THE FIRST WEEK OF ATYP - by Zoe Folsom

Today's guest blogger is Zoe Folsom, a former ATYP student and current grader and office assistant. We are happy to have her on board!

I remember a confusing blend of excitement and terror on my first day of ATYP. Finally, a class with other students like me! A class I would find challenging! However, the very reasons I found ATYP exciting were the ones scaring me. The summer homework comprised more writing than I did in a year in middle school English. Not only that, but the class had students from all over the Kalamazoo area, none of whom I knew. Sitting down to my first class (six years ago), I couldn’t help but wonder: am I really cut out for this?

I have good news: my doubts were unfounded. I successfully completed all four available years of ATYP’s English program, and I consider it the most powerful force yet in shaping who I am as a person, and my intellectual interests. That doesn’t mean, of course, that the whole thing was a breeze, so I have some tips for staying calm and prepared as students embark on their exciting new journey:

First, understand that everyone in the class is just as overwhelmed as you are. Though it doesn’t seem so, there’s a great advantage to ATYP students being overwhelmed together: you can help each other. ATYP is not like other classes where all of the other students come to you for help with their homework, and you have little peer support. I met hilarious, kind, and fascinating people in my classes. Even if you feel like a bit of an outcast in public school (I certainly did), ATYP is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded peers, and to receive assistance from them when you’ve gotten three different answers on a math problem on three different attempts, or when Shakespeare seems to be writing gibberish.

Secondly, realize that ATYP teachers know how exceptionally demanding their classes are. I spent years pretending that things hadn’t come up, that I wasn’t overwhelmed, and that I didn’t desperately need an extension on one of my assignments, in the interest of being “a better student” for my teachers. What I discovered over time is that honesty is always the best route to being a better student. Teachers understand that life happens, and they’ll gladly work something out with you! ATYP doesn’t want students to break down; if you find yourself confused or in need of assistance, know that the ATYP staff wants nothing more than to help you.

Finally, and most importantly, take a moment to be proud of yourself! You’ve proven ambition, intelligence, and bravery by deciding to enter the ATYP program. Don’t forget that as classes kick into gear. There might be moments in which you start to regret it; in those moments, remember the excitement of opening your ACT or SAT scores and knowing you had made it. Think of all you’re gaining that you wouldn’t in a public high school setting. Even though you’ll have to work for your success, you’ve already proven you have the intellectual skillset required. With the help of your amazing peers and incredible teachers, ATYP doesn’t need to be as stressful as it might seem right now. Skill is a matter of practice, and ATYP classes are no exception; with practice, you’ll wonder why you were ever scared.