#environotes

Oh jeez, I’m so sorry this took me so long to answer but to partially answer your ask, I’ve been studying and procrastinating so it is possible to be a horrible procrastinator and survive IB. 

Please, learn from my mistakes and work on time management before starting the DP. There are a lot of ways to kick the habit, I’m working on it myself but tbh just telling yourself to get started and that everything else can wait is a great way to kick the habit. Also Chrome extensions to disable certain sites(coughtumblrcough) while studying are a great resource. 

I didn’t pull a single all nighter this year(grade 12) because I managed my time better than last year. I had a couple of late nights, but I always got at least four hours of sleep. I felt like the workload was unmanageable at times, but look, I’m here right now and graduating in 23 days and i’ll hopefully have my IB diploma in July. 

For those who wanted to see my study schedule for IB exams, here it is. I’ll break down the process under the cut. 

I’m sick and had to take today off from school and had no willpower to do anything but lay on the couch and try not to hack up a lung. 

I don’t want to miss tomorrow too because then I’ll be really far behind. 

I also have a psych quiz tomorrow and this one is going to be hard and I don’t feel prepared. 

Hey! I hope that your results are good!

IB and AP I feel, take about the same amount of time if you take a full AP schedule as if you take a full IB schedule. The biggest difference is the other requirements that IB has you fulfill. CAS, EE, PT, the group IV project and a lot more that I’m probably forgetting take up a lot of time. If you’re already involved in other activities and service clubs CAS won’t be too hard and working bit by bit on the other things will ensure that you get them done on time. 

Another thing to consider(I’m sorry for saying this) is where you want to go to college. American universities tend to recognize IB less and most will give credit only for a 6 or 7 on HL exams. Here are some colleges with other policies that accept more IB credit. Other schools, like University of Rochester seek out IB students and are very generous in awarding credit. International schools tend to recognize IB more. 

I don’t feel that my extracurriculars have suffered because of IB. I’m a three season athlete and involved in a bunch of clubs. Admittedly I don’t go out much but that’s because I’m an introvert and has absolutely nothing to do with IB. I’ve seen a lot of people in IB who have active and balanced lives and sure, maybe they’re a little sleep deprived but we all are. 

IB has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. If you have the opportunity to do it I highly reccomend that you do. My best advice is to work on maintaining your friendships outside of IB and try to get at least five hours of sleep and please, please, please, eat breakfast. Your body and mind will thank you.