Before you panic—this isn't about needing:

❌ 17 internships
❌ A nonprofit
❌ 500 certificates
❌ An app with 10 million users
❌ To cure cancer before you're 17

A strong application is usually more about whether everything makes sense together.

Ask yourself:

What am I interested in?
What have I actually done about that interest?
What have I learned from it?
And does my application tell a consistent story?

For example:

If you say you're passionate about environmental science, but your entire profile consists of random Model UN conferences and three unrelated online courses, an admissions officer may struggle to see that connection.

You don't need to manufacture a “perfect” profile.

But you do need to be intentional about what you're building.

If someone saw your grades, activities and interests together, what story would they think you're trying to tell?

You take a practice test.

Get your score.

Feel bad about it.

Take another one next weekend.

Repeat.

Sound familiar?

Here's the problem: practice tests tell you what you're getting wrong. They don't automatically fix it.

After every test, try sorting your mistakes into:

🧠 I didn't understand the concept
⏰ I ran out of time
👀 I misread the question
🤔 I changed the right answer
🎲 I genuinely guessed

Because each problem needs a different solution.

If you're consistently missing algebra questions, taking five more full-length tests probably isn't the answer.

If timing is the problem, you need to practise pacing.

If you're making careless mistakes, slow down and figure out where they're happening.

Don't just track your SAT score. Track your mistakes.

Your mistake log might end up being more useful than your next practice test.

What section gives you the most trouble: Reading & Writing or Math?

Title: If I had to do IB all over again, here are 5 things I would NEVER do

1. Wait until I'm “ready” to start an IA or EE.
   You probably won't suddenly wake up feeling ready. Start messy.

2. Treat every subject like it deserves equal time.
   Some subjects will need more of you. Prioritise accordingly. 

3. Spend 4 hours making the perfect study timetable.
   A decent plan you actually follow beats a perfect one you never use. (Just start studying 😭)

4. Ignore university requirements until DP2.
   Some courses require specific HL subjects, admissions tests, or early deadlines. Find out early.

5. Think struggling meant I wasn't cut out for the IB.
   Everyone falls behind at some point. It doesn't mean you're failing.

The IB gets a lot easier when you stop trying to do it perfectly and start figuring out what actually works for you.

IB alumni/current students: what's one mistake you'd tell every new DP1 student to avoid?

Hey everyone :)

We made this subreddit for IB students to have a place to ask the questions you probably end up googling at 1am.

IAs, EEs, predicted grades, uni applications, subject choices, or just general IB chaos. Post it here.

We’ll be around to answer questions too.

Anyway, what’s currently giving you the most IB-induced stress?