Onward Towards the Future
“Is this really a school?” was the first question that came to mind as I took in my surrounding. When I heard about Alameda Community Learning Center, my vision was of a classroom filled with drone-like students sitting in stiff postures typing away at the computer. However, nothing would have prepared me for the sight to behold as I took hesitant steps into the main building, which was to be later known as the Center - a place where fond memories were made. Cardboard boats were hanging from the ceiling, each supported by metal racks that ran the expanse of the building. Computers littered the entire room and there was even a couch off to the side where people were hanging out. I had my doubt when I saw this place, ready to hightail home and convince my parents that this was not the ideal school of their imagination, not at all. However, as time passed, I’m glad my persuasion had not worked. Thanks to ACLC, I have grown not only as a student, but as an individual ready to begin the next chapter of my life.
My time at this school has changed my personality, perspective, and attitude towards everything. I I’ve formed new friendships and rekindled old ones each filled with laughter, tears, and trust. I’ve developed work habits that I know will further me in life and I’ve changed my personality for the better. ACLC encourages me to look at the world in different perspectives and has given me incentive to explore my own self, to learn to stay on my feet no matter what obstacles are put forth. I’ve learned to become independent and self-reliant, but at the same time to understand that there are times when a helping hand is needed. I’ve come to slowly unravel my cocoon of uncertainty and timidity with the help my friends and supportive facilitators. ACLC’s emphasis of independence helped me learn how to be a responsible and self-managing person. Most important of all, ACLC has made me realize that I am the one in charge of my fate.
As a school whose main purpose is to help a learner grow, I believe ACLC has done a fine job. Being given the opportunity to take an array of classes with different, unique facilitators, I stand by with the thought that I have learned quite a lot all from in-depth analyses of pieces of text to casual news watching and discussion, and finally fun projects testing the reality of sciences. All of this knowledge has helped paved a road for me, so that I will not have to blindly traverse the road of adulthood.
Thinking and reasoning has never been a strong suite of mine, but rather only of decent level. However, as my time at ACLC lengthened, I would dare say that I have gotten much better with these skills. I have gotten a lot better with decision-making, being able to weigh the pros and cons of my choice and finding one that is the most beneficial. ACLC’s style of learning also allows learners so much freedom, that it is in their hands to learn how to use it wisely and the vast array of projects really kicks creativity into gear.
“Okay, get into groups and begin discussing plans and how you’ll get things done.” This has been a sentence that I hear practically every day from all different facilitators. Coming from a school not big on group works and being a timid person myself, teamwork is definitely not my cup of tea, or that’s at least what I thought. After being put through much cringe-worthy experiences in the beginning, I began to get used to teamwork and even began to enjoy it. Now, it’s safe to say that, yes, I like working as a team. Through group projects, I was able to learn more about myself and the type of person I would be in a group and shocking to say I found myself being the mediator. There are countless times when two members have clashing ideas and are ready to fight tooth and nail to win, that is when I step in, finding ways to combine or keep certain aspects of their ideas until both sides are satisfied. I like to find ways for people to compromise rather than them having a pointless fight over it.
To tell you the truth, I have never been a tech-savvy person, not having much exposure to computers before coming to ACLC. However, I quickly learned that if I were to survive in this school, I would have to learn how to use technology fast. My first experience with technology was during Summer Bridge where we were required to make a PowerPoint as a self-introduction. Boy was I in for a ride. Power point? What could that be? Without a doubt, I failed on that aspect and had to have my partner (who I’m thankful for) do the whole thing while I sat next to him telling him what to write. Now, I’m confident to say no longer the kid who knows nothing. Now I can use Microsoft word, PowerPoint, Excel and am venturing into using Publisher. Although, I’m not at the level of being a professional with technology, I can still say that I know enough by my own standards.
My time at ACLC has changed me for the better and looking back if I were to go to a different school, I would never be the person I am today. I would have still been stuck inside my shell, ignoring everyone as I sit in the back of the classroom, invisible and under the radar. The friends that I have made at ACLC, has helped me gain confidence and the freedom that ACLC has provided me gives me the chance to explore world. Although there have been ups and downs while at ACLC, the times that are memorable are…memorable. That’s really the only way that I can describe it. I just wouldn’t be quite the same had I gone to another school.