“Taking these courses allowed me to understand the material in a more thorough and personal way, which helped me to not only pass the classes, but rather ensure that it remained in my mind. Thus, I feel that the freedom associated with NCVPS courses taught me how learning can be done in a variety of ways and how it can advance our knowledge in ways that we would not otherwise have imagined.” – Anika D.
“Anika is incredibly driven and disciplined. Her work in Economics and Personal Finance is always put together with thoughtful consideration and precision. She strives to not only complete every assignment, but apply it to her life in a way that will serve her to reach her goals. This course is meant to help students peer into their future and identify the path they need to get there. Anika takes this very seriously, though it is obvious she has already laid the foundation for this path. She has plans to become a pediatrician, and there is no doubt she will do so. Though this course is online, I can tell through our interactions that she has the patience and kindness to make every child she will treat feel safe and cared for.” – Mindee Mammano, NCVPS Honors Economics & Personal Finance Instructor
Anika’s Story
As a student, I would say that I am dedicated to my studies and try to make the most out of every opportunity I am given. I enjoy learning new things and take it from the perspective of it is a new tool that I can add to my knowledge. Moreover, as an individual, I come from a vibrant and unique background. Coming from a culturally centered family sphere and being a military child greatly aided in enhancing my vision of the world around me. I have been able to live in two different worlds, one my heritage and the other being the military lifestyle, and interwoven together to create my life. These two worlds define me and make me the person I am today; the different qualities that each offers me, coupled with the experiences I have been lucky to have gone through, helped to enhance my life.
Online Experience
My friends spoke fondly of the NCVPS classes they took in my junior year’s fall semester. The diverse range of classes they told me about, and the courses’ mild pace appealed to me. I then decided to take my first NCVPS class the following semester and thoroughly enjoyed how the course was laid out, the wide range of content covered, and the assignments that went side by side with it. Moreover, I was offered the opportunity to take them when junior year started, but I chose not to since I just moved and did not know if I could cope with online classes. However, when my friends told me about their positive experiences and looked over the plethora of courses offered, I decided to make these classes a staple in my schedule.
The NCVPS class I took in my junior year was Social Problems; this year, I took Mythology and Folklore in the fall, and I am currently taking AP World History: Modern, US History Honors, and EPF Honors.
Taking an online course allowed me to understand better how academics can be conveyed in different manners. When I took my first NCVPS class, I thought it might be a little difficult, such as I would have an abundance of work piled up each week or my grades would fall because of the “lack” of the teacher. However, after taking all those classes, I feel I am more prepared and have gained more expertise in learning through various formats. For example, taking online courses meant that I had to learn in various places, whether that was the school library or my bedroom. It taught me that learning does not just take place in a classroom but instead can happen anywhere if you dedicate yourself.
I think the teachers’ kindness and enjoyable assignments were pleasant surprises for me. When I took my first online class, I was worried that my teacher would not respond to my questions or they would not understand what I was asking. However, all the teachers I have had greatly supported me, along with checking in to ensure that I was doing well. Their simple acts of kindness, such as telling me that I did a great job on assignments or taking the time to ensure I comprehend them, allowed me to thrive in these classes. Moreover, the assignments that all my teachers put were ones of substance, and they were fun to do. Never once did I feel like an assignment was chore or challenging, which was a great surprise since many assume that online classes have complicated tasks put forth. Thus, how the teachers interacted/supported me, along with how they made the class an engaging experience, were two great facets that I did not entirely expect.
My advice to other online students would be that just because an assignment did not work out does not mean you failed; rather, it was just that one process that did, so please do not give up. I would tell students that communicating with their teachers will greatly allow them to improve their grades and knowledge, as they are there to help them. Lastly, I would ask students to pace themselves, believe in their work, and enjoy the class.
Life Outside of School
In my free time, I enjoy doing my Indian classical dance classes and my yoga sessions. These two hobbies keep me grounded and free me of any stress that may accumulate. That said, I enjoy volunteering in the clubs I joined in school, with my favorite one being Letters for Rose. This organization makes handmade cards for the elderly in nursing homes and is one club I truly value. I take pleasure in making cards and not only find it a way to de-stress, but also a way to form connections with those in my community. Other things I like to do in my free time are watching movies/TV shows, listening to music and walking, and reading books. These are very enjoyable activities, with the last two being very enlightening for me, especially when I went into high school.
I typically read a variety of genres, from autobiographies to fiction. My favorite authors would be Lauren Graham (Someday, Someday Maybe) and Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice). These two stories have a great meaning behind them and were told brilliantly, which is why they are two of my favorites. Moreover, my favorite TV shows are Friends, Full House, and Gilmore Girls, as they each cater to something different revolving around life but present in an enjoyable way. The characters’ dynamics and qualities vary from the three shows, but they all show the quality of joy (and drama!), which is why I like them. Lastly, I do not watch many movies, but my favorite would be Mary Poppins. I love the old-school film technique and the innocence behind the film, as it was packed to the brim with laughter/love. Thus, it has been my favorite movie since I was young, and I try to make it a point to watch it at least once a year.
Fun Facts
- I tend to be a little bit OCD about my handwriting!
- I was born in Japan and went to school there for a few years
- I have moved/lived in twelve different parts of the world – helped to build my love for traveling
- I love listening to instrumental music and completing my homework (I cannot do without it!)
- I speak four languages.
- I don’t have a favorite snack, but my favorite food is my mom’s cooking! So if that counts as a snack, then anything she makes!
- One item I could not live without would be my phone.
Goals & Future Plans
One goal of mine during this semester was to enjoy my senior year and be in the present. When I went into middle school, especially high school, I became so focused on working hard to brighten my future that I did not enjoy the moment. I was only looking at how I envisioned my future five years from now, which made me lose out on some moments of leisure time, such as spending time with my friends/family or doing the things I enjoy. Thus, my personal/school goal this year was to withhold that level of dedication but take the time to do things I like. This was in several ways, such as binge-watching movies on Saturday nights or reading a book I had not read in ages on a Tuesday afternoon. This year, I had begun to put my well-being first, which helped me enjoy my academics, as my mental state was a happier place. Thus, the goal of enjoying the moment and relaxing allowed me to enrich the quality of my life this year and is a factor I want to implement in my life constantly.
I am planning to attend UNC Chapel Hill this fall and want to major in Psychology. I hope to become a doctor in the next ten years, working in a multinational company. The steps I plan to take in achieving this goal would be the same that I have done the past twelve years of my schooling, dedicating myself to my academics. That said, I also want to enjoy this journey and take the time to ensure that I do not get caught up with studying too much. Thus, finding the happy balance between living life and pursuing my goals would be the steps I take when undertaking such endeavors.
