Let’s run a few exercises in prospective hindsight – a mental hack that travels you into the future only to look back on past events (though still in the future) with the clarity of hindsight.
1. First we jump to September 24, 2024
You are pumped for making it onto the bus for NSML #1! How did you get here? By grinding out problems on your own since early September. By studying a few more contests on your google classroom. There are plenty of smart kiddos at your grade level, but the extra moments of work is what distinguishes your abilities. You’re glad you put in the time to learn a few more ideas and make it onto the bus.
2. Next we jump to September 25, 2024
You handed in your contest a few minutes ago and are now talking to the other Patriots at your grade level. Crazy! You think you got all the questions right! One of the extra ideas from your coaches and some of the extra problems from e-board members prove to be crazy useful, and you scooped up a ton of points for SHS! =) You took your time and feel great about your effort.
3. It’s 10 PM on September 25, 2024
Hundreds of mathletes across the Chicagoland area are refreshing the NSML site… and it looks like Stevenson is at the top of the rankings! Crazy! You’re pumped to be part of the reason why. Whether you made it on the bus or not, you have been studying probability, you have been giving and receiving ideas from other patriot mathletes, and you know you can handle yourself a bit better when it comes to probability.
So there it is, with the benefit of hindsight, know that it is worth it to work out another contest, to muddle through a SINGLE! problem for over 20 minutes until it makes sense, to read up on different resources related to probability. Let’s do it! With the clarity of hindsight, I encourage you to go to your google classroom and crank out another problem!
There is such a peculiar and specific joy in making mathematics bow to your will. Go get it!
On Tuesday, most grade levels will have their first of a few contests that will simulate the testing environment and also help coaches make decisions on who makes the bus. Get excited!
Winning Tuesday, 9/10/2024
3:35 – 4:30
1500/1502 Frosh / Jr
1508/1510 Soph / Sr
daMathTeam
Stevenson Math Team 