Octavian's English Blog

 I don’t usually study much, but practice tests are the best way for me to prepare for major exams. They help me see what I actually know and what I need to work on without wasting time on stuff I already understand. Practice tests also get me used to the format of the real exam, so I feel more confident when I take it.  Today in class we read a passage about Susan B. Anthony and womens rights to votes. This passage informed me more and helped prepare me for the end of course test and it was interesting so I liked it.

The hardest part of writing an informational essay for me is finding evidence. It can be difficult to find reliable sources that clearly support my points, and sometimes the information is too complicated or doesn’t fit well with what I’m trying to say. To get better at this, I can use trustworthy websites, books, or articles and take better notes while researching.  Today in class we got more information about essays and writing them, we answered some multiple choice questions and revised a paragraph to make our transitions better. I honestly liked this assignment, it helped me writing essays and the sources we read from were pretty interesting.

I think near-death experiences are mostly scientific. When someone is close to dying, their brain goes through a lot, like losing oxygen or releasing chemicals that cause strange sensations, like bright lights or floating. The article explains how the brain tries to make sense of what's happening, which makes sense to me. Today in class we looked at a study done by a medical doctor about NDEs and we read and answered questions as well as brainstormed for an essay. I liked this assignment since the topic was very interesting and informed me a lot.

Having a strong vocabulary gives me a better chance of getting into college because it helps me sound more thoughtful and clear in essays and interviews. It also makes daily communication easier since I can express my ideas better and avoid misunderstandings. In my relationships, choosing the right words helps me communicate my feelings and prevent unnecessary arguments. Today in class we worked on 15 new vocabulary words. I disliked this assignment since it is repetitive and similar to assignments we've done in the past, but obviously vocabulary is really helpful in the real world so I need it.

 I’d rather live in the city because I like being around people and want to be close to big companies for job opportunities. Cities have more things to do, and everything is nearby, so I wouldn’t have to drive as much. Also, living in a busy place seems more exciting than a quiet suburb. I also don't plan on having too many kids, if any at all, so I don't really see myself living in the suburbs. Today in class we read a passage about American suburbs. I really liked this passage since it changed my distorted views about America and how many people really live in suburbs/small cities.

 I don’t want to be stuck with student loan debt, so ill try to avoid it by getting scholarships, going to an in state college, and maybe working part-time. I’ll also look for grants and choose a school that isn’t crazy expensive. If I can, ill save money before college so I don’t have to borrow as much.  Today in class we read a passage about student loan debt. I really liked this assignment since this taught me to carefully monitor my money and reevaluate my goals after high school.

The word nonentity is kinda funny because it means someone nobody notices. That used to be me since I was pretty quiet back then. It was weird but also kinda nice. Now, I’m not like that anymore, but the word reminds me how people change. Today in class we went over our vocab words and exercises. I personally did not like this assignment but it is always good to learn new vocabulary and the words this week were interesting.

When I shop, I don’t usually check where products come from, but I might if I knew it was important. I’d be willing to pay a little more for something made in the U.S. if I knew it was better quality or if it helped local workers. But if the price difference is too much, I’d probably just buy the cheaper option. Today in class we read an article about Trump and his implementation of tariffs. I liked this assignment since it made me focus on current events in the world and informed about tariffs. 

 A time when my failure was necessary for my growth was when I got injured during a sports season. At first, I was frustrated and disappointed, and I thought I had failed by not being able to perform. However, that injury forced me to take a step back and focus on my recovery. I learned to be patient with myself and to train smarter. It made me better and stronger. Today in class we took a benchmark test to test our knowledge getting ready for the EOC test. I disliked this assignment but it was nice to see my progress in this class and everything i have gained.

 My brother’s journey into tech and graduation is a great example of achieving a dream. One lesson I can learn from him is the importance of dedication. He worked hard to learn new skills and stayed focused on his goals, even when things got tough. He also worked hard to build relationships that helped him find opportunities. He teaches me that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take chances, I can reach my own dreams too. Today in class we read a poem about chasing your dreams and did an assignment on our dreams in life and wrote some of our favorite quotes. I personally really liked this assignment since it gave me a sense of direction in life and it got me to think about how I'm going to reach that dream.

Nebulous means something that is unclear or confusing. It can describe ideas or things that are hard to understand. I first came across this word in a book when a character had a nebulous idea for a project but couldn’t explain it clearly. Knowing this word helps me communicate better because it reminds me to be clear. If my ideas are too nebulous , people won’t get what I mean, so I try to be more specific when I talk or write. Today in class we did a vocabulary lesson with 15 new words. I personally disliked this assignment but its important to expand my vocab any chance I get, it was just a little boring.

I prefer Daylight Savings Time because there’s more daylight after school. It’s nice to have extra time to get things done, like having more time to spend outside.. The sun setting later just makes the day feel longer and more productive. Today in class we completed a newsela article about these times. I liked this assignment since I learned why we do different times at different points in the years and it changed my opinion on it.

The best cook in my family is definitely my brother. He makes the best steak I’ve ever tasted. He starts by seasoning it perfectly, then sears it in a hot pan with butter, rosemary, and garlic. The smell alone makes my mouth water. The steak comes out tender and flavorful, with a crispy outside and a juicy, pink inside. Every bite is amazing, and I always look forward to when he’s cooking. Today in class we read a poem from Langston Hughes about dreams. I liked this assignment since it forced me to think about what I will do later in my life and my goals. 

 The most disgusting food I’ve ever had was chicken liver. It was at a family dinner, and I didn’t want to be rude, so I tried it. The texture was slimy, and the taste was way too strong and bitter for me. It was so bad that I couldn’t finish it, and I honestly felt like I was going to gag.  Today in class we worked on our cultural masks about us. I liked this assignment since we got to represent ourselves and what our culture was.

My favorite word right now is potato because I just think it's fun to say and I really like potatoes in general. I use it a lot when I'm talking about food or when I’m joking around with friends. It’s just a nice simple word that sounds good and I love potatoes. Today in class, we did a vocabulary lesson on 15 new words from lesson 11. We learned their meanings and worked on exercises to understand how to use them in sentences.