Top 10 tips before you begin your IB Diploma

1. Research your new subjects

You should research your new subject if you have never studied it before! Find out what it entails and what topics you'll learn. IB syllabuses aren't as important as your interests. Focus on what interests you instead. Let’s see a few examples

• Politics - read newspapers from all across the globe
• Business & Management - business section in your local newspaper
• Economics - learn the basic principles and then about the application of these profiles principles

2. CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service)

Academics aren't the only thing involved with IB! In CAS, IB wants you to do things outside of the classroom. Consider doing something you've always wanted to do but didn't get around to it. You never know, you might become an economist or social worker. It can decide your destiny.

3. Early Assessment of ease of each subject

Assess your tasks once you've chosen your subjects. IB presents different challenges for everyone, and everyone has different strengths. Importantly, no IB student finds everything easy. Becoming aware of what to expect will make transition into university and college a lot easier, ranging from your hardest subject to the subject you’ll find easiest of all.

4. The art of being organised

Make small changes daily, rather than trying to change everything at once. Organize your notes as per subjects and put it in order into a file. An online to do list will also help. Practice being organized every day.

5. Don't give up on your English

Before starting IB, you should do all you can to polish up your English skills if it isn't your first language. If you hate subtitles, read your favourite book in English, watch English films without subtitles, or challenge your friends to only converse in English during a specific time of the day!

6. Talk is not always true. Experience is!

Make the most of your last two years of school by pursuing your interests and being social! As long as you're organized and focused, you'll succeed. There isn't much difficulty involved, it just takes a little effort. Similarly, don’t let talks about how difficult a subject is put you off. Yes, certain subjects are challenging for people who struggle with it. It's a smart choice for you if you enjoy it, are curious about it, and want to be a pro at it.

7. Language B

Keep up with your language B option over the summer like you do with English. It takes time and effort to improve your language skills. Take part in Spanish-language TV shows or bake from French-language recipe books to get yourself excited about the language. You can also watch movies on Netflix!

8. Advice, support and help

It is always possible to get help if you just ask for it. Talk to your teachers about your subjects during these last few weeks of school. They may have some suggestions for improving your summer studies. You can achieve a lot by doing a little extra reading or exercising on a particular subject. An IB Preparation Course or tutoring may be just the thing to get that extra bit of guidance and confidence to succeed.

9. Study habits

Examine your study habits. Do you have good or average study habits? Studies show that most of us do not choose our study habits or work habits; instead, we sort of stumble into them by accident. We tend to do what is easy or obvious, not what’s best. This is not the right approach.

The time that you dedicate to your studies everyday makes a huge difference. Your study habits make or break your IB scores.

10. Just begin with IB!

Take a look around you. IB is great. It is not just a means to an end. You get an opportunity to enrol in some of the best universities in the world. It is an opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Success is just a few steps away when you make an effort. Now that you have decided your subjects, just be confident and begin!