Too Cool For School

A few days ago, I came across some pictures of my brother when he was little (ISN'T IT CUTEEE)? :D I almost got suffocated by the adorableness. Sometimes I wished my brother was still like this. Beautiful light :) But always had this naughty side to him.

Anyways.

What I want to say is this: no exchange student is too cool for school. There will be some days (especially in the middle of the year) when you just...don't want to go. But here are some reasons why you should fight the urge to skip. Discipline is always valuable. Actually, I'm the one who needs that, haha. 

1) AFS makes teachers do a mid-semester evaluation form. If you don't show your face enough times, you could risk getting shipped back home. Not recommended. Go to class.

2) If you are not taking a gap year, your grades may very well still count. Don't flunk. And especially DON'T FLUNK ENGLISH. That is not only embarrassing, but further perpetuates the "lazy, stupid American" stereotype. 

Side note: English is actually a lot harder than it looks. Pay attention. There are certain ways to do certain things. There are certain ways to answer a question on the test. Germans aren't as flexible when it comes to testing. 

3) You will have many days off for Mid-Year Camp and End-of-Stay Camp (in Bonn and Berlin). And did you know that Germany has about 40 more vacation days than the U.S.? 

4) You will miss having so many Pauses once you get back to the U.S. 5 minute and 20 minute breaks are useful if you are hungry or need to smoke outside, right? 

Note: Bring food to class unless you want to starve. Most people bring sandwiches, but who said you can't bring pizza or cake or a baked pastry or fruit or...so many options :) 

5) Classes that will actually help you: THEATER. It makes you talk. You need to talk to learn the language. Take it :) And of course, take German whenever possible. Seminarfach is also totally worth it, because it's the one class where you get more flexibility (you get to choose your own topic to research). 

6) Bottom line: go to class. I know there are some professors and people who you just don't want to deal with. But you're in school for you, not them, Know that if you learn that one skill, your life has just gotten better (Rafe Esquith reference!)