Having just finished the IB (well, almost - Ich wird meine Deutschprüfung am Mittwoch haben), I have decided to speak about the things in the IB that most people will not advertise to you.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global version of A-levels, or SATs, etc, and... actually, that's a lie already. I'll start again!
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global education system that ranges from PYP (Primary Years Programme which teaches students from 3-12 years old), MYP (Middle Years Programme which teaches students from 11-16 years old) and finally DP (Diploma Programme. 16-19). I only had the opportunity to undertake the DP version of the IB which took up my 2 years of 6th form (High School). The DP is the global version of A-levels, or equivalent High School educational programmes. Now we're back to what I was wanting to say.
Taking IB was the best decision of my life.
Period.
I was involved heavily in promoting the IB within my school, and I never really got across how much I loved the IB. It pushed me and made me do things I would never have undertaken before. I'm now a much better writer and presenter (although, many find my presentations boring and long)! Through CAS (Creative, Active, Service) I decided to volunteer at a Hospital, as well as immerse myself in my love of music. This is the best part: the first year-and-a-half.
Then comes the exams.
Now many people stress about exams. I'm normally very cool, and was so until I realised I only have a few hours in which to justify, through answering a series of rigid questions, why I should get the mark I want.
I honestly do not know what I will get in my exams; I'm hoping for about 37-39 Points (all out of 45), but, again, I'm not too sure.
So! What do I wish someone had told me before I took the IB?
- Many people say that the work load is incredibly high. This was never a problem for me, as I am normally very good at organising myself and getting stuff done. This here is a key skill one must have: the ability to be organised and to be proactive in working. If you are organised, you will be fine!
- Second: if you can, revise always! You think that it is pointless, and you'll revise everything before the exams, but trust me - you won't have all the time you need! Read all the books given to you by English teachers on time, and once you've finished the ones you are doing for your exam, re-read them.
- Third: if you find you don't like Higher Level Chemistry in the first few weeks - drop it! Seriously! Take HL Biology, or HL anything else (well... NOT anything!), just not Chemistry. It's not amazingly hard, but the key skill is application of knowledge, and this is difficult, as they can ask you ANYTHING!
- Fourth: do your Extended Essay (EE) in a Group 3 subject (History, Geography, etc). Why? Statistically, you get a higher grade in those subjects as it is easier to meet the criteria with those kind of investigations. If you do HL Geography, do a River or Physical Geography EE - not only is it easier, but it is far more fun and data is easier to collect.
- Fifth: DO EVERYTHING! In the first year, sign up to everything, and do everything: prefect work, open days, music events, helping out in school, etc. You may thing they are stupid and you won't enjoy or like them, but you will. And you'll find you enjoy more than you think - I now love the theatre and jazz music!
- Sixth: Have fun! Just chill out and make friends - the IB, due to the lack of people who take it, normally only has a few people in a class (or just 1 person, as is the case for HL Music in my school), and therefore you will begin to make friends far easier, as you have to work with them almost every day.
It has changed me. For the better, I believe. I now want to help others and help them see that the world we live in is better International.
A great quote that came out of ToK was: I think, therefore, IB - basically, the IB is an obvious decision to people who want to become thinkers.
And that is where I will leave.
Thank you.