This grade 10 year I have been faced with many challenges that I have had to overcome, helping me build on my skills and develop strengths I otherwise may not have had. Whilst encountering all of these new experiences, I have understood how though grade 9 was quite similar, I have also had to subconsciously adapt to the new learning experiences of grade 10. As I have lived in Singapore my whole life, and have attended an international school, I have gotten to experience a life surrounded by a large range of cultures, whilst also understanding how diversity and cultural heritage is what makes Singapore the way it is. I believe this has influenced me greatly as it has allowed me to always have an open-minded view on everything, as I experience many different perspectives, taking in the various lifestyles of individuals living in this society.
Recently, the one question I get asked constantly is ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’. This question used to instil a fear in me, as until I have always thought I should know what job I want by now and should have my life planned out. This has often made me extremely worried and made me feel as if I am not doing enough. However, over the past few weeks, my friends and family have helped me understand that I do not need to have a clear plan in place, or even an idea of a possible career. This has really changed my mindset on things, and the way I make my decisions. For example, whilst choosing my IB subjects, instead of deciding them based on the job and college I want to go to, I chose them based on what I enjoy the most, leading me to take HL Biology, Economics and AA Maths. I believe this is very important to understand, especially at this age, as though some people have their dreams from a young age, it is not necessary to know what career you want to do to be successful in life.
After becoming aware of all of this, I have learnt that my aspirations are not to have any specific job, but to ensure that it is a job I love where I am able to support myself as well as my whole family and am able to live the lifestyle I live now. My parents did not get the education I have received and all the opportunities I have, yet have been able to build up an amazing life around them where they can work as well as enjoy whenever they want. I have always aspired to get into an Ivy League college and hope to build my life from there, ensuring I don’t waste any of the opportunities that have been handed to me. I wish to give it my best try and live with the mentality that 2 years of hard work now can leave to a lifetime of enjoyment and comfort.
I believe that majority of my motivation has come from my parents and seeing how they are able to enjoy life without worrying too much about not being able to support their family. I am so thankful and appreciative of the life my parents have provided me with, and I hope I can do the same for my children in the future. My friends have also been a huge motivating factor in my life. As I surround myself with people who have a similar drive and similar aspirations, it pushes me to do more. Through conversations with my parents and friend, I now have some understanding of what I want to do. Science, specifically biology, had always been my passion since I was young, however, I have never really been able to see myself working in this type of job. Recently I have discovered that economics, specifically finance, is the path for me. Whilst having discussions with my father about his job, I realised that it might be something I’m good at, and that I can see myself doing in the future. Also, through learning the subject at school, and participating in discussions as much as I can, I have been able to see how I understand it quite well, and enjoy doing it too.
In order to achieve my aspirations, I have done many things outside of school, such as working on a fostering research project. I hope to build on this and take it further by creating a system that not only aids the fostering program, but also makes it easier for foster siblings to form relationships, and hopefully better the system and Singapore community as a whole. I hope that creating something unique to my life, and offering something new and individual, is something these colleges look for and admire, and can really benefit my application.
Furthermore, I have tried my best to plan out this summer a few months in advance. I have decided on 2 internships as well as a summer program which I hope I can accomplish as they can really benefit and help me in gaining a deeper understanding of finance and the global economy. I believe these will also help challenge me as an on-campus summer program will force me to interact with new people, and enable me to discuss my ideas and gain different perspectives on different topics. As I am used to working with the same group of people, this will put me outside of my comfort zone and hopefully help me build on my collaboration and communication, as well as getting ahead in my economics and gaining insight and knowledge I otherwise wouldn’t have.
Overall, this year, especially the past few weeks have helped change my mindset hugely, as well as learn more about myself as a person. I have been able to understand my studying habits and identify my strengths and weaknesses in this category, ensuring I improved on them before final exams. I have also learnt more about the importance of extracurriculars and how much work and effort has to be put in now, to ensure I can live the life I wish for in the future.