Image taken from @aisgzram instagram.
As summer is right around the corner, the students at AISG look back at the year and prepare for the next one. No matter what grade you’re in, taking the time to consider your future steps can make a difference. It is often helpful to listen to advice from students in the upper grades. Their experiences and takeaways from the year can be valuable lessons for others. Every student can offer useful insight and advice, helping to promote the right mindset for the summer and the upcoming school year.
From the seniors to juniors:
As the juniors enter their last year in high school, the recent graduates leave a few words of wisdom to make their senior year the best it can be. Yeji L., a member of the class of 2024 says, “Keep studying every once in a while, for previous units, or else during final exams, you will have a tough time revising everything all over. Senior year goes by really fast, even though you might be stressed at the moment try to make lots of memories with your friends. Trust me you will miss school once it’s over.”
As Elsie Z., another recent graduate tells the juniors to treasure their senior year, she tells them, “Future IB students: you can handle more stress than you can, it may seem impossible but eventually you’ll finish all your IAs and do all your IB exams, and you’ll look back on everything that you’ve accomplished. And, yes you can handle more stress than you think you can, but it’s also not a crime to reach out for help. Asking for help from your teachers or even fellow students doesn’t mean you’re failing in your class; it means you’re refusing to fail. Don’t forget to be in the moment and look around at the people around you. If you spend your time stressing about what’s going to happen on an exam or regretting a mistake you’ve made, the moment you’re in will pass before you even realize it. Then you’ll spend more time regretting not being present in that moment.”
From the juniors to the sophomores:
It’s an important year for the sophomores as well. They enter the IBDP program and tackle new projects and courses. Eric L., a current junior, wants to let the juniors know about time management. While he is positive about his year, he shares his concerns about English as he says, “Grade 11 is okay, it’s not too hard. Just know when to give or take. Sometimes, it’s ok to procrastinate because you have a lot of time. But start writing your IOs at the very beginning of semester 2. English is tougher than you’ll expect.”
Meanwhile, Euna J. advises the sophomores not to be afraid of their junior year as she says, “Many students who take the IB program often comment on how stressful and demanding eleventh grade can be. However, don’t be afraid to become a junior. Always remember to have fun and avoid putting too much pressure on yourself. Just strive to do your best, try to live with no regrets, and most importantly, enjoy the last two years of high school!”
From the sophomores to the freshmen:
As the freshman enter their second year in high school and MYP, the sophomores mainly share their lessons about dealing with time management and grades. Sophia C., a current sophomore, says, “Don’t stress over one single grade, because at the end of the day, everything is going to be okay.”
Another sophomore, Doreen P., wants to tell the freshman to limit distractions to be successful. She says, “Try for any opportunity that is being given to you. Don’t procrastinate and don’t get addicted to YouTube.”
From the freshman to the current 8th graders:
With the 8th graders entering high school, the current freshman tells them how to handle their big switch. Kyle C. passes on his lessons as he shares, “Suddenly being in high school is something exciting but also frightening. It’s hard to get used to the new environment of high school, and how people change fast. Being in these new environments, I think a great way to cope with it is to focus more on yourself, how to improve yourself, how to understand yourself, etc. Always put yourself first. Another way is to know the purpose of learning, know the reason for learning, don’t do it for the grades but do it for improving your growing mind.”
Another freshman, Lily F., shares her takeaway from her first-semester final exams. She says, “Have fun while you can, it only gets harder… but remember to study for finals!”
As the next year ends, each student can reflect on their progress but also look ahead to new challenges and achievements during the summer. But, by keeping the advice from everyone in mind and learning from each other, all the students will be heading into the 2024-2025 year with excitement.