IB Exams

     My senior year of high school in Japan started this past March. These past couple of months has been very difficult for me academically. The IB Exams in November are the final exams that I take for high school. At Gyoshu, we have a year and a half to learn all the information for the exams, while the rest of the world has two years. Since I came late to my junior year I only had a year and one month to learn everything. I am testing in advanced math, physics and english along with standard level chemistry, world history and Japanese. These past months has been very stressful for me since in September all our IB written assignments, individual oral presentations and lab reports were due. In October, I completed all my classes and had to basically study for these exams the entire month.

     It is very different being a part of a Japanese School and also very difficult. Unlike the States, school and studying comes before anything else. The amount of time we are required to spend studying is mind blowing. At our school all seniors are to give up participating in any sports or clubs and other activities so that they can put all their effort into their studies. I have had to give up a lot throughout these past couple of months, including family events, parties, school events and spending time with friends. I go to school Monday through Friday (and every other  Saturday) from 8am to 6pm, attending eight periods everyday. The pressure for me to pass the exams has been so much. However, I am just so grateful that I have parents to support me no matter what. Now that exams start tomorrow for the next two weeks I am very worried but, I know that if I try my absolute best I will be okay with whatever the outcome is.

     Adjusting to the Japanese School System has been very hard since I am not only taking very difficult classes but am also trying to make friends and try to adjust to living in Japan. I love Japan so much and all the friends I have made while living here. Even though school was a huge challenge for me and has been a part of my live 24-7 these past months, I am very grateful because I believe I am more than ready for college. My experience living in Japan overall, has been so wonderful and I am excited for the new adventures I will have after the IB Exams.

-Rachel