45 Out Of 45: A Perfect Score!

Achieving the maximum score in International Baccalaureate exams is no mean feat, Discovery College's Adi Sethi has some tips for students and parents

While on a family trip to India last July, Adi Sethi sat alone staring at his computer screen and the words 'View Results' with his entire family waiting in the adjacent room. He felt a surge of excitement, eager to see two years of preparation and hard work unfold, yet the natural pressure of the moment weighed heavily on him.

An instant rush of emotion took over as anticipation turned into profound relief and triumph. Tears of happiness quickly followed, bringing an immense sense of satisfaction knowing that every sacrifice, late night and gruelling study session had paid off. Hearing Adi's reaction, his family rushed into the room to share in a landmark milestone that few students worldwide ever reach.

Today, Adi is taking his next big step at Hong Kong University, where he is pursuing the prestigious and highly competitive International Business and Global Management (IBGM) programme, with sights set on a future in finance or entrepreneurship.

DC'S SUPPORTIVE CULTURE

Achieving IB perfection requires extraordinary personal drive, but Adi is quick to credit Discovery College for laying the groundwork for his success. "Our teachers weren't just skilled - they genuinely gave every single student their full care and attention," he says. "That personal support made all the difference for my friends and me."

While numerous educators shaped his journey, a few stand out for their transformational impact. Ms Blomfield from the Higher Education Counselling team played a vital role in mapping out his path to university, providing strategic direction, steady motivation and genuine support. In the classroom, Ms Virrett, his Film Studies teacher, was a constant source of encouragement. Though Adi was initially hesitant to take Film Studies, Ms Virrett recognised his potential and encouraged him to pursue it. Adi recalls the numerous times she stayed by his side, offering continuous help and support throughout both MYP and DP.

DC provided Adi with more than just academic rigour; it offered a platform to develop as a holistic leader. Throughout his DP years, he actively took on key leadership roles - representing the school on various sports teams, serving as a School Ambassador, sitting on the Student Council and taking on the responsibility of House Captain. Recognising the importance of wellbeing, Adi also co-founded a peer-led mental health initiative and led several co-curricular activities.

ADI'S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

Adi has some tips for students hoping to stay on top of the IB workload:

Consistency beats hard work: "The most crucial advice to succeed in almost anything is not just to work hard but to be regular. Academics isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. For my demanding subjects, Math AAHL, Physics HL and Econ HL, cramming my review in the last few weeks would never have been enough. Being consistent is what matters: regular practice, dedicating two to three evenings to review content, attempting past papers, etc. That had the most impact."

Stop waiting, do it: "Many folks wait for the 'perfect' time to do their work. There isn't one. Don't procrastinate, even if something is due a week later, instead of planning to do it all in a few hours, spread out your work - maybe 20 minutes a day. You'll get it done faster and with a higher quality, while leaving time to hang out."

Adi also has some tips for parents: he shares what his parents did to help him stay focused, balanced and motivated:

Give space and trust: "Trust your children to manage their workload without micromanaging. However, if you see them struggling to keep up, help them. Maybe arrange a decent timetable, where they can split their work, or get them a tutor."

Prioritise, balance and sacrifice together: "To protect my focus, my parents made personal sacrifices - turning down social invitations, dinners and weekend events, so | never felt left out. At the same time, when I spent long hours studying, they encouraged me to take a break with them, going outdoors for an hour to play badminton, rugby, or take an evening walk. The exact action you take varies of course, but essentially, attempt to recognise what your kid needs - a break, physical activity, less distractions - and be encouraging but not very strict."

Adi sums up with a final message for students currently taking the IB: His advice? "Have faith in yourself. No one regrets putting in hard work. Either you achieve something life-changing, or you learn something valuable that stays with you forever. Do the best you can with what you have, don't worry too much because life isn't always going to follow your plan, and that's okay. Be resilient but also stress-free. Good luck!"

Adi is the latest in a long line of DC alumni to achieve outstanding academic results. For more on DC and its upcoming open days, visit www.joinus.discovery.edu.hk