Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that carries messages between the nerve cells in your brain. We refer to serotonin sometimes as the ‘happy chemical’ because it contributes to our well being and makes us feel happy. As sunlight levels become scarcer, our serotonin levels might start to become unbalanced, causing depressive moods. The question now is what can we do to stay motivated to complete our school assignments during the dark winter days?

The first recommendation is, be physically active! It's very tempting to come home from school and lay on the couch to watch some Netflix. Although this sounds great, truly try to get your body moving. There are so many benefits of physical activity, too many to write down in this article. Physical activity improves your brain health, strengthens your muscles & bones, improves your overall health, and highly improves your mood. Winter makes it slightly harder to exercise if you enjoy the outdoors more than indoors. If you really dread exercising indoors, bundle up on warm clothes and start some physical movement outside like running, walking, or biking. If you enjoy indoor activities, there's plenty of things you can do. Try perhaps joining a local gym, or maybe a club whether it be swimming, tennis, football, volleyball etc. If you’re really reluctant to leave your house, try an activity like yoga to do at home. Choose any activity you’re intrigued by, and begin being active! Start out with exercising at least once or twice regularly. Being active will truly help improve your mood and will help you keep motivated. 

Another recommendation is to develop a good study schedule. Determine which hours of the day you’re most productive whether it be early morning, or evenings. Create a plan, in a daily journal or digital calendar to plan out times you want to study making sure to not cram everything in one day rather spreading out your workload evenly. When studying, after you complete a task/assignment give yourself a little treat to keep you motivated. Try to make your study environment organised and maybe add some decor to set a mood that will motivate you to study. Or try studying at a local café if that's something you prefer. Working on an assignment/studying is easier when you’re doing it somewhere you like. To help you be more efficient, make sure to remove any distractions when studying like your phone. 

Finally, try setting some goals for yourself. Understand why it's important to stay motivated and focus on your studies. Define your goal, is it to improve your English writing skills? Or expand your French vocabulary? Try to make your goal clear, a clear vision will help you succeed. Once you have created a goal, start planning out how you would like to achieve this goal. Remember to break your plan down into steps rather than trying to achieve it all in one go. This way you’ll avoid feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated. Another tip is if you really struggle finding motivation from within, maybe try finding some extra support from others, like your friends, family, or academic advisors. Find people to encourage you and help you stay motivated. Make a few lifestyle changes and hopefully it will help you stay motivated!

Marijana Novakovic

14th of November 2023 

The Grading System

The IB gives a grade from 1 to 8 in MYP5 in each criteria which are then added and converted to a grade 1-7 as final grade  

The Criteria consist of:

Criterion A: Thinking and Knowledge Skills,

Criterion B: Organising skills

Criterion C: Application and Communication skills

Criterion D: Evaluating skills

The subjects in MYP are:

IndSoc (Economics, Psychology, History, Geography)

Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Math AA (HL, SL) Math AI (HL,SL)

Arts (Music, Drama, Visual Art)

Language A (English, Swedish) and B (Spanish, French)

In order to achieve higher grades we recommend that you look at the Mark Schemes for your subjects, as the IB is strict in grading. Through practice you can learn to respond to these MarkSchemes and thus achieve a higher grade. 

Service as Action

What is Services Action (SA)?

Service as action gives students the chance to research, plan, carry out, and evaluate their efforts to make a positive impact in their local environment. It requires students to engage with their local community through communal or personal initiatives. 

• You create a SA portfolio by creating experiences you participate in

• For each experience you can choose at least two Learning Outcomes 

• You must provide evidence for each experience/project and reflect on your process

• In order to be successful evaluative and descriptive reflections are required

Tips and Tricks for Services Action:

• Choose experiences that are fun and make them something you can look forward to. This is very helpful, as Services Action will not become something you have to do, but something you want to do and with all the existing pressure from your assignments you do not want to add onto that

• We suggest that you choose experiences that challenge yourself to make Services Action most importantly fun and productive for yourself

Personal Project

What is the Personal Project? 

• It is a project that students tackle in MYP5 where the students explore a chosen topic and they present their knowledge and what they have learned through their chosen exploration, which is the MYP equivalent of Extended Essay and TOK exhibition

1. Personal Project Report

2. Process Journal 

3. Product  

• The report includes an in depth analysis of Criteria A (Planning), Criteria B (Applying Skills), Criteria C (Reflecting) and this essay generally regards the process of your personal project and about the different skills used in the process. 

• The process journal is a journal where the student notes down important events in the process of the personal project. 

• The product can come in any form, as long as it is approved by the student supervisor. Examples are : websites or physical products. 

• This personal project is given a grade between 1 to 7, where it is a combined grade of the report and process journal, therefore it is important to work equally as hard on all components of the personal project. 

If you have any extra questions, you can email us for help at : 

noahmaximillian.jackson@utb.helsingborg.se

liam.barry@utb.helsingborg.se

 Liam Barry, Noah Jackson

English A

The first thing to do is create a good study list, put everything in your study list. Every concept, every vocabulary word, every idea, and others elements that are included in the IB English syllabus. You can look at study guides, but it is usually better for these things to come from your own notes because it might help you understand it better. This is why it is also important to take notes in class and keep all the papers you have received. 

Study lists can come in many different ways, it can be a mind-map, a graphic, or it can even be just a document. It does not need to be perfect, it just needs to work for you. 

Making a weekly schedule and using every available second. Do not waste time thinking ‘I can do this later’, no, and you know you will not do it later. IB students up until now have been great procrastinators. We want to break this pattern. 

Set weekly goals for yourself, take points from the study list mentioned above and make it into a weekly schedule. Try to not overdo it in the beginning, this will set you back because you will feel overwhelmed. If you need help, the teachers will gladly help you. 

Reading extra will also never be a bad idea. Maybe reaching out to your teacher and asking for an extra reading list will make the difference. Especially if you don't have the energy to write notes and review lessons then just being able to pick up a book and read could be the best way to go for you.  

Many IB students have found that studying one hour in the afternoon after school and one hour before going to bed has helped them be more productive. 

Where to find weekly planners:

• Amazon 

• Canva

• Trello 

• Outlook

The last tip is just to practise analysing the poems or novels you have done in class.  

Biology, Chemistry, and ESS

IB Biology studies a wide range of topics, it is a hard and rigorous course. To ace your IB Biology exams you can start by practising your past papers, this will help you understand the type of questions you will be asked on your exams. It is also a good way to practise managing your time wisely during the exams. 

Using a wide variety of resources is also important . Use your class notes and also your textbooks. You can also use resources online such as videos, study guides, and past papers. Doing this will help you gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and will help prepare you for the forthcoming exams. 

Revision village: 

Revision village has a lot of study material for IB subjects (Does not include ESS). It includes: Question banks, practice exams, and past papers. This website can help fully prepare you for your upcoming exams. 

History

IB history is an intense course, there is a lot to take in and a lot of material to study. This is why having a good study strategy is crucial to ace your final exams. 

This applies for all subjects but once again, taking notes is very important. It is also important to start studying in advance, you should be studying throughout the course of two years, so you do not have to do it only two weeks in advance. Something important is also to have flashcards or timelines, this is a good and effective way to remember all the dates there are to remember. Timelines can also help you see how events have progressed through the years. 

Memorising dates will not be enough, you also need to practise your essay writing-skills. 

Here are three main ways to improve your essay writing-skills:

• Outlines 

There is no need to write ten essays to practise but it is good to do at least a couple of timed essays before your exams. All you need to do is write down outlines of your answer, will help you organise your work, structuring your arguments and find all relevant evidence. 

• Critical thinking

History essays are argumentative essays, which means you need to have a viewpoint on an issue and evaluate it. It is useless to spend time describing your event but rather focus on  the evidence that supports your claim. You also need to think of its limitations and counter arguments. 

• Break down the question

You can divide the questions into three different sections: what it wants you to do, for example evaluate. The issue at hand, for example, rises to power. Lastly, the subject, for example Lenin. Using this method will help you understand the question better. 

Paper 1 focuses on your ability to analyse sources, so it is important to take some time throughout the course to look at different sources. Some examples can be: book extracts, cartoons, propaganda. You can practise analysing the message of the source. 

Individuals and Societies (Psychology & Economics) 

Indsoc is supposedly known to be one of the more tedious subjects considering the amount of information, dates and/or experiments you have to remember. Though the exams might be challenging, they are surely manageable with the right preparation.

• A start would be to familiarise yourself with the format of previous exams, as well as the types of questions to be expected. You can use this knowledge to help plan your revision and practice answering different types of questions. Answering questions that were in previous exams helps identify areas where you need to improve your understanding. 

• Additionally, you can use the splurging method to memorise large pieces/texts of information. You look at your revision notes, then follow it by taking a blank piece of paper and writing down what you remember. After you’re done, take a look back at your notes and see what you’re missing and fill in the gaps! In my opinion, along with others, it is an extremely effective method for memorization.

• To make the aforementioned revision notes, use apps like Quizlet or make your own flashcards! Prepare revision notes that simplify the important concepts and theories. This will help you consolidate your learning and make it easier to revise. Keep in mind that you aren’t alone! Collaborate with other students in your class to share notes and always ask questions on things you have a harder time understanding.

• Always remember to use all the resources you can get! Look at slides presented in class, watch revision videos, websites, notes taken in class, study guides, past papers, and all that. Go as far as asking your teachers what to expect. Ask your siblings how they got through exams and (obviously) what was on the papers so you feel better prepared. You need to quite literally use every single resource!

• For economics,  practice examining data, such as graphs and tables to help comprehend economic theories and concepts. You are more likely to successfully respond to data-response questions this way. Furthermore, to illustrate economic ideas and principles, use real world examples. As a result, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of how economics functions in the actual world and produce essays that are more convincing.

• Lastly, as you prepare for your exams, be sure to look after yourself! Get enough rest, maintain a healthy diet, and take breaks to refuel, refresh and recharge your brain! Engage in physical activities and hobbies that help you relax and reduce stress so that you can perform better.

Maths 

This subject might be the most difficult one yet but fret not! Hopefully these tips help!

• Create a formula sheet with step by step instructions on how to solve problems pertinent to said formula. Note down every single detail, no matter how easy it seems. Annotate them as much as possible to really have a clear understanding. You can colour code your notes or make acronyms to help remember them better. Try chewing gum while you’re studying and then on the day of your exam, chew the same flavor. This way, your brain associates the information you’ve learnt with the flavour, rendering you more likely to remember information. A recent study has actually shown that chewing gum also improves your focus on certain tasks. 

• To demonstrate mathematical concepts and processes, use diagrams and graphs. This will improve your understanding of the content and make problem solving easier. Remember to label the graphs in a way that makes it easier for you to remember!

• Go to homework club! Available every Tuesday at 14:00 to tackle any lingering questions or doubts you might be having about maths questions. 

• Once again, USE ALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE!!

Art 

IB Art can be difficult and possibly monotonous, but it is also an opportunity to showcase your creativity, experimentation, and exploration of different themes and concepts. However, even this can be achieved with the right approach.

• Have a reflection journal of course. Keep a sketchbook or journal or anything you’d like to document your process and write reflective statements that explain your artistic choices and decisions. This will help you demonstrate your creative process and communicate your ideas effectively!

• To do well in the Comparative Study, you need to have a good understanding of art history and theory. Read widely and deeply, and develop your analytical and critical thinking skills. Use ALL resources!

• An overlooked tip is to get feedback from your teacher, peers, and other artists. This  helps you improve your artworks and develop your skills and techniques! It also makes you more familiar with constructive criticism and how to react to it. 

• A very important one, probably also the one you’ve heard your entire life is to manage your time effectively.  Ensure that you have enough time to complete your artworks. Create a study schedule that allows you to balance your art-making, revision time and/or hobby time.

Languages B (French, Spanish, Swedish)

The IB language exams measure your competency in the target language, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as your understanding of the language's culture and context. Studies, Ab Initio, SL, and HL are the four language levels. The exams are broken down into two sections: written assignments and oral examinations. Again, also manageable with the right preparation. 

• Write in the target language on a regular basis to enhance your writing skills since you will be required to analyse a text or issue and provide a written answer that reflects your comprehension, analysis, and evaluation abilities. Write essays, reports, and reflective pieces on different topics and themes to prepare! Sure, not ENTIRE essays, but the basics, the outlines. Divide the parts, similar to what you did for history, to simplify the overwhelming exam. 

• To do well in the Oral Exam, you need to practise speaking and listening regularly. Listen to authentic language sources such as music, podcasts, and videos, and practice speaking with native speakers or classmates. This enhances your pronunciation as well as your grammar. A more fun way is to watch movies with the subtitles of your target language.

• Read widely in the target language to improve your comprehension, analysis, and evaluation skills. Read newspapers, magazines, novels, and academic texts in the target language.

So, that was all the subjects covered! We truly hope we made the revision process easier and were helpful in any way possible. We wish you good luck with your exams and hope remember to take care of yourself! 

Sources:

“An Expert's Guide to Excelling in IB English & Literature.” Home Tuition Agency, 28 Aug. 2020, https://www.tutorcity.sg/blog/an-experts-guide-to-excelling-in-ib-english. 

“IB Biology: How to Ace the Course - Crimson Education VN.” IB Biology: How to Ace the Course - Crimson Education VN, 11 Apr. 2023, https://www.crimsoneducation.org/vn/blog/test-prep/ib-biology/. 

“Revision/Exam Tips: IB History: IB & MYP Resources.” EIB Tutors, https://www.eliteib.co.uk/resource/revision-exam-tips-ib-history.

Dixon, Travis. “Top 5 Tips for IB Psych’ Success | IB Psychology.” IB Psychology, 22 Aug. 2017, www.themantic-education.com/ibpsych/2017/08/22/top-5-tips-for-ib-psych-success/.  

“How to Get Ready for Your IB French Exam (Language B).” Kwiziq French, 2023, 

https://french.kwiziq.com/test/official-french-tests-diplomas/ib-french-exam/how-to-get-ready-for-IB-french-exam#:~:text=Watch%20French% ‌

Mariyah and Clarisse 

Level 1: Choose your subjects

As you embark on this journey, you must look deep within yourself and ask: ‘Which path do I want to forge for myself?’

1. University application requirements

Universities have specific entrance requirements that vary in terms of the subjects and subject levels based on the degree you want to pursue. For example, in most countries, Maths AA is required for degrees related to engineering and natural sciences. It’s a very good idea to check out universities you might want to apply to.

2. Own interests

It’s going to be a nightmare to study six subjects if you’re not interested in any of them. Consider your HL subjects based on what you are interested in, considering you have to learn a lot more content and have more teaching hours. 

3. Grades

Grades matter. If you’re failing Maths and want to take Maths AA HL (arguably one of the hardest IB subjects) you should probably take a moment to question yourself.

4. Subject levels

HL students have to attend almost all the classes and have extra content. In some subjects, being an HL student is not as bad as others. For example, in Chemistry and Maths, HL students have almost twice as much content as SL students do. Compared to other subjects such as Psychology and Physics, this is A LOT. 

Level 2: Summer before DP1

Contrary to popular belief, cramming content before the school year even starts to get a ‘headstart’ is not recommended. The expression ‘hit the ground running’ may apply in some cases, but probably not this one. It’s more useful to take the time to enjoy yourself and mentally prepare for the next two years of your life. Do, however, take a look at recommended course guides and other materials such as textbooks and revision guides. These things are really, really expensive, and given the fact that you need books from multiple publishers (it’s always better to look at different ways of explaining things), it’s a good idea to borrow from the library, or even buy second-hand copies if you’re the type who likes to write on your books. One piece of advice I feel was really helpful for me was reading all the texts for my Language A subject, be it Lang Lit or just Lit, during this break. When the school year comes around, students have the tendency to not read any of the texts they’re assigned. As much as we would like to manifest it, not reading your texts significantly decreases the chances of you achieving a 7. Read the texts. Save your grades.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Dixie Tyagi