I used to be an actor, but now I’m a director. My theatrical transformation began at the age of thirteen, when I sat through a math class on improper fractions while I was already dreaming of the world of calculus. Finding myself craving knowledge at a pace exceeding that of my classmates, I set out to find a way to satisfy this newfound hunger.
The gears of this transition began turning when my Chemistry teacher suggested self-studying. “Since you want to accelerate your program past my regular teaching schedule, you’re going to have to learn the additional topics by yourself,” he said one afternoon. While I was eager for the opportunity, I shuddered when I heard “by yourself”. How could middle-schoolers learn things by themselves?
But I wasn’t going to abandon the chance without at least trying, so after dinner I took out my chemistry textbook, notebook, a few pencils, a big cup of coffee (self-studying felt like a grown-up job, so it was only right to have a grown-up drink), and spent the rest of the night studying a few chapters ahead, taking notes, working through questions. When I looked up at the clock after what seemed like a quick session, I was surprised when I saw that five hours had flown by effortlessly. I realized then that I had created a kind of studio, a rehearsal space, complete with my choice of props and a director’s chair. I was in control, and it felt great.
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Now, as a senior in high school, I continue to write my own lines, call my own shots, shoot my own life scenes, and I’m thrilled about it, not because of clichéd reasons related to overcoming challenges or becoming independent. It’s much simpler than that: I’m happy because I’m having fun. I’m not legally an adult, but being able to run the show that is my academic life sure makes me feel like