BEFORE mentioning my interview experience in Cambridge, I feel that I should first share some deeply inspirational and thought-provoking quote, something along the lines of, "Make the most out of yourself, for that is all there is of you - Ralph Waldo Emerson."

But then again, not everyone has heard of Emerson, so maybe I should quote Yoda from "Star Wars" instead. "Do or do not, there is no try - Yoda."

There. Now my opening paragraphs sound deep and inspirational enough. Now then, allow me to describe my interview experience at King's College Cambridge, portraying myself as a confident and self-assured individual who strode into that interview room with his head held high, certainty in his step and determination in his eyes.

But that wouldn't be an accurate depiction at all. To be honest, what I felt at that moment as I stood outside the interview room was not confidence or determination, but rather a mixture of sheer terror and excitement. In the weeks leading up to the interview, I cooperated with my parents and teachers, putting in hard work in order to prepare myself. On top of studying material relevant to the course, I had spent a considerable amount of time having mock interviews with Mr Morris and Mr Dumble. Yet even as I was ushered into the interview room, all I could think about was whether my tie was crooked and if I looked weird in a suit. Not exactly what you'd call confident and self-assured.

I had two separate interviews with four professors in total. Thankfully, the professors went out of their way to make me feel at ease, giving me a comfy couch to sit on and pouring me a glass of water. The interview was not as formal as I had imagined it to be. Though the questions were anything but simple, the conversational tone and obvious interest they had in my views and opinions greatly lessened the stress.

After interviews that saw me discussing subjects as diverse as Thomas More's "Utopia," psychology and the literary styles of Dickens and Dostoyevsky, all that was left was a logic/reasoning test, then I was free to go. So much had happened to me within those three hours that my head was spinning. My overall impression was that I had performed alright, though I seriously doubted it was good enough to get an offer. Regardless, I greatly enjoyed the experience as it allowed me to have a discussion with experts in academic areas which interest me, gave me the chance to make new friends along the way and see the beautiful cities of London and Cambridge first-hand. I also got the opportunity to try some of the famous English fish and chips. Best fish and chips I've had in my life.

Amazingly, I got an offer from Cambridge. I'll have to put in even more effort into my IB studies in order to meet and exceed their expectations, but most of all the expectations I place upon myself.

More importantly, this just goes to show that with the right amount of help from those around you, whether parent, teacher or friends, along with the right amount of discipline, focus and just a little bit of luck, you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to do.

(Amos Fong is a graduate of SUIS, who will attend Cambridge in the fall as a Psychology major.)

College lessons learned

Austin Hulse

Graduates of 2012, one year ago, I was standing in a graduation gown with a ridiculous thing they call a graduation cap on my head, thus completing my 12-year stay in Shanghai. Overwhelmed by the imminent changes in my life, my expectations of college were, in retrospect, somewhat flawed. Here are four things I learned:

You have more free time. In high school you have no choice but to spend seven or eight hours every day at school. You have a choice in college. (So choose wisely …)

You can do just about anything on a college campus. You will likely find interest clubs, parties, project teams and people competent enough to help you start a company and become the next Mark Zuckerberg. Do not limit yourself!

Prepare to discover that not everyone has been as exposed to as many cultures as you. Help them understand what you understand.

Regardless of where you go to school, you will be fine. I remember being extremely (and somewhat irrationally) worried, but I made it through my first-year just fine. You may struggle sometimes, but remember one thing: if you are encountering difficulty, someone else has encountered that same difficulty. Treat everything as a learning experience and move on.

I hope that you keep these things in mind as you head into your last high school summer, and best of luck next year - wherever you land!

(Austin Hulse was at Concordia Class of 2011. He has just completed his freshman year at Cornell University, where he is a student in the School of Hotel Administration.)

Change brings campaigning

Gabriella Rader

Hi, do you mind if I walk you to class?" "Please don't." My fellow student put his earphones in and shuffled away.

Not again. I walked back to base, where my campaign manager handed me a water bottle and a fresh stack of flyers.

Running for student government, well by anyone's standards, it's insanity.

So why was I running at all? Almost one year at UC Berkeley, and my reasons were simple: I loved my school and wanted to see it change for the better.

I can't believe it's been a year since I graduated and left Shanghai. I realize that high school and my time in Shanghai were important in establishing my willingness to learn and my open-mindedness.

But in California I got a few things I didn't expect: confidence and pride in my studies and my life. Campaigning? That's something I never would have done a year ago. But I was an adult, standing up for what I really believed in, win or lose.

So I have changed. And that's OK. I've grown up, and I've found that change is (almost) always good.

Don't say no to Frisbee!

Jennifer Marr

I graduated from my high school, Shanghai Community International School Hongqiao, almost exactly a year ago, but it's still hard to believe there's already a whole new batch of graduates ready to take on the world.

My advice for new graduates is whatever you choose to do, your experience is what you make of it.

Sure, when I went to Los Angeles I was homesick for "my city" but if I had stuck myself in the mentality that LA would never live up to Shanghai, I could have easily destroyed my college experience. But I learned to love LA and I could not be happier with my choice to attend the University of Southern California.

Don't reinvent yourself into something you're not. The world outside high school is so diverse, anyone can find their niche.

Some advice on the practical side is remember the cooking and laundry tips your parents have taught you because, trust me, you need those things.

And don't be afraid of new things either, even the little stuff. Used to think Frisbee was stupid? Who cares! Seriously, limiting your choices will limit your life.

When I left high school I thought I was leaving behind the best thing in the world, but I just didn't realize that I had so many more "best things" to look forward to afterwards.

(Jennifer Marr is an alumna of SCIS.)