ISR Students Ask ISR Alumni 🌟 Ilja and Daniel share their insights: Did your university/career plans ever change because your grades weren’t good enough or because you realized your dream job might not be possible?

Yes! There is one thing that I fully missed out on during my school time: Extracurriculars! Doing the things I loved, following my passions, and going out of my comfort zone. This means participating in the SLC, going to the competitions, and starting that business. Even with a top IB grade, lacking these experiences, top US & UK universities were somewhat out of reach for me.
Regarding unsatisfactory grades, my advice is that most of your grade is determined by your mindset. Are you looking to understand or memorize? Are you looking to be good enough or the best you can be?
– Ilja
Computer Science and Business Graduate of Technical University of Munich
Co-Founder of GradTutor

Not because of my grades but because my interests evolved over time. As I grew, so did my vision of what I wanted to do professionally. One thing I’ve learned is: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself because of grades. At the end of the day, a grade is just a number that helps you get into university. After that, no one really asks about it. What matters more is having some sort of degree or practical experience and, even more importantly, the kind of person you are. When it comes to careers, interviewers are usually more interested in your emotional intelligence, communication skills, and how well you can connect with others — not whether you were the best at math. Soft skills and the ability to work with people often matter more than memorizing facts for an exam.
– Daniel
Business Marketing & Entrepreneurship Student at Hult International Business School

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