Reflection:
Getting 6’s in HL English and HL Psych (on my report card last year) had a significant, positive
impact on me because it boosted my confidence and motivated me to continue working on
bettering myself and doing well in the subjects I seem to excel at. IB marks are graded on a
scale ranging from a 1 (which is a failing grade) to a 7 (which is not impossible but extremely
hard to get). Getting these high grades showed me that my efforts to improve were not in vain
and that I can do very well in school. This accomplishment made me feel proud of myself and
my hard work and dedication. I think taking IB opened many exciting opportunities for me in
relation to career paths and university/college choices. When I first started the program, I had a
brief understanding of what I was getting myself into because all I was told was that it was an
accelerated and harder class. However, it didn’t stop me from applying and working hard to
excel in them. And although I hate to admit it, I am thankful that my parents spent extra time
and money to talk me into doing IB because it's made my life so much easier. Even though
taking some IB courses helped with my academic livelihood, it's also showing me that you need
to give yourself some time to grow and learn about yourself. You’re not going to be perfect
after you learn about something a few hours ago and you’re not going to be exceptionally good
at something in a few hours. All good things take time and work and if you’re not willing to put
the work in, then you can’t expect much. Even though I haven’t finished the IB program, I’ve
developed a few key points that I need, much like critical thinking, communicating with
different and multiple groups of people, self-control and self-awareness which are not only
important to have in the IB program but also in society. But it also showed me that I am not as
strong in controlling my emotions when I do badly on an assignment or test and watching my
speech and tone when I am angry about certain situations. I value doing well in class, my
religion, my friends and family. I value the skills and gifts God and my parents have given me. I
value my life; even though it may be difficult/challenging. Accepting all of this might be
challenging because I am a passionate person, and it takes time for me to realize that not all
people are like me. However, this accomplishment can help me and my future because if I do
well and live up to my dream, I can have a lighter course load in university which will help me
get used to the new changes and adjustments. It will also help me finish school early and decide
from there if I want to continue and become a doctor or become a nurse practitioner and help
people sooner. A lesson I can learn from this experience is that good things aren’t easy to grasp;
you need to work for it, even if another person isn’t working as hard, you still must work
harder. We are only in control of our lives and no one else, so only you can control your growth
in this world.