I have officially survived a semester of the IB diploma (International Baccalaureate Diploma) , if you are unaware of what the IB diploma is click here for some insightful information on what the IB diploma is all about. A quick summary of the IB diploma is a rigorous program that has students excel in all areas of academics, they focus on a student making cultural connections and having both academic and personal achievement. While their main focus is on academics full IB diploma students must excel in the fields of the arts, music, and athletics. Students are not only meant to learn but to understand the information being taught and for this understanding to be in-depth. The diploma is meant to mirror college classes with the possibility of getting college credits, if you score well on the final exams.
If you're a student considering the IB diploma I have some helpful tips I have learned along the way.
If you're a student considering the IB diploma I have some helpful tips I have learned along the way.
10 Tips On Surviving the IB Diploma:
1. Practice Time Management Skills
IB Diploma is unique in the fact that it focuses on more than just the classes you take, you have to earn 150 C.A.S. hours, which stands for Creativity Action and Service. This means you have divide your time between classes, sports, the arts, and community service hours. Time management is a must or you will be experiencing more than a couple all nighters.
IB Diploma is unique in the fact that it focuses on more than just the classes you take, you have to earn 150 C.A.S. hours, which stands for Creativity Action and Service. This means you have divide your time between classes, sports, the arts, and community service hours. Time management is a must or you will be experiencing more than a couple all nighters.
2. Don't Procrastinate
I was a HUGE procrastinator in 10th grade; I learned the hard way that procrastinating results in severe sleep deprivation. The moment you get an assignment it's best to split the assignments into parts, which you complete over a span of time. Say for example you're given an assignment due in two weeks, you estimate it will take approximately a week to complete, add an extra day. Let's face it things happen, other assignments get in the way whatever may be your, days will be packed; it's best not to rush an assignment. Giving yourself an extra day will guarantee that you have enough time to finalize everything and make any additions to the assignment that will enhance the grade. Overall you will get a lot of assignments it's better to just get started on assignments as soon as you can.
I was a HUGE procrastinator in 10th grade; I learned the hard way that procrastinating results in severe sleep deprivation. The moment you get an assignment it's best to split the assignments into parts, which you complete over a span of time. Say for example you're given an assignment due in two weeks, you estimate it will take approximately a week to complete, add an extra day. Let's face it things happen, other assignments get in the way whatever may be your, days will be packed; it's best not to rush an assignment. Giving yourself an extra day will guarantee that you have enough time to finalize everything and make any additions to the assignment that will enhance the grade. Overall you will get a lot of assignments it's better to just get started on assignments as soon as you can.
3. Studying is a Must
Personally, I didn't study nearly as much as I do now for the IB diploma, even the smartest students who claim they didn't study in 9th and 10th grade and still achieved As, are studying just as much as everyone else now. Its best to home in on what study methods work best for you in 9th and 10th grade. This year I found writing out notecards help me learn the information best.
Personally, I didn't study nearly as much as I do now for the IB diploma, even the smartest students who claim they didn't study in 9th and 10th grade and still achieved As, are studying just as much as everyone else now. Its best to home in on what study methods work best for you in 9th and 10th grade. This year I found writing out notecards help me learn the information best.
4. Write Out Your Notes
Even though this is more of a personal preference I highly recommend it. The majority of notes I took before the IB diploma was on my laptop. While writing notes are done much faster on the computer it's very easy to get distracted, with the accessibility to the internet and more specifically social media it's very easy to want to check in class. I have been guilty of this before but for the IB diploma where lectures flourish, it's best to pay attention and stay away from any possible distractions. In addition to this studies have shown information is better processed if you write out the information as opposed to typing.
Even though this is more of a personal preference I highly recommend it. The majority of notes I took before the IB diploma was on my laptop. While writing notes are done much faster on the computer it's very easy to get distracted, with the accessibility to the internet and more specifically social media it's very easy to want to check in class. I have been guilty of this before but for the IB diploma where lectures flourish, it's best to pay attention and stay away from any possible distractions. In addition to this studies have shown information is better processed if you write out the information as opposed to typing.
5. Find Your Passion
Life under the IB diploma is understandably stressful; it's best to find your "happy place". For me that's working with animals, this allowed me to de-stress on the weekends and get a break, and additionally obtaining some community service hours. Once you find what your passionate about look for ways that it can contribute to your CAS hours, it's beneficial to take some time to relieve some of that stress. Sports are a great outlet it's physically and emotionally beneficial as well as being a great way to bond with some other students.
Life under the IB diploma is understandably stressful; it's best to find your "happy place". For me that's working with animals, this allowed me to de-stress on the weekends and get a break, and additionally obtaining some community service hours. Once you find what your passionate about look for ways that it can contribute to your CAS hours, it's beneficial to take some time to relieve some of that stress. Sports are a great outlet it's physically and emotionally beneficial as well as being a great way to bond with some other students.
6. Don't Stress About Friends
I was really worried going into the IB diploma that I would lose some of my friends that weren't doing the full IB diploma. I can guarantee you that IB diploma does nothing but pull fellow classmates together, whether it has to do with collaborations on assignments or purely study groups you will find friends. Believe me IB diploma is a trying time; there is nothing else that will help you bond with others more than a common goal. Although IB diploma requires a great deal of your time, there is enough time on the weekends to meet with both old and new friends.
I was really worried going into the IB diploma that I would lose some of my friends that weren't doing the full IB diploma. I can guarantee you that IB diploma does nothing but pull fellow classmates together, whether it has to do with collaborations on assignments or purely study groups you will find friends. Believe me IB diploma is a trying time; there is nothing else that will help you bond with others more than a common goal. Although IB diploma requires a great deal of your time, there is enough time on the weekends to meet with both old and new friends.
7. Sleep Must Be Made a Priority
You might think work comes before sleep, your physical and emotional health determines the quality of work you are able to complete. Functioning under a couple hours of sleep is not ideal and it shows in performance, being half asleep in class does not emphasize good work ethic, and more importantly over time it will take its toll. Having a couple late nights to study for an exam is one thing doing this all week is completely different. In order to understand the information being taught having a good nights rest is an important step. This relates to time management and not procrastinating.
You might think work comes before sleep, your physical and emotional health determines the quality of work you are able to complete. Functioning under a couple hours of sleep is not ideal and it shows in performance, being half asleep in class does not emphasize good work ethic, and more importantly over time it will take its toll. Having a couple late nights to study for an exam is one thing doing this all week is completely different. In order to understand the information being taught having a good nights rest is an important step. This relates to time management and not procrastinating.
8. Do All "Optional" Homework
Homework in my school is not a grade, resulting in many students not completing optional homework or practice assignments. It might seem useless to complete homework if it isn't for a grade, these assignments will help you understand the information rather than memorizing it and forgetting it within a couple days. I've also noticed how homework usually mimics testing formats. Homework might appear to be superfluous but just do it; it will help you in the long run.
Homework in my school is not a grade, resulting in many students not completing optional homework or practice assignments. It might seem useless to complete homework if it isn't for a grade, these assignments will help you understand the information rather than memorizing it and forgetting it within a couple days. I've also noticed how homework usually mimics testing formats. Homework might appear to be superfluous but just do it; it will help you in the long run.
9. Get to Know Your Teacher
Teachers are there to help your learning process be as easy as possible, they want you to succeed. They've probably taught a multitude of IB diploma students, they are very aware of the pressure and will be extremely understanding. Teachers will also try to compensate on test dates if theirs happen to align on another teachers, its best to be on good terms with your teachers, as they will possibly be writing your college recommendations. They are also very willing to help you after class or after school if you're struggling, so get to know them they're there to help.
Teachers are there to help your learning process be as easy as possible, they want you to succeed. They've probably taught a multitude of IB diploma students, they are very aware of the pressure and will be extremely understanding. Teachers will also try to compensate on test dates if theirs happen to align on another teachers, its best to be on good terms with your teachers, as they will possibly be writing your college recommendations. They are also very willing to help you after class or after school if you're struggling, so get to know them they're there to help.
10. IB Diploma is Worth it
10. Never Forget IB Diploma is Worth It
In the end IB Diploma is worth it, you get a great education, meet amazing people, it gives you an extraordinary exposure to other cultures, and prepares you for both college and beyond. IB diploma does not come easy and requires a great deal of work, but it is without a doubt one of the best experiences available. It sets up a foundation that leads only to success; I would highly recommend this program to any one who that is motivated and ready for a challenge.
In the end IB Diploma is worth it, you get a great education, meet amazing people, it gives you an extraordinary exposure to other cultures, and prepares you for both college and beyond. IB diploma does not come easy and requires a great deal of work, but it is without a doubt one of the best experiences available. It sets up a foundation that leads only to success; I would highly recommend this program to any one who that is motivated and ready for a challenge.