Growing as a Person

My Final Year at Fenn

This year hasn't been easy. I came from somewhat enjoying English last year to now sitting in my house in June of 2020 and loving it. I have grown in so many ways but it wouldn't have happened without my English teacher Fitz. He has many phrases that I have no clue where they are from but they just make sense. For an example, "90% of life is just simply about giving a dam and showing up!"

I learned that although I might not like or enjoy everything that I do in life, I should still persevere through it because I will likely take away something and if not, then at least I proved to myself that I can persevere through things that are hard, boring and that I just don't want to do.

Another thing that I learned this year is how to write a good story. Before this year, I hated writing about anything. However, with Fitz's planner that really breaks down the sections, I learned it is not about how much you write and the big picture, however the small picture and the way your story flows. With this, I felt I was not able to write much longer essays and stories, however much more detailed and interesting stories. In addition to that, Fitz's taught me to write about how you feel and what you are passionate about. One example where I really applied this was the essay of how we could improve Fenn. Although it was hard at first, after brainstorming some ideas, I had written 500 words before I knew it. Writing this essay taught me that anyone can be a good writer you just have to have something to believe in.

One final lesson and definitely the most important lesson is that you need to sell your writing to the reader. If you put a half-hearted effort in, people won't read past the first paragraph. However, if you write what you really feel and how you want the reader to appreciate the story, chances are that you will get the feedback that you were looking for. While this may have taken me more effort, it has taught me that people really can see the effort you put in.

Through success and failure and many many many essays, I am glad to have been in Fitz's English class this year and to have grown as an English student. It definitely taught me that you have to work hard and show effort however not all "work" has to be boring and that you can turn things and make it fun.