Overall Thoughts and Opinions on Starting the IB program at Brooklyn Friends School
The IB program is a rigorous one designed to “...provide an education that enables students to make sense of the complexities of the world around them, as well as equipping them with the skills and dispositions needed for taking responsible action for the future,” (IBO).
At Brooklyn Friends School, the jump from 10th grade classes to 11th grade IB classes is full of stress and work overload for many students. However, this fact is acknowledged by not only the students but the teachers as well. While it’s a challenging program, it’s also thoroughly worthwhile as “IB students have over 18% higher success rates in entering the top international colleges and universities in the total population,” (Knowledgeum Academy). I interviewed four current juniors who have just begun their IB courses about their opinions on the IB program thus far, and ways they’ve made it work as well as ways it’s not working, for them. Here’s what they had to say:
“I try to get all my work done as quick as possible. I try to be as proactive about my work as I can be. I try to be as active as possible I go to tennis a few times a week which definitely sometimes can make the workload a bit stressful but it helps me calm down.” From Ava’s perspective, the IB classes and workload are difficult to juggle, but she also has coping strategies like engaging in sports and staying active.
A different approach to the curriculum is Niv Betels. To the question, “what coping strategies have you used to deal with the IB program so far?”, he says, “Easy Answer; I find balance between my work and social life, and get help from my friends when needed.” While relying on peers for assistance with work can be a slippery slope for keeping originality, it is often most helpful to ask questions to those who also understand the material at your level.
Blake Barneys says, “So far I don’t have any issues with the workload, but I’m very stressed out with the extended essay”. While the essay doesn’t begin until the second semester, it can still be a point of stress for many, as it’s a long and tedious process. On the other hand, it also provides copious amounts of literary freedom, as the argument of the essay is decided purely by each student. Blake also says “I like the freedom of choice and the topics interest me” when it comes to the IB program. This is another advantage of the program, as it allows for a choice of classes and levels at which the classes are taken. For example, there are a variety of history/humanities classes to choose from, and all kinds of arts and sciences. Each class can also be taken at a higher or standard level, depending on the student’s preferences.
Many students also choose to challenge themselves and their abilities by enrolling in higher level classes that they want to do well in, rather than knowing they’ll do well in. This is a great way to motivate students to be more productive and proactive about their workload. While HL classes can be “cool to be moving at a faster pace”, they can also be quite ‘tough’ (Akiru Anthony).
Overall, the IB program is a great way to grow and develop critical thinking skills and practice ‘out-of-the-box’ problem-solving and strategies that prove to be helpful for years to come.
