Anuhya Bharadwaja

How has your IB experience enriched/prepared you for university life in SMU?

My IB experience grew my written and spoken communication skills, which I further honed at SMU. The Internal Assessments I completed for every subject, whether they be written or verbal, taught me how to put my ideas forth in an eloquent and professional manner. This helped me in class when I spoke up and presented my thoughts to my professors, and in my group presentations for every module when I had to present to my peers.

My IB experience also taught me how to be consistent. The IB curriculum demands consistent high performance throughout the year, with a strong emphasis on Internal Assessments rather than relying solely on final exams. It is very similar to university life, where you tend to do better in your modules when you put in steady effort throughout the semester, whether it be contributing in class during Week 1, tackling a group project in Week 5, or preparing for a test in Week 9.

What is your favourite hangout spot/place to chill after a long day of classes?

I love Cozy Corner, run by the SMU Peer Helpers. We have massage chairs and games in there for anyone to play if they want to, and it is such a comforting place to come back to.

What advice would you give to prospective students (especially your juniors from IB) who are thinking of applying to SMU? 

In your application, you can draw parallels between your experience with the IB curriculum and what SMU offers, to demonstrate both your interest in the programme and your readiness for it. For example, the communication skills honed through IB’s emphasis on presentations and discussions would serve you well in SMU’s seminar-style, interactive classes. The rigorous, two-year nature of the IB programme also fosters a strong work ethic; one that treats university as a marathon rather than a sprint, emphasising consistency from Day 1.