Dear new APELC student,
If you're reading this, that means you've chosen to taken APELC, which is a choice that will provide you with an enriching and challenging experience for your junior year. The course will teach you a lot about writing and reading different types of texts, and it will definitely make you think about a huge variety of topics. The beginning of the year is a struggle for all new students, but definitely don't be discouraged at your performance in the beginning of the year, because the only thing you can do from there is improve! Struggling in the beginning of the course is something that happens to everyone, and it shouldn't be discouraging. You're not a bad writer, the teachers have high expectations and you'll get increasingly closer to reaching those expectations throughout the year. Getting off to a rough start won't determine the whole year, because as the year progresses, you'll become more comfortable with the structure and expectations of the course. The important thing is not about whether you get an A or B in the class, but it's what you learn from the class. You learn to improve your reading and writing abilities as well as discuss important topics and learn to become a more informed and active citizen of society. You do so many different things, from symposiums to creative projects, and the course is about so much more than just writing. The practice and the timed essays really do help with improving your skills at analysis and argumentation. You'll develop your own writing style and thoughts on the topics and prompts that may differ from those of the teachers or your fellow students.
It is important to get help when you need it - especially for discussing essays before they're due. The teachers can give you excellent advice on your essays and guide you in the right direction if you're having a problem with your writing or maybe even just to get another perspective. While the homework that is assigned is usually not checked, it's still a good idea to do it so you can have a deeper understanding of the topic and so you can be prepared for class and not be confused as to what everyone is doing. The texts are really helpful, and by understanding what you read and learning the ideas of others, you can improve your own writing as well as expand your knowledge of the world. You'll have to do a lot of thinking and analysis, but it's definitely worth it.
Everyone starting the class has a lot to learn, and by the time the year comes to a close, you'll look back upon your work from September and be amazed by how much you've improved. The important thing is to have a positive attitude and know that a bad grade is not something to be upset about, but something that can be used for improving in the future. You have plenty of opportunity to prepare for timed essays or take home essays and get help if you need it. The class has many opportunities for you to succeed, and it's definitely possible to achieve your goals. The course isn't impossible, despite what some people may say. It takes work and thought, but you are definitely able to survive the work (and maybe even get an A while you're at it).
