got busted for a knifing incident off campus (thanks class of 98). I remember the “tuck in your shirt” rule being huge (aka equaling detention).

5. What did you study in school that you find useful today, and what is not very useful? How much material can you recite from memory, versus what you look up as needed?
I remember SOHCAHTOA. No really, I think the most useful thing I learned in high school was not in the classroom. As a computer geek, I got to learn how to manage my time and other technical skills that I still use today. I guess the most useful subject matter I learned in school was math and science since it helped me later in college. We had to create a Senior Project in high school and that really helped with project and presentation planning.