Top Of The Class Is Not The End of The Road...
It's Just Her Beginning
by, Kamill Dawkins
 |
| Photo: Courtesy |
This week I had the opportunity to interview Tosin Adebayo, a sophomore at University High School, who has maintained the highest GPA in her class from freshman year--to now.
How does she do it? In this interview I get up close and personal with Tosin. She offers some advice to her peers and shares her personal experiences on how she stays so focused in school.
What habits do you practice to stay on top of your grades?
"I make sure my grades stay on top because I push myself to make sure I understand whatever I was taught during the school day. If I don’t understand it 100%, I give myself practice in the topic and teach myself to understand. Another habit that works for me but, it may not really work for others is procrastination. Before you jump to conclusions hear me out! There’s always been a negative light on being a procrastinator. However, procrastination is really the art of managing a short amount of time. It can lead to greater success and happiness-- for me at least. The wisest leaders embrace their procrastination. They would basically sit around and think and not do anything unless they absolutely had to. I find that I work better that way. It’s just my style of doing things. This may not work for everyone-- but it works for me."
When was a time you were worried about your grades, and how did you recover from it?
"A time I was worried about my grades was in 5th grade when I realized there was a future ahead of me. Up until then, I didn’t have a care in the world about my grades. All my report card ever read was C’s, D’s and F’s. I just went to school for fun and to get on my teachers nerves. But our guidance counselor came in to talk to us about high school. Then it hit me. I'm going to high school one day and eventually college and for me that was my turning point. Now, I'm more focused on my grades and making the A’s. I now have a clear fixation on what I want my future to look like."
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
"In ten years, I will be graduating from a spectacular school. I haven’t figured out which on yet. But I will be graduating, with my masters in two majors journalism and creative writing. Then maybe, going back to school to get my doctorates degree in journalism and creative writing. Just maybe. I hope to be an author and writer by then. If thats' what the universe has allowed.
What tips do you have for students struggling with their grades?
"A tip I have for struggling students is to do what works for them because honestly, not everyone does anything the same. Some people learn slower than others. And others learn faster than others. However, if you don’t understand something that was taught in class it is in fact your responsibility to learn that skill. Ask questions when you don't understand.Whether it be from Khan Academy, Youtube or any other sources, use them! Nothing can be too hard for you unless you keep it that way."
As the top student of your class, do you feel pressure to stay on top?
"It feels nerve-wrecking because everyone is expecting you to keep it that way and not expecting you to make any mistakes along the way. Not trying to seem ungrateful but, its simply just another title to me. With or without these grades, I'm still going to be me, Tosin. Definitely feel lots of pressure. You do something normal, like make a mistake and someone goes “Hey, aren’t you the top student of the class? You should know this!” When in fact I shouldn’t. I'm still a work in progress on my learning adventure. It doesn't stop after you've reached “top student of the class”.
People need to understand that education never really ends and people are SUPPOSED to make mistakes."
How do you stay motivated?
"I stay motivated by thinking of my long-term goals in life. Whatever I do today will, in some fashion, affect my tomorrow. That's a constant thought running through my mind daily. My idea of tomorrow."
It is easy for anyone to fall behind , but it is important to motivate yourself and strive to be the best. Don’t be satisfied with the bare minimum, go above and beyond! Things such as being at the top of your class look very good when applying to colleges and people sometimes people forget those little things. Like Tosin said, "...if you don’t understand something that was taught in class it is in fact your responsibility to learn ... Ask questions when you don't understand."
Think hard about the decisions you make in high school, and the type of person you want to be, your future is in your hands.
Reading this made me regret not having my head in the game my full high school career. Tosin realized early on that high school was very important, however I came to that conclusion a little later than I would have liked. I hope Tosin continues to stay as focused as she has, she half way there and with persistence she can graduate valedictorian of her class.
ReplyDelete