Imashi Iddawela 2019 School Captain

My Time As School Captain

The step from school to the outside world represents a major milestone, marking a transition involving an array of emotions including excitement, apprehension and intimidation. It is only once you go through it, that you are able to comprehend how impossible it really is to be fully prepared for the degree of change it truly involves. The fast-paced and rapidly transforming nature of the world of work makes it impossible for educational institutions such as schools, and even universities, to properly equip students with the exact skill sets they require. However, retrospectively, I can attest to the fact that there certainly are specific skills and capabilities that do make this transition easier, allowing graduates to continue achieving past Year 12.

Since graduating in 2019, I’ve had the opportunity to experience life at university and in the workplace, and am hence able to appreciate both the fundamental and intricate differences between them, and what exactly they demand.

From a university perspective, it is commonly acknowledged that as a student, you yourself are responsible for your learning, as well as your professional development outside of the lecture theatre or tutorial class. Advice and guidance can certainly be sought after, but at your own initiative. The days of getting handed opportunities on a silver platter no longer exist, as now you are expected to invest your own time to pioneer your personal and professional development.

Such mindsets and actions are not necessarily instinctual to all university students, particularly as we try to balance such tasks alongside part-time jobs, additional responsibilities and of course, what is meant to be ‘some of the best years of your life’. However, being responsible for your own growth is a key factor that contributes towards excelling.

Having studied the International Baccalaureate, I felt as though this sense of responsibility was not completely foreign to me, as I had been introduced to the notion of staying accountable for my work. Being a two-year program, paying attention in class and simply keeping up for the duration of the two years only got you so far. There were many self-initiated elements involved, whether in terms of academics, or in relation to the other elements of the program that encourage students to be well-rounded and develop their interpersonal, communication and critical thinking skills. Although completing these things as part of school felt like a chore at the time, I now appreciate that these were all contributing factors towards improving my skill set, setting me up for the world beyond school.

I will always be grateful for the academic skills and knowledge I gained during my time at PLC. However, I strongly believe that the most valuable parts of what I took away from my senior school life all revolve around the development of my interpersonal skills.

Throughout my five years at PLC I was provided with a safe environment to experiment, grow and grasp every opportunity, with nothing holding me back. My involvement in leadership, sport, music and even just socially have all contributed to my growth, allowing me to go on and achieve what I have over the past two years. I have learnt that balance really is key, and that the major characteristics demanded universally today are a positive attitude, an open mind and a willingness to learn.

Imashi Iddawela 2019 School Captain