What I Wish I Knew in DP1 (From a Real IB Student)

When I first started DP1, I thought the IB would hit me like a brick wall — and in some ways, it did. But not for the reasons I expected. It wasn’t the sleepless nights or the workload that got to me most. It was realizing how little anyone actually tells you about how to handle it all. So, here’s the stuff I wish I’d known before I started. The kind of stuff people don’t put in those glossy IB brochures.

IB is not as scary as everyone tries to say it is. I mean in my first math class my teacher said "The sword of IB is swirling on top of your head. You should start studying right away.". Who speaks like that? Safe to say I am traumatized.

First off, choosing your IA topics early is honestly a lifesaver. I’m not even kidding when I say that picking the topic sometimes feels harder than writing the actual IA. Especially in subjects like Biology, where the guidelines are vague and you’re stuck wondering if your idea is “IB enough.” If I could go back, I’d start brainstorming as soon as the teacher mentioned it. The sooner you have a topic, the less likely you’ll be panicking with two weeks to go. And don’t be afraid to tweak an idea you find, you will soon see that it is not expected from you to find an extraordinary and once in a lifetime research question.

Another thing that caught me off guard? How much it matters where you study from. Those class slides and summary notes seem tempting, but trust me, the actual IB textbook and subject guide are what really count. That’s the language and key phrases examiners expect in your answers. Plus, when you study straight from the source, you learn to think in the way the questions are worded. It might seem boring, but when you’re sitting in that exam hall, you’ll be glad you didn’t just rely on pretty slides.

What really helped me survive DP1 was figuring out which resources actually work. TeachMe Biology videos have saved me more times than I can count. Revision Village? If you’re taking Math, it’s basically your new best friend. And for English, LitCharts is a solid place to start for analysis, especially when you’re trying to make sense of those weird literary devices your teacher loves. For language classes, it helps a ton if you collect research on your set texts early on — reviews, critical essays, anything. Keep them in a shared document with a friend. Not only does it make life easier, but working with someone else kind of forces you to stay on track (which is huge if, like me, you tend to leave everything for “later”). Also it helps to see and learn from different perspectives and analysis. Brainstorming with a friend can help tremendously as everyones brains work different.

Oh, and about the EE — please don’t wait until your supervisor is breathing down your neck. Even if you just write down a random idea or open a blank doc and title it “EE Stuff,” that’s better than pretending it doesn’t exist. I promise you’ll thank yourself when it’s not hanging over your head in Year 2.

One thing I wish more people said out loud: grades are not the end of the world. You’re going to mess up sometimes. That’s just how the IB works. What actually matters is figuring out what went wrong, talking to your teacher, and moving forward. Honestly, most teachers will respect you way more if you show that you’re trying to improve rather than pretending you’ve got it all together.

And let’s kill the myth of the all-nighter while we’re at it. You don’t have to destroy your sleep schedule to be a “good IB student.” Just don’t leave everything to the last second. Starting even a week early makes such a difference. It’s not about grinding 24/7; it’s about being smart with your time.

Also, yes, ChatGPT can actually help, but only if you use it the right way. Ask it to help you brainstorm ideas, explain tough concepts, or check if your argument makes sense. Just don’t expect it to write your essays for you. Believe me, teachers can tell.

Oh, and if you don’t understand TOK… you’re not alone. I still don’t fully get it. And that’s okay. You’re not supposed to wake up one day as a philosopher. Just look at examples from Classify or check out samples your teacher gives you. Listen carefully to their feedback and follow the instructions, and you’ll be fine. It’s one of those subjects where half the battle is just showing that you’re thinking.

At the end of the day, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that the IB isn’t a race. You don’t have to rush everything. Take your time, figure out what study methods work for you — like for me, reading through the IB Biology textbook before exams is the only thing that really sticks. Don’t be afraid to take breaks, go out, and actually enjoy your life. You’re still a teenager. You don’t need to burn out trying to do everything at once.

So yeah, that’s pretty much it. If DP1 you is reading this, just know… you’re doing better than you think. And if I survived, trust me — you will too.

Until then – your IBInsiders 🧠✨

-Su EGE