How to do well in these classes?

[maturk]

Hello fellow IB lads!

 

I'm currently on summer vacation and my IB1 year starts in August. I'm really scared for next year because I'm afraid of not doing well in school because of the increase in difficulty and demand that the IB makes. I have questions about how to do well in my subject choices? Tips and tricks to nailing good scores? And general IB programme tips...

 

My subject choices are:

Mathematics HL

Physics HL

Finnish B HL

Psychology HL

English A Language and Literature SL

Chemistry SL

 

I have four HL classes at the moment; but, whenever school starts I will drop down Finnish B HL or Psychology HL to the SL. So,

 

1.) is this a good subject selection for a person who wishes to study Engineering and Physics in the university?

 

2.) And, should I prepare for any of these classes during summer vacation? 

 

3.) Do you guys have any tips for succeeding and nailing awesome marks in any of these classes?

 

4.) Is it actually true that I will loose my social life and most likely my grades too just because of taking the IB and the amount of studying needed? Or is this just a over-exaggerated lazy man's excuse?

[veregudmen]

I'm also starting the diploma in August, and also have 4 HLs, one of which is math.  

 

1) Your subjects are fine for engineering and physics, though you only need math and physics HL. The other 2 HLs are unnecessary, though if you like the subjects and want to take them you can definitely take them. HL Chemistry would be helpful but it isn't essential. Either way, you should check online on the websites of the universities you want to attend and see if these subjects are fine, just in case. For England, Canada, the US and Australia I think they're fine, but in case you plan to apply to universities in Finland, or anywhere in Scandinavia or Europe, you should check.  

 

2) I've been told that math HL would require some prep work in the summer beforehand. I just finished the IGCSE Mathematics course, which was ridiculously easy so this summer, I'm ordering a Math HL book and doing the presumed knowledge section and the algebra chapter, because I've been told by seniors in my school that algebra is essential and just about everything you do in the course requires a lot of skill in algebra. 

You obviously don't HAVE to study in the summer but if you can then it does no harm to take a look. I frankly wouldn't be studying, but I'm the only extended math student taking HL math; everyone else in my class who's taking it took additional math IGCSE. 

 

3) Obviously, since I haven't started the course yet, my advice is probably not as reliable as that of someone who already has started the course, but the feeling I get is that the course is difficult but manageable if you manage time well, finish tasks well before time and stay motivated throughout. It also doesn't hurt to understand what you're doing and find a way to enjoy it. Also, study, while not killing off your social life and have a social life without killing off studies. I think others can give you more detailed and better advice though. 

 

4) I think people are exaggerating. You'd definitely have to cut back a little, but that's true for just about every year 11/12 student, regardless of system. With 4 HLs it will obviously get difficult at times but it is a bit much saying that you'd have no social life, unless you don't have one to begin with but that's a separate matter entirely. Unless you let it happen, the IB will not take over your life. 

[Vioh]

Hi,

 

I actually had quite similar subjects as you do. I chose HL math, HL physics, and HL Swedish B; while having history, Eng Lit, and chemistry at SL. And I am also heading towards engineering, physics (or maybe IT). So I'm sure you have a perfect subject choice for the engineering or physics studying fields

 

Regarding your 2nd question, i think you should start preparing for the subject(s) that you are currently weak at. I tried to teach myself a bit of physics during the summer before i started the IB program; and during that summer, I finished the mechanics chapter, and also a great deal of thermodynamics; and I was extremely happy about it, cuz i felt much more confident with physics (which used to be one of the subjects that I hated the most).

 

However, if you want to prepare for the subjects beforehand, make sure you use good IB books. Don't just take random books from, like math book for A-level or something. Take official IB books! For example, i used Tsokos-IB physics HL book (which i borrowed from my school) to teach myself during the summer.

 

Question 3: The best tip that I have is to take good notes. By 'notes', i don't mean simple notes in your notebooks that you take during class, but I mean like an actual study guide (preferably on computer). Study guides (that you yourself make) can save you lots of time in the future, because all you need to know for the IB is in there, and it is organized in such a way that you yourself can understand. Furthermore, by making a fancy study guide, you feel more motivated to learn more and to become more creative. You will also force yourself to be more 'critical' toward the information you put into your own study guide, thus can help you to gain better understanding. Also the advantage of making it on the computer is that you can actually go back, and edit it; you can practice your 'typing' skills and more importantly the study guides & all the knowledge they contain are ALWAYS there in your computer, and that you'll never lose it! I myself made my own study guides for history, math, physics, and chemistry.

 

Question 4: people ask this question all the time!!! Honestly, i think it depends on differently people, different organizing skills, and also differently ways of learning. However, it's not very hard to organize your time such that you still lots of time left for social life. Make sure you have a smart way of studying (e.g. making study guides is a good way). Also make sure that you understand the basics (especially, in math, chemistry, and physics) before you go on; because it'll save you lots of time for your social life (as you don't have to repeat what you have already gone through). But to be honest, I don't have that great of organizing skills, but I still found lots of free time to focus on my own things. So don't worry!!!

 

Finally, Good luck! Enjoy learning! Enjoy the IB!

[John Hoose]

Math HL is difficult, and the only way to really stay on top of everything (I mean get a 7) is by constantly working on it, finishing the chapters, redoing tests and using as many online resources as possible. It may sound tedious, but the best way to do well in Math HL is just practice. 

[flinquinnster]

1. Yes, looks like a pretty good combination. If you do find 4 HL subjects too tough, remember that you do have the option to drop to 3.

 

2. I personally didn't do any preparation for the IB before the program started, though in fairness that was largely because my school started IB a few weeks before our long summer break. However, as stated above, a bit of studying can't hurt. However, do remember to take a break and relax because it'll essentially be your last chance for an idyllic break in 2 years!

 

3. For Mathematics HL and Physics, it seriously comes down to a lot of past paper question practice. Whilst not essential for Maths/Physics as much in subjects like Geography, having a detailed understanding of each syllabus dot point and making notes around that is really useful. 

 

4. IB does take up a lot of time. However, most people can balance it with other things. As to whether you will lose your social life, it totally does depend on the person. I for one had pretty much no social life before IB, so I found that there wasn't much of a drop in that during IB. You do end up having to prioritise your non-IB interests, but I don't think you really have to drop anything. Bear in mind that when you do non-academic things not only can you potentially claim it as CAS, but it really does help in providing structured procrastination time. Going off and competing in soccer or something is probably better than going on Youtube, for example - and it helps remind you that you need to organise your remaining time well!

[maturk]

Wow thanks for the awesome replies guys!!! Your insights have been very helpful. I have the  Higher Level Mathematics for the IB Diploma by Pearson and it's just awesome. I've done most of the vectors chapters and I will most likely start with functions very soon. Regarding Physics though :/ because the syllabus has recently changed; there are no new IB books for 2016 physics examinations. So I'm a little out of luck on that. Thanks for the past papers note too, that is very valuable information. I just googled a little bit and found a bunch already. Thank you lads!

[Negotiation]

1.) is this a good subject selection for a person who wishes to study Engineering and Physics in the university?

 

2.) And, should I prepare for any of these classes during summer vacation? 

 

3.) Do you guys have any tips for succeeding and nailing awesome marks in any of these classes?

 

4.) Is it actually true that I will loose my social life and most likely my grades too just because of taking the IB and the amount of studying needed? Or is this just a over-exaggerated lazy man's excuse?

 

1) I'm in the same boat. I would highly, highly, highly recommend doing Chemistry as a HL. It will be seen much more favorably than Psychology and Finnish HL, probably even both. Psychology and Finnish would really contribute to your degree, while Chemistry will. Just ask me if you want me to explain more about why this is.

 

2) Don't worry about it. If you really want to, you can look at the 'prior learning' sections of books, especially maths. But you should be fine.

 

3) Focus on IAs. Do past papers. Continuously do well, don't just think "I'll study it all in the final 2 weeks before exam." Studying before exams is best used for refreshing, not for learning.

I had trouble with psychology for a long time because I didn't understand how the essays should be structured. You should aim to answer questions extremely explicitly. You'll have to use studies, but don't just state them. Spend time explaining why this proves your point. Imagine it's a court case, and you have to lay out everything.

 

4) It takes a lot of time, but it's not as bad as it may seem. However, if you have subjects that you don't like, then it can be worse. For me, having many humanities, which are intense in terms of memorization, would really suck.

[maturk]

Unfortunately my school does not offer Chemistry HL It is a sad and cruel world I live in. 

[Emmi]

Unfortunately my school does not offer Chemistry HL It is a sad and cruel world I live in. 

 

You're not going to need HL chemistry unless you're planning on doing chemical engineering or materials science, or the university requires it for engineering in general. Don't worry.

[whatislife]

Hi! Your subjects are great for an engineering course, provided that you can physically and mentally keep up with both maths and physics at HL.

Marks for these two subjects can be improved by doing and re-doing questions, especially those nice, chunky ones that try to troll you.

It helps to memorise/know the formulas as this saves time during the exams.

Chemistry SL is fairly do-able, work on trying to understand concepts, memorise definitions, and do questions as well!

English: don't underestimate it, learn those quotes, the outline of the texts you are studying as well as details on literary techniques, etc. Make sure you continuously practise those commentaries too!

Btw, you guys are so lucky to have psychology on offer

[Yilan Yuan]

1) yes, math and physics at HL is defs a good combo for engineering at uni. It's best to also take Chem at HL, but SL is fine too unless you're thinking of environmental engineering, in that case Chem HL is important.

2) summer holidays in northern hemisphere probably already passed hopefully you did a bit of preparations~

3)

Chem: I don't find making notes particularly helpful for this subject, because it's got a bit of maths in it, not just memorising things. I find it really useful doing exercise Qs from the textbook, and all other IB chem practice Qs you can find.. Just do lots of practice.

Math: many of my friends complain about how difficult math HL is, the topics are taught very fast and there's a lot of presumed knowledge. 0.0 but doing set work for 30-60min everyday afterschool definitely helps. Oh and correct them! (Never leave any math set work till a few days later!)

Psychology: I don't take this subject but as a humanities subject there could be lots of things to memorise. I suggest making study notes each day after school, Make sure you really understand everything before moving on. (It's best to hand write the notes..) read/recite all the things you've learned every weekend or fortnight to really get them into your head. Start memorising your notes a few weeks or a month before semester exams. I also find it useful doing practice essays regularly.

Language B: start building a vocabulary book ASAP, and each time you add new words/phrases in, revise the ones you already have, whether by dictation or translation or whatever~ also language B requires you to write essays for the exam, find as many IB LanB essay topics as you can and do practice essays regularly. Get your teacher to correct them. Yep I know it's all hard work.

4) no way.. Social life for me now is still as it was in 10th grade. It's mainly because now I actually study after school instead of playing games or watching movies... That's like, using my time more efficiently I guess oh and I got this advice from a girl who got 44/45: for IB first year you'd probably expect around 3-4 hours of studying/hw each weekday. But it varies, there are occasional times when I do nothing at all OR 6 hours in one day.. Lol

[rianabarrow]

I'd say don't take Psychology HL unless you're really committed to it, it's a very difficult subject altogether even with a good teacher... and I mean serious dedication if you want a 7, also since you're going into engineering it isn't really necessary. Not to mention it probably wont be a large priority for you in comparison to Math and Physics. I don't want to discourage you however because it is a really fun and interesting subject, but just take into consideration what'll be beneficial in the long term and what you'd rather focus on  

[Mariano Iberico Torres]

If anyone is interested, I am also an IB student and I created a Revision App for studying Physics HL which contains all the core definitions of the course, which would help you to get the easy marks in the course (those that ask you to simply state a definition). The App also contains some Past Papers filtered by Topics so that you can revise focusing on the areas of the course that you find more challenging. These App is free and if you want to give it a try, the Itunes Store link is below:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ib-physics-hl/id909543768?mt=8