Food for thought: Why your IB grades do not determine the value of your IB journey.
Hi there!
How’s it going? Finally feeling the stress because the IB exams are so close? Don’t worry if you are, because every IB student taking the November exam is too! Out of curiosity, I just wanted to ask: “Why are you stressed?”
Of course, I know it’s because of the exams that will subsequently affect your decisions for university. Yes, I too know it’s because if you do not do well, your parents be extremely disappointed. And yes! I certainly know that it’s because you have spent months preparing for this moment, and anything short of perfection is unacceptable.
But what if I told you that you have already accomplished the most important things that you possibly can during your IB journey? Would you still be as stressed?
“Wait, how can that be? My exams haven’t even begun!”, you might find yourself replying.
You see, more often than not, as humans, we place an abundance of attention on the outcome. But as a result, we place less emphasis on something way more important than that: The Journey.
Remember when you first entered the IB programme?
It probably seemed like an impossible task to complete a 4000 word Extended Essay. But you did it.
TOK must have seemed like an awful confusion. Maybe it still is. But you have completed an essay and a presentation on it.
Let’s not forget all the IA’s you accomplished. How about that GEP trip? And the IOCs, CAS activities and FOAs… the list goes on.
BUT MORE THAN THAT.
Take a look in the mirror.
These few months have taught you soft skills and lessons that are INVALUABLE.
I am talking about time management, resilience, curiosity, determination, patience and to be detail-orientated. The list goes on.
You are a different you. You have accomplished so much and have improved tremendously as a result of your IB journey!
So, while you are anxious about your final exams, remember that you have already accomplished all these. Your IB journey comprises of WAY more than your grades. Trust me when I say that these soft skills are much more valuable!
Treasure these other experiences and soft skills that you have accumulated through out your IB journey. You’ll probably find it hard to remember what you’ve learnt in your Chemistry or Geography class. But what you will carry forward with you are these new qualities that have made you an improved version of yourself.
About IB Lounge
IB Lounge is a tuition service specialised in the IB programme. We recruit and train tutors who are internationally top-scoring IB graduates who are the best at guiding IB students to achieve the same success that they did. Furthermore, having been through the programme ourselves, we know how an IB student should learn: Appreciating and Enjoying the learning process.
