Tips for Mastering IBDP Classes: Effective Study Techniques and Time Management

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is regarded as one of the best pre-university courses in the world, which aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge. They hone students who flourish intellectually, emotionally, physically and ethically. However, the course comes with its set of challenges that need to be navigated through by each student under this programme.

We will help you identify some of these challenges so that you can fare relatively better than a lot of other students and prepare yourself accordingly for what might come ahead.

1. It Starts with your Inner State

To build a stronger character before or throughout the IB journey, one of the best ways that you can do this is by going to the gym regularly. It's a form of difficulty that builds your character and makes you stronger, and ultimately remember that it's the challenges and the progress that make you and turn you into a stronger individual and allows you to grow. When you reframe difficulties into this perspective of becoming a better person or becoming stronger to achieve more, one actually starts to realise that that skill can be applied to almost any discipline in life, whether it’s for IBDP preparation or for any other sort of preparation in life.

2. Understand the Content of the Syllabus

For this step, make judicious use of your notes or a textbook to check that you understand the content of each subject. Identify the parts that you think you are unable to understand and use the internet to help fill in the gaps. Make a note that this isn't a step where you need to remember every little detail. It is just to aim for the general understanding of the main concepts and understand really how everything fits together within each topic. To ensure you understand these key concepts, a good way of putting things together can be by making mind maps, which allow you to put the information into context, which will make it easier to remember what is associated with what. Another excellent way of helping with your understanding is by teaching it to someone else.

3. The Flow State of Study

This strategy involves pre-studying before a class. This is a study strategy that is easier said than done and difficult to stay consistent with. What it involves is, before the class you spend literally 15 minutes pre-studying the content that you're going to learn in class, which creates a state of flow in studying. This technique helps a lot with studying and retention, and more importantly, it primes your brain to look for certain things during the lecture. 

4. Stop yourself from Multitasking 

It is important to understand that multitasking is impossible as it hampers brain function and focus during study, and it's actually very dangerous. Research also supports this relatively well, so it is highly advisable to avoid any phone checking or any computer surfing. Simply turn them off like you really don't need them, especially during your lectures. Do not entertain any extra tasks, however simple or short they might be. Set them for a slot when you take a break or take aid from the people around you. It’s important to remember that it takes, on average, 25 minutes to get back into a state of flow after you've been pulled out, and one really cannot afford to waste that time.

5. Make Previous Year Papers Your Best Friend

This is one of the most advised yet least implemented tips in preparation for the IBDP. Once you’re done with a significant amount of classes and syllabi and have revised enough, it is essential to solve as many previous years’ papers as possible. When you solve as many papers as humanly possible, your brain starts to get conditioned and trained like those who have given the same exam before you. One easily gauges their strengths and weaknesses in the paper and devises attention and revision plans for such topics accordingly. Many students have also experienced that this method saves a significant amount of time in their preparation, which could be utilised for other important work in their lives.

6. Sleep is the Ultimate Game Changer

This is an essential component of any student’s preparation, yet it remains one of the most neglected and compromised components. Getting 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night is the root of your ability to focus and the root of your ability to reach the state of flow. It decides your ability to memorise and to really understand the amount of information that the brain absorbs. A good sleep is also necessary for the overall functioning of your body and rest of the rest of your life.

7. Find your Motivation

Motivation acts as a driving force for any individual, especially for students who have to keep up through the years. This motivation can range from a school award to your university goals or simply your family’s dreams. Most students recognise their motivation much later after facing some form of trauma or an obstacle during their learning journey. However, it is advisable to find a unique reason for yourself to keep being consistent and sincere right from the start.