Diploma? More like IB stressing BY THOMAS JETT AND DONOVAN KERVICK Staff Reporter The International Baccalaureate program is a unique opportunity for Sequoia students. Sequoia students gain a lot from having IB classes. One of the reasons people come to Sequoia is because of the IB program. “Well I actually transferred to Sequoia for the IB Diploma,” junior Aurelia Viner said, who transferred from Carlmont. College is a concern for most high school students and the IB Diploma is definitely useful on a student’s application. “I was self motivated to take higher level math and science, but then I’m gonna be honest, to get into college, the [IB] Diploma is by far the best option,” senior Ethan Bae said. The IB Diploma can be stressful, but it also fits some students’ learning pace. “The IB classes are more suited to the speed at which I like to work and the speed at which I like to learn and how I like to learn,” Viner said. The potential benefits of IB can also make students worry about their choice of classes. Many students worry for fear of missing out on IB classes that could help them. “Pressure rather than an interest so many people are driven to take IB courses, whether it’s because of friends or family they feel like they have to take it because they feel like they won’t be able to get as far because they weren’t able to challenge themselves,” senior Kimberly Sanchez Domingo said.
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Entering IB classes can be stressful for or conflicts with school and extracurriculars. students, the big jump in workload from “I think talking to your teachers and being standard level classes is a common cause for communicative is very important for them to stress. be flexible about workloads. I think the key “It was definitely harder than in the middle thing is communication and being upfront school. It was a big step, it was a lot more about how busy you are,” Bae said. “It’s okay rigorous and then I had to write like an IA my to tell the teacher ‘I’m really busy, I probably freshman year,” Bae said, who took IB math won’t have time to do my homework.’” analysis as a freshman. While extracurriculars can take up lots of For some students this workload leads to students’ time, it can also be big for helping giving up sleep in order to get work done. with student mental health. “I have had multiple days where I’ve had “For some students, sports is an outlet to to stay up till five in the morning doing work,” deal with stress and feelings, it’s a good way to Viner said. socialize as well,” Romero said. While students might A n o t h e r stay up late to finish strategy for work for IB classes, helping is trying regular classes can be to balance school We see a lot of students just as time consuming. and life. “I’m taking the “I think that it’s that are dealing with stress hardest classes I can but very doable for and primarily the stress is I wouldn’t say that I’ve anyone to balance never regretted taking it,” their life and coming from academics Viner said.“Having to stay have good mental up late to do schoolwork health if they use Judy Romero, Teen Resource Center isn’t exclusive to the IB their time wisely. mental health specialist classes, people in regular If they just box classes have to do that.” themselves in like All of this can be extremely hard to only focusing on school, I think that’s harmful,” balance, which can lead to even more stress. Romero said. “I would say that it makes life a lot more Sequoia also has the Teen Resource Center, stressful. It’s hard to balance everything with which has many resources for students school and sports, as well as getting enough struggling with stress. sleep and having a social life,” freshman IB “The therapists are able to talk to students Analysis prep student Parker Waddell said. about coping skills related to stress,” Romero A lack of conversation about IB’s said. “Anyone in the Teen Resource Center effects on students can make talking about it can have a conversation with a student and harder. identify where the stress is coming from and “There’s not a lot of people that how it plays out in your life.” have come forward with their struggles in If the source of that stress is IB classes, it’s mental health because of IB, so it’s harder worth considering their importance. for students to come forward with these “I’ve reflected on my mental health and struggles,” Sanchez Domingo said. how it has been impacted by IB classes and I The result of IB on mental health is decided to take a step back and drop some of widely visible too. them because of the mental struggle,” Sanchez “We see a lot of students that are dealing Domingo said. “It’s a struggle, taking a step with stress and primarily the stress is coming back has helped me gain more focus on myself from academics, I would say the number one rather than my education.” factor is their academics,” Teen Resource Center mental health specialist Judy Romero said. The workload can make it hard for students to alleviate stress, so being open with your teachers about any issues finishing work
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