During sophomore year course selection time, Annandale’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator, Linda Bradshaw began visiting sophomore English classes presenting the IB Diploma Program.
Talks between friends and classmates quickly arose, as students debated which academic paths to take. Soon after, sophomores met with their counselors selecting their junior year courses, with many choosing to embark on their IB journey.
However, by last Spring, as the class of 2025 ended their junior year, several IB diploma candidates began to reconsider continuing the diploma. The number of candidates in the class dropped from 99 to 76 — a loss of 23 students.
For some, IB is an opportunity to challenge themselves, while for others, it serves as preparation for college level coursework, or it serves as a strategic move to enhance college applications. Either way, the IB Diploma Program is the most rigorous academic track AHS offers.
It is designed to foster students who are knowledgeable, inquisitive, and caring in a global society. The courses are meant to be challenging and encourage students to think critically in order to develop strong academic skills.
To earn an IB diploma, candidates must earn at least 24 total points over two years by earning high grades in IB classes, writing a graded 4,000-word Extended Essay on a topic students choose, completing internal assessments (known as IAs) which are roughly 2,000-words for each IB course, and successfully pass an IB-specific course called Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Students are expected to maintain a balanced life through Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) as well.
As younger students begin considering their options, and as the Class of 2025 nears graduation, here are reflections from a distributed questionnaire that gathers insights from teacher and senior student perspectives on the challenges and strategies needed to survive the IB experience.
What Teachers See in IB:
Teachers from a variety of IB courses have had years of experience seeing the tribulations IB students undergo, giving them the ability to understand the repeated struggles students face and the tools they need to succeed.
Many teachers emphasize that success in IB requires more than just intelligence. The program demands that students be adaptable and committed, and above all, have a strong work ethic.
IB Student Struggles:
Procrastination: Due to the heavier workload, poor time management and procrastination can have more severe consequences for IB students. Procrastination causes students to, “Become trapped in a prison of their design,” Jake Vaughn, the IB Social and Cultural Anthropology teacher said.
This creates a vicious cycle, as students struggle to keep up with mounting assignments and responsibilities. Vaughn adds, “Taking a heavy IB load requires some planning and organization skills that are often underdeveloped in young adults,” he says.
Phone Addiction: A major issue
Many IB students face is distractions, particularly from their phones. This is particularly problematic in a demanding program like IB, where focus and discipline are crucial. As Hanson points out, “Students who cannot resist the temptation of their cell phones… struggle to take advantage of or learn from [their] educational opportunities.”
In today’s digital era, phone use often becomes addictive, which only fuels procrastination and hinders academic progress.
These habits, if left unchecked, can persist into adulthood, making early intervention and practice that much more important.
Grade Obsession: IB Teachers have observed students’ tendency to obsess over grades, which often leads to increased stress and may unmotivate students.
The IB program is designed to help students become critical, well-rounded thinkers, but when students focus solely on their class grades they miss education’s broader purpose. Students often prioritize short-term success over long-term comprehension skill development.
Tim Kelly, Annandale’s Theory of Knowledge teacher, encourages students to shift their mindset, “When we engage fully in the learning process, the high grades that most students want often follow.” In other words, nurture the obsession to truly learn instead of focusing on short term memorization to pass a test.
Student Success in IB:
To truly succeed in IB, students must take their learning beyond the classroom. Many of the skills IB aims to develop such as critical thinking, analysis, and language proficiency require independent practice. Whether it’s reading books for literature outside of class or practicing a language, this outside effort is necessary.
Rebecca Mooney, the IB Spanish 1 teacher, notes a common misconception about that class: “We are not learning ABOUT the language as much as we are learning about different themes IN the language!” Her advice reflects the reality of practicing independently, as classroom time is often not enough to be proficient.
Be Resourceful, while IB students carry a significant workload, teachers do too, often managing large classes and tight schedules. That is why it is crucial for students to take initiative and advocate for themselves when they need help.
Hanson emphasizes this, reminding students that “IB teachers will provide students with ample opportunities and support, but students have to take advantage of making the most of these resources.”
Kelly reinforces this sentiment, urging students to be proactive and, “take advantage of the scaffolds and support designed to help [you] be successful on IB assessments [and assignments].”
Ultimately, IB is more than just a rigorous academic program, it is an experience that prepares students for higher education and beyond.
By developing strong study habits, staying engaged in learning, managing distractions, and seeking support and resources around them, students can navigate the program more effectively.
With committed teachers and a supportive school environment willing to guide students along the way, success is well within reach.
Senior IB candidates reflect on the strategies that served them well
For upcoming IB candidates, learning from the experiences of past students can provide valuable insight into how to better navigate the program successfully. With IB’s rigorous coursework, the workload can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies and mindset, it can be more manageable.
Beyond academics, it is crucial to acknowledge the mental challenges that come with the pressure to perform well. Many IB senior students are faced with not only the heavy workload of IB but also balancing other responsibilities such as college applications, college essays, financial aid, part-time jobs, and more.
Through a student questionnaire, current Senior IB candidates shared their reflections and advice to help future candidates strive with success.
Time management
Time management is one of the most frequently emphasized skills among both IB teachers and students. Writing can be a time-consuming process for many students and IB demands extensive writing skills for things such as internal assessments (IAs), the Extended Essay (EE), and for in-class assignments.
While students must work on submitting official IB work like the IAs and EE, as well as senior responsibilities, they should remember to allot time for current coursework that often requires plenty of study to gain a deep understanding of the demanding content.
Without proper planning, it can be easy to fall behind in IB’s fast-paced environment, which can also make it difficult to catch up. Mastering time management is a critical skill necessary for staying on top of IB.
As Senior IB diploma candidate Katherine Escobar Garcia explains, “If you start [assignments] late you will struggle to keep up with deadlines and it may seem more like a burden.”
Procrastination leads to stress and lower-quality work, so starting early allows students to meet deadlines without feeling overwhelmed and produce work they can truly be proud of.
Student Strategies
Every student has their own way of handling IB, and finding the right strategies and approach will require trial and error. Below are some approaches that seniors have found helpful in managing IB.
Scheduling
Having a structured plan is essential for managing deadlines and provides students the opportunity to prepare for the workload in an achievable way. Senior Vicky Chen finds “scheduling out everything for the week/upcoming week has been very helpful so I know when I have free time to do my assignments.”
Similarly, IB diploma candidate Tabusom Marzi recommends using checklists and setting specific goals for when tasks should be completed.
Completing Work
After scheduling time for assignments, following through is just as important. IB work can quickly pile up, making it crucial to stay on top of deadlines. An anonymous IB senior finds that ‘chunking out’ work and focusing on one task at a time helps with productivity. Meanwhile, Senior IB candidate Katherine Escobar-Garcia prefers completing assignments as soon as possible to avoid stress later on.
Rewarding Yourself
After completing assignments, it’s important to take breaks and recharge. Senior Emanuel Molla prioritizes time for himself by scheduling “Friday night and Saturday morning for strictly personal time to do things I enjoy because it helps me de-stress and prevents me from burning out.”
Finding time for hobbies and relaxation ensures that students stay motivated and avoid exhaustion. And by all means cry if you need to. “Crying is healthy and can clear out your sinuses,” says Mr. Vaughn.
Even with the best strategies, IB students are bound to encounter obstacles. As Escobar-Garcia describes, IB is a “journey, because not every part of this ride is smooth and it may seem rocky.”
Failing tests, missing deadlines, and just feeling overwhelmed are common struggles that come with doing IB. However, students should remember that they are not alone. Molla emphasizes the importance of seeking help. “My advice to anybody starting IB is to just use your resources, whether that be the internet, your teachers who are more than willing to help, or even Mrs. Bradshaw the IB coordinator,” he says.
Support and resources are available to ensure success, but it is up to IB students to advocate for themselves. Getting help early can make all the difference in staying on track.
Choosing your path
While the prestige of the IB diploma is appealing, not every student chooses to complete the program. The overwhelming workload can take a serious toll on mental health, and for some, stepping away from IB is the best decision.
The reality is that the IB diploma is not guaranteed, even after two years of sacrifice.
For some it is not worth it as college is still an option without it. Recognizing what is best for your well-being and future is a personal decision, and as a former IB student, Zalma Omar, wisely puts it, “You are not falling behind, and you are definitely not a failure” for stepping away from IB.”
For those who choose to continue the challenge, planning for success early on is essential.
Time management — a skill that cannot be ignored — as well as early preparation, whether through working on essays early or reviewing class material (like math), will make a huge difference. Most importantly, remember you are not alone.
Many IB students have faced the same stress and overwhelming assignments, but a solid plan can help you stay focused and succeed. Take things one day at a time, one task or assignment at a time. Be resilient, but also remember there are people who are there to support you. Your teachers, classmates, and IB coordinator Mrs. Bradshaw are here to help you. IB is a challenge, but with the right mindset and preparation, it is one you can overcome.