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Organization skills

One of the most crucial skill sets needed for success in the IB program are organizational skills, and within that the particular skill of time management. Students at both secondary and tertiary levels are very aware of their own deficiencies in this area, but often do not have effective strategies to overcome them (Weissberg et al. 1982).

Good time management is a feature of self-managed or self-directed learning (McCombs 1986): it can alleviate stress (Lay and Schouwenburg 1993), increase academic performance (Campbell and Svenson 1992) and contributes significantly to successful “strategic” study (Kirschenbaum and Perri 1982). Time management is not something we can assume that students will do naturally—as with all ATL skills, it is a specific skill that must be taught and also modelled. If we expect our students to be well organized and punctual, to work methodically throughout the year and to meet all deadlines without last minute panic, then we must model strategies to help them achieve this goal. DP teachers can help students organize their time by coordinating their deadlines for students so that assessments are well spread throughout the school year. If teachers also help their students learn how to break down assignments into achievable steps and to timeline each step, plan out revision and study plans for tests and examinations, and build study timetables, then much poor time management will be alleviated.