PRE IB: What should I expect from the IB course?

There are two main answers to this question:

1. Academic

The IB will give you an excellent grounding in the subjects you study. Your will learn about 6 subjects in some detail, and can use these subjects to help you decide on what you might wish to read at university, or in the workplace. The level will be good and you will gain a deep appreciation of the subjects – which is great.

In addition to the subject knowledge, you will also experience a strong development of your learning skills – you will become more independent in your approach to academic work. And this is a ‘life-skill’ that should not be under-estimated. The material covered in the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge will help you gain a better understanding of yourself, your strengths and weaknesses and how to manage them. Remember to enjoy your strengths but also, to work on improving your weaknesses.

2. The IB will give you a feeling of being a part of something greater than yourself.

The development of your learning style is important as a road to a life-long journey of discovery. The skills you gain and improve, over the course of the two years will be with you for all of your life – and they will make a difference to you and you will be a stronger person for this development. You will also know that you are a part of a ‘community’ that aims to work together for the betterment of mankind. Your subjects will usually have some aspect of work that involves … saving the planet, and the IB is serious about students appreciating that we all have a responsibility to help each other and look after the world we live in.  This aspect of the IB is almost unique in education and is a level of enrichment which is wonderful to be a part of – so enjoy it.

Ultimately, you will have a route to academically greater things. You can apply to university, get a degree and take on the world!