Even though there aren't any final exams
coming up, or college applications to fill out, the typical IB week is
always filled to the brim with incomplete class work to finish, homework
for next week's class, oral presentations, group projects,
investigations and a test or quiz here and there. Its easy to fall
behind. Here are some important tips to help you survive everyday life
as an IB candidate.
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Set your goals. At the beginning of the year, while you are still fresh from summer vacation, set yourself a few goals. Such as obtaining a high average by the end of year and keeping your room organized. Whatever your methods are, they should help you decide what is important and as you work during the year, you should never forget the goals you set up for yourself. It would be a good idea to set short term goals as well, such as giving in every home work on the due date for an entire week. You can then prize yourself with chocolate or hanging out with friends during the week.
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Keep a planner or agenda. A good idea would be to write down home works, presentations and projects with one colour, exams and quizzes with another and events such as parties and meetings with another colour. Microsoft Office offers the option to create a calendar, you can view and example at the bottom of this page. Just make sure you don't spend too much time on it.
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Make a TO-DO list before beginning your homework each day. With a simple list of all the tasks you need to complete. This can also include chores and important phone calls. You make a schedule for the whole week, this can be easily done using MS Excel. An example of a blank schedule, can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Don't give up your social life. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Your body cannot handle working 24/7, you'll start hating the IB, you'll lose your creativity and your momentum. The best thing to do is to save up some time to do what you like to do. An hour of television a day when you come back from school is alright. Having dinner with your family and not at your computer desk is also recommended. Going out to the movies or to drink coffee on Saturday afternoon with your best friend will help you relax. So will reading a non school-related book or drawing a picture for your little sister. This will cheer you up, give you something to look forward to and is guaranteed to make you more effective and successful.
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Don't procrastinate. "The essay isn't due for another two weeks, besides, I can write 1000 words in one night!"...
WRONG! What usually happens the night before the assignment is due? You can't find the information online, you don't understand the question, you are worried that what you wrote isn't phrased properly, you get a headache and can't concentrate, the Academy Awards are on TV, you remembered you had other homework to finish as well, your printer doesn't work, the lights go out, the internet connection fails, you get in a fight with your parents or your sister or your boyfriend or even your pet dog, skip.
Face it, the possibilities are endless. You find yourself the next morning fighting for a computer at the library, searching desperately for printing money and coming up with more excuses for your teacher. This is definitely going to pull your grade down and leave the teacher with yet another complaint to tell your parents. Bottom line, DON'T PROCRASTINATE!!!
Example:
Calendar
Schedule
MS Outlook MS Excel
Links on how to Manage your time: