Study tips.

  • Study Space.

    Find a quiet spot that is for working. Ideally not in your bedroom. Make this space only for work and not play. You need to train your mind to behave and think correctly when you are working. This will help you not procrastinate. Do not have your phone with you. Lastly, make this space a beautiful and comfortable space - you will be spending lots of time there e.g. get yourself a nice table lamp and a comfortable chair.

  • Plan.

    Make a timetable on when you will work, on what subject and for how long. Incorporate free time and sports into this schedule. If you have free slots in school, use this time for work. That way you will have less work to do when you are home and more free time to pursue other interests.

  • Discipline & Consistency.

    Discipline and consistency are the secret. Even if you are super motivated, stick to the plan! Don’t do more - rather say to yourself I will work tomorrow. The problem with doing more is your mind might play tricks with you and say because I did more yesterday I don’t have to do as much today. Stick to the plan. Think long-term.

Find your balance.

Work either 50 minutes with a 10-minute break or 40 minutes with a 20-minute break. So you are working on the hour this will help you manage your time easily and make sure you are not frying your brain. Most people cannot concentrate for longer than 40-50 minutes at a time.

When you are working you are working. When you are not working you are not working . If you can train your mind to switch on and off like this you will be very successful not just in the IB. Reward yourself: If I work I can go to the gym. If I work then I will go and have that burger.

Become really good at something else.

Mix up your revision sessions. Have sessions that are by yourself, have sessions in the library/cafe and importantly have sessions in small groups with friends. You don’t have to work together, you can just be near each other and have a chat during the break. Varying sessions will help you maintain consistency. You’re going for a coffee at your favourite cafe but you’re also getting your work done. You're spending time with friends but also getting work done. Be careful, I tend to be most productive when I am at home on my own so you need to take the appropriate work to the different settings so you don’t end up wasting time.

The biggest reason you are working at home is to find out what you do not understand. You MUST take this back to someone who can clarify your doubts whether that is a friend or your teacher. If you do not take your doubts to someone to clarify you are not developing and becoming better you might even be wasting your time since all you are doing is reviewing stuff that you probably don’t need to review.

Don’t make studying and working your life. Choose something like a sport, an instrument or a hobby and pursue that with ridiculous effort. You will see the results academically because you will learn how to think about things and prioritise things in your life appropriately. I would strongly recommend you start your own business or look at developing a skill e.g. designing websites and developing your financial literacy.

IB Mathematics Tutor.