Grade 13
When I finished Grade 12, I had no other real choice but to enter an optional Grade 13 (this is the last year of high school in England which is not obligatory here or in American schools). I had finished the following exams:
- 7 GCE O levels (Maths - A, French - A*, English - A, Economics - A,
Chemistry - A, Physics - A*, Biology - A)
- 1 GCE AS Level (Maths - A)
- 1 GCE A Level (Maths - A)
- 3 AP’s (Calculus AB - 5, Chemistry - 5, Economics - 5)
- SAT I (Maths - 730, Writing - 760, Critical Reading - 690)
Which is good enough to enter both American and British universities, but I was late to apply, and made a last minute entry into ‘clearing’ (a British system which gives you a list of universities and courses that still have vacancies). I wasn’t very impressed with the available universities so I left it at that.
For the past 11 years, I have been attending the International School of Choueifat (a school of Lebanese origin combining both the British and American systems) in Sharjah. I had registered for Grade 13 months in advance and in the middle of the summer I was informed that they would not open a Grade 13 for me as I ‘was the only student’ and convinced me it would be psychologically damaging to be the only one in class. I later found out they were lying - at least 6 others had plans to attend Grade 13 and were forced to find another option.
‘Goto Dubai Choueifat,’ the adminstration said simply.
I live on the edge of a city called Ajman. Dubai Choueifat is in the middle of the bloody desert - a 2 hour drive through the traffic of the morning. No, it was not an option.
Having had so much fun over the summer in Cyprus, Istanbul, Denmark, Germany, and Sweden, I decided I would take a year off (gap year) to ‘do some work’.
When school started I felt rather happy bumming about at home while others suffered under the load and pressure of high school and university.
After a mere two weeks, however, I could take it no longer - I was slowly growing insane due to boredom. I also found out I needed to do an AS or A Level in Further Mathematics.
I transferred my papers from Sharjah Choueifat to Dubai Choueifat and started my first day at school at the beginning of last week (17th September).
During the first few days, I dropped every subject except Mathematics and Statistics. My daily schedule now consists of a lesson of Maths in the morning followed by three hours of mind-numbing idleness. Then comes a lesson of Grade 12 Statistics, and another few hours of nothingness where friends and I contemplate the meaning of life. Finally, the last lesson is usually Statistics again. I take a taxi back to my house and pay him 140 dhs for the day (~$38).
From Grade 10 classes are split into ‘L’ (literature/arts) and ‘S’ (science). I’m in class 13S which is literally a hole they chiselled into a corner of the administration building. I’m considering prosecuting the school as our class of 5 exceeds the legal maximum ratio of number of people/area. In addition to all of this, the only light in our class happens to be broken, and it flickers on and off every few seconds giving the impression of a seedy bar in the bad part of town.
Grade 13 is a weird, transitional stage between high school and university. Usually, when you progress up the ranks from, let’s say, Grade 10 to 11 to 12, you feel more and more superior to the growing number of ‘little runts’ below you. In Grade 13, however, it feels as though you’ve been demoted right to the bottom again. You are part of a class of 2-6. Little kids jump up to your class window to stare in wonder and quickly tell their friends. Much like they would do with animals in a zoo - and it’s partly justifiable - we are a dying breed on the brink of extinction. Students pass you by without a hint of acknowledgement, the teachers don’t give a rat’s arse about your marks, and the administration couldn’t care less whether you’re at school or not.
We’re ‘just the Grade 13’s’ after all.
Movie clips:
No Comment!
Marzouk said this on September 23rd, 2006 at 10:09 am
Speachless…………………
mohd hannoun said this on September 23rd, 2006 at 2:20 pm
Dude, seriously. Go to RSB. Sure, they’re all gay but the food’s awesome. Plus it’s free. :D
Sanakins said this on September 23rd, 2006 at 11:14 pm
Charliee!you were supposed to say how the grass is always greener on the other side!!but whatever this will do!:P you so should not be complaining about taking 2 subjects..and it’s only your fault you didn’t apply to a uni!:P enjoy!
May said this on September 24th, 2006 at 6:53 am
Man Jeremy, that sucks but what do u expect from idiots like Chouiefat????.Like they say, sometimes u just can’t win. Anywaz good luck man!.
Karan said this on September 26th, 2006 at 1:03 am
May told me about your site so I decided to check it out. We’re neighbours here in Montreal (what were the chances huh?)
“friends and I contemplate the meaning of life” hahahha. I grew up with the ppl you’re “Grade Thirteen-ing” with… the meaning of life? Hahahahahahahaha.
lol. No, I’m joking.
I really appreciate your mini Vids. As difficult and experience as Choueifat was for most of us, it’s still a part of home. I miss home: the good AND the stupid.
Pls tell everyone I miss them . (They would fall into the ‘good’ category, not the ’stupid’. FYI. Hehehehe.)
Thanks, Alia.
Alia said this on October 5th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Thanks for all the comments everyone!
Marzouk, Hannoun, Sana, May, Karan, Alia - cheers!
Damn good to hear from you all. :)
I’m happy to say it’s getting better in Dubai Choueifat. I’ve gotten to know quite a few people, but the journey there and back is still a real pain in the arse.
Time to begin work on the next article!
Jeremy
The English Nomad said this on October 6th, 2006 at 10:44 am
I just felt the effect of reading a min novel…possibly a summary and well…best of luck man… you’ll pull through soon enough Inshallah-cheers and good read once again
Omer Abbasi said this on October 7th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Jeremy…make another year book…and take more pix
Jugni said this on October 8th, 2006 at 11:25 pm
man jeremy i missed your ass..cant believe ur doin grade 13..i seriously dint imagine iam gonna pass grade 12..goddluck ya “Englis nomad”
rony said this on October 26th, 2006 at 1:49 am
HEY AND DONT FORGET TO THANK ME TOO JEREMY …..
rony said this on October 26th, 2006 at 1:53 am
Salam oo-ah-lake-um, Rony!
Don’t worry - I haven’t forgotten about you! Thanks! :D
To Juneid, fook the yearbook. I’ve had enough of that shite.
Abbasi, my number one fan, I believe I have finally managed to pull through. My situation in Dubai Choueifat feels ‘normal’ now.
The English Nomad said this on October 26th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
great
m said this on November 1st, 2006 at 12:04 am
Great- there is no other words to define it… ur site is interesting, the videos amazing,funny but sometimes sad, if u look at it in a different perspective…but any way…I am in respect with ur work…and just make an article to talk about how choueifat is…like a prison,that sux,and like fences in the schools,,ur the only one capable of doing a gr8 article…
It s been a long time i havent heard from u …its cool to know that u doing well,apart from the fact that ur stuck in grade 13..but u could try to use ur spare time for other more enjoying things to do…so take care,
If u have forgotten who i was i was in ur class in grade 9-10…lol… i kindof miss ur channel 4 jokes,remember?..lol
bazaz said this on November 1st, 2006 at 12:28 am
Well, if it makes you feel any better.. Wales sucks! Im repeating yr 12 cos the subjects I took were definately not working out but i’m doing A2 French so at least that will be out of the way soon. I’m also taking Music and English Lit, its quite amusing being taught English Lit by a raving Welsh idiot. To be honest, Welsh people sound awfully thick, it just their accents, its a bit simple. I’m in a college though, so its not like I’m stuck in a school. I’d be far too frightened to go to a school in Wales. Have you started applying to Uni’s? It would be nice to have another ally on the Island. I have Lara but she is so far away from me. It is quite lonely, but alas, I have my sheep.. and the dead squirrel out back.
Good luck,
x sarah
sarah agha said this on November 2nd, 2006 at 6:46 pm
LOOOOOOLL!!! Shaklikom Fallaah!! u’re friends are funny, but weird… you should’ve gone to a university instead or the American Unioversity of Dubai (( but it’s known as a nightclub)) or American University of Al shar8ah ((has a real good reputaion)). i’m thinking about going to Canada to study Grade 12 or 13 cuz it’s sooo boring in Riyaadh!! it was fun in the beginning but now it’s getting boring. you should see our insanity, it’s hilarious and the guys here are ABSOLUTELY crazy! y 7leilkom t’9a7koon antom :)
Allah ysa3dik inshallah
Good Luck
Bye
Jada A said this on November 21st, 2006 at 5:02 pm
Sara, it is almost certain that I will be going to the UK for university next September. I’ve already received replies from most of my choices.
Jada, I would rather endure another year of high school than stay for a university here in the UAE. Thanks for the comment. :)
The English Nomad said this on November 21st, 2006 at 5:34 pm
That’s terrible, man. I go to Abu Dhabi Choueifat, Grade 13, in fact, and there are only 5 people in my class. ‘only’, I say, even though it’s relatively big. The L’s are about 7. Anyways.
I’m guessing from the comments that you’re Jeremy - We took the same Physics class for a couple of weeks with Mr. Pierre. Nice to meet you, regardless.
Caracaos said this on December 5th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Pleasure to meet you too, Caracaos! How’d you find out about this site? :D
The numbers are about the same in Dubai Choueifat Grade 13 too.
I honestly don’t know how you survive Physics. I really despise conference classes, and dropped it after the first day or two (along with Applied Maths).
The English Nomad said this on December 5th, 2006 at 10:45 pm
Heh. I’m the only one on the Abu Dhabi side who takes Applied Math. It’s not too shabby - I’m guessing that learning with speakers and a screen with terrible resolution between both parties is more difficult than it seems to us.
And in response to your first question, I was bored out of my skull and decided I’d look for something that slams Choueifat, and, I have to say, you do it tremendously well.
Caracaos said this on December 6th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Salut, mon petit bonhomme! J’ai beaucoup aime ce morceau, c’est bien ecrit et rigolo en plus. Dommage, j’ai pas pu ouvrir les videos. I had to spend one year in a limbo between high school and university… Now that I can visualize your classroom and all the time you have to spend (waste) there, I understand (I don’t justify) your frustration and getting mad on that little kid… as you say, they jump up to your window to stare at you. I know, they are so curious and like making fun of anything. The only way out is either to ignore them or have fun with them. You’ll be their hero. Yalla helu, gotta go. Bisous.
Ayouni said this on January 3rd, 2007 at 10:17 pm
yoyo dude..it wasnt that difficult to realise from the beginning how crap choueifat was..in my opinion its the worst skool ever..as whoever commented above u shud come to rashid school, but the drawback is that its all gays..i think the only reason wat kept ppl there n wat kinda left me hesitant to leave was the friends u make over there n u know that as soon as u leave there u wont be in much contact so might as well suffer..anyway dude wish u da best..n its already like 5 months left..takae care brov..Ahmad (also known as RaMbO)
rambo2007 said this on January 22nd, 2007 at 4:24 pm
speechless…..anyway,canu help on whr can i get past year o-levels qustions for mathematics?…
rathi said this on April 30th, 2007 at 6:41 am