My Sixteenth Week as a Senior

This week was the most wonderful week of the year because it’s the most wonderful time of the year. If I’ve never mentioned this, I love the Holiday season. All the delicious treats, the cold, the snuggling, the coziness, they all define me. This week was also special because not only was it the last school week of the calendar year, it was the last school week of the calendar decade! It was almost surreal.

The week started with a supply teacher in Biology. Our teacher had gone to the Science Centre with her IB class for the same field trip we went on in November. She had given us a bunch of worksheets to complete after reading chapter 9, which is basically the introduction to Homeostasis and the systems that help maintain it. There were 5 of them and I managed to finish them all in class. In Sociology, we started the last unit of the semester, Societal Harmony. We briefly touched on al the “-isms” in our society and talked about the types of biases we have. We have our own personal bias and then we have our societal or implicit bias which is programmed into us by those who have influence. In Math, we did 9.5, Composite Functions. Basically, if you have to equations, f(x) and g(x), a composite function for the two equations could be (f o g)(x), which means the whole equation of g(x) takes place of x in f(x). If f(x)=x+1 and g(x)=x+2, (f o g)(x)= f(g(x))= (x+2) +1. There is a bit more to it than that, but that is a pretty good explanation to prepare you if you have to tackle it in the future. In Chemistry, we had a supply teacher. We watched some videos about solubility and answered questions on a worksheet.

Tuesday felt a little off without the late start. In Sociology, we did an activity to differentiate between stereotype, prejudice and discrimination. We learnt that they are all rungs of a ladder, with systemic discrimination and genocide at the top. In Biology, we had a unit test on Genetics. It was a fun test. I like how our teacher puts pictures of the scientists we talk about as bonus questions. I think I got this one right. In Chemistry, we continued discussing solubility. We took up the worksheet and then got a little time to work on other things. In Math, we did 9.6, which was solving functions with technology. It was one of those sections that don’t really matter when the final exam rolls around. After that, we had a quiz on 9.1-9.5.

Wednesday was good! In Biology, we had a presentation done by representatives of the University Health Network (UHN) and organ recipients who talked to us about the importance of organ donation. In sociology, we discussed what we thought was the meanings of words like Nationality, Race, Ethnicity, Heritage, ancestry etc. Our teacher wanted to make sure that we use these words correctly in conversation. At lunch, the SAC had a holiday lunch and we exchanged our secret Santa presents. I got a box of 100 mini candy canes, a packet of Sour Patch Kids and a Tim Hortons gift card. I got my person a packet of Lindor assorted chocolates. In Math, we did the last part of the unit, 9.7 which was about using graphing calculators. In Chemistry, we had a quiz on equilibrium. I might have bombed it because I didn’t have the time to study for it. I was up late, working on my Sociology ISU. Edit: I didn’t completely bomb it. I could have done better but I can work with what I got.

Thursday was a day of running around, getting things done. In Sociology, we had our Bibliography Day. Our teacher looked over all of our ISU bibliographies to make sure they were 100% correct before we submitted our ISU. I love that she did this because we have the chance to get the full mark for citations. In Biology, we had a supply teacher. So, I finished some of the work she had left for us and then went to help pop some popcorn for the Pajama Day Popcorn Lunch. It was fun. In Chemistry, we discussed Acid-Base equilibrium. In Math, we did the last part of the last unit and it felt good.

The last school day of the decade was the weirdest I’ve had. Our classes were shortened because of the UCC Multishow. I knew I would be excused from my first two classes so I decided I would go a little late. I woke up after 8:00 AM on a regular school day for the first time in years. I took the 8:55 AM bus and went to school; still got there on time, I don’t know how. I went to the library and printed out my ISU. I handed that in, to my Sociology teacher and then headed down to the auditorium. I watched the teams practise until the end of the second period and then went to my Math class. Our teacher didn’t teach so we played Holiday Hangman, sang carols and just talked. In Chemistry, we watched Patriot Act. I think it was the Mental Health episode, but I wasn’t paying attention I had a lot of work to finish before the break began. At lunch, I headed to the Tim’s near my school for a hot chocolate. When I got there, the line was too long to wait in, so I went back to school. By then, the show was about to start anyway. I recorded most of the show and then left at 2:20 PM. I got home and it was Christmas break. Winter break has begun!!

This week had a lot of ups and downs. I loved every bit of it, and I am so happy it all happened because it makes me better. I hope you had a wonderful week as well. -Aarushi.