By Alex Milne, IB Student
Completing the IB Diploma at Sidcot is an experience which I will certainly never forget, and one which I believe shaped who I am as a student and a person over the course of two years. As an indecisive person who couldn’t narrow down to three A-Level subjects, the IB provided me with the perfect opportunity to pursue my passions in several areas at a higher level. The course was challenging, with a mix of coursework and exam-based moderation ensuring there was always work to be done, yet also kept the experience engaging and developed the key value of time management that any IB student will be greatly reliant on. The exam period was difficult, with subjects packed closely together over a three-week period, though finishing a month before my peers studying A-Levels was a very pleasant silver lining. Ultimately, I achieved a score of 43 points out of 45, which I was incredibly happy with and attribute much of to my teachers who were thoroughly supportive throughout the process. For those interested, I scored 7’s in HL Maths, HL Psychology, SL English and SL Chemistry, 6’s in HL Economics and Italian ab initio, as well as an A in my Extended Essay and a B in Theory of Knowledge.
For any student considering taking the IB Diploma in Sixth Form, I would like to offer you five pieces of advice that I believe can make your experience as smooth and positive as possible.
- Decide if the IB is for you
It sounds remarkably simple, but the IB is unique to any other course. You will have to take subjects such as Maths, English, a language and a science, and juggling this combination may not be for everyone. If one of these areas really isn’t for you, think about if the IB really suits you.
- Choose your Higher Level and Standard Level subjects carefully
As suggested in the name, HL subjects go into more detail than their SL counterparts and will generally require more attention and workload throughout the course. Think about which subjects truly interest you, and check potential university requirements to see if a specific subject might be required to be taken at Higher Level. For me, this was the key to taking HL Maths over HL Chemistry.
- Time management is the most important skill you will need
It’s no secret that the IB requires juggling many subjects and pieces of coursework at once. Being able to manage this and stay on top of deadlines is key to achieving a good score. Make study timetables and try and finish coursework as soon as possible: you want as much focused revision for exams as possible.
- Use your teachers!
The IB teaching staff is incredible at what they do, and provide consistent support throughout the Diploma for coursework and exam preparation, as well as general learning. If they give you advice, it’s usually a good idea to listen! Don’t be afraid to ask for extra support or revision materials, but most importantly, they understand how tough the IB can be. If other subjects have coursework due, make sure your teachers know, and they will adapt to your needs.
- Remember to have some fun!
It can be easy to become absorbed in your studies, but remember that, as well as a student, you’re also a human being. Find things to do that you enjoy and keep them up throughout the course; for me, that was primarily running. You will perform much better in your exams if you keep healthy and happy!
Hopefully, these tips are helpful to any Year 11 students choosing their next steps, and I hope that whatever you choose to do, you do as well as you possibly can.