A 45 Pointer

Chapter 1 - Why DP?

Sebastian

I never wished to get into this diploma. I want to spread my wings, sing, act, dance and expand my horizons, anything to get out of this life. There are many reasons I chose to be an International Baccalaureate graduate: my parents wanted me to become rich and strengthen the Lockwood image, it was the only way I'd stand out for college apps, but in all honesty, I didn't even want to take the DP, I just stayed so it didn't wound my ego (no one would bother me). Within a month, a majority of the class had dropped out, and I thought it would be stupid if I didn't stay and try to make my name. As we all know, Captain America himself said, "If you want to be around in 10 years, you've got to do something to stand out from the crowd." The course started with 30 or so kids in our class; 10 of us were left by the time the second semester began.

I was dead set on a career that would impress my parents, you'd think I want to be a doctor; I'm dedicated and committed but not that dedicated and committed. I pushed myself, but still took it easy; that's why I got into the boring business life, and that's what IB is all about: finding loopholes and taking risks with those loopholes. I cannot begin to describe how tired I am of stocks, cryptocurrencies, and takeovers or mergers, no more. A man can only endure so much.

As I mentioned, I wanted to get into the arts, even in school, I wanted to be the example (you can change the word example to picture perfect if you want) of the smart one who does it all, and I was. I had a perfect 45 and was the hair diva of the school participating in plays and musicals. So who's to say I can't pursue my dreams years after my youth?

If it were up to me, I'd have taken two arts. It wasn't an easy decision, but I eventually had to study business and economics. I wasn't happy doing two subjects in group 3, but it panned out in the end. After my graduation ceremony, everyone congratulated me, then our coordinator approached me, and said, "Sebastian, you are a good student. I'm sorry for ever doubting you."

He was finally impressed with me. After two years of sucking up to a mediocre white man, all I get is "I'm impressed and one more thing, I'm sorry." I shouldn't complain, the man wrote the letter of recommendation like he was sending me off for my wedding. I'll never forget that moment. If I had the talents of Harvey Specter, I'd say that he was acting like my grades didn't benefit him all too much, but he was dancing like a rom-com girl on the inside. It's perfect, he was made to dance.

This diploma did prove to be useful in college, the very few advantages were I got to skip a year of college, and it seemed easy until finding a job came around. I didn't need any additional exams to find a job.

Because my parents wanted me to get into business, I had to pick Business Management and Economics. If you were to ask me to give one word of advice to future candidates: big aspirations plus wise subjects equals easier college apps.

For example, if you want to be a writer, you don't pick a higher-level science and a standard-level Literature class. That's like saying, "I want to wear shoes that are too big or too small for my feet."

What have I thought about beyond my career? Not much, I've never thought about my personal life all too much, never had the time or peace. But now that my brain can't seem to comprehend anything but business, I'd like to think I'm ready for marriage. There was someone I liked in high school, but I buried it so I could focus on what mattered more, grades and a career.

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Elena

What's the one reason that I took the IB? The challenge, my parents, my friends? Well, not for my friends, I know for a fact I took it for myself. Rule number one I learned from my coordinator is never to take something just to be with your friends. My journey to get into the IB program wasn't easy, I had countless counselors tell me I shouldn't do it, then came around the coordinator whom I supposedly loved. He said there were some other programs I should do, but he had some concerns. So, my father, ever the proud Mary, decided he would not stand for this discrimination against his daughter, he demanded encouragement, not discouragement. My mother was practically useless in these situations, she'd do everything easygoing, so I'd never trust my mother with my decisions.