The piercing sound of my alarm jolts me awake. Squinting, I fumble my way to my phone and debate taking an extra five-minute nap. The numbers 6:00 am glare back at me, and the daily reminder for the 6:30 a.m. bus pops up, nudging me into motion. Stretching and yawning, I set aside the thought of returning to the warmth of my blanket and check my schedule for the day ahead: assignments due, six classes, CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) and Student Council meetings, and of course, very little time to myself. With a deep breath, I focus on the positives and remind myself that challenges are opportunities for growth. I roll myself out of bed to prepare myself for another day in Year 12 IB.
…
“Hey guys, this oral presentation is due tomorrow, by the way,” says my English IB teacher casually. Shock and horror ripple through the faces of my classmates.
“Tomorrow!?” someone exclaims.
“Yep, sorry guys, that’s the IB program for you,” my teacher shrugs, as grumbles ripple across the room.
“Another project added to our long list of things to do,” sighs my friend beside me.
“Study call?”
“Study call,” I respond with a smile, grateful for the friendships that make these moments endurable.
…
When I finally reach home, I drop onto my chair like a sack of potatoes. The day has been a whirlwind—group discussions, lab work, piles of homework, and CAS commitments. Yet somehow, catching up with friends during breaks, sharing laughter, studying together, and reminding myself of my academic goals make it all worthwhile. I recall a moment today when I collaborated on a challenging chemistry problem with a friend and we turned frustration into delight as we managed to solve the problem.
Reflecting on these experiences, I realise that the program’s demands have taught me resilience, dedication, and time management through my structured studying schedules. I’ve participated in and co-organised student-led volunteering initiatives that promote student engagement such as providing a helping hand in animal shelters due to CAS. I remember many saying that they really enjoyed the experience and wanting to volunteer again which has brought me joy. I’ve also discovered opportunities, such as charity gardening projects that benefit our community by providing vegetables and food to those in need and research competitions focused on the betterment of my school community. Fostering my nurturing skills and my connections with my environment and others has brought me closer to my career aspiration of becoming a doctor and I plan to continue volunteering, studying, and time-managing to achieve that goal. I am passionate about making a meaningful impact on people’s lives through biology and chemistry in especially healthcare. Consequently, my goal is to attend a university in medicine in the Middle East that values interdisciplinary learning as I believe this will allow future physicians to have the necessary skills to address complex medical challenges.
Choosing IB programme over A levels has thus been pivotal academic decision. The rigorous curriculum, where critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and community engagement are emphasised, aligns with my career goals of becoming a doctor. The program additionally offers independent research through Theory of Knowledge, and the Extended Essay which is an invaluable skill in university in medicine. Therefore, while A levels programme focuses on specific subjects and further depth, I am confident that the IB will prepare me for the complexities of studies in medicine such as handling deadlines and research and allow me to develop skills essential for my future and positive contribution towards society.
