this year , 2023-24

LIFESTYLE

Starting the DP

ANNIE SON |  DEC 18, 2023

The Diploma Program (DP), is one of many things that haunt us all as IB students. As a student who has been going to an IB curriculum school for the fifth year, it seemed like those past years had not fully prepared me to start yet another school year. However, the first semester has been good so far and here is why.

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Although you will be under pressure to spend more time and energy towards your subjects outside of classes, the fact that the classes you take are chosen based on your interest does help a lot with self-interest and motivation. Our subject of choice would also include what we are not offered in our MYP years. Our humanities subject group particularly comprises, but is not limited to: digital society, business management, economics and history. The diverse options of classes you can take help with working hard, as well as all the free periods and resources which are given to us in order to stay balanced between studies and lying back.

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Such resources include TOK and CAS where you are given many opportunities to dig deeper into your very own interests. CAS allows you to stay creative, active and considerate while in TOK you have many discussions with fellow peers and answer questions surrounding the nature of knowledge, what we know, what we claim to know, etc. Essentially, we are learning the basics of philosophy. Not to mention the sweet free periods and the DP lounge! Because of these Diploma Program factors, you can spend some time on rigorous yet doable courses that will help you out once you enrol into your university of choice. 

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Overall, the IB DP has been quite overwhelming, but as weeks pass I came to a realization that with patience and hard work, anyone would be able to adjust and thrive in the program. Not only do I hope that I do well in this program, but I wish all of the other fellow DP students out there good luck!