The exam season may be the most daunting time in your two years of the IB. Stressful, hectic, and full of pressure– but no worries! You will survive, and these tips will serve as a survival guide.
- Never go hungry!
I found it really hard to study if I didn’t eat well, so stocking up on carbs and protein really helped me focus. I really loved to cook pasta at 9 PM, since I always studied late and sometimes cooking was my way of taking a break. A warm, filling meal was really helpful in getting me to concentrate on my studies.
- Calming Atmosphere
Study with a vibe you like — something that makes you calm but not too comfortable that you fall asleep. Some people like to study with music or shows in the background, but I can’t focus with those things. So what I did was put on video game Let’s Plays (mostly Minecraft) with classical music in the background to create an atmosphere where I could feel stimulated, but not distracted.
- Mind Maps and Writing on the Walls
If you have a whiteboard or a similar surface (I used a mirror), writing concepts and creating mind maps on that free, open space can help with making connections and strengthening recall. It’s also a nice change from sitting at your desk, hunched over your notes all day.
- Scheduling
I adhered to strict hours while prepping for IB exams — a few hours allocated for each task/subject needed to tackle. I usually followed a two-day pattern, splitting my subjects into half by mixing the easy, medium, and hard subjects into one day. Whenever the hour was up, I would move on no matter how far along I had gotten, so that I wouldn’t dwell too much or waste time zoning out.
I also always made sure to allot a few hours for free time. This is usually at around 3 PM or 4 PM when the sun was out but not too hot, so I could enjoy touching grass, getting some fresh air, or walking my dogs. It’s very important to view nature so as not to lose your sanity.
- Sleep according to your optimal time
I like studying in the mornings, so usually I’d try to sleep by 11 PM so I could wake up at 8 AM and study when the house was quiet and the sun was out. I’m least productive around 4-6 PM, so I tend to take breaks and naps then, eat dinner, and then go back to studying.
- Exercise
It’s a cliché bit of advice, but going outside, moving your body, and getting your heart pumping helps to manage stress and clear your brain. You don’t even need to do full on workouts. Usually, I’d go outside and play basketball for 20 minutes. It was enough to clear my head and focus on something other than my exams.
Overall, the key to surviving IB exams is making sure you’re in the right mindset (eating, sleeping, and exercising well) and properly managing your time according to what makes you most comfortable and efficient. Everyone has their own preferences and methods, but these are some tips that have worked for me!
Beauitul reblogging now 😍