What Does the Future of IB Lounge Look Like?
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Here at IB Lounge, our aim is to inspire IB students to not only appreciate and enjoy their learning but also to go after their dreams. As actor Shia LaBeouf aptly proclaims: “Don’t let your dreams be dreams!”, we believe that everyone has hopes and aspirations, and should chase them.
When I started ib lounge, I went in with my own dreams. I had an image in my head about what ib lounge will look like and I have used that as motivation in this rather uncertain journey.
Dreams however, require hard work and patience. It is not often that we can dream of achieving something and then achieve it the next day. In fact, that might signal that the dream isn’t big enough.
Below, I will share my hopes and dreams for ib lounge. As you might be able to tell, we are still far away from them, mostly due to capital and student size, but everyday that we put in our best work, is one step closer.
Tangible dreams
IB Lounge began with humble beginnings. We don’t have our own permanent physical space and with this meant that we are unable to execute what I envision ib lounge to eventually be.
However, that doesn’t mean that we couldn’t achieve at least part of what I hoped ib lounge to eventually be. I had a few basic requirements the space needed to fulfill and these will also apply to ib lounge’s future.
It had to be conducive for learning (i.e. quiet, large enough and safe).
It had to be somewhere relatively accessible.
It had to have the appropriate infrastructure for us to carry out lessons smoothly (such as whiteboard, furniture). Eventually, we found a location that fit our basic requirements and began tutoring there. Thankfully, our students loved our space and found it to be extremely conducive.
But are we intending to teach there forever?
The short answer is no. My dream for ib lounge is way bigger than that. Of course, I could continue using this space and save on alot of rental costs!
So why would I want to spend much more to get my dream space?
To answer that, let me first share what my vision for this space would look like. I probably won’t be able to describe it as accurately as what it is in my mind, but I’ll try my best.
My vision for ib lounge’s physical space is focused on one thing: “Creating a learning environment that is enjoyable and conducive to every IB student who walks through our doors.”
Now, what does that mean exactly?
Every child has a different way of learning. I know this because as a child, I used to not be able to focus well while studying, especially when I was at my desk. Sometimes, I would need to walk around and other times, I would want to lie down while memorizing my notes. Every 30 minutes of studying, I would need to have a change in environment or relax with my Nintendo DS. Sometimes, I would be scolded by my parents for not being “disciplined” just because I didn’t study in the conventional way.
Yes, all these are “bad habits” that are often discouraged. But that was just the way I liked to study. That was, to me, the way that I was able to absorb as much content and ultimately, score well in my examinations.
Not every student can sit down for hours on end and focus. We want to embrace this and enable students to study the way that is best for them.
Some students also don’t have conducive environments to study at home (which is why we see students studying at Starbucks and at the library). Therefore, we want to also create a space where students will want to study at our centre.
Our dream physical space
General design
The general design will be welcoming. Warm colours, friendly staff and a sign that reads: “Inspiring the next generation of IB students” will greet students as they walk through our doors. We want to let students know that this is a place that doesn’t give up on students and that we will try our best to help everyone who walks through our door. This goes in line with our belief that it takes one good teacher to change a student’s mindset about a subject from hating it to appreciating it. By offering a welcoming design, we hope students feel less afraid to approach us.
The classroom
One key aspect will be that our furniture will be movable, depending on the nature of the class. For some classes, which might be more discussion-based, the furniture might be shifted to accommodate better discussion, such as by creating open spaces where students can actively discuss.
We will accommodate different styles of learning. There will be beanbags for students to rest during breaks or to enjoy the comfort whilst listening to class. If you’re like me and would like to move around while listening, there will be spaces at the back to do so (to prevent being disruptive to other students). If you’re like me and love to fidget while studying, we will also include fidget gadgets at every table. Of course, snacks and drinks will be provided which students can happily munch on during classes.
Our tutors will be allowed to explore creative ways of conducting classes. These ways may require flexible spaces which is exactly what we will provide.
Common areas
This is where we believe students will enjoy the most. My goal is to create a space that students love so much that they would rather come to the centre to study rather than any other location.
Now, who in the right mind would willingly want to go to a tuition centre after school to hang out?
Well, one that allows you to balance having to study while doing all the cool things you would do with your friends outside of course! Students definitely understand the need to balance work and play but too often, its only the extremes that are available to them!
Parents, think about it. Would you rather your child hang out with his friends outside or in a space where they can be supervised and feel encouraged to study?
Then you may ask: But won’t this be distracting to the students who are studying?
The key here is that we will partition the space in to separate rooms.
At one end, there will be a study area whereby it is a designated quiet zone. Students who need deep focus can use this space to engage in focused study. There will also be individual study pods where students can study alone, without distraction.
Apart from that, there will be an open area for students who don’t like to sit at desks. Study on the couch or beanbag! Whatever helps you get the content in!
In the other part of our space, there would be a space for students to relax. Here, students can take a break from their studies and have a game or two on the PlayStation or Nintendo Switch (maybe even with their tutors!). There will also be bean bags and sleeping pods where students can take a short nap if they need to revitalize before studying again.
Food and drinks
Let’s get real here and acknowledge that munching on some snacks can actually help us to concentrate. I noticed that many of my friends do that too and they say it helps them by providing a boost to their focus!
Instead of spending $6/7 at a coffeehouse, why not spend a few dollars less and still get a nice spot to study at? We will provide light tidbits and maybe even cooked meals so when students feel hungry (which growing children often do), they can enjoy it at our centre! Who knows? Maybe we will offer bubble tea at our centre too!
Staff
One thing that parents are concerned about, and rightfully so, is the safety of their children. Therefore, we will have staff who will walk around the centre to ensure that students are safe. These staff will be our very own tutors who can also be of guidance to students should they require any assistance.
To the skeptical parents
I urge you to consider that your child will probably spend hours on end at malls or trying to “study” at a noisy Starbucks. Why not instead, allow them to be in an environment where they can have a balance of work and play! And of course, where there is supervision!~
A dream tuition centre made for students?
Essentially, our centre will be the dream study spot for students. We want to embrace the diversity in how children best learn. In doing so, inspire them to be themselves! In doing so, we are sure students will put in their productive best!
Intangible dreams
Here at ib lounge, our aim is to allow students to appreciate and enjoy their learning. Therefore, this will be the scope of this next part of this article which represents out hopes for how the soul of ib lounge will be.
Defining success
As I mention to all our tutors: Our success isn’t based on any amount of profit that we earn but rather how much we are able to inspire our students. One key benchmark that we set for ourselves is if we are able to motivate a student not to give up, not only in his/her studies but also his/her life goals. This, to us is more important than anything.
A centre made for students
My hope is also that students truly enjoy learning with us and that they are actually happy to come to our centre. I used to be bombarded with loads of tuition from my parents, due to my sub-par grades. However, I always dreaded tuition. Conventional tuition is basically just more school, after school. With students already dreading to go to school, why would they want to have more of what they dread? I imagine IB Lounge to be a place where students actually want to come to learn and hang out with their friends. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
I also hope that we will be able to develop and innovate on our teaching methods. Besides improving its effectiveness, I wish to change the way we learn to be more enjoyable. To achieve this, I believe takes alot of creativity. Our current classes are currently more focused towards helping students score in examinations whilst actively helping them appreciate what they are learning. We try our best to incorporate real world scenarios and examples so that they can go home seeing the world in a new light. There is still much to be improved but I believe our hearts are in the right place.
For parents to accept that learning is dynamic
Lastly, I also hope that parents see the value in this dream. Yes, it is probably not what most tuition centres are like. But, consider this. It is a place where your child is able to go to both learn, interact with friends and enjoy a safe environment. He/she will be able to interact with tutors who have finished that phase in life and be able to provide guidance on their next future step.
Concluding words
I envision the future of IB Lounge to be a happy place for both students and tutors. It will be a place where learning is no longer a chore and students will come out feeling inspired. There is still a long way for us to go but as the saying goes:
“It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, as long as you don’t stop”
