Graduating Student Voice: Aidan - Musician and Mathematician
In this series of Student Voice articles, Marketing and Communications Intern, Richard, Year 11, catches up with our Year 13 students as they prepare to embark on the next steps of their educational journey. We look back at their time at the College and explore their chosen university pathways and career aspirations. Richard discusses with them their favourite memories at the College, and how Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi has helped them on their journey to university and beyond.
Richard, Year 11
Marketing and Communications Intern
In this article we meet Aidan, who has received numerous offers to study his dream course, Mathematics.
Q: Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Aidan. I first joined the school in September 2018, when I was in Year 9, and have been at the school for five years.
Q: I see you’ve received some conditional offers in the early round of offers. Can you tell us about where you applied, the offers you have received and how you are feeling having received these offers?
I am planning to take a course in mathematics, though I am uncertain about which specific branch of the subject to pursue. Nonetheless, I am genuinely curious about mathematics and believe that acquiring a solid foundation in this subject will offer me numerous opportunities in the future. I have received conditional offers from several universities, including HKUST, the University of Bath, the University of York, and the University of Warwick. I feel a sense of accomplishment having received these offers, and now my goal is to get as prepared as possible for the IB exams taking place in May.
Q: Why do you want to study mathematics?
“Mathematics gives me the ability to explore problems and use my knowledge to benefit the world”
What really pushes me into this field is the satisfaction that I get from solving problems. When you first look at a maths problem, you have zero clue on what it wants you to do. But as you study the problem and find the different skills you need to apply; it is extremely rewarding to solve it. Furthermore, I want to apply the subject of mathematics to the world and find solutions to problems. Mathematics gives me the ability to explore problems and use my knowledge to benefit the world. I aspire to use maths to help solve different problems across the world.
Q: Can we take a bit of a look back at your time at Dulwich? Why did you choose to join Dulwich?
Before joining I did not know much about Dulwich. At my previous school, I could only take the AP course which limits my future options at university to the United States. As I want to have options internationally, I wanted to join a school which offered an IB course. After searching for different schools to attend, I finally chose Dulwich because the school offers a lot of opportunities.
Q: What opportunities are offered at Dulwich?
Our teachers make an effort to provide us with as many opportunities as possible. For example, at our school we do the annual UKMT (United Kingdom Mathematics Trust) challenge. In Year 10, I got full marks in the intermediate maths challenge, which allowed me to qualify for the Maclaurin Mathematical Olympiad. Usually, in another school I would be unable to participate in another challenge. However, Mr Haworth, gave me the attention to practice the different problems and develop my problem-solving skills. It was great practice for the challenge itself and also my subject learning. Thanks to the help I was given by Mr. Haworth, I earned a merit at the Maclaurin Olympiad.
Q: What have been some of your favourite memories at your time at Dulwich?
One highlight was the Duke of Edinburgh International Award trip to Thailand in Year 10. In addition to the purpose of the trip, I also found that getting to understand the different living habits and interests of my classmates was a really good bonding experience. This trip is where I feel our class truly bonded as a tight-knit group.
Another was when we went to Dulwich College in London for the Dulwich Olympiad and I had to give a speech. It was the biggest crowd I had delivered a speech to. I spent lots of time recording different speeches on my phone and found the best one. However, at the lectern my phone turned off and I could not read my speech. Therefore, I had to improvise. Whilst it could have been better, it was a very memorable and enjoyable experience to see the audience enjoying my speech.
Another would be my musical experiences during my time at the College. I have played the piano for 12 years and the trombone for about six years now. I have played the piano in different performances at school and last year I performed the hardest piece I've played. I have always been part of the orchestra and have even been given the opportunity to be Music Scholar. Thinking back, there are many musical performances I’ve been a part of that have become fond memories for me.
