I am enjoying my time at Cambridge. To live and study in such a beautiful town and meet amazing people from all around the world feels incredible. Despite I have not been to the UK, not travelled on a plane alone, and not lived independently abroad before, I learnt to embrace the unfamiliar and I am determined to make the best of my time at university.
DBS IB has prepared me for life at university in a number of ways.
First, I was taught time management. At university, practically no one is there to organize your everyday schedule. You make your own choices and bear the consequences. Therefore I have to manage my time effectively, trying to stay on top of the work while make time for extra-curricular activities and social events.
When I was in the IB, I wrote many argumentative and analytical essays with the help of books and online resources. I got used to putting together information, and structuring and presenting ideas this way. I can apply this skill in the Economics course I am taking now.
In addition, the IB nurtured my academic curiosity. The progamme encouraged me to find out more about things I am interested in, for example for the extended essay I had a chance to do research on the topic of market structure. I continue to acquire knowledge actively.
If you are a current student in DBS IB, I hope you have been doing well so far and have convinced yourself you made the right choice taking the IB. Yes, the commentaries, the IOCs, the projects and the lab reports may have taken you hours in front of the computer every week, but hard work will pay off. Treasure your last years in secondary school and your time spent with other IB ‘comrades’ who are there to support you throughout the journey. I wish you guys all the best.
If you are considering IB at DBS, I would suggest you take the initiative to find out what DBS IB involves, and look for opportunities to talk to our friendly IB teachers, current students and graduates, who will be able to tell you about their own experiences in the programme. It would be a good idea too to look at the long-term picture by thinking about your study plans after secondary school: Where do you want to go? What subject area may you want to specialize in?
Alfred Chang