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crosscheck9
Guest
My dear friends,
Yours truly is caught in a difficult predicament, and I need some advice. As some of you know, I moved from the Unted States to the Eastern City of Ad-Dammam, in KSA. I've been here for a few months now, but for a long while, I've spoken of pursuing the IB courses. In KSA, there are no schools which offer the IB course, besides one in the Capital, Riyadh. If I want to apply, I have one month to do so, as the school is only going to be taking admissions now, for newcomers for the 2006/2007 school year. I would however have to be travelling to the nearby country of Bahrain, where these courses will be help. It's 1.5 hours drive every day, and returning is about 2 hours, because of traffic no the causeway. The school I am currently in, however, has become a second home to me. It's a very small school, only 15 people in my grade, (10th) and only 3 in 11th, so you can deduce that we are all good friends in this school. I'd hate to leave it after becoming settled. There are too many great people I'd be leaving behind. Also, taking the IB courses means kissing weekends and short term holidays good bye. I don't know what to do. I have to decide within this month, for it's a 2 year course, meaning I'd be finishing up befor leaving for university. Please help me decide. Also, please consider everything before you post. Many have told me education should come first, but you don't understand the bonds I've already made with my classmates. I don't want to return to just being another fish in the sea, amongs 1500 other students. DECISION TIME!!
crosscheck9
Guest
I apologize for the spelling errors above. Please forgive me, as I try to type faster than my eyes can read, and so I overlook a few mistakes.
Rapid typing does that. If you ever see an error that makes the meaning unclear, you can click on the edit button and edit your post after it was posted.
As far as your decision is concerned, do what you believe will pay off for you in the future. You only live once, so if you think it will make a big impact on your life (for the better), go for it. 
crosscheck9
Guest
Thanks for that reply CrashGordon - It is true that going for the IB is the better option, but I'll miss my friends terribly. I don't want to leave them. When I was younger, people always said as you grow up, the decisions you have to make get harder and harder. I beleive it now. You said I only live once. With that said, should I base my life on education, and forget all friends? The IB will demand excessive studying, and thus I will loose contact with many people I care about. At this age, the only thing I feel I need is my friends and family for support. Who knows what will happen in the end. I try not to stress about this decision, but it's one that will affect the course of my life. These things don't come easy. I miss the days when we used to have nap time, and eat cookies at midday in Kindergarden. Now I'm deciding where and how to go about leading my life. I'm sure, however, that I will eventually figure this out, and when I do, a new chapter will unfold. I feel like I'm being pushed away from dependance on my parents. I always thought this feeling would come when it was time to set off to university, but I was mistaken. I often feel like this life has taken it's toll on me, but as many of you realize, I still have a long ways to go.
As you get older the decisions get harder. It's nice to have friends now but you are using that as an excuse for not leaving your comfortable world and going out into the real world.
I don't blame you but it can't last forever.
When you graduate from high school you will all go your separate ways or are you planing on staying together as a group to earn a living for the rest of your lives. Yes I'm being a wise guy saying that but it's true.
Keep in touch with them if you wish by mail, phone, e-mail, visits home etc. This is the time to plan the next part of your life, choose wisely, you'll make friends wherever you go, your a nice person.
A wise man once said "A journey starts with a single step".
crosscheck9
Guest
I appreciate the wise words Radarman. You are right, I am afraid of leaving my comfortable world. The next step is a little longer than I had anticipated, and therefore I am reluctant. I still have another month to decide whats best, and I'll be keeping in touch with the school's guidance couselor. You mentioned several ways to keep in touch with my friends, but you and I both know that meeting someone face to face every morning, isn't the same as once a week on MSN. I shall miss them, but if I do decided to make the move, I'm going to have to reaccustom. I don't like this feeling. 😕
RadarMan wrote:
As you get older the decisions get harder. It's nice to have friends now but you are using that as an excuse for not leaving your comfortable world and going out into the real world.
I don't blame you but it can't last forever.
When you graduate from high school you will all go your separate ways or are you planing on staying together as a group to earn a living for the rest of your lives. Yes I'm being a wise guy saying that but it's true.Keep in touch with them if you wish by mail, phone, e-mail, visits home etc. This is the time to plan the next part of your life, choose wisely, you'll make friends wherever you go, your a nice person.
A wise man once said "A journey starts with a single step".
I could never find,think or write a best way to share my thoughts from what alreafy RadarMan did.
You are a wonderful mature guy Crosscheck and i bet that the final decision you are going to take it will be the best for you.
The only thing i want to add is that all the big steps in this life starts from a hard decision and from a self-sacrifise.
Well, with the price of gas, i don't think that driving 4 hours everyday is practical. I had a class like yours last year. Although we wern't the best of friends, it was fun having such a small class. Now I'm in a school with 1,500 other kids. It was a culture shock. I didn't realize how good I had it in elementary school. 😂 I would stay where you are unless you really want to take the IB course. Good luck!
Are you serious, there are only 3 kids in 11th grade! 😳 And I thought my class last year was small! Is it a private school?
crosscheck9
Guest
hmm - mixed respones...I think Radarman's words really impacted me alot there. I also e-mailed my older brothers in search of advice, seeing as how they are experienced. So far, one of them replied by phone. He gave me pretty much all of the pro's and con's of each, and he didn't side with any, leaving the decision up to me. I'm going to have a few sessions with the guidance counselor, and I'll let you know of my decision when the time comes. And yes, Mypilot, it is a private school. The public schools here aren't like the one's in the U.S. They are not good at all. In order to get a decent education, you need to lay down good money.
RadarMan wrote:
As you get older the decisions get harder. It's nice to have friends now but you are using that as an excuse for not leaving your comfortable world and going out into the real world.
I don't blame you but it can't last forever.
When you graduate from high school you will all go your separate ways or are you planing on staying together as a group to earn a living for the rest of your lives. Yes I'm being a wise guy saying that but it's true.Keep in touch with them if you wish by mail, phone, e-mail, visits home etc. This is the time to plan the next part of your life, choose wisely, you'll make friends wherever you go, your a nice person.
A wise man once said "A journey starts with a single step".
Wise words RM. My dad said something similiar to that when I was changing schools. My mom wanted to keep me in private school, but my dad thought it best that I get out into the real world instead of being sheltered.
