How to Survive the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References Approved

Chances are, if you're reading this, that you have already taken the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme or you're seriously thinking about taking it. You're in the right place for some helpful tips, to help you decide whether this is something right for you and to help you survive getting through a challenging (yet rewarding!) way to study.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Adapting to the Day to Day Routine

1
Gain an understanding of the program. If you haven't started IB yet, make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Visit your school's open house, talk to IB coordinators and teachers, etc. IB isn't for everyone.^{[1]
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2
Make the most of your classes. Ask questions and take notes. Follow up anything that you don't understand, as soon as possible. If your school offers additional help before and after school, then take advantage of it.

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3
Stay organized. Write neatly and organize your notes and handouts into the appropriate folders and binders. Ensure that you have all your supplies (e.g. a couple of pencils, eraser, sharpener, pens, highlighters, markers, and calculator/s).^{[2]
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4
Learn the IB objectives for each subject. Because of the need to standardize the curriculum across different languages and cultures, they aren't going to test you on anything else. Ever. For example, in Biology, there's not much point learning the names of all the amino acids when you only have to be able to draw a generalised structure (unless you love biology, in which case, more power to you).^{[3]
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5
Learn the command terms for each subject. Not knowing command terms will lose you marks you could have gotten otherwise.^{[4]
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6
Do all your homework. Homework assignments constitute a high percentage of your final IB grade, and you could find yourself overwhelmed by the final exams if you're not diligent. This applies even further if you are doing HL (higher level) science or math.
7
Start your extended essay ASAP. Do it well, properly, and early. The sooner you do it, the sooner it's out of the way.^{[5]
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8
Understand TOK (full IB). Otherwise known as Theory of Knowledge. Nail it. It's easy to get the core points for it if you work relatively hard. If your teacher won't teach you, teach yourself. There are books out there which are specifically designed for IB, so go get them.^{[6]
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9
Keep up to date with your CAS (Creativity, Action, Service). You need 50 hours of each, over a two year-period. Try to persuade your school to organize something to help you knock these hours out, for example, photography class, activity weekend, or tuition of younger kids. If all else fails, gardening in school can count as all three. Any help you do in school, get it signed off. Hand in those forms! You'll want to finish this as soon as possible, because by the end you'll need your energy to concentrate on your final exams.^{[7]
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- Not all IB programs still count hours, so make sure to check with your individual IB coordinator to make sure you are doing your CAS correctly.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using Survival Techniques

1
Try not to freak out. You aren't going to fail if you work. Yes, you will get into university/college. Although it may seem like a lot at first, it'll all pass eventually. Don't let stress and fear get in the way of succeeding in this program.
2
Remember, there is more to life than IB. Lack of human contact due to IB can result in social isolation and depression. Relax and have some sort of social life, for the sake of your own sanity. Find a decent IB forum on the Internet. Talk to other IB students and programmes. That said, don't fall behind on your schoolwork.
3
Give yourself a break once in a while. Do whatever it is you do to relax. Have some "you time". Just not all the time.^{[8]
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4
Avoid slacking off for any extended period. The IB is hard sometimes, but do it properly. There's no point wasting years of your life goofing off, when you could be making the most of what is, at the end of the day, an amazing qualification.
5
Don't procrastinate. IB students are known for being the kings and queens of procrastination. It's okay to if you feel like putting things off once in a while, but not so often that you end up having to write your Extended Essay overnight.
6
Do the IB with friends, or make friends in the IB early on. It is much too difficult to survive successfully all by yourself, as this also requires a guardian who is committed to helping you succeed IB. Your friends in IB will be a large mental help to you succeeding. You need to hang out with this particular group and study well with them, because you can all support each other. You also need to take every help you can get, ask every single question in your head if you have to.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Preparing for Examinations

1
Revise. These exams are definitely not a walk in the park. The IB is hard for most people (even geniuses like us) so prepare for it! And when — not if, when — you pass your exams, smile and be thankful that it's over. Help the first year students.
2
Practice. Work through as many past I.B exams as you can possibly handle! The questions in your textbook or those which you are completing in class may be drastically easier than the actual exam.^{[9]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I maintain my sanity around people I hate?

Community Answer

Ignore the people you do not like. Don't pay close attention to them as this will just annoy you further.
Question

Is the IB DP course really as tough as people make it sound?

Community Answer

Yes, the course is very demanding and will require lots of hard work and determination.
Question

How much harder are IB classes than AP or regular classes?

Community Answer

IB classes are generally considered much more difficult than regular classes, and somewhat more difficult than AP classes. However, for many people, the issue isn't an increase in difficulty, but rather an increase in how time-consuming their work is.

Warnings

Do not procrastinate and allow work to pile up! Get an early start on your work whenever possible. If you have free time or a spare block during the day, take advantage of it to finish your tasks.

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Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
If the stress is too much, it is okay to consider to drop out of IB or even switch schools. It's an awesome programme, but your mental health and ultimate success is more important.

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