Is IB right for you?
Being a recent graduate of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, I simply could not escape the malevolence that the IBO has shadowed over my life: living memories of sleepless days (feeling one’s body turning stone-cold, eyelids accelerating downwards at 9.81ms-2 whist trying to recite Shakespeare’s plays without noticing the frighteningly similar analogy between Othello’s tragic hero cycle and one’s own life), grueling, aneurism-inducing exams shriveling one’s cerebrum (the incessant reminder that one is to only spend 1-2 minutes per question pounds with the force of atomic bombs upon one’s thoughts – the test is almost over!); not to mention the flood of endless assignments that will determine the rest of your already-miserable future…
My advice to you is: do NOT stop reading there.
Most articles about the International Baccalaureate Programme entail something of that nature, as if high school will turn into a dark abyss once one enters the black hole that is the gates of the IBO. While some of that is true (though at times exaggerated), I, as a survivor of the Plague, cannot help but notice the improvement I’ve made in my classes I would not have otherwise and the relationships built in the small world of IB students at school.
These are just some things I’ve learned through personal experience in the program.
THE PROS
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(source) Understanding of Material: Having just finished my first week of university, I found that the IB curriculum not only covers a lot of the concepts in first- and second- year courses, but it forces one to understand the material to a more in-depth extent. This propels one forward in front of others in terms of academics.
- Learning: The IB curriculums being heavy in information, one will develop skills to learn more efficiently. Whether it is for post-secondary (where lectures proceed at a fast pace) or occupational commitments, the skill is of immense importance.
- Relationships: Most high schools in Calgary only have a few IB teachers per subject. This means more interaction with teachers over a two- or three-year period. As well, one’s classmates are most likely to stay consistent, which means more opportunities to socialize and develop more meaningful relationships.
- Preparation for Post-Secondary: As I mentioned under Understanding of Material and Learning, IB courses serve as a really great preparation for post-secondary. Especially if you’re already thinking about law school, medical school, or graduate studies, it is a great way of boosting your chance of getting a high GPA. (Note: be aware of advanced-standing credits and what it means for your post-secondary program).
- Teachers (varies from school to school): We all know there are good and bad teachers – no need to keep it hush-hush. This factor depends entirely upon one’s high school, but IB teachers generally know what they’re doing; if they don’t, they’re at least somewhat knowledgable about the subject. And, if the end of the rainbow doesn’t have a pot of gold, they’re obligated to give you access to the information you need for the course (which is close enough to the the pot of gold). Self-learning isn’t necessarily a bad thing, after all.
THE CONS
![Correction: students' issues [with the IB Programme] (source)](https://www.youthareawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Zara_Picken__International_Baccalaureate.jpg)
- The Workload: The assignments associated with IB courses, again, depend on the teacher teaching the course. The assignments needed to be handed into the IB for marking/moderation (Extended Essay, Internal Assessments, labs, etc.), however, are mandatory and usually entail several components. To manage all of academics and extracurricular work together takes time; and even with the passing of time, it is still hard to balance one’s life and priorities. Just be ready for the large workload.
- The IB Exams/Assignments: The IBO has a notorious reputation for being unforgiving. I attest to that. Exams are all evaluated with strict marking guides with little leeway. So even if your answer was right – for example, on a biology exam – but did not include the terminology IB is looking for, say good-bye to your marks. The mark band (from 1 to 7, 7 being the highest) is a pain as well. Speaking from personal experience (as known as agony), I was off the 7 mark by one mark on the IB exam. This lumps me into the 6 category, along with the people who got 70s and 80s. But to be honest, once you move past your high school career, those marks are essentially meaningless.
- The IB Exam Fees: Yes, it’s expensive. Very expensive.
- Relationships: While one does get to spend a longer time with the same group of people, it is hard to know other people in one’s high school, especially if one is in the Diploma Programme.
WHAT TO DO
- Research: Know what you’re getting yourself into. Know what is expected of you. I’m a terrible example of this, because I had absolutely no idea what the IB Programme was about going from junior high into high school (so, what are IB Exams again?) Knowing the requirements, you would be better to prepare yourself mentally and academically. Also, the IBO likes shaking things up from year to year – whether it be the curriculum or assignments or what constitutes the difference between Diploma and Certificate students – so make sure you are reading an up-to-date document.
- Extracurriculars: This pertains to the component that is required of Diploma students: CAS. Though known for its atrocity, it is really not that gruelling if you spread your extracurriculars out over the two years. Go volunteer every weekend. Join the school athletics team. Leaving it to the last minute is constructing your own guillotine and does not uphold the true intent of CAS. You’ll find yourself loving your extracurriculars even if it is time-consuming at times (no, really!) The requirement is only 150 hours in total and I ended up with more than 500 hours of extracurricular activities just by volunteering each weekend and joining clubs at school.
- Study… regularly: Yes, it actually helps you absorb the material better than cramming. Read the section on procrastination below.
…and WHAT NOT TO DO
- Procrastinate: Other than being known for peculiar eccentricities, IB kids win the Nobel Prize for procrastination. When one is constantly tired, there is a very strong tendency to do useless things and waste time (read a post on how to avoid this). However, I found that 95 per cent of the work I finished early earned a high mark. Get your stuff done beforehand!
I hope this gives a little insight into the IB Programme. Of course, each student would have a different experience with it, so do not be going into the program thinking it will be the same as someone else’s experience. The best is to research, listen to advice from your friends and family, and, ultimately, decide for yourself whether it is worth it or not.
After all, to be or not IB… that is the question.
great article and this is literally the best title for a post I have seen in a long time! Love it!!
Thank you so much, Audrey! (Although many would argue the title’s kind of cliche, haha)
As a grade nine student, I have to admit that I heard the angels singing when I saw this article…Thanks so much. 🙂
I’m glad it’s of help! I think the most important part about transitioning from junior high to high school is preparing yourself mentally. These transitions are always steep learning curves, and to expect too much from yourself at once really isn’t fair. If there’s one advice I’d give to anyone entering a new stage of their lives, it’s that you have to be accepting of yourself. It is then you’ll be able to move past the faults and become a more mature and happier person. (Read about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs if you’re into this stuff!) Anyway, if you have any questions about the program, I’d be more than happy to answer them 🙂
There are so many negative comments outlining the hard work and endless sleepless nights that have to be put in to the IB Programme. Sometimes it feels like the only thing that matters is “looking impressive to universities.” You have to wonder if anyone on this planet actually enjoys a rigorous program just for the sake of learning.
Being in the IB, I still found this article helpful. It’s hard to defend all of the positive learning aspects, but when people trash your program, the inner lawyer arises in all of us.
We’ve stopped asking “why?”, taking back all of the rights our revolutionaries worked so hard for. The answer is you don’t have to take anything no matter what anyone says. I think people need to stop worrying about what others want them to do with their lives and start thinking about what’s practical for their own situation.
I love this article because of the cringe-worthy humorous truth and the angle from which you approached it! There are benefits to being in IB, but not if that means sacrificing an arm, a leg, and your first born child. Great advice! (I also really appreciate the witty title…)
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Ailin. You are absolutely right about the perception that revolves around IB. The most difficult part for the majority of my IB class is probably transitioning from doing little to no work in junior high to actually having to put effort into academics. If one cared more about learning the material as opposed to just using IB to make one look impressive, one’s experience in the IB Programme would definitely be more positive.
However, as I have mentioned before, sometimes the IB is a little unreasonable (maybe a more than “a little”). Looking back in hindsight, I wouldn’t have taken the program so seriously and would have focussed on balancing my social life, health, extracurriculars, and academics. I didn’t do as well on my exams this May as my teachers have predicted, but being in university now, I find that the knowledge learned during the three years have become intrinsic. If I had my goal solely fixed on just getting good grades, the result would be very much different in the long run.
Also, I see that you’re studying at Henry Wise Wood! I just graduated from there and had an amazing time. (Go Wise Wood!!) If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!