My Life As A Grade 11 STEM Student

Hello everyone! Welcome back to my blog! In today’s post, I’ll be sharing what daily life is like as a Grade 11 STEM student.

Before I dive into that, let me share my backstory. At that time, HUMSS was my first choice. I don’t remember why, but I think I assumed STEM was too stressful. I was then struck by the fact that the course I dream to serve (the medical field) goes more in line with STEM. STEM is super stressful, yes, but so are literally all of the strands. So in our school, at the end of Grade 10, you have to take an exam if you want to proceed to the STEM strand. You must also have grades 85 or higher, especially in Math, Science, and English. Coming from SPS, we needed grades of 90 or higher in those subjects, so it was challenging. I almost didn’t meet the required grade in Math, but for Grade 10 students from SPS, we no longer need to take the STEM exam if we achieve those high grades. This means we can directly enter the STEM strand without having to go through the exam process.

I feel honored to be a stem student, though I wouldn’t want to set your expectations too high. I’m not particularly good or smart, probably just average. It really depends on the subject, especially when it comes to Math and Science, which are my weakness.

Being a STEM student is a 50/50 experience, it’s both rewarding and challenging. I genuinely enjoy it because of my fun and supportive classmates, but at the same time, it’s also intimidating since they’re all incredibly smart. Back in Junior High, we had assignments or outputs to pass almost daily.

In senior high school, students have fewer assignments and more free time, particularly when teachers are occupied. The grading system differs significantly for major subjects. In the first semester, Pre-Calculus and General Biology 1 are covered. In the second semester, Basic Calculus and General Biology 2 are taught. For me, these subjects are very difficult, although some topics are easier to understand the majority of the topics are challenging. For the major subjects, the exam percentage is around 30-35%.

Meanwhile, for core subjects, it’s slightly lower at about 20% or 25%. My classmates are really active in class discussions, but I’m not. I usually make up for it by focusing on written work and quizzes instead. I feel more comfortable with written tests than oral recitations or reports(probably because I get nervous standing in front of the class)

The first quarter of the first semester was truly an emotional roller coaster. It was packed with activities, tiring, yes, but also fun. I still remember that most of the activities we did revolved around filming or vlogging, which made the first semester especially exciting. Our first filming project was for Oral Communication, and not long after, we had another one for our 21st-century subject. I really enjoy this subject because we get to do a lot of creative work, especially filming. For one of the projects, we had to create an adaptation, which was super stressful since I don’t know how to act HAHAHAHAHA(😭). But despite the pressure, the experience was still fun. That said, I get so embarrassed seeing my face on the big screen during presentations(I always cover my ears or look away when it’s my turn).

Another memorable activity was the Museum Art Gallery for Oral Communication. The process itself was fun but also exhausting because we had to brainstorm and be extra creative, especially in planning how to present everything as a group. Thankfully, all the activities turned out to be a success. I didn’t just have fun, I learned so much from them too.

Let me talk about the friends I’ve made this school year. Although the school year isn’t over yet, I’ve already made so many great friends. I’ve also gotten closer with some of my old classmates from Grade 10. As a class, our favorite way to bond is simply doing our own thing in the classroom.

Our class is very loud because we're always joking around with our seatmates and playing games(particularly the boys). We also love making TikTok videos when we have free time in class. Some of us enjoy singing or dancing. And of course, "bardagulan" with each other.

But even though school is not over for this year 2024–2025, I have already learned so much, not just about the subjects I have studied but also the experiences I have with my fellow classmates. This year has taught me how to time manage more effectively, better handle stress, and most importantly, find a balance between working hard and enjoying life.

One of the most important lessons I learned is that STEM is not just about excelling in academics or earning good grades. It's about the kind of mindset that equips you to face the future. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, are some of the skills that I am daily building, which will be incredibly valuable regardless of the path that I choose. Being part of the STEM field has challenged me to think outside the box and solve problems I never considered before, something that I feel will be very valuable as I continue on my journey toward a career in the medical field.

Life as a STEM student can be tough sometimes, but the meaning is precious. Every single day is about growing, learning, and perfecting oneself and that's what I feel about the experiences in store for me. I really appreciate all those experiences that shaped me up till now.

I’d like to close my blog with a quote: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein. This reminds me that every challenge we face is a chance to grow and learn. Instead of giving up, we can use those tough moments to become stronger, smarter, and better equipped for what’s next. To all the students, just remember that it is all about the journey. Sometimes when you go through rough times, you might find strengths and opportunities you never thought you had. So keep going and never lose hope! Fighting!💪🏻