Suhas Bathini - Week 16 - This Past Year

This past year has been a whirlwind.

I was always warned about junior year. It is the year when you take your SAT, get piled with tons of demanding coursework, and start critically thinking about the dreadful topic of college. I thought I was ready coming up to this year, but nothing could have fully prepared me. The year was an experience for sure, but I am relieved to be able to push on through high school and slowly move forward to the later years of my life (isn't it crazy that in 6-12 months we will become a full fledged adults in society; I don't know if I am ready for that yet). 

However, looking back at this year, beyond all the late nights or early mornings studying for tests or stressing over assignments that I procrastinated, I remember the random experiences and events that stick out to me. Whether it was a picnic with a few classmates that stemmed from a game of Gartic Phone, or playing Overcooked with my friends before our AP tests, such experiences help create moments to smile about later.

As I transition into senior year for my final few months before becoming an adult, going to college, and eventually getting a job, I hope to remain open-minded and continue to create lasting memories that I can look fondly upon later in my life. Like the last question in Mrs. Smith's weekly surveys, I hope to always have something to smile about each day of the week. With the pressures of work and family responsibilities that ramp up later on in our lives, we will not have the same freedom to enjoy the little moments.

I'm sorry if this blog post is a bit heavy; I'm writing this blog post after binging an emotional and depressing show, so it may have influenced my mood and tone. 

The picture encapsulates how I feel studying for APs. Source: The Cub


Comments

  1. Krish PatelMay 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM

    Hi Suhas,
    I saw the picture preview for this blog, and I clicked on your blog to read what you had to say about junior year. I agree that junior year was by far the most stressful academic year that I have had and there were times where I wondered how I was supposed to complete all the assignments and study for the upcoming tests and quizzes in all six classes. I like how you reference the weekly surveys as I chuckled when I read that line in your blog, but I completely understand what you meant by wanting something to smile about everyday. I hope to also have something to smile about whether it be spending time with my family or friends. In addition, I like how you used humor especially in the last sentence as it kept me smiling throughout your blog. I agree that the things we watch or make ourselves experience have a significant impact on our mood which is why I love comedy movies. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog, and I hope you can find something or someone to cheer you up everyday.
    -Krish

    ReplyDelete
  2. Colin PhanMay 20, 2025 at 11:51 AM

    Hey Suhas!
    Yeah, I agree. This past year has definitely been a whirlwind. I enjoyed reading your experience on this past year, and it sure was an experience. Would you retake APENG, given the chance? I’m not sure what my answer would be, but I can definitely say that I gained many valuable lessons and skills during my time in this class. One of my favorite memories in this class (recently because I forgot some stuff from first semester) was playing mafia in class after completing the AP test. I don’t know why but you always seemed sus. As you go on to senior year, and then college, I don’t know if you will be in any of my class. In case you will not, I wish you the best in your future endeavors and know that you can achieve anything that you set your mind to. I hope you find someone or something that allows you to smile every day. I hope you will make memorable experiences in the future, similar to the ones we made in this class. I hope you stop being sus.
    Congrats on completing junior year.
    Colin

    ReplyDelete
  3. Max GeMay 21, 2025 at 11:13 AM

    Hi Suhas, it was great getting to meet you this year. I feel more connected to both you and Ruhika through our little Whatsapp group chat. It was the most random but lucky thing ever. You’re very academically talented and I think you need to stop underestimating yourself…

    I was also warned about junior year being extremely difficult and being full of burnout, and originally I thought that I could escape the burnout and power through the year with the motivation I had at the beginning. So I was definitely wrong and the burnout is hitting harder than ever right now. I don’t know why I’m so unproductive today even after sleeping a while, and I’ve felt the same way so many days this year.

    But I’m also pretty proud of my work this year. I’m glad that I was able to push through the year despite many instances of burnout and many instances of “I just want to go to sleep what even is this ts pmo.” Good job to you, and everyone here, for being done with junior year (almost).

    I can’t believe senior year is approaching so rapidly. What do you mean we are seniors in just a few weeks? I’m glad that junior year is over but it’s such a weird feeling that the future is approaching so rapidly.

    I hope we all have something to smile about every day. Good luck in life Suhas. I’m sure you will do great.

    Max

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ritwik DeshpandeMay 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM

    Hi Suhas,

    The idea that you emphasized over and over again in your blog post that we will become full-fledged adults in the near future is truly shocking and frightening to me. I still think of myself as a little kid, and like you, I don’t think I feel ready at all to approach the world as an equal to all other adults. Although our experiences have taught us a lot, it still feels like we have a lot to learn and do before we fully reach the level of adulthood that would let us be proper, functioning, independent members of society. The part of your blog post when you describe how you always want something to smile about like the question at the end of the weekly surveys truly made me think for a second about what really matters in life. Is it the grades we earn? The job we have? Or is it just about having something to make you smile? I think the answer to this has become clear due to that question on the weekly surveys. I definitely agree with you that I would like to preserve that positive outlook.

    -Ritwik

    ReplyDelete

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