Hi, let me introduce myself. I’m Damian, 17 years old, from San Francisco, California.
Some people may think that after-school tutoring is a place where kids just go hang out, get minimal work done, or even waste time. That is not what happens at Making Waves. This program has continually given me a supportive environment where I know everyone has my best interests at heart. They teach me, feed me if I’m hungry, and watch my back to make sure I not only get to college, but thrive once I get there. They are also the reason I am financially able to attend a private parochial high school.
Here’s a snapshot of my day…
6:00 a.m.…My alarm goes off. I quickly get ready, and I’m out the door.
6:35 a.m.…I walk one block to the city bus stop to catch bus #31. I listen to Lil Wayne on my iPod to try to wake up.
6:45 a.m.…I get off #31 to walk to another stop. Here comes #43. Now, I really turn my music up. Trey Songs is playing, and I’m on this bus for 30 minutes.
7:15 a.m.…I arrive in front of Arch Bishop Riordan High School. By this time a lot of the 500 male students are walking around in their school uniform of collar shirts and khaki pants. I’ve got my high-tops on today.
7:20 – 7:40 a.m.…I put my books in my locker to lighten the load and head over to the cafeteria for some scrambled eggs and bacon. They have pretty good breakfast here.
7:40 a.m.…First bell rings.
7:45 – 9:05 a.m.…First period: U.S. Government class. I like everything about government because I can use it later on in life. We are learning about the judicial branch.
9:05 – 9:15 a.m.…Munch (that’s what my school calls break time).
9:15 – 9:30 a.m.…Homeroom class: there are announcements about the day ahead.
9:35 – 11:05 a.m.…80 minutes of my favorite subject, which is P.E. because I can workout and be physical. I’ve been physical all my life. I grew up in an athletic family. My brother and sister run track, and I used to play football, baseball, and basketball with my Dad.
11:05 – 11:15 a.m.…10 minute break. I go to my locker and hustle to class.
11:15 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.…Pre-Calculus with Ms. Freeman. Today we are learning about vectors. I’ll ask a Making Waves tutor to help me better understand this.
12:40 – 1:20 p.m.…Lunch. Time to sit with my friends and enjoy country fried steak or a healthy Thai salad.
1:25 – 2:45 p.m.…English class with Mr. Vezzali. He’s cool, he’s relaxed, and he doesn’t make stuff complicated. I like the way he teaches straight forward, and how he makes sure we understand a concept before he moves on so we are not confused about the next thing. We are currently reading a 20th century novel and analyzing the author’s work.
2:50 p.m.…School’s out, but my day is only half done. I head over to track practice. During the fall months, I stay for football practice four days a week before going to Making Waves. Track is only three days.
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.…During track practice, I’m stretching, doing plyometrics, and completing a jogging or sprint work out. Then I practice my throwing technique. I compete in discus and shot put events for the team.
5:00 p.m.…I hop on bus #49, then it’s 45 minutes to Making Waves Education Program in San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood.
5:45 – 7:30 p.m.…At Making Waves, I sign in at the front desk and go to the room for high school students. There, I show my tutor my assignment log, and he signs off on it and I get settled in. No time for a snack; I’ve got a lot to get done tonight.
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.….I work on my U.S. Government homework in the room reserved for independent study. We’ve got a test tomorrow on the judicial branch, and I need to finish the study guide. My tutor signs off once I’m done.
7:30 – 8:00 p.m.…Now I need a tutor for these vector problems in Pre-Calculus. One of the math tutors comes over and helps me. He asks me about my day and how it went, too.
8:00 p.m.…Making Waves closes. I walk a couple blocks to catch bus #22. More iPod.
8:30 – 9:00 p.m.…I make it home. My mom saves a dinner plate of spaghetti and meatballs for me. I try to enjoy it and relax at this time.
9:00 - 11:30 p.m.…I finish up my math homework and study for my government test a little more. Next is my English homework.
11:30pm - 12:00 a.m.…I hit the bed. I know all this will be worth it next year when I enroll in St. Mary’s College of California and study engineering. But for now, sleep.
