IB Program Survival Guide
Fernanda Munoz - April 26th, 2023
Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about? What is the IB program? Does it help you get into better schools? Is it worth the hype?
Well, the IB program (International Baccalaureate Program for those that can spell baccalaureate correctly without hesitation 👀) is a rigorous program created in Geneva. Its main purpose is to prepare students for success in university while developing the knowledge, skills, and aptitudes they need to succeed in a global world.
Sounds good so far? After a couple of years, the program started spreading around the world, and it soon proved to create prepared students who had social awareness, a strong desire to innovate, and were extremely good students at university and beyond.
Whether you are Ellie from The Last of Us trying to travel across a post-apocalyptic world or trying to survive the rollercoaster of high school and the IB Program, having the right information and the right tools is key. This is where GrantMe comes in! This is about us as your personal guide, protecting you and guiding you in this new adventure. Let’s dive in!
What is the IB Program?
The program is designed to develop students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as their creativity and ability to work collaboratively. Additionally, the IB program emphasizes the importance of community service, cultural awareness, and global citizenship, preparing students to become responsible and engaged citizens of the world.
The curriculum is made up of a main core and six courses around it. The three core elements are
- Theory of knowledge (TOK). In which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know. This class is famous for embodying Socrates saying: “For I was conscious that I knew practically nothing..” which basically means existential dread. But don’t worry; it’s fun after the learning curve!
- The extended essay. Which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. (We cannot emphasize this enough, start your essay during the summer of Grade 11.)
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). In which students complete a project and dedicate their time to community service.
And the six subject groups are:
- Studies of language and literature: This is available in English, Spanish, and French and focuses on literary analysis.
- Language Acquisition: This will focus on your second language. But will ask you to show analytical abilities and resourcefulness in this language. This gives you the option of Classical language (if you want to be fancy), Korean, Spanish and French.
- Individuals and Societies: Think economics, geography, history or philosophy.
- Science: Think chemistry, biology, physics, or computer science.
- Mathematics: Math, this is just math
- The arts: Dance, Music, Film, Theatre or even a third language
Why is the IB program so difficult?
While the IB program offers numerous benefits, it is also known for being a challenging educational program. Here are the main challenges most of our GrantMe students have faced:
Academic Rigor
The program is designed to challenge students and prepare them for the demands of higher education. The coursework is intense, and students are expected to complete a significant amount of reading, writing, and research.
Time Management
The program requires a significant amount of time and effort outside of regular school hours. Students must learn how to balance their academic work with extracurricular activities, community service, and other responsibilities.
Stress and Pressure
The program places high expectations on students, and the exams at the end of the program can be particularly challenging. Students must learn how to manage stress and pressure effectively to be successful in the program.
IB Program’s Benefits
Academic Preparation
The program is designed to challenge students and develop their ability to think critically and solve complex problems. This is particularly important in university, where students are expected to be able to analyze information and draw conclusions based on evidence.
Additionally, the IB program requires students to complete an extended essay, which is a research project that prepares students for the research and writing that is required in university. The skills that students develop while completing their extended essays, such as research, analysis, and writing, are essential for success in university.
University Credits
Another benefit of the IB program is that it can help students earn university credits. Many universities recognize the rigour and quality of the IB program and offer advanced placement or credit to students who perform well on their IB exams. This can help students save time and money by allowing them to skip introductory courses and move directly into more advanced courses.
🌱 Students can save up to a year of classes and graduate within three years, which means a lot of savings! But to achieve this, you need to plan the courses you want to take in the IB and ensure they match your long-term goals. Make sure to book a consultation with us so we can help you plan your classes. Go here to book a consultation.
Additionally, the IB program is recognized and respected by universities around the world. This can be particularly beneficial for students who are interested in attending university abroad. Universities in other countries may be more likely to recognize and value the IB program, which can make it easier for students to gain admission to these universities.
Global Citizenship
The IB program also prepares students to be responsible and engaged citizens of the world. The program emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness, diversity, and global citizenship. This is particularly important in today’s globalized world, where students are likely to encounter people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Additionally, the IB program is designed to develop student’s language skills, which is essential for success in a global world. Students have the opportunity to study a second language, and many IB schools offer immersion programs where students can become fluent in another language. This language proficiency is a valuable asset in today’s global job market.
Is the IB program worth the hype?
The IB program can be an excellent way to prepare for success in university and beyond. The program develops students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as their creativity and ability to work collaboratively.
Additionally, the IB program can help students earn university credits, prepare for the academic demands of university, and develop a global perspective. If you are considering pursuing the IB program, you can be confident that it will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in university and beyond.
Make sure to contact us to check if you should be incorporating the IB program as part of your academic plan and how to better apply in to be successful! No need to struggle with basic survival skills; we’d rather see you happy and stress-free!
GrantMe ft. IB Program
The fun thing about facing the challenges of the IB program is that they will help you grow and become a better person. Just like the IB program, GrantMe doesn’t just want to help you get into your desired university; but we also want to see you thrive.
Academic Rigour? No problem; we have a group of essay editors that will help you edit your school and scholarship applications, so you have more time to spend on your studies.
Time Management? We have a 1-1 call that will help you prioritize your goals and give you clear deadlines that can be traced with our TASKS tool on the GrantMe app.
Stress and pressure? What could be better than having a whole team behind your, supporting your, saving you hours on research, and keeping you accountable? Problem gone.
🌱 Reach out to us to ensure we can help you achieve those dreams. Go here to get support!
