IB candidates must take a certain amount of IB classes, which includes the mandatory Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class. TOK is a two-semester class that is broken up over the second semester of junior year and first semester of senior year. This class allows IB students to reflect upon the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.

“My biggest takeaway from the class is to never blindly trust any sources and to always think through every single piece of information that’s presented to you,” senior Britney Nguyen said. “Also, it’s taught me to find a deeper meaning in the world around me.”

Now that seniors have concluded their final semester of TOK, they have a free period where TOK used to take place.
“During my junior year, TOK was after school for me, so it’s really great to be able to experience having a free period during my senior year,” senior Sophia Baraban said.

IB candidates have a lot on their plates, so this free period allows them to work on anything they need to. Oftentimes, IB candidates use this time to be productive whether it be catching up on work, completing internal assessments or preparing for exams as the year comes to an end.

“With TOK over, I get to spend time catching up on school work that piles up over the week and I also get to relax a bit more,” senior TJ Hutnan said.

Other TOK students, however, choose to take a nap or do something not related to academics like watch Netflix.
While TOK students also had a free period during the first semester of their junior year, students favor the free period in their senior year.

“In junior year, I stayed with a teacher as an assistant, which was extremely enjoyable but I prefer being at home to help my parents whenever I have an opportunity to,” Nguyen said.

Having a free period has caused some seniors to reflect about their departure from AHS. “I like having a free period in the second semester of senior year because it helps me realize that senior year is starting to come to a close,” Hutnan said.