How to Prepare for Year 13 During Summer?

Summer preparation can save your time and stress from the upcoming year, freeing up time for IBDP examinations and university applications. Here are the suggestions for you to follow.

1. Finishing at least a rough draft of your EE

EE is a lot of work, but it’s also not worth too much time in the grand scheme of things (3 points for EE and Tok vs 7 for a course), especially the precious time during Year 13. We know it is too hard to finish the whole EE in the summer. However, completing a rough draft of your EE is a must.

A complete rough draft includes a table of contents, intro (with bolded research question), body, conclusion (with a total word count at the end), bibliography, footnotes, appendix and visual aids. The EE is a maximum of 4,000 words, so a good target for the first draft would be 2,000 words.

No idea for getting started with the Extended Essay? If you need some extra help writing your Extended Essay, we can help you within our IB courses!

2. Researching topics for your IAs

Generally, the most time-consuming part of IAs is finding the research question, so try to start in the summer before Year 13. Once you have your research question, all left is to write it. That can save a lot of time during Year 13.

One of the good starting points is finding one of the units of the syllabus that you are interested in. In addition, there are many IAs topics on the internet. You can’t completely copy their idea, but you can use a different angle on the same topic. (For example, If you are preparing for the topic of science, you may test the other variables for your interesting topic.)

Moreover, you need to prove that you had a genuine interest in the IA topic instead of blindly following some instructions you found in a textbook. In that case, you can get a higher mark in the section on personal engagement.

3. Getting your CAS reflections done

Many people feel that CAS is challenging work during the busy study schedule, so the summer holiday is a great time to enrich the CAS experience. You can try a new activity in the summer that lasts for at least a whole month.

CAS reflections are not the paperwork that starts after finishing your CAS activity. It is easier to record the progress with photos, videos or voice reflection than just words. Moreover, if students can submit the planning, reviewing progress, and reporting in the CAS reflection, that can show thoughtful consideration.

4. Prepping for your personal statement

There are different application systems in each country and university. It is necessary to double-check your chosen university’s required documents and deadlines. Writing a personal statement also needs to prepare during the summer. The deadline isn’t all that far away after all!

The personal statement ideas for applying to international universities

1. Why do you want to study in that country?
   
2. Your English language skills and any English courses or tests you’ve taken.
   
3. Why do you want to be an international student rather than study in your own country?
   

Applying to the UK University

Almost all university applications in the UK must go through a UCAS centre. Usually, you only submit one personal statement for applying to 5 undergraduate courses. So, please avoid mentioning any universities name or subjects’ complete names.

15 Oct 2022 (18:00 UK time): Deadline for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science and dentistry

25 Jan 2023 (18:00 UK time): Deadline for all UCAS Undergraduate and Conservatoires applications

Applying to the US University

The US doesn’t currently have an application system for all universities. Students should apply directly through the university websites and follow the instructions carefully. The US Universities will typically offer two application deadlines – Early Admission and Regular Admission.

Oct-Nov 2022: Early Admission Deadlines

Feb-Mar 2023: Regular Admission Deadlines

5. Preparing Year 13 & Review Year 12

If you are worried about your year 13 study and want to do more work on your study, you can grasp the general ideas and background through the past paper and marking scheme. No one said you had to wait until you were in Year 13 to study. The summer holidays already offer the time to get ahead and prepare for Year 13.

Moreover, using the summer to go over the topics for your weak subjects is another good choice. You can read your year 12 notes or course content from scratch and make elaborative notes for future exam revision.

In our summer courses, you can focus on your weakest subjects and consolidate your study to improve your overall scores.

6. Have fun and enjoy your summer