Looking back: a trip down memory lane

What It Means To Be An IB Student

Studying in IB schools my whole life, I have become accustomed to the way they function and the way they require you to think. The International Baccalaureate program gives us students various opportunities and platforms to express ourselves in academic as well as non-academic ways. Especially at Pathways, we as IB students are encouraged to think independently and drive our own learning.

What I really like about the IB learning system is that it’s not only about academics and grades; it is so much more than that. It is the perfect balance of sports, academics, extracurricular activities and through all of this: personal development. We are equipped with skills that will help us succeed in the 21st century. These skills such as social, communication, research, thinking, and self-management are known as the ATL (Approaches to Learning) Skills.Out of the various learner profiles that are part of the IB system here at Pathways, we are motivated to identify our strong learner profiles as well as our weak ones. I would describe myself mainly as balanced, principled and knowledgeable, while I seek to become more of a risk-taker.

Personally, I think studying in IB schools has really allowed me to grow in a way that no other curriculum would be able to do. The various Arts, the academic subjects, and sports are all taught in ways that encourage independence, liberal-thinking with resources that are relevant to the real world and provoke us to think outside the box. I think that is was separates the IB from other boards.

Varsha Pandanda

Grade 8