I didn't choose the IB Life. The IB Life Chose Me.

I haven't written in awhile. Sorry, but I didn't choose the IB Life. The IB Life chose me. Anyway, second year began with just as much stress as last year ended. For some reason, our teachers think it's better to put all our deadlines at the same time. Don't know why.

The perks of being a second year are numerous. Being half-way done is the obvious one. Also, we get to watch the innocent first years and laugh maniacally. I was listening to one girl talking about TOK, and how it was cool that they sat around and talked about the nature of truth. I found this hilarious for some bizarre reason. But that's the second year mentality. Really, anything is funny in the IB Life, because there comes a point where you'll laugh at anything just to relieve the stress. I also found myself in the position of having to help another first year kid pick out his extended essay topic, and I got all nostalgic.

I have so many projects to get done, books to read, college applications to complete, papers to write, tests to study for that I'm feeling a bit robotic. I'm being perfectly serious when I say that I actually need to miss school to get my homework done. That's the irony of it. Really, I can't focus in my classes because I'm distracted by my nauseating amount of work. I get home, and I'm exhausted from school and my job and CAS and from being so stressed out. Then I don't get homework done. IB is so strenuous that I now think of being at school as a waste of time when I could be working on IB.

Let's see, what's my to-do list look like? Well, I have a biology test tomorrow, a calculus test on wednesday, homecoming skits on thursday, homecoming game on friday, a math IA to put actual math in by friday, a history IA topic to pick, a Model U.N. paper to write along with a resolution, college applications including getting recommendations and writing multiple essays in time to get feedback by November 1, reading some books of literary note that I want on my college resume, my final EE for October 15, my final world literature essay October 16, a pseudoscience fair on October 22, a history IA due about that time, a book drive/fundraiser to organize, CAS, my dog-walking job, and starting Mock Trial up. Throw in a bunch of history readings, math homework assignments, a couple of essays, some unforeseen catastrophe and that sums up my life right now. The IB Life, that is. I don't really have a life at this moment.

"Evaluate to what extent has IB driven you mad? Discuss the ways of knowing." Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.

IB? Challenge Accepted

As of now I am about half-way through my first semester as an IB student. Looking back, I can say that these past couple of months have definitely been an education in more than the obvious way. Of course I'd heard a ton of rumors about how IB was hellish and you had to sacrifice your life on the altar of IB in order to take inordinately difficult classes all for a piece of paper. I'd also heard the praises teachers and administrators practically sang about this program, that it was incredibly prestigious and would open many doors in our lives. Now I know what being in IB is like and what it's all about. However, I won't know the actual merit of IB until later in the future, providing that I actually receive my diploma.

Imagine for a moment that I can juggle (I can't, but the imagination is an extraordinary thing). Imagine I'm tossing just a single ball in the air. Not that difficult is it, but careless errors can lead to failure. Add on a couple of more balls. Definitely not as easy, but not particularly difficult. That is what the pre-IB student's schedule looks like with a few Honors classes. Make up to 3 of the balls a tad heavier. That's when you add the few AP classes you can take in sophomore year. Then imagine juggling about a dozen balls, only they're all different shapes, some cubes, some rectangular pyramids, and some cones. Oh, and one ball has spikes and another is on fire. That is what it's like being in IB. It's all one elaborate juggling act. Each class considered individually is perfectly manageable, but just the sheer amount and the quick succession of these classes makes it almost impossible. You have one tough class falling down on you, and with effort you can catch it and lob it back in the air. But you can't stop for a moment to sigh in relief, because another class is about to fall and you MUST not let it escape your grasp. And you have the extra burden of CAS and the Extended Essay and whatever sports or clubs you participate in. And you're doing this on national television and you're being broadcasted all over the internet. Drop one ball and it's all over.

Sometimes I get the impression that IB is a big game of academic chicken. We all are seriously stressed out, but would rather die than surrender or give into weakness. Come on. We're all teenagers, and practically think ourselves immortal with our new self-confidence that comes with high school and a driver's license. Once you factor in the brain chemistry of young adults, you have to admit that teenagers are rash and unreliable, but would refuse to back down from a challenge.

But IB has its bright sides. For instance, I am taking very interesting classes that actually challenge me, when I've spent my entire life bored to tears in normal classes. Also, I get to write an essay about the politics and terrorism in The Dark Knight trilogy. And if it hadn't been for CAS, I doubt I would have ever entered the blogosphere. And I know it's hard for any high schooler to admit this, but hard work is very fulfilling. And accomplishing something is a very worthwhile task.

At least, that's what I comfort myself with when considering my Latin test tomorrow and three tests that I know of next week. I forgot, my first Process Paper is due next week, which means I need to get around to some EE work along with writing the actual Process Paper. Oh! and I have Primary Source Readings due this Friday. And I have a chorus concert. And I need to start working on my Prayer for Owen Meany paper. And I've got lots of math to catch up on, which I vaguely understand. And I've got to fill out the objective boxes for Psychology and read about the biochemical properties of water. And I bet I'll have to find the time to invent a cure for cancer, too. There goes my weekend.

Typical.

IB Stressed

It was apparent that some event was about to happen at the school. Authoritative adults looked rather frazzled as some set up tables with cheap, plastic table clothes, and simple, fake and rather forlorn looking flowers on them. The only thing worthy of attention was the basket of candy sitting on the table in a most tempting manner, practically gleaming with promise. I walked by the tables one time on my way to a gathering for National Honors Society. I made note of the sugary forbidden fruits, unable to strategize how to lay hands on them without being late to the mandatory meeting. I once again passed by the tables on the way out of the meeting, and made no move for them. I doubted I could get away with it, considering the adults crowding around the tables. It was on the third pass that I steeled myself to do what must be done. I figured that if I looked like I knew exactly what I was doing, no one would look at me twice. Casually, I moseyed on up to the table, cutting several adults in line. I made my stealthy way over to the end of the table that held the sugary delights. My pulse quickened as I came closer to my prize. Constantly on the alert for a stern remark, I was poised to defend myself with a polite, contrite, and above all braces-perfected smile. Calmly, as if this was part of my normal routine, I carefully selected a Kit Kat from the pile, and pranced off under the noses of teachers and PTA looking people alike. It is astonishing how easily many adults disregard teenagers, even when they're stealing chocolate before their very eyes. Once out the door I gave a little whoop and skipped over to a friend who had doubted my ninja skills. It was a sunny afternoon, my homework wasn't too arduous, and I was about to enjoy pure deliciousness. 

Things like this happen every so often. It's little victories like this that make hard days possible. This was my little victory today. I hope you have plenty of them, as well. 

IB Stressed

Sometimes I just want to sit and wait for life to happen to me. Especially in my 7:00 a.m. class. The Latin test this week was so horrible, I put my head down on my desk and literally just thought, "What am I doing? I obviously can't do this. I only want to be a writer or dolphin trainer or princess unicorn or something! I don't need an IB Diploma. Just forget about this and you'll never have to do math again!"

Once I realized that I had reduced my future career to princess unicorn I snapped out of it (Who wouldn't want to be? But it's so impossible to get employment as that in this economy). I got a hold of myself and forced myself to finish that test. Probably didn't ace it, but I finished it. I can do this. So if you are an IB student or any student finding yourself thinking the same thing (Maybe not the princess unicorn part, but maybe something along the lines of a rock star griffin), you can do this. I know that it may not feel like it, but you can.

So reward yourself for getting through thus far. It's easy to become IB Stressed. So sit back, relax and enjoy stuff that isn't IB related. I know I do. I went to see a movie with some friends on Friday. It was downtown, and outdoors. We picnicked by the fountain, eating pizza and doughnuts after we'd set up lawn chairs in the town square in front of the movie screen. Seriously, it was phenomenal. High school isn't all about school. It's about enjoying the people you're sharing this amazing experience with, and finding out who you really are.

It's so easy to let those two little letters control your life. You should work as hard as possible to get that IB Diploma, but don't let them control EVERY aspect of your life. Go out and do something fun once in a while, as long as it's legal.