Greece Student Pursuing IB Diploma: Tips & Advice

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a Greek student's pursuit of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, focusing on preparation strategies, course selection, and the challenges associated with transitioning from a standardized curriculum to the IB framework. Participants share insights on workload, course requirements, and tips for succeeding in the IB program.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concerns about their current academic performance and the impact of past experiences on their grades, despite feeling confident in their understanding of the material.
  • Another participant shares their experience with the IB program, noting the heavy workload associated with both standard level and higher level courses.
  • There is a discussion about the necessity of a pre-IB class, with one participant's parents questioning its value.
  • Participants discuss the additional requirements for the IB Diploma, including hours dedicated to athletics, creativity, and service, as well as the Theory of Knowledge course and its associated essay.
  • The original poster outlines their intended course selections for the IB, including Greek, English, Maths HL, Physics HL, and Economics SL/HL, while contemplating Chemistry as a potential sixth subject.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of local AP courses, leading to a preference for the IB Diploma for studying abroad.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the IB program, with some sharing personal experiences and others seeking advice. There is no consensus on the necessity of pre-IB classes or the best course selections, indicating multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the challenges of transitioning from a standardized curriculum to the IB framework, highlighting uncertainties regarding additional preparatory courses and the specific requirements of the IB Diploma.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering the IB Diploma, educators advising on IB preparation, and parents of students pursuing international studies may find this discussion relevant.

Nikon33
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Hello PF.

I am a Greek student ,currently in the 9th grade.
I love mathematics and physics and I want to study Computer engineering.

I am planing to study abroad preferably in the US or UK.

Recently, I discovered an option to take some IB diploma courses for the 11th and 12th grades in a local private school.

Right now I am in the last year of junior high and I am not getting very good grades (at least for me).
Although, I am sure I know the material and I am studying a lot of time , my grades don't reflect that.
Problems with teachers and a bad image from last year make things even worse.

Fortunately, next year I am going to high school (yeah , in greece HS begins from 10th year) and I am certain I won't have such problems.

Now for the IB ,I know it is difficult and requires a lot of work but I am sure I 'll make it.
I 've also heard that a pre-IB class is highly recommended but my parents say it is not worth the money.

Can you give me any tips to prepare for IB??
Can you tell me ,what it takes to go to some very competitive colleges??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Ok I figured it out .

Does anybody know any material to prepare for the IB class?
Can you give me tips for that year ??
Where should I pay attention more ?
 
I was almost enrolled in an IB curriculum, I turned to AP instead.

Personally (I had like 2 months of IB training) IB as you have said, is hard. When I mean it is difficult, it is the amount of work load. The standard level and higher level courses do not differ too much except higher level demands a little bit more work and a lot more topics.

Are you doing the Diploma or just the certificates? It be more helpful if you can tell me what classes you are taking.
 
Thank you for your answer.

I am currently finishing the 9th grade ,so I am talking for 2 years by now.
I am going for the IB Diploma which refers to the syllabus done in 11th and 12th grades.
Since I am in a greek school which has a standrized curiculum ,I don't know if I have to take some extra cources to be ready for the IB class.
Unfortunately I don't see any local school to provide AP cources so since I want to study abroad I have to take an IB DIploma.
 
Nikon33 said:
Thank you for your answer.

I am currently finishing the 9th grade ,so I am talking for 2 years by now.
I am going for the IB Diploma which refers to the syllabus done in 11th and 12th grades.
Since I am in a greek school which has a standrized curiculum ,I don't know if I have to take some extra cources to be ready for the IB class.
Unfortunately I don't see any local school to provide AP cources so since I want to study abroad I have to take an IB DIploma.

In most cases, if your school has IB, it will take care of that for you. If the curriculum is unstandardized, you will probably be enrolled in a Pre-IB curriculum as soon as you are in grade 10.

For the diploma you have to a few extra things. At least of 50 hours of Athletics (usually outside of school), 50 hours of Creativity (like learning a new musical instrument) and 50 hours of Service (volunteering, a job, you get the idea). You also have to take a Theory of Knowledge course which requires you to write like a 4000-world essay on a higher level subject topics, for instance if you take IB Chemistry Hl, you have write a 4000-word essay on something like say Atomic theory and such. I don't know too much about the essay, but it is highly advised that you talk to a mentor on it.

Again, can you tell me what courses will you take? I can't help you if you don't give me more information.
 
I am going to be enrolled in a private school for IB preparation , not a public like the one I currently attend.

I 'll take Greek and English (probably SL) ,Maths HL and Physics HL ,Economics SL/HL for sure and I am thinking of taking Chemistry SL/HL (more likely HL) for 6th subject.

I want to study electrical and computer engineering / electical engineering and computer science ,so I thought to take computer science course but most universities prefer chemistry.

I am just thinking to do some extra work to prepare for the IB class.
 

Similar threads

Programs Can I Pursue an IB Diploma Without IB Biology at JFK High School?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Advice for a high school student who loves physics
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
My Grade 11 Math mark is eating me alive. What do I do?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
131K
Need some advice on my future career
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
801
AP vs. IB: Advice from High Schoolers on Benefits & Admissions
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
13K
Self-study AP Physics C after taking IB Physics SL & Calc?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
IB Extended Essay research project on relativity
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Studying Should I drop my dreams? (Daydreamer with underachieving abilities)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Schools Faraday rotation experiment for a high school student?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Programs Physics degree to med school? please help
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K