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Holden Fitzpatrick

Mr. Boyatt

AP Lit/ Period 4

18 May 2022

Reflection Essay

From my prior portfolio work, my most proud work is from freshman year when I wrote

the essay House on Mango Street. For writing it freshman year I felt like I did a pretty good job

on it. Although I did revise it for my Scholarship part of my exit project, the essay was very

sophisticated and I used strong words to create an overall solid essay. I remember not

understanding the book at all when we were reading it, but I went in to intervention (something I

wouldn’t do now) to get work and help on the book. It helped a tremendous amount and I would

look up words at home for me to use on the essay so I could get a higher grade. I don’t think I

particularly did a good job on it grade wise, but it helped establish my sophistication and

complexity in my writing for the years to come. My analysis, however, was very poor and I

strived in my next essays to have much better analysis than the, “House on Mango Street,” essay.

Even for my poor analysis, it was good analysis for freshman year and I continued to improve on

it as I can tell my analysis on my senior essays were much better than my freshman ones.

To start off, I have improved tremendously in a bunch of my classes from freshman year

to senior year grade wise, but also haven’t in some classes due to my lack of motivation and

drive to be better in those classes. For example I never seemed to improve much in any of my

English classes grade wise from freshman year to senior year. I maintained a B in all my English

classes throughout the years (PreAP English, AP Lang, and AP Lit) besides two A’s both

semesters in English 10. I improved tremendously in Math over the years especially since
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continuing into higher and more advanced math classes. I got A’s both semesters freshman year

in Algebra 1, a B in summer school in Geometry, an A first semester and a B+ second semester

in Algebra 2 Plus, an A- in Accel Pre Cal first semester and an A- second semester in AP Calc

AB, and finally two B’s, a B and B+ in AP Stats. I continued to improve in all my elective

classes earning A’s in all my spanish classes and A’s in all my P.E. classes as well as an A- and B

in both semesters of Art. I also thrived in history and improved from taking AP world history

sophomore year to taking AP U.S. history junior year. I earned B’s in both semesters of AP

World and A’s in both semesters in AP U.S. history. Especially my science classes I improved

tremendously, since taking one A and a B first and second semester of Biology, I took all A’s in

both Chemistry and Physics. Over the course of my four years here at Great Oak, I have

improved tremendously in a lot of my core and elective courses but also struggled to improve in

some of my main ones, such as English and parts of Sciences.

Some areas for improvement that I can work on in the future, are areas that involve some

science and some areas of art and math. If I ever take art in the future in college, I will really

need to pay more attention to the techniques and the way the teacher does the artwork so I can

excel at a higher level in those classes. Biology was a tough second semester and I wasn’t really

good with doing my work in that class. If I ever take it again I will make sure I do my work

much more carefully and understand the content much better, whether that’s asking the professor

questions or being much more attentive in class. Finally I could definitely improve in my math, I

know my potential when it comes to math and how easy it comes to me. I sometimes slack off in

my math classes, and that caused me to have B’s both semesters in my AP Stats class. I definitely

need to improve my writing skills especially, I am not a good writer, however I try to be and

work very in my English class to learn the techniques and try to write better in that class.
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Finally, Great Oak High School has done an amazing job at preparing me for the next

step that being college. Attending Cal State Fullerton would not be possible without tremendous

help from some of my amazing teachers and dedicated classmates who come to school ready to

work every day. Centering myself around good friends who push me to be the best version of

myself that being a better student and person was so critical for me being successful. Social

connections are especially important in succeeding in school and Great Oak did an amazing job

centering myself around people who truly care about me. The most important thing I’m thankful

for at Great Oak is the weekly appreciation for all the students who work hard in school.

Whether it's giving out candy to successful athletes or students, or giving out 3 minute friday

stickers, etc, Great Oak does an amazing job at including the whole school into a friendly

community of strong-minded students. Great Oak High School has pushed me to be the best

person I am and have matured me into the person I am today and I couldn’t be more thankful and

excited for the next stage of my life!!