Self assment

so for our last project we have to put togater this portfoilo of all our work from the semister, and then write an essay about how we have improved as a writer. Why do english teachers always want students to write these stupid things? They are just so much of a waste of time its not even funny. I have to spend time writing a stupid paper when i could be studing for the final, or my other classes! But considering i really need a good grade, i should probably just shut up and write the paper.