- Jiwoo Seo.
Grades.
It may be life-changing for some or may be just numbers for others.
Well, it is great to have good grades and excel in academics. But don’t get me wrong, because it isn’t necessarily the result that’s most valuable, but its implication. the implication of passion and persistence that helped one reach to the stage, and the great potential that the knowledge and the talent has.
But, sometimes, your effort may not be genuine. You’re maybe pushed by the uncertainty of next path without the good grades, or the stress from what’s surrounding you. You don’t have an intrinsic motivation, and you think such academic structure doesn’t fit you.
I don’t want to throw a cliché quote, like ‘If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.’ But with the same line of thought, think about it this way? Instead of you being dragged by IB, you take control of it. So that by the time it is over, it would be a great tool that will take you to where you want to get to.
5 years ago, I was shocked with the new academic culture when I moved to another school. There seemed to be so much emphasis on high grades, and I could see everyone trying hard in their own ways. Classes were mostly oriented towards ‘how to score well for the exam.’ Even for many students, class-time wasn’t as important as ‘Hak Won,’ the afterschool academy that helps get ahead in school content.
Improving at the first few weeks was easy but getting a higher number after a certain point was like carrying a tire with its weight growing exponentially. I was very stressed, but rather than thinking about taking a break, I perceived the challenge as a hurdle I must overcome with dedication and persistence.
And in one weekend, thanks to a friend’s recommendation, I attended one small chatting club near my town. There were different types of people, from a freshmen college student, to middle-aged office worker. To be honest, I don’t really remember the specificities of the 1-hour talk, but I remember the lesson that hit me. When one’s in a slump, from running too hard for a long time, there should definitely be some time to put what’s in front of you for a while and fill up with different aspects of life. if I can’t change myself, then change the environment.
I started reading a book I’ve put aside to my drawer ‘for when I’m less busy.’ I started going to museums and galleries, instead of history textbooks. It was fun! At first, it wasn’t the historic information or the artifacts that excited me, but the fact that I’m immersed in an environment full of people with curiosity. After conquering museums and historic artefacts near my town, I eventually reached to the Gyungbokgung palace, one of the most renowned traditional palaces in my nation. Though it was 1 hour of bus ride away, I loved the grandiose impression of it and kept visiting the place. Over a long time, I had an opportunity to be a tour guide of the place. History exams were no longer cause of stress, but a tool to assess where I am at now. Although my grades weren’t the greatest, in retrospect, it was way more valuable compared to the first few months of chasing other’s academic requirements.
I wish that many more students could view grades not with its social significance, but with the implication of dedication and hard work. But also remember that, it is one of the many parameters of your strength, so find your own interest and means of development.
Grades.
It may be life-changing for some or may be just numbers for others.
Well, it is great to have good grades and excel in academics. But don’t get me wrong, because it isn’t necessarily the result that’s most valuable, but its implication. the implication of passion and persistence that helped one reach to the stage, and the great potential that the knowledge and the talent has.
But, sometimes, your effort may not be genuine. You’re maybe pushed by the uncertainty of next path without the good grades, or the stress from what’s surrounding you. You don’t have an intrinsic motivation, and you think such academic structure doesn’t fit you.
I don’t want to throw a cliché quote, like ‘If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.’ But with the same line of thought, think about it this way? Instead of you being dragged by IB, you take control of it. So that by the time it is over, it would be a great tool that will take you to where you want to get to.
5 years ago, I was shocked with the new academic culture when I moved to another school. There seemed to be so much emphasis on high grades, and I could see everyone trying hard in their own ways. Classes were mostly oriented towards ‘how to score well for the exam.’ Even for many students, class-time wasn’t as important as ‘Hak Won,’ the afterschool academy that helps get ahead in school content.
Improving at the first few weeks was easy but getting a higher number after a certain point was like carrying a tire with its weight growing exponentially. I was very stressed, but rather than thinking about taking a break, I perceived the challenge as a hurdle I must overcome with dedication and persistence.
And in one weekend, thanks to a friend’s recommendation, I attended one small chatting club near my town. There were different types of people, from a freshmen college student, to middle-aged office worker. To be honest, I don’t really remember the specificities of the 1-hour talk, but I remember the lesson that hit me. When one’s in a slump, from running too hard for a long time, there should definitely be some time to put what’s in front of you for a while and fill up with different aspects of life. if I can’t change myself, then change the environment.
I started reading a book I’ve put aside to my drawer ‘for when I’m less busy.’ I started going to museums and galleries, instead of history textbooks. It was fun! At first, it wasn’t the historic information or the artifacts that excited me, but the fact that I’m immersed in an environment full of people with curiosity. After conquering museums and historic artefacts near my town, I eventually reached to the Gyungbokgung palace, one of the most renowned traditional palaces in my nation. Though it was 1 hour of bus ride away, I loved the grandiose impression of it and kept visiting the place. Over a long time, I had an opportunity to be a tour guide of the place. History exams were no longer cause of stress, but a tool to assess where I am at now. Although my grades weren’t the greatest, in retrospect, it was way more valuable compared to the first few months of chasing other’s academic requirements.
I wish that many more students could view grades not with its social significance, but with the implication of dedication and hard work. But also remember that, it is one of the many parameters of your strength, so find your own interest and means of development.