Curious to know how other students are getting through the IB Diploma Program? In this blog series, we’re taking a look at the experiences of different IB students around the world. Our third perspective comes from the UK, in the words of Samuel Quang, a final year IB student. You can read part 2 of the series here.
Hi, I’m Samuel Quang. I am 18 years old, and I am in Upper Sixth in the Anglo European School, in the South East of England.
My Subjects:
English Literature HL
Chemistry HL
History HL
Maths studies SL
Physics SL
Chinese Ab Initio SL
When I first heard about the IB, I was fascinated by the opportunity. I loved the fact that it was well rounded, allowing me to keep up with my maths, sciences, humanities, English and languages. This led me to look for a school that offered the IB, which led me to the Anglo European School. Although it is stressful now, I know that I could not have been happier with my choice in taking the IB at the Anglo European School, as it has allowed me to learn more independently and to become more involved in the school community.
I like to organise my time effectively, so a typical week for me is normally the same. I normally get into school an hour early to get some work done, and studying takes up most of my week. However, I like to give myself some time at home to relax, and every day I give myself an hour or two to enjoy myself, which I really recommend. One big problem with the academic year is that it begins when new seasons of TV shows tend to begin, and like many others, I tend to gravitate towards these TV shows. However, I feel like by organising my time I can watch a lot of the shows I love whilst having plenty of time studying. Alongside all of this, I like to try and spend a little time writing. I have started my own blog (blogsbyquang.blogspot.com) where I write a little about the random things that pop into my head. I enjoy just having a place to put some of my own thoughts which I find interesting, no matter how quirky they are!
The IB life is hard, especially for me as I entered a new school. However, I’ve met lots of amazing friends and teachers, which has been my favorite thing about studying the IB in a new environment. It is tough, especially when it comes to finding time to revise for exams whilst learning new content and doing all the coursework and homework. However, I have some very encouraging and helpful teachers who help me get through tough periods. In the end, it is rewarding, but only when you overcome the difficulties that the IB has. I think the key to doing well and being relaxed is efficiency. Scheduling your time to do the most amount of work in the least amount of time. By planning ahead, you can do well and still enjoy yourself.
What have you learned since starting the IB?
I have learnt that the IB is challenging, and through it the strongest bonds can be formed between friends.
Read Part 4: IB Student Stories
