A Day In The Life of Rayhaan Heredia

My day begins before I even step into school, on the bus ride. That’s when I first check my emails, and go through any pending work. If there’s something urgent, I like to get it out of the way before the day begins. Once that’s done, I either put on some music or close my eyes for a nap (because honestly, you can never have too much sleep).

When I’m at school, the day is mostly filled with classes, just like any other student. But in the Diploma Programme (DP), I’ve taken four Higher Level subjects, which means I get to study more subjects that I enjoy in greater depth. It’s challenging, but it’s also one of the things I love most, because I'm able to spend time exploring the subjects that excite me and making connections that go beyond the classroom.

During short breaks, I’m usually on the move. I might meet a teacher for feedback, get an update on a project, or spend time with some of my friends. Lunchtime is when I squeeze in meetings for different clubs. Mondays and Thursdays are dedicated to World Scholar’s Cup training, Tuesdays and Fridays are for Student Council, and Wednesdays are when I run the Linguistics Club. By then, my day is already buzzing with different conversations and projects.

After the final bell, I stay back almost every day. From 3 to 4 p.m., I host activities like the Economics Society, Debate Society, and our Model United Nations program, where I serve as Secretary-General. These sessions are often the highlight of my week, I get to mentor younger students, exchange ideas, and see people step out of their comfort zones. Watching them grow makes the extra time worth it, and I also get to learn a lot in the process.

Even after school, my day doesn’t exactly slow down. Some evenings, I head to external classes. Other times, I spend an hour at the piano, work on a research project, or catch up on tasks for my internship. Once I’m home, it’s usually back to schoolwork, assignments, homework, further research and preparation for the next day. Before I sleep, I make it a point to catch up with my best friend. That short conversation is my way of closing the day on a lighter note after all my work is done.

Yes, my schedule is packed and sometimes overwhelming. But I love it. Each role I undertake, whether it’s leading, learning, or creating, gives me energy. I enjoy being part of so many different communities, and even when it’s exhausting, I’m grateful to be doing the things I’m passionate about and being able to have the opportunity to share that passion with others.