How the IB Diploma Program Changed Me by Por Ge

How the IB Diploma Program Changed Me by Por Ge - July 2023 Scholarship Essay

I am an upcoming Junior enrolled in the nursing program at the University of Minnesota. I am fairly content with my academic performance and have made the Dean’s List, three out of four semesters. My younger self would have expected a perfect grade point average and to make sure my name was on the Dean’s List every semester. Today, I am happy to say that I am no longer the perfectionist I was once. The thirst to be the best proved to be detrimental, excruciating stress and pain that had engulfed every cell in my body. My high school Senior self had met his match.

I was a candidate for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP). It is a 2-year curriculum that strives to develop the knowledge of students to become lifelong learners. The program is highly accepted internationally and enables the possibility of earning college credit. On top of taking seven classes (six of which were of IBDP standards), I was required to also complete a community service project, Internal Assessments (IA) for each IB course, and write a research paper known as the Extended Essay. Given, candidates were somewhat prepared for these requirements during their Junior year, but the pandemic startled the process.

As someone who was seen as trustworthy and hardworking, I felt I had let my teachers down and had drifted away from the reputation that I’d built up so heartily. Moving from in-person to online schooling was the toughest transition of my academic career. I felt I was alone. Friends and teachers felt so distant, even through the means of communication via Google Meet. Procrastination was my worst enemy, especially having the IB requirements built on top of the coursework. I wasn’t meeting the IB project deadlines and my teachers kept extending the due date. This constant cycle of deadline extension kept me in the mindset of “I’ll do it tomorrow, I’ll have more time.” The stress had submerged my body underwater and evoked this fear that cringed on my shoulders about the next time I’ll have to speak to my teachers. I would stay up late, lost in my head without barely typing a sentence or hearing a pencil scratch. A few other candidates told me that they had withdrawn from the program.

At this point, I couldn’t hold my breath any longer either. I wanted to take a quick grasp of air in hopes that I could relieve myself from this agonizing pressure. However, the tiger in me couldn’t find the courage to speak to my IB Coordinator, for he was also my English IB teacher. Soon, my grades began to gradually dip. I realized that it wasn’t only me in the middle of the sea, but my classmates and friends were too. Upon this loneliness and darkness, the moon decided to shine some light. My school district decided that as long as the student maintained a grade percentage of 50% or higher, they would be given a passing grade on their transcript. The moon not only represents my school district but my IB teachers as well. They had decided that the IA would count as a part of the class grade. This would in hopes encourage and help students to pass the class and help IB candidates to continue the program.

Finally, I decided to rise above the water to see the shining light. A system was set up for success, paving the way to pass my classes and to keep pursuing the program. Gradually, my classmates started to swim to shore. I didn’t want to be left behind and so, I followed their path. The water was cold and I was swimming against the tides, which made my movement slow. Day and night, I made progress on my IB Projects. My sentences became paragraphs. Paragraphs turned into pages, but there were still times when I wanted to give up. Hence, I couldn’t believe it when I had finalized my 20-page Extended Essay. Then, it was my community project followed by the IAs. Closer to shore, my swimming became swift as the water became warmer and the tide shifted turns. Before I knew it, I barely passed my classes and was at the graduation ceremony. July came, and an exhilaration of excitement arose as my IB coordinator called and announced that I was a recipient.

Being an IB Diploma Recipient is my proudest academic achievement although it broke me down to my core. My sense of being a perfectionist shifted as I was in survival mode trying to complete the IB program and pass my classes to graduate. Looking back, I wouldn’t do the program again. The amount of mental and emotional stress was so strenuous that it derived my happiness and enjoyment from learning. However, I will forever be grateful for this experience as it has reminded and strengthened my confidence to believe in myself that whenever I hit rock bottom, I will keep persevering and work hard to succeed. I’ve learned that my academic performance does not define who I am. I continue to hold high expectations and maintain academic integrity, but at a tolerable level where it doesn’t suppress my happiness. My passion for learning comes from a genuine place of curiosity and to be knowledgeable. I hope my knowledge and experience will heal and advocate for people as an aspiring future nurse.