Attendees of our Exploration Courses share details about their course experience and insights on how they balance their enrollment with high school courses and extracurriculars.
A Day in the Life of Alex from Chicago (Spring Personal Narrative Exploration Course)
I start my day early with a quick jog around my neighborhood, followed by breakfast and some time to catch up with my family. This small routine helps me get energized and ready for whatever the day throws at me. Around 8:00am, I head off to my local high school, where I study a variety of subjects like math, science, and literature. My school day is pretty packed, with classes lasting until 3:30 PM. I make sure to use any free time during school to jot down ideas for my personal narrative pieces. After school, I usually have one or two school activities. I'm part of the school drama club and also play for our soccer team. Sometimes, balancing these activities with the WashU course gets challenging, but I love the diversity they bring to my experiences. Also, participating in drama has given me some incredible story ideas and perspectives for my writing assignments.
I get home around 6:00pm and after dinner with my family, I settle in to work on my online course. Today, I’m focusing on expanding a short script I wrote about a family heirloom—a vintage camera my grandfather gave me. My peers have provided some fantastic feedback on how to make the story more engaging. I try to set aside a couple hours a week to work on my course, and I love the flexibility to set my own schedule. On days were I have a lot of homework from my high school courses, I can prioritize that and not feel overwhelmed by my WashU course. My day winds down with some relaxation—reading a book, watching a show, or just scrolling through social media. By 10:30 PM, I’m ready to call it a night, getting some well-earned rest to do it all over again tomorrow.
A Day in the Life of Mei from China (Summer Biological Basis for Human Disease Exploration Course)
My day begins with practicing Tai Chi with my grandparents in the garden and then I enjoy breakfast at home before heading out for my summer school classes. This summer I am taking a chemistry course at my high school as well as preparing for taking my SAT. I usually spend between 3-4 hours a day at my high school studying, but I do like to take breaks for lunch and to catch up with my friends. Spending time with my friends is a cherished part of my day. I also try to spend time each day practicing my art. I love to draw and design!
I typically log in to my WashU course in the late afternoon. We explore really fascinating topics like how cancer develops and the journey of viruses within the human body. Today's lesson focuses on the genetic factors that contribute to various diseases. I am particularly intrigued by how gene mutations can lead to serious conditions. The knowledge I'm gaining is invaluable, especially since I aspire to pursue a career in the health sciences. The pace for the course is pretty quick, but I found that if I set aside two hours a day to review and work on course material, it is very manageable. The course is organized in different modules, so I can also work ahead if I know I won't have as much time the next week. And Dr. Smith is easy to connect with if I have questions or need extra support.
I usually end my day with family dinner then I head to my room to do some reading or to watch a movie or tv show. Balancing my WashU course with my other summer activities has been a rewarding experience. If you have an interest in the biological sciences and aspire to understand human health and disease better, I highly recommend this course. It’s a unique opportunity to engage with complex topics and prepare for a future in the health sciences.
