Own

Think about this: language and stories aren’t just things we study in school—they’re how we make sense of the world and each other. The International Baccalaureate (IB) gets this. They’re all about helping students grow into people who are curious, thoughtful, and ready to build a better world.

Language is how we share what’s in our heads—our thoughts, feelings, dreams. It’s how we connect with others. Stories? They’re like time machines and mirrors. They show us how people lived, what they cared about, and sometimes, they even show us something about ourselves.

The IB wants you to step into other people’s shoes, explore their beliefs, values, and experiences. And you do that when you read or write. Every story you read is like a bridge—connecting you to places and lives you’d never know otherwise.

Even outside of school, language is everywhere. It’s in every text you send, every joke you share, every song you sing along to. And stories? They’re in every film, every series, every memory you swap with a mate. They stretch your mind, make you question stuff, and help you imagine something better.

When you really get into it—when you let what you’ve learned change how you see the world—that’s when you ‘own’ it. It’s not just knowledge; it’s part of who you are, and it shapes how you live and what you’ll do next.

As Jungkook from BTS once said, "Effort makes you. You will regret someday if you don’t do your best now. Don’t think it’s too late but keep working on it. It takes time, but there’s nothing that gets worse due to practising. So practise. You may get depressed, but it’s evidence you are doing good."