Stressful Summer
Summer before Senior Year
In my last post, I started off with saying that spring semester of senior year was simultaneously the most relaxing time and the most productive time of my year (reading that in my head, I now realize that those are not mutually exclusive). Either way, I think I most felt that way due to the stress of the summer right before that. The simplest way to illustrate this is in the schedule I had during July.
I very much want to preface, though, by saying that, even though that summer was extremely
stressful, I also would not have changed anything. I learned and developed so many skills that I very much value now.
Anyways, during the weekdays on July, I had an internship that had me wake up at 7:30 AM (frankly, not all that early considering when school starts) and getting home at 5:30 PM. Don’t get me wrong – I am invariably grateful for the opportunities and learning experiences I had during that internship, but it was also the first full 9-5 (though really an 8-5) that I’d worked with real responsibilities. Plus, I also did a lot of work on internship projects at home, which looking back (hindsight bias), was probably a major stressor. On Saturday, I’d wake up at 6:00 AM and volunteer at St. David’s Hospital until 3:00 PM. Again, I want to make myself clear, these experiences were fantastic – the people I met and the activities I partook(?) in were great! However, at the same time, it was the most filled up my schedule had ever been (beyond school, which, at a certain point, stops being stressful). After 3:00 PM, I’d teach and manage a small chess club a friend and I started until about 5:00 PM (again, the most fun I’ve perhaps had in a long time, but still very much the longest I’ve ever had to be on).
As I’m writing this, I’m realizing that perhaps it’s not very interesting for me to explain why each of these events were great while concurrently ‘complaining’ about the stress they caused, but that was the reality I had. Between 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM, I’d teach a private chess class. Sunday was a lot of chess. We had a chess club meeting some days as well as the afternoon consisting of chess classes. That being said, Sunday was the most relaxing day within those weeks. It would be the day I’d be waiting for – mainly because I knew I’d have time to practice piano, read, and review the (very fun!) math that I was learning about at my internship.
I tried to sprinkle those things in between the other times I had, but frankly, most days, I was way too tired to do anything other than just watch YouTube, or at best, go down some Wikipedia rabbit hole. Some weekends, I’d also go to competitions or tournaments as well, which was very interesting to fit in.
Where I volunteered at St. David’s
I'm not one to really take pictures (kinda a regret now, my friend took some photos with me here), but I never really did
Quite the stressful time looking back. But also, I kinda don’t get how I was so stressed. Like, honestly, just keep your head down and work like K does. That was not as funny as I thought it would be!
I mean, looking back, I gained a lot from being so stressed during summer. In fact, I think I probably could’ve grown more by being more stressed! The fact is that…what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…I’m sorry. No, but it’s also kind of true! I think, being forced to pursue all those different things, have such little free time, and also get a full 8 hours each night (which I force myself to do), plus maintain my prior skills, develops something that can’t be given by genetics or even hard work.
I think a lot of life is based on luck, not talent or hard work. Surprisingly, who you’re friends with is oftentimes just chance. I think I got lucky getting this experience right before senior year.
My full schedule
I don't really use calendars (for some reason, I think I'll get a better memory by just memorizing what I have to do)
So much was learned. Mostly R, but also some other stuff. Yeah, I’m kinda running out of things to say. I somehow found time to do activities with friends like climbing and going to places (I do not know how). Anyways, I will leave you guys with a very nice chess position (plus, [email protected] works as an email now! (cloudflare was surprisingly easy, 17 year old me was stupid, nothing like 18 year old me who is very smart)).
Nice little position from a recent tournament on June 6, 2025 (v2)
Look at ts. Beautiful. So goddamn beautiful. I feel bad for my opponent because I've been in his exact position. I hope he gets over it quick. Also Black to win in like 4 moves. Beautiful. Knights.