I first encountered the IB program two years ago, as a sophomore, when the coordinator from my school came into one of my AP classes in order to enlighten us on the benefits it has to offer. It quickly piqued my interest as I desired to obtain the best resume possible for colleges. I figured why not start as early as I can. I was already enrolled in an AP class and had taken previous AP classes, so I was no stranger to a hefty workload. So, halfway through my sophomore year I took the step and signed up for the full IB program. When it began at the start of the next school year, I quickly realized this was unlike any AP class I had ever taken. The content went much more in depth, the pacing was lighting speed, and the workload was like nothing that I had ever been given before. Along with the rigorous school schedule, I also had to balance that with work, sports, and other extracurriculars. I quickly began to question my decision to enter this program. Is it really worth it? As I spent more and more time in this program I suddenly came to a whole new realization. I realized that while IB is giving me such an immense amount of knowledge, it is also readying me for my future. I began to realize the value in hard work. Just like how pressure, struggle, and doubt can arise from the IB program, these things can also arise in life. Life is not a smooth path and the IB program opened my eyes to that. The program has also aided me in molding who I am today. It has prepared me to take what life throws at me and find a solution no matter what. Life can, and will, get difficult. However, I must learn to take these hardships for what they are and persevere through them. As Will Smith once stated, "On the other side of maximum fear are all the best things of life". Along with making me the hardworking man I am today, the IB program has also changed my attitude towards life. At the beginning of the program, I felt alone in the struggle. However, I quickly realized I was not alone, and I found refuge in numbers. I took shelter in other people as we shared hardships. I realized I can get through this with the help of my fellow IB students. Not only did they assist in getting me to where I am today, we also quickly formed a powerful bond. This not only changed by attitude towards the program, but also towards life. I realized that I mustn't wallow in my sadness. I must seek help, but I must also be that help for others. This shaped me into the nice, helpful man I am today, because my IB peers did the same for me. While IB has been the best academic opportunity I have been given, my financial situation has hindered other opportunities. My mother is a teacher, and my father works in manufacturing, so money can be tight at times. This has hindered me from branching out and gaining new perspectives or higher academics that some kids may have access to. Also, it means that college will be a struggle to get through. I plan to use the money from this TTOG scholarship to aid in the funds of my education, so I can give kids like me a chance to greatness, exactly how the IB diploma program gave me that chance.