Student Experiences
We asked the 2018 IB Diploma
graduates to reflect on their time
at Fairview through answering
a series of questions.
What was your favorite part of the diploma?
"Becoming closer with those people also in the IB program, writing an Extended Essay, learning how to manage all of the different tests and responsibilities."
"My favorite part of the program was the camaraderie and the "all in this together" mindset. Everyone in the diploma program understands what the others are going through."
"I would have to say I enjoyed the classes the most of any component of the Diploma. I have had excellent teachers who have taught me a lot in every subject. That being said, the other components of the diploma, TOK, CAS, and the EE differentiate the experience from just taking IB classes."
IB Diploma Students
Class of 2018
Why did you choose to join the IB Program?
"I joined the diploma because they are the
most challenging courses offered
by Fairview."
"If we’re being honest, I would say for college, but I’ve learned so much along the way that it’s hard to say that getting into college was the only thing that I got out of the process."
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"I wanted to challenge myself. I knew I was going to take all of the classes anyway and I felt like doing the entire diploma was like putting a bow on everything and making me into a pretty package."
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"I thought it would be a great way to challenge myself and develop a stronger community with other like-minded individuals."
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"I wanted to challenge myself, be a part of a motivated group of students, and possibly go internationally for college."
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"I decided to join the IB Diploma program because it seemed like the best way to prepare for the workload in college. After participating
in activities outside
of school for CAS and writing a 4000-word paper, and taking college-level courses, I will be prepared to deal with the stresses of University-level study."
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IB Diploma Students
Class of 2018
Is there anything you learned from being in the diploma that you think is important to share with younger students?
"IB is a vibrant community of friendly and engaged students who are passionate about everything that they do. The friends that you make are your greatest support system, and you do have time to relax hang out with them."
"If your primary motivations are to learn/develop critical thinking skills/improve your writing abilities/prepare for college, then I would recommend doing the Diploma."
"It's OK if it is challenging at times, there are a lot of difficult classes and tests, but at the end you realize everything you learned, especially compared to other schools!"
"It's actually a pretty rewarding and useful experience. I think I learned a lot about myself and my abilities, which definitely helped me grow as an individual, and I think I'll carry a lot of what I learned about myself from IB into college. I definitely don't think I could've gotten some of what I learned from just taking IB classes; it was unique to the diploma."
"Realize that with the IB Diploma comes a lot of stress and difficult classes. Time management is incredibly important (and also easier said than done), so take care of yourself and your mental health first."
"Do not expect the diploma to be inherently educating. The real value comes from whatever work you are able to truly engage with and the group of candidates who are in it with you. There is no reason you cannot make the diploma worth it, but you need to actually invest in things that seem like 'soft' subjects- interpersonal skills, volunteering, things that are not on any test. You get out of it what you put in it."
"The diploma is a huge decision and make the decision because you WANT to do it. If you feel like dropping out, that's okay. If you want to give it a go, surround yourself with the things you love to do and the people you love to be around."
"You have to truly want to do it. If you are 'making yourself' do it and don't actually want to, don't do it, it's too much to do if you don't want to be doing it and you will regret it. If you really want to do it, you won't regret it."
IB Diploma Students
Class of 2018