An achievement this year? When I was starting a plan for this, I couldn’t think of anything in specific. While I’m not doing badly this year, I don’t feel like I’m standing out. Though this is about school and learning, it shouldn’t just be about academic achievement and the like. So the achievement I’ll document will be learning to really listen and trying to learn.

In the past, my grades were fine; I was doing OK. The problem in school for me was that I didn’t really listen or try to learn as much as I could. I was content to sit on where I was at, not pushing for anything better. This year, thanks to some pushing from parents and teachers alike, I’ve adapted a different mindset towards learning and school. I feel like this is an achievement; I shouldn’t just treat school like a means to an end – it’s about learning, not results.

People say good things take time, and this one certainly did. It’s taken me almost a whole year to fully adapt to learning more effectively, and it was quite on and off (especially at the start). Over the time, important people in my life have helped (if unknowingly) me progress with this achievement and without them, I don’t think I would’ve done it myself. These people would be my parents, my teachers and even some of my friends. For this accomplishment, there was no set path, no set process. It was more like writing – starting was the hardest part, and from there, you have a certain flow to what you’re doing.

I feel a lot better when trying to learn and listen. Before, it felt like school was an enemy; an obstacle standing in my way. Now it’s more of an old friend; a helping hand. And, as a bonus, my grades have been improving over the year as well. Overall, there were definitely challenges, but the outcome was worth it. From here, I’ll try to improve my attitude to study (it’s still not my favourite) and improve my collaboration skills. But for now, I’m happy with what I’ve achieved in Year 9.