Reflective Essay I came to ACLC in my senior year. Before coming to ACLC, I was really hard on myself by comparing my abilities to others. Since being at ACLC, I am able to appreciate my abilities because of the noncompetitive atmosphere at the school. I no longer feel I need to compete with anyone because I am confident, self-assured and motivated. My oral communication skills have improved since arriving at ACLC. Public speaking has been a challenge for me because I have always been somewhat of a shy person. I am much more comfortable now when I need to express myself. ACLC has also helped me with time management and organizational skills. It starts with setting goals and making sure to review them often. I also allow enough time to study and work on projects and assignments in math, language arts, physics, and government. I do not take it for granted that I am very fortunate so I enjoy volunteering at a homeless shelter and serving others who are less fortunate. One of the things that have served me well at ACLC is the use of annotation in my language arts class. Annotation is a valuable tool, not just in literature classes, but in any class that requires a better understanding of the text. I am a much better writer now than I was a year ago, and my writing reflects comprehension of the information. When I came to ACLC, I had taken three years of Spanish. Knowledge of the language has been helpful when communicating with people who primarily speak Spanish. I have been able to learn so much in my other classes at ACLC because the teachers do not just teach from textbooks, but give learners the opportunity to be taught in other ways. ACLC recognizes that everyone is different in how they learn and each learner is given a chance to be independent thinkers and learners. Mind mapping is one of the things that help me with thinking and reasoning skills. I have used it when writing papers, but it is also helpful when it comes to recalling and forming new ideas, examining and understanding information and reaching a conclusion. Interpersonal and collaborative abilities are important skills to have in school and in life. ACLC’s student body is diverse when it comes to culture and ideas. We work well together and learn from each other in an open-minded environment. It is not uncommon to see junior and senior classmates interacting with their freshman and sophomore classmates. I enjoy the opportunity to work on projects with others, such as the recent one in physics where we built rockets. I feel free to voice my opinions, but also listen and appreciate the opinions of others. Technology is something that changes frequently. The cell phone that is popular today will not be in a few months. I enjoy working with and learning new technologies. I am very curious when it comes to determining how something works or why it does not work. Some people are intimidated by computer technology, but I enjoy the challenge it can present. In order to be successful in college and in a future job, a good understanding of technology will be important. In the short time I have been at ACLC, it has been a very positive experience for me. The experience has improved my self-esteem and self-worth, and I look forward to an exciting future.