MYTH VS TRUTH

  IB sucks all the life and joy out of you.

Word around the block says that the IB diploma makes for some of the most excruciating years of your life, sucking out all the joy, fun, and love. But that’s just what I’ve heard.

So you’re probably wondering, if it’s this terrible, why on earth do people put themselves through such torture, and more importantly how do they survive? Well, that’s what we’re about to find out. 

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, popularly known as the IB program, is an internationally acclaimed qualification aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds around the world. Simply put, it is more challenging and rigorous than academics. This presents the students with university-level skills. In many people’s opinion, suffer now and enjoy, or more accurately suffer a bit less, later. 

Another very appealing advantage is the chance to get university credits and wrap up schooling earlier. Who wouldn’t want to be done with school quickly?

However, it is in fact a beast. Listening to IB students go on and on about the program, here are some major takeaways should you choose to go along this path. 

• Be prepared to have breakdowns. A LOT of them. Sometimes, you’re just going to have to cry and then get back up to get things done.

• Time management! Time management! Time management! Assignments pile up quickly and it is NOT the kind you would enjoy doing in a single night, so try to stay on top of them.

• Use grade 11 as a learning experience. It might be tough getting used to seeing your grades drop, but eventually, you will find your stride.

• Don’t be too shy to ask for help. Also for the sake of your classmates, do not be pretentious.

Good luck.