From the struggle of transitioning from MYP to DP, to getting accustomed to my new schedule, to trying to balance various aspects of my life, my routine as a DP1 student has undergone many changes. In the beginning, I felt like an unbearable amount of workload was being dumped on me (which may be partly true), leaving me with no time for other activities. Over time, however, I got used to the rhythm of the program and have figured out a schedule that best works for me. Like any typical student, my favorite day of the week is Friday, and I will be guiding you through my day as a DP1 student.
6:50 AM – 7:20 AM
I am the kind of person who values extra sleep over having breakfast, which is exactly the reason why I wake up 20 minutes before I head out. Although this may seem rushed and stressful, it brings me multiple benefits. For instance, I am always the first to arrive in class which leaves me plenty of time to do extra revisions, check my emails, or just relax before my classmates arrive!
8:20 AM -9:20 AM
My school operates with a specific schedule, so each Friday, every class has an advisory as their first period. This alone is partly the reason why I enjoy Fridays so much, as it serves as a free lesson in which I can work on my CAS activities, or revise before tests! This is also the time when I meet up with my Extended Essay supervisor to look over my progress and discuss future plans. All in all, the advisory serves as a great refresher and helps me get ready for the rest of the day!
9:25 AM -11:00 AM
However, the advisory is followed by double Biology lessons. Each lesson is around 45 minutes long, with a 5 minute break in between. As a Biology SL student, I am still getting accustomed to the vast amount of syllabus that needs to be covered. I am naturally a very meticulous person and prefer studying topics in depth. Although, due to the large syllabus, we are moving through the course quite fast. Furthermore, we are having weekly topic tests which require extra revision.
As you may imagine, finding motivation is quite hard when you are juggling learning new topics each week, preparing for tests, and doing laboratory activities. Hence, I have tried a few ways to keep myself going. One of the biggest tips that I can give not only concerning Biology but any DP course, is that small progress is better than no progress. Despite being DP students, we cannot ignore the signals that our body is giving us whenever it needs rest. Forcing yourself to study, or completely giving up studying are two extremes that you shouldn’t resort to. If you feel like you are burnt out, but still have assignments to complete, try to complete a few tasks with breaks in between. Most importantly, don’t talk down on yourself, and remember that we all go through such times at some point!
11:00AM – 1:20PM (including lunch!)
After Biology, I have a double French class, which is one of the subjects that I truly enjoy learning. I am a French B HL student, and getting better at French is one of the personal goals that I set for myself at the beginning of the year. Learning languages is a very calming and engrossing process for me, and I am glad the IB provides so many language options!
During my French classes, we target different assessments, which serve as great preparation for the final exams. We have orals almost every week and we also practice writing and listening tasks, which have helped me tremendously in improving my French skills so far. I recommend setting similar personal goals regarding languages, especially if you are taking an Ab Initio language! Seeing your self-improvement in a subject will give you a great sense of accomplishment and will constantly give you motivation to keep working hard.
1:25 PM – 2:10 PM
I take Mathematics AA SL, which I have after my French class. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I highly enjoy my math classes. I am so concentrated and involved in the class that I feel like it is just a couple of minutes long. My biggest tip in mathematics, based on my personal experience, is to not worry during your exams! Being anxious is your biggest enemy, as it makes you forget all the material that you have reviewed. Remind yourself that you have done all the revisions that you could have, and you are capable of succeeding in your exams. Working on your mental stability will help you tremendously not only in mathematics but also in other rigorous IB courses!
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Finally, my day ends with a single English A HL class. Since it is the last period and since we cannot cover much material in just one lesson, we usually have discussions about the work that we are currently studying. If you are also considering taking this course, my biggest recommendation would be to study each work in depth! The final assessments for English A HL are quite challenging, so knowing your works in depth will guarantee you a good mark.
5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
When I get home, I prefer to rest for a couple of hours to recharge myself from the tiring week. Afterward, however, I try to do a little bit of work since having the habit of completing small tasks each day is also something that I am working on. If I lack motivation, I go to a nearby café and complete my work there. This is another crucial tip for any student — changing your study environment once in a while will give you a rush of energy and will help you to continue working!
All in all, it’s important to remember that the DP journey looks different for each student. Everyone has study habits and techniques that work for them. For that reason, refrain from believing stereotypes that surround the DP program, and also try not to compare your progress with others! Everyone is working on their own journey, and it’s important to focus on yourself. Remember that the little progress that you make each day still matters, and that determination is what leads us to success!