atl: self-management skills
SELF-MANAGEMENT: ORGANIZATION SKILLS
Some suggestions for effective time management:
Some suggestions for effective study strategies:
Some test- and exam-taking strategies:
Some study and note-making strategies:
- Establish regular study habits.
- Remember that you can expect to have to study for about three hours outside lessons every day.
- Use a timetable system to set up a study schedule. Be realistic!
- Maintain the right balance between your HL and SL subjects. Focus first on those subjects that you find more challenging.
- Do not leave anything until the last minute. Allow time for the unexpected.
- Keep to deadlines right from the beginning.
- Plan on using one weekend day each week for study, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, just as if it were a regular school day.
Then enjoy the rest of your weekend. - Expect to have to spend some vacation time studying, too.
- Take regular breaks when studying. After every 30 minutes of work, stop for a 5-minute break. Go somewhere different, move, have a snack.
Some suggestions for effective study strategies:
- Talk with your teachers! They should have good insights into what, and how, you need to study/review.
- Study in an area that is conducive to work, free of distractions and noise. Make sure it is clean and orderly.
- Remember that completing homework is not the same as studying - both are necessary!
- Know the expectations (criteria, format) for all assignments - including for your final exams.
- Know the command terms for all IB subjects - there are important but subtle differences between some!
- Use your computer wisely, and only if it is necessary to study. It might also be a source of distraction. The art of writing by hand is very useful!
- Organize your materials frequently, so that you do not waste time looking for important papers when you need them.
- Study some of the resources below for effective note-taking skills. Simply organizing your notes, or even just re-writing them after class or as part of a review session, can be extremely valuable.
- Practice makes perfect. There are no "spectator sports" in the IB - you must be actively engaged in all of them. Practice whenever possible using past papers and markschemes. Make note cards, review sheets, summary presentations, mind-maps, diagrams, designs, ...
- Try summarizing information onto one page.
- Study with others. If you have to explain something to a friend, you will likely understand it much better than if you just re-read it.
Some test- and exam-taking strategies:
- Read the instructions VERY carefully! Answer the correct question. Do not answer more questions than asked.
- Answer the question asked. Use the command terms as a guide.
- Plan your time carefully. Allow time at the end for checking / review.
- First answer questions that you know; save the others for later. Use a checking system so that you do not lose your place with questions you have answered.
Some study and note-making strategies:
SELF-MANAGEMENT: AFFECTIVE SKILLS
Some suggestions for effective stress management:
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat regular, healthy meals and snacks.
- Drink lots of water!
- Maintain normal sleep and eating habits.
- Review your objectives periodically – you are in control!
- Recognize early warning signs of stress, and take action.
- Think and plan ahead to achieve your objectives.
- Give yourself treats and rewards for achieving short-term objectives.
- Try to keep things in proportion.
- When you feel under pressure and stress is building, seek help. Talk with someone, including your parents and teachers.
- Make time to have a life outside of school.