Tenth Grade Terror: Thoughts on Their Impending IB Initiation
By Natalia Consumi
Do you believe good IB results are linked with success in life?
MM: Yeah. Definitely. It starts with your grades. If your good grades can get you into a good university, then there is a higher chance you’ll have a good education and therefore a good job.
PKL: Yes, yes. Of course. No… I’m being sarcastic. No, I do not believe that at all.
MC: You know, this education system, it’s a lame beast. It walks on three legs. It could be improved and run on four. Not everyone is the same. So the base line here is, it depends on the person. Whether the IB results equate to success later on life, who can really say? Maybe God can.
Three 10th graders, Marlies Mons, Per Kristian Line and Malcolm Cameron, were interviewed about their future and the IB.
How do you feel about going into the IB?
MM: It’s not like I’m looking forward to it! But really, I’m not exactly sure what to expect. There is probably going to be a lot of work, but other than that, they’ll be my last two years of school, so there is a lot to look forward to regarding afterwards.
PKL: Super stoked. I’m just ready to hit that.
MC: How confident can someone be? Malcolm is 100 times that. When the butterflies settle in my stomach, I’m ready with an axe to kill them.
What is your opinion on gap years? Will you take one?
MM: I think they’re good, if you have a legitimate reason for them. So, if for you to get accepted to a specific University you need another subject that you didn’t or weren’t able to take in the IB, then I understand. Or even younger people that are a year junior to their grade, it’s alright to take a year off. If you waste it though, I think it’s stupid. You trash all the knowledge you spent so much time learning, because not studying for a year will lead to forgetting. I don’t think I’ll take one though.
PKL: Yeah… I’m probably going to drop out.
MC: The mind is a weapon. If you do not sharpen it, it will become dull and useless. I plan on sharpening my weapon very much. Bottom line, I’m not sure about gap year. It’s still up in the air.
Do you know what your plans are after you have finished high school?
MM: I would like to study medicine or business, I’m unsure between the two. I still don’t know what university or country, either.
PKL: After school, I’m probably going to create something amazing. I don’t know exactly what yet. Time will show.
MC: You know what? Life is a journey. And that journey has many paths. Which path I will take is unclear. Although the Cambridge one looks pretty nice. Though, though that one’s not very easy, and the path is foggy. We shall see in time.