IB Spotlight: Bitania Endalkachew

Q: How do you keep up with your academics and social life?
A: I prioritize academics, but it goes together pretty well because there are like 50 other people doing the diploma as well. Also, my friends are pretty good at planning things out so deadlines aren’t right after a social event.

Q: What are your studying habits?
A: To study I usually reread all the PowerPoints and notes out loud, I also use mints. Mints are the reason I survived IB.

Q: What is your favorite IB subject?
A: My favorite IB subject is probably IB topics. Mr. York is a great teacher and the whole class is always engaged.

Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: After high school, I am going to be attending Vanderbilt University. After that I want to go to law school and ultimately become a judge.

Q: How did you prepare for the IB exams?
A: I have been preparing for IB exams for two years by studying for tests as your taking them, which is how you really prepare. After that all you can do is review. Unfortunately, I took my exams concussed so it was a bit harder to review the weeks before, but hopefully just learning the material in class helped me out.
Q: What was your extended essay topic?
A: My extended essay topic was how non-traditional roles women play in the Revolutionary War effected its outcome.

Q: Is your only focus academics?
A: No. Although academics is one of my focuses, I also love sports. I have played field hockey, track, and lacrosse for the school and played club field hockey for a few years. I also focus on the Ethiopian clothing drive and keeping up with my friends and family.

Q: What advice would you give future IB diploma candidates?
A: My advice for future IB diploma candidates is to not let people tell you you can’t handle it. You are the best judge on what you can handle, so don’t let others scare you into doing less.

Q: What skills do you think the IB program has taught you that can help you later in life?
A: The IB diploma is known for making functional procrastination, which is one of my skills now. The diploma really pushes you into being creative. Standarized testing really pushes you away from that, so thinking outside the box is definitely a skill worth having.

Q: Who has helped you on your IB journey?
A: Fatima Jaradat is the most wonderful IB translator known to man. She somehow knows exactly what IB wants even when the teachers don’t and I honestly don’t know where I would be without her. I would also have to say Mr. Valentino, Mr. Jepson, and Mr. Dwyer are honestly some of the best teachers at Annandale and I feel so lucky to have been in their classes. They all taught me how to work hard and to strive to do what I believe I am capable of doing.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: If I’m really dreaming in 10 years, I hope to just have been promoted to a Supreme Court justice or do United Nations work with Ethiopia and the United States.