Exhibit: Advanced Chemistry
Benchmark: Teamwork/Communication
Skills: TC104: Listen to different group members and ask relevant questions
TC112: Request support or help from others when needed

    As a sophomore I took chemistry at the same time as biology, which in turn made me eligible to take Advanced Chemistry, or Chem. II, a year early. I took Chem. II with the class of 2015 seniors and made many amazing friends. Nevertheless, taking Chem. II a year early was also very academically challenging but in the end it taught me how to be a better student. 

    Advanced Chemistry is not required to graduate here at Hanover-Horton High School but it is one of the best classes you could take. Chem II dives into material that is taught in college courses and it was very hard for me to remember everything that I needed to. There are many different rules, numbers, equations, and theories that you have to remember in order to succeed. This was very challenging for me because if I had one number wrong or one step in the equation wrong then my whole problem was wrong.

 
    During my year of Chem. II I struggled immensely with the material. I had one test that I studied for hours for only to get to the test and realize that I still didn’t understand the material as while as I would have liked; and I ended up with a grade that I was less than pleased with. Thus after that incident I realized I needed to get help. So my friends Amanda and Lindsey and I decided to have a big study session together so we could all understand the current chapter better! We all met at Amanda’s house where I brought pizza and breadsticks and we all ate together and studied. We were up until ten that night asking each other questions and going through the entire chapter section by section. We took notes on each section and even answered the practice questions throughout the book. Because of this the next test went much better for me! I realized that I needed help and was able to get it as well as work with my friends and get answers that made sense to me! 

    My experience with Chem. II helped me realize that I could utilize my resources and that working with others can help me understand the material ten times better than when I am by myself. I was able to ask questions and receive answers that were in my language; they weren’t just ten scientific words that were supposed to make sense to me and didn’t!

    I am grateful for my year in Chem. II because it helped me grow as a student. I learned a lot academically but I also learned better study skills. I was able to work with my peers and discuss questions with them in order to understand the material better. I know that in order to get through college and receive a degree for my chosen career that I will have a lot of tough classes. But I also know that no matter how hard the class I can always ask questions and utilize my options. In my future career I will have to be willing to ask questions to parents and guardians so that I understand each of my patients’ unique characteristics and situations to the best of my ability in order to try to help them. I will make sure that I understand what the parents are saying and will apply what I have learned to care for my patients in the best ways possible. My year in Advanced Chemistry helped me realize when I need to ask questions and motivated me to do better; it increased my work ethic and helped me prepare for my future career and young adult life.