As 10th graders are having important conversations around the IB diploma program with parents, teachers, counselors and friends and this article may offer you ideas. Thanks to Ms. Stoneman for sharing this recent article from The Independent newspaper.

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International Baccalaureate - 'It teaches you not to give up'

Below are a few excerpts from the article.

"Before starting the IB I felt extremely intimidated," admits Josh Hammond, a student at St Clare's school, Oxford. "I had heard countless complaints about the difficulties of the IB. But, once you get going, you become more efficient at time management and the work seems less daunting."

Although students need to sharpen their organisational and study skills, they needn't do it silently – or without support. "IB students are expected to be risk-takers and communicators," says Sarah Jinks, a biology teacher at St Clare's. "But the tasks we set are designed to help them develop those skills. You're not expected to have them when you arrive."

"They may struggle in one subject but be a master of another, and that can be very humbling," he explains. "But it's also really powerful, it will teach them not to give up and help develop their self-respect."