The IBDP requires you to balance your academics with your extra-curricular experiences in a way that is effective, productive and healthy.
Here are some good habits that you need to establish in order to reach your full potential in the programme.
- Pre-read work for the upcoming week on the weekend. You don’t need to study it as if you were preparing for a test, but pre-reading will give you something to hang your learning on in class. It will provide a familiarity with the material you will cover in class and make your class time more effective. Trust me – this is worth the bit of time you will take doing it.
- Review each day’s notes/material at the end of each day. This habit will help you remember material more easily for tests and exams. You can also make note of any questions that you have so that you can ask your teacher or friends for help. Developing this habit, along with pre-reading work, will have a positive impact on your learning and understanding in IBDP courses.
- If you don’t understand something … ask. Don’t let questions about subject material/content go unanswered for too long. You need to develop an authentic understanding of the material you are covering. This means that you have to be comfortable asking questions. You might feel lost or unable to do the work on your own for the first time ever in your school career so far. Asking for help is not a sign that you are a poor student, it is a sign that you are a goodstudent. It is a sign that you are being challenged and pushing the boundaries of your learning.
- Do your homework each night and complete your summer work- even if the work isn’t worth marks. Much of what you do in the IBDP is formative but essential in your learning journey. Formative learning allows you to build skills through feedback. If you don’t try your best in your homework or if you copy someone else’s work, you won’t know where your strengths and weaknesses are. We understand that some nights are really busy for you, but plan ahead to maximize your efficiency. Your summer work is provided to prepare you for Y11 or Y12 and to reduce workload in the final IB year.
- Adhere to deadlines. Get used to meeting deadlines in Y11 so that the habit is formed for Y12. This also requires planning. You might save larger chunks of work to do on weekends if you are very busy during the week. One major issue that comes up year after year is the Extended Essay. This draft should be written over the summer between Y11 and Y12.
- Plan your year, semester, month, week and day. Long range, medium range and short term planning are important when you are busy. We will provide you with support on planning.
- Become reflective as a learner. It is invaluable to stop and think about yourself and your learning from time to time. What works for you? What doesn’t? How are you feeling in certain courses? What are your triggers for procrastinating? Are you a visual learner? Auditory? Do you have test anxiety? How does what I learned today relate to what I learned yesterday? How does what I’m learning today relate to what I will learn tomorrow? Understanding yourself is the starting point to making positive changes.
- Recognize the journey – the IBDP isn’t about getting those easy, high marks – it is about learning how to learn, and this skill building takes time. It is a shame that marks have become the focus for so many students. Some students earn really high marks but learn very little. There are also students who learn a lot and don’t have high marks to show for their efforts. Marks are not necessarily reflective of learning. In the IBDP you will develop very important sets of skills, from time management to self management, from organization to academic research and more.
- Recognize the challenge. The IB is a rigorous programme. You have chosen a path that is rewarding but not always easy. Its okay to struggle, because in the struggle you will grow.
- Understand the long term benefits. If you don’t understand the long-term benefits of the IBDP, the amount of work you do may not seem worth your effort. Remember to reflect on the benefit to you in the long run.
- Know your “people”. From parents to teachers, school counselors and friends, you need to have “people” you can rely on for support. Everybody needs “people”. Everybody.
- Respect your classmates – their strengths and their struggles. You need to be with supportive peers. An IB cohort will not thrive in a negative and overly competitive environment. Finding out who got the highest mark on a test only makes one person feel good. You need to support and build each other up, not tear each other down. The students in your class are your family. Every student in the IBDP has strengths and areas for growth. Everyone has something to offer that will benefit the group. Work together.
- Keep up with CAS. The portfolio requirement of CAS can catch up with you. Make sure that you are engaged in the process. CAS also provides necessary balance to a busy programme.
- Develop healthy habits of mind and body. You need to get enough rest. You need to get some exercise. You need to eat well and you must find time to relax and have fun.