This semester I am taking seven classes and an independent study, so I don't have a lot of free time. But when I put off my homework, I like to play drums, listen to music, and read comic books. I also enjoy math, science, and computers. I read Science News, and occasionally some parts of the Ann Arbor News.
I used to watch TV a lot but a few years ago I came up with a more enjoyable way to spend my summer. I started by going to what I call "nerd camp." I went for 12 days and studied various subjects. After two summers of that, I was ready for something more intense. So... I went to Russia for three weeks. I saw Moscow, Red Square, Lenin's Tomb, St. Petersburg, Peter Paul Fortress, and many other cathedrals and museums. Before we flew to Moscow, we stayed in Washington D.C. for three days, so I had a chance to contrast D.C., Moscow and St. Petersburg. What did I learn? I learned that Russian architecture is more interesting than that of Washington D.C.: purple and red and yellow as opposed to grey and grey and grey.
For the past few years, I have been getting low grades on writing assignments, particularly ones like this (mainly because I put them off until Sunday night). This year I hope to improve those grades by raising the level of effort I put into my writing. I don't really like to write, I would rather read. I have already read the first five chapters of my chemistry book. I learn best that way: by reading the material first, and then having a discussion with either a classmate or a teacher.
That was in 11th grade. I still get bad grades on writing assignments, cause I still put them off until the proverbial Sunday night. Only difference, now I have classes where the paper I write is the only grade I get. The stakes are higher.