I don’t know if you experience this, but every time I take a subject like AP Bio or AP Chem that absolutely consume your life, I have very vivid dreams of that subject. I remember when I took AP Chem, a nightmare consisted of screwing up the endpoint of a titration or having the acid-base calculations zig-zag through my mind. I dreamt dreams of Chemistry the whole of my junior year, and the very fact that I remember them at all confirms the fact that my sleep was much less than ideal. My lack of sleep was probably due to me taking AP Physics, AP Calc AB and BC at the same time, being a president of all of the honor societies (never mind the fact I lack knowledge in some of the subjects) as well as taking both English 11 and 12 at CCBC while at the same time volunteering on Saturdays and Sundays with “The Under Water Basket Weavers” and somehow running the 2-mile in a track meet at the exact same time. This year I decided to do something different as my previous trajectory was completely absurd and I was getting seriously burned out.
Instead of trying to remember the difference between a cis-fat and a trans-fat, or aspiring to live your life on Web Assign by taking Physics C, I took Small Engines. Most people don’t know this class exists nor do they know that there is an entire welding lab in the basement. In one class period, I learned how to wire a lightbulb. An electrician can be paid extremely well for this 10-minute task. Mr. Davis, the Small Engines teacher, stated that fewer people are learning these skills so in the near future, tradespeople will be able to command even more money with sums up to $300 to put in a light switch. So it is quite cost effective to learn skills such as basic electric work and basic engine repair. Aside from the practical and financial aspects, the fabulous pay off of taking Small Engines is that, at the end of the year, a final project is made which is completely yours to choose. So far I have a few ideas: an ice axe to go climbing in the mountains, an art table, or some brass knuckles. I am also sleeping a lot better for those of you that are concerned.