All About IB Life: Exclusive Interview with CKY’s Class of 2015

featuring Kaya Wong, Bonnie Yeung, Osanna Lau, Gordon Cheung, and Iscah Cheung

 

Phoebe Tam 11C

 

As their recent mock exams came to an end, our Year 12 students, who merely a month or so ago had been anxiously awaiting replies from universities, now find themselves closer than ever to completing their IB programme. Today we are very honored to have a chance to talk to some of these students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonnie Yeung

 

How are you?

 

I've been studying for the Geography mock exam. I've been feeling sleep deprived for the past two weeks and I just want this to be over.

 

What subjects do you take?

 

(HL) English Literature, Geography, Economics; (SL) Chinese Literature, Chemistry, Math.

 

What do you find most enjoyable about the IB programme?

 

The most rewarding part I guess would be studying Geography. Geography itself is a VERY challenging subject, but at the same time its syllabus is so wide that it really allows you to explore so many things, learn about current affairs and just know about what is happening around the world.

 

What do you find most challenging?

 

Time management. There is just so much to do and yet not enough time, so I guess you just learn to be selective and focus on what is important.

 

What will you miss most about CKY?

 

Friends.

 

Do you have any advice for the upcoming IB students?

 

I guess a few things that I wished someone had told me would be:

• It would be great to choose subjects based on what you like, but at the same time it is also important to choose subjects that you are confident you can excel in. In the end when we’re panicking about meeting our university offers, 1 or 2 more points in the IB really make a difference.

• Do not choose subjects just because you found them easy during IGCSE. IGCSE is NOTHING like IB. For instance, I know that many found IGCSE Geography quite easy to manage, and that was one of the main reasons why I chose to do it at IB as well, but then studying IB Geography is really nothing like IGCSE Geography and I would say it is arguably the most challenging subject for me.

• Prepare for your university application early. You could only submit a 600 word statement for UCAS, so it is unnecessary to overload yourself with extracurricular activities because at the end you would only choose the main ones. I would suggest writing your personal statement at the beginning of your IB; this would give you an idea of what else you need to do, and then you could plan your CAS around your university application and fill in details of your personal statement along the way.

 

Osanna Lau

 

How are you?

 

I am fine, thank you.

 

What subjects do you take?

 

I take English Literature, Chinese B and Art at HL; and Biology, Math and Business and Management at SL.

 

What do you find most enjoyable about the IB programme?

 

Okay, it's going to sound weird but TOK. It always makes me think outside the box and ask questions about questions I've never asked before. Really it teaches you to be rebellious ‘cause we're constantly questioning what teachers tell us as 'facts.'

 

What do you find most challenging?

 

Oh God, Math! (Sorry, Mr. Chen.) It’s just not my thing, you know…

 

What will you miss most about CKY?

 

For sure not the canteen lunch! But I think probably my friends, I don't know when and whether we will ever meet as a grade again, I mean, these are people I spend every day with... So sad. Maybe some of my teachers as well. Oh, and the endless amount of teenage fiction in the library.

 

Do you have any advice for upcoming IB students?

 

Do not underestimate the harm that one wrong subject could do to you. Don't choose something you're not comfortable doing. Other than that, try to stay healthy. Good luck, you will find your pillow more appealing than ever in the next two years (just kidding... Or maybe not.)

 

Gordon Cheung

 

How are you?

 

It’s alright. All the IA’s are done. Need to get prepared for the exams.

 

What subjects do you take?

 

HL Maths, Chemistry, and Physics; SL English Literature, Chinese Literature, and Economics.

 

What do you find most enjoyable about the IB programme?

 

It’s more about the way of thinking, exposure to the large variety of opportunities, multi-angled critical thinking, and learning.

 

What do you find most challenging?

 

Essay writing, and the amount of IA’s.

 

What will you miss most about CKY?

 

Friends, teachers, and memories.

 

Do you have any advice for upcoming IB students?

 

Time management, the old clichéd one.

 

Iscah Cheung

 

How are you?

 

Great!

 

What subjects do you take?

 

HL: Chinese Literature, Art, English B; SL: Geography, Biology, and Math Studies

 

What do you find most enjoyable about the IB programme?

 

Art.

 

What do you find most challenging?

 

Chinese Literature.

 

What will you miss most about CKY?

 

Friends and some teachers.

 

Do you have any advice for the upcoming IB students?

 

Keep revising. Do not leave it right before exams.