“I should’ve done better,” I thought to myself as the teacher returned another bad grade. Maintaining good grades must be everyone’s motive in school, but in 8th grade year that almost didn’t happen for me. I walked into Davis Middle School on a bright and early morning. I took a seat in my first period. “We will be having a test next Tuesday. I have made a study guide for you all. It is graded for completion. ” Mrs. Snyder announced. Everyone groans as she proceeded to pass out the packets. I stuff mine in my bag and walk out. That afternoon after school, I was playing my computer with my friends in my room.
The house was quiet. My mom searches in my backpack and grabs the study guide. “Huy, don’t you have to work on this math study guide? ” my mom said. “Yeah I’ll start it right now. ” I replied. I went to grab my bag and study guide from my mom. As | grabbed a pencil, I got a text from my friend Justin. He wanted to come over to study. Once he came, we pulled out his packet. “Wait, is that a new longboard? ” Justin exclaimed. “Yeah, I bought it last week. ” | said. “Then let’s go try it out. We can come back and work later. ” We never did. I came in my room and I looked at the study guide.
I still just put it away and lay indolently in my bed. For the next couple of days, I still slacked on my work and pushed it off even more. Playing games, listening to music, hanging out with friends. Never even looked at the guide. On Sunday, I stayed up late playing Xbox. My mom was just fed up. “Why are you still playing games? It’s 12:00 am! ” my mom yelled. I turned off my system and went to bed. The test was tommorow. The next morning wasn’t going any better than last night. I slept in and was late for the bus stop. I changed my clothes and sprinted out the door, forgetting breakfast.
I made it to the bus stop, drowsy and tired. “I really should have slept early. “|| thought. Once I arrived at the school, I headed to first period and take a seat. I slump down in my chair and started to nod my head. “I will instruct you to put phones away now. ” Mrs. Snyder announced, “I will also be collecting your study guides as I pass out your tests. The tests will be handed back on friday. ” She begins passing out the test and she gets to my desk. “Do you have your study guide, Huy? ” Mrs. Snyder asked. “No” | reply and she drops the test and continues to pass out the rest.
I briefly flipped through the pages and didn’t understand a thing. I continued to do the test, starting with the ones I knew. “15 minutes left. ” Mrs. Snyder said. I start to guess on the rest of the questions and turned in my test. I left the class in disappointment. Friday finally rolled around. Mrs. Snyder passed tests out and flipped mine over when she placed it on my desk. I flip over and read the paper. It says “PARENT CONFERENCE MONDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 PM. “I looked at the grade and my heart dropped, it was a F. T hear the bell ring and I was so mad at myself I just put my test away and stomped out of the room.
That night, I heard my parent’s car pull in after school. “I have to show them, I have to. ” As they walk through the door, I hand my test to them and explained what happened. I felt my heart drop and felt total regret for what I did. “I’m taking your electronics away! ” my mom yelled, “Go to your room. Think about your imprudent decisions! ” The whole house was quiet that night. It was Monday morning, school is back already. In 1st period, Mrs. Snyder announces that there will be a new unit test next monday and there will be a study guide passed around today.
Mrs Snyder comes next to my desk. Here is a chance to redeem yourself. Don’t forget about the meeting tonight. ” That night, my parents drove to the meeting. That was the worst 45 minutes of my life. They came out furious and had faces of disappointment. To my luck, there was no lecture tonight. The next day after school, I look down at the study guide. I see Justin through the window and he was outside playing soccer with friends, but I just turn around and stared at the study guide. “I need to make a choice for myself. I will pass this test. “| thought to myself. I close the blinds and started to complete the study guide.
That night I completed the study guide and studied for 4 hours. Time flew by so fast, I missed dinner and went straight to sleep after studying. I continued to lock myself in my room every night to study until I got the concept of the unit and didn’t eat dinner until I finished reading the whole packet. Study centers were never spent talking to friends anymore. On the weekend, I took a break on Saturday to just rest and on Sunday I had 4 hours of studying done. I was ready to take it. On Monday morning, I woke up and had a breakfast to make me physically awake and prepared for the test.
After arriving at the school, I headed to my math class a little early so I decided to study my notes over one last time. Once the bell rang, I knew I was ready. I took a seat in my chair and waited to take the test. “These tests will be handed back on Thursday. ” Mrs. Snyder said, “No phones out during the test. ” Mrs. Snyder came around as usual and collected our study guides. She passes out the test flipped over and waits for everyone to settle. “You may now begin. ” I flip over my test. I feel good about this one. A few days later, Mrs.
Snyder had all of our finished tests graded and was starting to pass them out. She flips my test over on my desk. “Good Job, Huy. ” Mrs. Snyder said. I turn my test around and saw that one big A in the corner of the paper. I was happy. From then on, I continued to pull my grade up in that class and even though I had a D+, I never gave up because I knew I would work hard for that A. My parents even offered to give me my amenities back, but I declined. I knew if I wanted to get that A, I can’t have any distractions. That all payed off because by the end of the year, I left 8th grade with a A in Algebra 1.
