So, you’ve made it into the IB program? It’s going to be a long journey but with a few tips, you can breeze through these next four years. First, I’ll be outlining certain things I’ve done over the years in order to keep myself organized with all things IB. As you become more familiar with the program, you will find that there are going to be various deadlines looming over you for months, and even years! So behold, the most feared aspect of IB… the extended essay. I know, a four thousand word essay seems impossible, but trust me if you start early and adhere to the deadlines, the entire process becomes highly manageable.
Personally, I recommend keeping a calendar and creating your own personal schedule by breaking up the most important aspects of the essay. For example, it’s suggestible to base the deadlines on vital aspects of the essay like the introduction, areas of knowledge, conclusions, and works cited. Also, something that was very reassuring to me throughout the entire process was the fact that we had supervisors to guide us through the writing process. We would conduct zoom meetings and talk about how I’m doing with my writing, as well as complete reflections about my essay writing process.
Overall, I had a great experience with my own advisor and managed to turn in an essay that I was satisfied with. It is important to communicate with them and ask questions when needed. I can not emphasize this enough, beware of the deadlines and do not wait until the last minute to start working on the essay. Your future self will thank you for this. I promise that at the end of this journey, it will feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. So start now, pace yourself and finish the essay strongly!