1) Expectations
After hearing last year's 8th graders tell us about it, I was terrified to enter my last year in the JH.  They said that there is a lot of homework, and some teachers are not so great, particularly Elizabeth.  At the mention of anything science, they would moan, complaining of her and missing Che.  Well, so far, I have found this to be untrue.  I was very worried about science, but have found it to be interesting and fairly fun, too.  They said there is a lot more work, too, something unfathomable for my 7th grade self.  Because I didn't think I could have the time to write even one more paragraph a week, I was extremely nervous. I know that I can be a perfectionist, so with more work to perfect, the more long, stressful hours of work there would be.  Luckily, this aspect has exceeded my expectations -- So far, I have been totally able to handle my work.


2) Sociality
Last year was hard at some times.  Walking down the hall to see mobs of popular 8th graders blocking  my path was a common feared experience.  I deliberately avoided such groups, keeping my lips sealed and eyes looking straight ahead, past it all.  As an 8th grader now, I have had so much more fun outside of the classroom because I don't  have the fear of older students.  I have some really great friends, people who I feel comfortable being myself around.  I feel that the 8th grade girls in particular are very close, seeing as there are only five of us now.  I think we really need to fulfill our goal and become closer with our seventh graders.  Of what I know, they're all very nice and funny.  I don't want a 7th/8th grade relationship like we did last year, so I really, more than anything, want to get to know our seventh graders.  Having our new court system will hopefully help to bring our class together, both in the 8th and the 7th grade.




3) Leadership
I've never taken no for an answer.  From the time I was in half day, conducting building block towers and starting games of tag on the playground, I have felt that I am a leader in the classroom.  If anyone says to me, "you can just write the introduction," or "don't worry, I'll handle it,"  I immediately protest.  Academically, I do well, propelling a need for perfection.  In groups, I always take charge, letting myself handle the biggest responsibilities and being quite bossy.  I know that I get the good grade if I take leadership, so I tackle the organization, communication, and most of the work.  Personally, I don't understand how people can let others do all of the work.  I've tried, saying to myself, "you do enough already," and I just can't do it.    I suppose my leadership is only for personal gain.  On the basketball court, I serve as a different kind of leader -- supportive, good player, and a better teammate.  I do not know how other students view my classroom leadership -- good?  Annoying?  Just plain bossy?  I don't know, but what I do know is that I will continue to lead, hopefully more like I do playing basketball than just bossy, grade-obsessed control.


4) High School
At every mention of college, my mind flies straight to my future school.  Even when I was very young, I was stressing over what school I would get into in years to come.  Duke was the first choice after my mom and Duke TIP (and, of course, coach K), but recently I've had my eyes on an Ivy League school -- maybe playing basketball there, too.  College propels your career, your whole life.  It has to be perfect.  But, of course, I'm getting ahead of myself.   Every year, I worry about getting all A's, beginning as early as 3rd grade.  Now that I'm getting closer to entering high school, the four most important pre-college years, I am already a nervous, perfectionist wreck.  My math, science, Spanish, Orchestra, Grammar, and writing grades are all high A's, but literature remains  a tougher subject.  Not that I am failing it by any means, but I certainly have to work much harder to keep that grade up.  I've never been a great reader -- I'd always prefer to be outside or playing a sport.  This is my main academic goal in 8th grade -- to continue to improve my lit grade as well as to keep my other grades high.  I know that grades are not my biggest problem, though.  I need, more than anything, to work on my responsibility.  I need to keep better track of my belongings (as you know), and I need also to have better time management with basketball year-round, softball, volleyball, ultimate, Atlanta Junior Chamber Orchestra, All-State Orchestra, and, of course, homework.