What does four years mean to you? Ask me that question four years back, I would not have the slightest clue. I would never contemplate that I would have gone through so much, learnt so much, and quite frankly, grew so much.
When I was bestowed upon an offer from this magical institution back in June 2021, I rejoiced with the utmost delight — as would any other person when they have achieved something. It did not take long before reality hit.
That period of time, was when I was the most joyous, most comfortable in my previous school. ‘Should I stay put in comfort?’ I asked myself, or ‘Should I walk myself into the difficult situation of embracing change?’
Very obviously, I did eventually realise the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. As only then, I would be able to see more, experience more, and better prepare myself for the world.
I only realised the necessity of this change when I think back to the experiences when I first came to Antuoshan.
I was overwhelmed with a fixed mindset when I first came. I kept trying to find aspects of life here which resembled that of my previous life. I tried to organise everything in my dorm the same way I did before; I used the same stationaries; I kept with my previous schedule, which would be an understatement to say it does not work well in SCIE.
I always tried to avoid any new learning methods, new systems, new culture, and new lifestyle that were thrown towards me. I thought that I would never be able to become part of this community, nor did I ever thought I must.
As such, I somehow hypnotised myself into a very dull and repetitive life: wake up, go to lessons, run away and sleep; wake up, go to lessons, run away and sleep…
At the same time, due to the influence of certain external factors beyond our control, I was quite afraid to be in contact with anyone. Not to count the number of days that I was even in Antuoshan.
In fact, it just felt like I got some new teachers who would use Teams, instead of Zoom, or whatever those loads of apps that came out of nowhere were. It was not the most ideal situation to be in if one’s goal was to adapt to a new community.
Thinking back, could it probably be just because I was not prepared to deal with anything beyond my study.
To be fair, it was not all a tunnel of darkness without any streaks light telling me where the escapes to happiness were. My maths skills were not very good when I first came to SCIE (understatement). My G1 Maths teacher Mr. Chen saved me, helped me clear away all the many blockages in my stream of thought.
In G2, with the encouragements from Mr. Michael and Ms. Helen, I was more willing to take part in activities other than my studies, I was also more motivated to study. My quarrel with Maths persisted into A1, with my teacher Ms Barbara helping me fight away problem after problem, day after day, resulting in a satisfying score.
Hopefully, the previous sections did well in explaining to some of my friends now, why they never knew me before A1/A2. Teachers and peers now may know the existence of, or know me as, the so called ‘Milk Dragon’ (the yellow cartoon creature on posters in the lift halls).
I do believe that quite a lot of friends would not even believe that the me, as described previously, was me. But how did ‘Milk Dragon（Nai Long）’ come to be? To explain this, we must start with our good old friend, the Student Leadership Body (SLB).
I was quite confused when I, who knew little about the structure nor operation of the SLB, was given a fresh new title of a Prefect, through joining some student organisations in G2. Of course, that also meant I had a second colour of house uniform added to my closet (now I have 5).
It was only then I found out where the black uniform, which I see people wearing in special events or flag raising, came from. I was also one of those who thought ‘Prefect’ was a misspelled ‘Perfect’. It did take some time for me to calm my self down from the shock.
After joining the SLB, I tried to grasp every opportunity to participate and to learn of its role. That includes playing a part in the school’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
To a certain extent, my view towards SCIE was refreshed by these celebrations. I saw that in this school, students could take a dominant role in creating many new things, with staunch support from the school.
In seeing dedicated principals, staffs, collaborating closely with students in planning, rehearsing, and executing every activity, I see that SCIE’s SLB stands out exceptionally from any stereotypical, traditional student leadership organisations.
Our SELT, who we love to call ‘bosses’ help us and guide us with great passion. It was an atmosphere which I felt welcomed and attracted to.
At the same time, I realised what role I could play in this community. As Biologists would understand, I found my niche. In hindsight, I think these few weeks was when I truly became part of the SCIE community.
I would like to take this chance to ‘promote’ the SLB, and to also give some context to the verbiage which I would use in subsequent parts of this article.
SCIE’s SLB consists of eight divisions, covering school culture, social work, and peer-related works. Students can start in G1 as ‘Members’ to learn the role of the SLB and to participate in our work. G2/A1/A2 students can apply to become ‘Prefects’ of divisions, or division ‘Chairs/Deputy Chairs’.
Extremely skilled and dedicated A1 students in their second semester, can try running for SELT, to become everyone’s ‘bosses’. The SLB also closely communicates with the school’s faculties in fostering new programs, planning new activities, and exchanging messages between staff and students.
I also grasped some opportunities to challenge myself, in doing things which I thought I could never do. I became the Chair of Peer Support Division in A2.
In this short year chairing Peer Support, I walke d through a few stages: I can’t do this —> Can I really do this? —> I can do this and I’m still alive and well! —> I can really do this! —> I can do everything! (no) —> I am ready!
I pushed the boundaries of the limitations of my skills extensively. Particularly leading tens of teammates in our Mental Health Week activities.
I was astonished that I could really do it. The whole activity week lasted three months from nothing, to planning, to purchasing, to setting-up, to executing, then finally to all the rounding-up matters.
In working together with my teammates, my bosses, and school staff, I discovered the importance and necessity of teamwork.
I also uncovered my hidden abilities and skills in leading a team. I gained many new friends, and a special nickname: Milk Dragon（奶龙学长）.
How did I get caught up with this yellow creature? The story started at the beginning of Mental Health Week, when one of the members of my division, NiKo, ‘took one minute to stuff together’ a Milk Dragon poster for promotion.
I then went above and beyond to gift excited schoolmates with these posters every day at 4:30 sharp. Coincidentally, Milk Dragon was also my costume in the carnivals of the coming weeks.
Milk Dragon naturally became part of my character, so did Peer Support. Even many teachers and principals, would recognise me as a Milk Dragon!
Our work was far beyond Mental Health Week. We introduced many academic, wellbeing, and even leadership skills related peer support programs. I also took part in all sorts of work which took care of the physical and mental wellbeing of my peers.
It was a wonderful chance for me to demonstrate all my passions to help and guide others, hidden deep within me. These activities also brought about many work experiences, which without a doubt have made me more confident in facing the future.
I also learned to reflect, to improve myself, and how I work with others. I hold endless gratitude to the SLB and the school for providing me a safe environment which enabled me to challenge myself, and grow from mistakes.
I thank Dr Boris for his many valuable and sophisticated guidance, and the staff of all the school’s officesfor their help to me. I gained many skills which I’m sure would be more than useful in my future life.
I am now much more brave, confident, and strong in facing the unknowns of the future.
At the same time, I also had to stay well on track with my studies and university applications. Never had I ever imagined that I could thrive is such high workload.
I would never have thought that I could so effectively and efficiently complete all the complicated tasks thrown towards me. Could this, probably, be the secret power of the intrinsic motivation to help others?
Certainly, there is no way that I could have lived through my application season alone. I was lucky enough to have so many dedicated teachers around me. My A1 Biology teacher Ms Alysia, and Physics teacher Mr Mike, constantly encouraged me with the greatest strength to pursue my dreams and to challenge my limits. They made me believe that I maybe, just maybe, have the ability to do everything that I wanted to do, whether it be the SLB, or pursuing Medicine.
I took a few rides of roller coasters during my application season. Looking back, it was quite an astounding achievement to only have bursted into tears once.
It was a little under a month before the early UCAS deadline when I suddenly had to change my course which I would be applying to for UK universities.
I did had a very brief period of depression. However, with the reminder from my parents, I realised that this should not be the end. I must rise above it, and fight for the best outcome, to complete a new Natural Science (Biology) application.
My passion in the field gave me the academic knowledge, and the motivation to dig through tens of articles and journals. With the support from Mr Jeff, Ms Sonia, my counsellor Mr Robert, and seniors, I quickly prepared and completed my entire application profile, along with my personal statement, in 9 days.
I then submitted my application 2 days before the deadline. I went above my way, to use all the time provided to me, even meeting with three teachers in a single day.
At the same time, my Physics teacher, Mr. Scott, was very kind and caring in giving me extra support, having found out that I struggled to focus in lessons with all the added workload.
The spiritual support from Mr. Michael, Ms. Maria, and my friends were extremely important during that period (so were Ms. Borka and Mr. Henk’s candies and chocolates!).
After submitting my UCAS application, the school also provided me with many help with regards to interviews. Mr Joe and Ms Sonia boosted my knowledge base and interview skills. With the encouragement from my teachers and parents, I continued to apply to Medicine in Hong Kong.
In November 2024, I almost simultaneously received the interview invitations from both the University of Cambridge and the University of Hong Kong. Thus, I carried with me the best wishes, encouragement, and knowledge, from my friends, family, and teachers, off to my ‘pilgrimage’ to both Universities.
The result, was an offer from HKU, and an unsuccessful application to Cambridge. But I have no regrets for this journey.
Having been through all this, I had done lot of things that I never imagined I would be able to do. I expanded my perspectives. Most importantly, I learnt a lot.
I hold the greatest gratitude towards both Universities in giving me these opportunities. I’m very happy with the results, as it appears that I may be able to step on a dream path.
In SCIE, I not only had many awesome teachers, but I also gained many wonderful friends. In lessons and in the SLB, I met many extraordinary friends, who gave wonderful guidance and spiritual support.
This includes our Pineapple David, who took my graduation photo. The accidents of life also led to most of my friends being those in younger year levels. Like Albert, who has all colours of house uniforms just like me. Although I have a black uniform which he does not have.
I wish that, in the future, in the challenges that life would bring us all, I could once again cross-paths with these wonderful friends.
So, what advice would this very relaxed, go-with-the-flow Milk Dragon give to his younger friends? I guess it’s probably just one short and simple sentence: Have trust in your passion, have trust in life.
In these four years in SCIE, I found my passion, discovered my abilities, and saw what my future could be like. SCIE gave me a wonderful environment, to practise my skills in all aspects, to push my limits under guidance, breaking though obstacles upon obstacles (to Mr. Anthony: it’s just like scaffolding!)…
I also hold great gratitude to my parents, who gave me the power to push ahead, supported me in pursuing my passion, and to do what I want to do.
These four years may have started with some challenges. But looking back, it may well just be things I must go through, inseparable parts of maturation and growth, that created who I am today.
In the Christmas of 2024, a visiting senior’s words made me look back upon what I had said, and what I had done in the past. I reflected upon my previous self.
‘He’ was like a different person to who I am now. Like a younger friend said, ‘There are many four years in life, but there will never be another four years in Antuoshan.’ I have no regrets in my four years in Antuoshan.
I am happy to have left in Antuoshan the stories of my growth, to have left some of my marks in this place. There may be emotions as I finally leave Antuoshan, after calling it home for four years.
But I am confident, that with what SCIE had taught me, I will be able to face any challenges, and roller coasters, which life will bring. That is, with excitement, of course.
Thank You, for bringing me to Antuoshan, for a remarkable four years in SCIE.
(You have been given many photos of me. Now it’s time to guess which house I’m in!)
- Article / Eugene Sun
- Pictures / Eugene Sun
