Fay Gao---Dance a Wonderful Life

Fay Gao, Weihai IVY International School 2016 graduate.

For such a long time, I’ve been thinking of writing something to commemorate my high school life, but I didn’t do it. In the evening of the graduation ceremony, I opened my computer again and thought, even if I was unwilling to, it was time to say goodbye to IVY.

I have gained a lot from three years life of high school in weihai IVY. The study of foreign courses, the enrichment of life experience, the open horizon, the precious friendship, and the satisfactory graduation result -- admission offer from University of Adelaide, Australia. But to sum up, the most important and meaningful three things are: studied well in school, established a dance club and served as president of student union.

Do well in studies: you will not be able to ask questions until you have learned more.

Studying abroad is a very early and clear life choice for me. It is also my perseverance to come to IVY, as this is the best way for me. Thanks to my parents, they have given me full understanding and support.

To tell the truth, I have flinched from difficulties at first. When I first came into the Cambridge A-level course, I looked at the thick English textbook and listened to the foreign teacher’s fluent English, the only thing in my mind was “Excuse me”? I had to preview before class, and listen to the teachers with an unprecedented concentration in class, for fear of missing any words. After class, I would ask questions to teachers and classmates to review and consolidate the knowledge.

I would like to thank my teachers. IVY teachers are both mentors and good friends to students. They are serious in class, but can be our best friends after class. They are the best teachers in my heart. It was their patience and professionalism that made me adapt to the international school classroom model. It was their encouragement and guidance that made me become what I expected. The thought of not being "masochistic" in the future, brings me a touch of sadness.

Many students ask me about my learning experience, I feel that it’s important to concentrate in class, but it’s also necessary to review after class. The combination of two can help you master the knowledge more thoroughly. In addition, do not relax during the exam season. Although A-level courses have two examination opportunities each year, don’t give yourself any excuses to take a second exam. There is pressure to get motivated when you really care about the exam. If you work hard enough, your grades won’t disappoint you.

Set up a dance club: a group of people with common interests do what they like together

IVY is a “small and fine” magic school. Life in IVY is full and meaningful. We study hard in class and also have fun after class. Students in our school are versatile, some are good at painting, some are good at music...There are also many clubs.

Why to set up a dance club? Besides enjoying dancing, more importantly, I want to enrich my extra-curricular life and relieve academic pressure. At that time I was not good at words and didn't have the determination to organize the dance club. But when I put forward the idea, there were lots of classmates who responded to me. Gradually we worked together to build up the dance club, and I became the president of the dancers.

The dance club experienced a difficult time in the very beginning. Because the club members have different dancing specialty, some members also had other club activities, we had little time to practice together. There has been no development for dance club. Slowly we set our goal on Korean dance as it was less difficult and more suitable for us. Later, our dance club became the most active club on campus.

Eric, one of the dance club members once told me that he was a shy guy who had stage fright, but dancing on the stage allowed him to get over it. It is also the benefit that dancing brings us. In addition to enjoying the fun of it, we also become more confident and leisurely.

President of students union: Drove me crazy, also made me grow

To be honest, I had no idea about the election of student union at first, I just wanted to be a quiet spectator. But academic principal Aquila had a talk with me encouraging me that I should not miss this opportunity to exercise and challenge myself. The result of his “brainwashing” was---I took the place of the president of the student union from Jay's hand.

It was only after I took over the position of president, I realized the heavy burden on my shoulders. The student union is an organization of students' self-management and self-service, and plays an important role in bridging students and students, students and teachers. Since taking over, I have been constantly adapting myself to this role. In addition to study from the previous generations of student union, I was more constantly trying new method of development.

It was the busiest time for student union each time a big event was held in the school. The Gala Day, Christmas Party, Open Day, although we were facing high pressure, we tried our best to make every activity perfect. What I want to say is, for many things it may looks difficult at first, but you'll find it more and more easier when you get used to it. During my tenure as president of student union, my leadership, organizational skills, communication skills and coordination skills have indeed been improved.

During this period, I also learned a very simple truth--unity is strength. After all, the strength of one person is limited, teamwork is more important. Members of the student union became the most important partners of my high school. We not only cooperated with each other in school affairs, but also helped each other in our daily study and life.

Now I have graduated from my beloved high school. If time could go back, I would still choose Weihai IVY as my high school. It is surely that time never turns back, but from IVY to Adelaide, I will never forget the place where my dream starts. I will keep on going and dance a wonderful life for my future.