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There’s a good reason why many students have trouble balancing IB and extracurriculars. The IB program is hard enough without extracurricular activities, and now you must add them. From what I’ve seen, though, it can do well in both with a few smart moves. Based on what I’ve learned over the years, I’ll give you some helpful tips on how to mix IB and activities with a good study schedule.
How Demanding Is IB Curriculum?
Let’s get one thing straight: the IB program is challenging. There’s no way around it. With Internal Assessments, extended essays, and Theory of Knowledge, I’ve found that there are often more things to do than hours in the day. It can feel like there is always pressure to meet due dates, finish assignments, and study for tests. But here’s the thing: not every job is the same. I know that setting priorities is the key to handling this workload. Not every item on your list is equally important. Figuring out which jobs are most important at any given time will help you stay on track and get things done.
Finding their “big rocks,” or the most important things that must be done, is one of the first things I tell my students to do. Based on standard IB factors, these could be:
- Upcoming Internal Assessment deadlines.
- TOK essay or exhibition preparations.
- Extended Essay research and drafts.
Once you know your top goals, everything else is easier to handle. Having a clear idea of what’s most important when you’re working on your tasks makes me feel less stressed and more in charge.
Finally, let us not forget about the extracurriculars. I think they give students much-needed breaks from schoolwork and give them a chance to be artistic or physically active. They are also crucial for personal growth, skill development, and strengthening college applications. I’ve found that colleges value well-rounded students who can handle challenging classes and significant extracurricular activities.
But combining extracurriculars and IB isn’t easy, is it? It’s normal to feel like you have a lot of things to do, especially when significant events or competitions happen at the same time as school deadlines. I’ve seen students keep both parts of their lives in balance, though, by setting clear limits and making a plan.
Why Is Effective IB Time Management So Important?
In my opinion, time management is one of the most important skills you can learn during your IB years. Without it, managing IB and activities can quickly get out of hand, and it’s easy to feel stressed.
Sometimes, your IB schoolwork may need to come before your extracurricular activities, especially when deadlines or big projects are coming up quickly. Other times, your extracurricular activities, like sports events, volunteer work, or leadership roles, will need your full attention.
Prioritizing can be hard to understand, but time blocking is a tool that I’ve found very helpful. You set aside specific times to work on one job or task daily. This strategy ensures that your studies and extracurricular activities get their attention. One great thing about time blocking is that it helps you stay on track by making your plan more organized and reliable.
To start time-blocking for better IB time management, do the following:
- Make a list of everything you need to do. The IB tasks, extracurriculars, and free time should all be broken up.
- Sort by how urgent they are. Figure out which tasks need to be done immediately (like when an EE deadline is coming up) and which ones are important but not urgent.
- Set aside chunks of time. Set aside specific times to study, do extracurriculars in IB, take breaks, and rest. For example, do your homework for the first two hours after school and practice sports for an hour.
- Do not change your plans. That part was hard! But I’ve found that following a well-thought-out plan can help you feel less stressed and more in charge.
This organized way of balancing IB and extracurriculars is critical because when you block your time well, you’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish.
If you’re unsure how to give constructive feedback, our guide on conducting an IB peer review is a must-read.
How to Maintain IB Study Balance?
Getting the right mix between school and life for the IB doesn’t happen overnight — you must plan and mentally prepare. Using a few fundamental techniques will make it much easier to keep up with your studies while enjoying other activities and taking care of yourself.
Develop a Flexible Routine
Creating an open schedule is one of the best ways to handle IB and other activities. Being flexible is important because plans rarely work out how we want them to. Exams or an important project for your extracurricular club could appear out of the blue. I believe that making your routine flexible helps you change without getting too stressed out.
Combine Study with Extracurricular Breaks
I always tell my students to study during breaks from extracurricular activities. Say you’ve been working on your math homework for two hours. Instead of doing more, why not take a 30-minute break and go to a music practice or a quick workout? From what I’ve seen, moving gears can keep you from getting tired and keep your energy up. When you return to studying, you’ll be refreshed and ready to do the next thing.
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Learn to Say “No”
Learning how to say “no” is another essential tip. We take on too much sometimes. If you’re eager, you might want to join every club or activity that sounds fun, but this can quickly wear you out. Many students get too busy with too many responsibilities, which can hurt their performance in school and extracurricular activities. An essential part of keeping up with IB study balance is learning to tell when you’re taking on too much and taking a break when needed.
Set Realistic Goals for Success
Let’s talk about making plans now. Setting short-term and long-term goals is essential for balancing IB and extracurriculars. Short-term goals help you stay focused on the present, while long-term goals point you in the right direction.
For example, if you know you want to go to a college that values participation in extracurricular activities, you should make sure that you balance that with doing well in school. But make manageable goals. From what I’ve seen, students who set goals too high too quickly often give up. Ensure your goals are attainable, and don’t be afraid to change them as the program progresses.
Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout
Stress is unavoidable when juggling IB and extracurriculars. However, how well students handle stress determines whether they are successful or stressed. I’ve always thought that taking breaks, working out, and doing things outside of school is vital for staying busy and keeping a healthy mind.
Burnout is real, and it can happen if you’re not careful. That’s why I always tell my students to plan time to rest. Your mental health is the key to long-term success and is just as important as your grades and extracurricular activities.
Master your IB workload with these top digital tools for IB study and research to stay organized and perform better.
Seek Support from Teachers and Mentors
If it gets too hard to handle IB and activities, ask for help. From what I’ve seen, teachers and guides are there to help you, and they know how hard the IB program can be. Talk to your teachers if you have too much to do or trouble keeping up with your IB extracurriculars. They could give you extra time, help, or advice on better managing your time.
Another great resource is a mentor. Having someone who has been through the IB school and knows what it takes to do well can be beneficial. Mentors can help you keep everything in balance by giving you advice and a different point of view.
Adapting Strategies for Different Phases of IB
Also, remember that handling IB and extracurriculars isn’t a fixed process. What works for you in your first year of IB might not work for you in your second year. The requirements and plans change as you move through the IB program. As a first-year student gets used to the academic load, you might want to focus on slowly adding more extracurricular activities. Now is the time to find your rhythm and figure out how much you can handle without getting too stressed.
From my experience, first-year students often have more time to try out different activities. It’s possible to join many groups, play sports, or become a leader. But as you move into your second year, your goals change, and balancing IB and activities becomes more important. Students in their last year will need to work especially hard on their studies because significant due dates like tests, TOK essays, and extended essays are coming up quickly.
As you move through the IB program, here are some essential things to keep in mind when changing your plans:
- The first year. Find your genuine interest by trying different extracurricular activities, but ensure it doesn’t interfere with your schoolwork.
- The first semester of the second year. Start cutting down on your extracurricular activities. You should now choose activities that fit your hobbies and long-term goals over those that are just for the sake of doing them.
- Last year. Put school first, especially when big projects and tests are coming up. If necessary, it’s okay to withdraw from some extracurricular activities temporarily.
Keep track of what’s working and what’s not as you move forward. From what I’ve seen, students who regularly review their plans better juggle their school and extracurricular duties.
Struggling with exam pressure? Here are some expert tips on handling IB exam stress and approaching exams confidently.
Conclusion
Finding the right balance between schoolwork and extracurricular activities is the secret to balancing IB and extracurriculars. You must learn to handle your time well, make attainable goals, and regularly review your duties. It’s not always easy, but you can do well in both areas if you’re disciplined, flexible, and clearly know your goals.
Remember that you don’t have to handle all your work alone, so contact our experts at IBStudentHelp.com if you ever need assistance.
Nick Radlinsky
Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.
Nick's article, featured in Routledge's "Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.
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