As we close in on the end of another academic year, beijingkids would like to congratulate students from the international school community on their achievements and say farewell as the students move on to new horizons. We interview three students from the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) about what they will miss most about high school.
Kun Li
What will you miss most about high school?
Friends, teachers, everyone… I’m sure we could still communicate via Facebook/Skype/phone and have reunions from time to time, but it will feel different by then and you can’t really go back to the close relationships you once had.
Any idea what you want to study in university yet?
I’ll be going to Dartmouth and I’ll be majoring in history or economics. I’m also considering a double major, since these two disciplines go well together.
Advice to underclassmen?
General advice: work hard, play hard, and stay balanced. Practical advice: backup your files, it could save you hours of additional work.
Freda Zhao
What will you miss most about high school?
The camaraderie amongst my friends and peers. WAB is like a big family and I don’t think I’ll ever find a place like it. Also, high school is a transition state between the carefree mentality that we carried on from our childhood to a more mature mindset where we have to start deliberating future plans and recognize the bigger world outside of our inner circles. The bonds formed between people during this time are the ones I believe to be the strongest.
Any idea what you want to study in university yet?
I am currently thinking of pursuing a dual degree in psychology and economics (at University of Pennsylvania), and then either going on to study business or law. Of course, these are subject to change as I learn more about different areas of study in college.
Advice to underclassmen?
If you want to reach the top, it’s worth it to sacrifice some relaxation and socializing time now to work on aspects such as academics and extracurricular activities. Although this is the case, live your high school life how you want to, in a way that makes you happiest – it’s a once in a life time experience, so make it the best for you! Remember to not just work hard, but also to work smart. Also, here’s a piece of advice that I received from one of my teachers: "It’s Friday! Go home, eat some chocolate and watch some TV!"
Jessica Ho
Any idea what you want to study in university yet?
I applied to the course electrical and electronic engineering in university (at University College London), so that is what I will be studying for the next three years. If possible, I would like to take a few minor classes, for example, a Japanese language course to further improve my language skills.
What are you looking forward to most about attending university?
Being independent! This will be the first time I will leave my comfort zone, including my family and my friends, so I am sure it will be new, fresh, and awesome to start cooking for myself, budgeting, doing my own laundry, and so on. Also, I think I will look forward the fact that I do not have to wake up before 7am for university. Last but not least, I look forward to meet some awesome and inspiring people during my university studies including peers or teachers!
What will you miss most about high school?
I think I will really miss the people that I worked with. They are diligent, organized, and inspiring! Also, I will miss the close relationship between students and teachers. In high school, teachers talk to every student and care for them. Likewise, students also talk to their teachers about almost everything! I think of this as a significant factor that really helped me in my studies. I hope that I can have similar relationships with peers and teachers in university as well.
If your school would like to feature your graduating class of 2014 by participating in “Congratulations to Graduates,” please contact School Editor, Yvette Ferrari, yvetteferrari@truerunmedia.com
