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Choosing the perfect courses for you and your future
As the end of the academic year is fast approaching, it is now time to think about course selections for the next academic year. Especially for 10th grade, this is a crucial moment choosing your IB courses that can possibly impact your entire future. As explained in a multiple of resources, the IB Diploma Programme requires students to select one subject each from six subject groups to supplement the three compulsory core components of the IB: CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. Three of the six must be at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). The programme itself involves a large spectrum of work and variety of knowledge, which can only be achieved with good organization and hard work. To help you on making decisions, here are some tips to consider.
Talk to your teachers
Especially in a school like ours with small class sizes and more personalized attention, your teachers will most definitely know your strengths and weaknesses. Since they most likely teach IB courses, they are familiar with what’s expected of students and if they’re in line with your academic goals. For the higher level courses, teachers can offer you advice on what to take to maximise your score. Seek their advice if you are struggling to decide as they can be a great academic resource.
Explore your interests
While some of you may already know what you want to study, I can assume that most of you are still unsure what lies in your future. Your time in school is the best time for self-exploration and finding out what you enjoy, as well as what you don’t. So, take some time to think about your current subjects and specify those that you enjoy and those that you don’t. Even if a subject doesn’t line up with your career goals but you’re still keen to learn it, the IB is a good opportunity to try it out as it requires you to take a variety of courses. For example, if you’re a student who has always been drawn to the sciences but also hold an interest in business, you can take economics in addition to your science subjects and explore this particular interest. A job or career is not always clear cut, and there are many interdisciplinary courses that prepare students for multifaceted jobs.
Check what universities are looking for
If you are already certain what majors you want to pursue at university, it should be easier for you to choose your subjects. But different universities have different applicant requirements. For example, some medical schools may require IB students to take HL biology, chemistry, and maths but some will still admit students with these subjects taken at SL level. Do some research with universities you’re keen on applying to in the future, so you can tailor your subjects accordingly to give yourself a better chance of getting into your dream school.
The ultimate decision is your’s
As a junior, I hear lots of questions about what the hard subjects are so they can avoid them, the easiest subjects to get 7s, and the subjects that require the least work. But this shouldn’t be the factor that determines the subjects that you choose. Considering the advice from the above, you should find subjects that you will enjoy for the rest of your high school career and that that you may possibly pursue in university as well. There may be times when you come to conflict with your parents. Express confidence in the subjects you want to take and assure them it’s better for you to decide, as you will be the one actually studying the subjects. Taking a subject you find too difficult or boring will only demotivate you, which could negatively impact your academic performance.
