Is ‘Challenge’ the Correct Word to Describe the IB?

The International Baccalaureate program has always been considered one of the most rigorous and most notable education systems. Offered in most international schools, the IB is thought to prepare students for college-level courses as well as teach them life skills such as time management, organization, critical thinking, and first and foremost, independence. With the following being said, as a current junior and student who is taking the IB program, these are the challenges that I have experienced:

• The workload. The workload. The workload. In the IB program, the workload is infamous. In addition to managing daily homework received by teachers, students are also required to fulfill IB requirements such as internal and external assessments and required classes such as Theory of Knowledge (TOK).

• Theory of Knowledge is one of the most challenging courses throughout the program. It looks closely at human nature and the reasoning behind our actions. For most students, the ambiguity of TOK is what makes it so complex. The class itself doesn’t have a clear focus and at times is all over the place. This also makes the required presentation and essay for TOK challenging.

• The College Application I like to call a ‘stressful situation’. Along with all the work that is required from the IB, applying for college is also needed. Along with the Common App essay, depending on which school you are applying too, supplement essays may also be required. Hypothetically, if you are applying to 10 schools, 10 supplement essays may be needed. It is to be noted that the college application is not only a requirement for IB. It is required for any student who is applying to schools located in the US, Canada as well as other leading nations.

• The final challenge of the International Baccalaureate program is the amount of tests that are required from students. Normally as a junior, I have around 5 tests per week (Sometimes one every day). Throughout first semester of senior year, the amount of tests tend to become much worse as teachers are preparing their students for mock exams as well as the final IB exams.

Listed above are the 4 most challenging parts of the IB program for me. I have found that I face endless nights of procrastination, unmotivating and as we are currently nearing summer I am also facing the pre-summer stress. With this being said, for all of next year’s juniors make sure to manage your time, and also approach the teacher if you need help!!