When Ricky first joined the A‑Level Division, he held a cautious mindset. Back then, he had little ambition for his studies; he only wanted to master his courses steadily and aim for a safe university option, never daring to set higher goals for himself. His approach to learning was also exam-oriented: when studying economics, he merely memorised definitions by rote and applied templates mechanically, just to complete assignments, without the courage for deep thinking or exploration.
What changed him was the school’s inclusive educational environment and every dedicated teacher who supported his growth.“Teachers here don’t label students rigidly. They always discover the strengths in each person, and have patiently encouraged and guided me all along.”Under the positive guidance of his teachers and the influence of classroom learning, Ricky’s academic mindset transformed completely. He no longer focused only on “scoring points to pass”, but began to explore the underlying logic of theories, sort out causal chains, and refine critical analysis. He truly understood the knowledge, mastered the principles, and learned to apply theories flexibly.
With his improved thinking, solid predicted examination results, and impressive IELTS score, he gradually broke through his self-imposed limits and stepped out of his comfort zone. From his original conservative goal of targeting the Russell Group, he bravely set his sights on Cambridge and challenged one of the world’s top universities.
The application season for Cambridge was filled with uncertainty and challenges, and Ricky also went through periods of confusion and self-doubt. Yet supported by the comprehensive guidance of the school’s Oxbridge & HK Top 3 Program and the precise mentoring of his teachers, he steadily navigated every stage of the application process.
Teacher Guan, the program director, provided meticulous guidance throughout — from major selection and university shortlisting, to personal statement polishing, document preparation, and admission test and interview preparation. He broke down each difficulty, helped avoid common application pitfalls, and established a clear and complete application strategy.His form tutor, Joyce, kept close track of his academic and mental state, collaborated with the university counselling team on overall planning, and, drawing on his strengths in economics, directed him to participate in the NEC competition, research projects, social practice and other academic activities. These experiences filled information gaps, strengthened his profile, and made his academic journey more coherent and impressive.
What impressed him most was the devoted support from his university counsellor, Ms. Amanda. To craft a high-quality personal statement, they revised it repeatedly, word by word, going through more than a dozen drafts to perfect every detail and maximise his application strength.
Although he did not receive an offer from Cambridge in the end, Ricky felt fully at peace holding economics offers from UCL and KCL. In his eyes, the true meaning of the application season never lay in a single acceptance letter. This experience of giving his all was more like an inward journey of self-discovery. He reconnected with why he loved economics, clarified which universities and majors suited him best, and figured out how he wanted to continue his studies in the future. Through constant research, comparison and reflection, he clearly distinguished the differences between economics, finance, business and mathematical fields, and found his true academic path.
繁体
