IB Chem Tips Here

With the EE, lots of IAs and CAS, the IB is overwhelming at times. So here are a few tips on how to succeed in IB Chemistry!

Use your resources!

• Don’t mind the text book, go straight for the study guide
• Watch videos! I personally like Mr Weng’s IB Chem Channel
• Use SmartPrep flashcards or the ones for free using Managebac
• Use post it notes (lots of them)!! They are easy to move around and useful to jot IA ideas onto
• Download any apps that could help you (I like the forest app a lot because it keeps me off my phone while i’m studying)

Revising for Chem

• make a to-do list (I like having mine on paper, but online ones such as wunderlist also work!)
• make a study plan – and stick to it! (I use a weekly calendar to schedule study periods)
• use the syllabus by checking off each topic (this will make sure that you have covered everything!)
• start early – IB Chem is based on how well you understand the subject, so memorizing everything last minute won’t help much
• ask questions! (the sooner you understand the topic, the better
• do practice questions! (especially for chapters 1, 2 and 11!)

Making revision notes

• identify whether hand-writing or typing them works for you (I like to hand-write mine)
• again, use post-it notes!! (have different sizes and colors, they will help you organize your notes)
• color-code your highlighters and use colored pens
• make lots of drawings, diagrams, or any kind of visuals!
• don’t copy your notes; aim to write in your own words – this will help you take in the content more effectively
• use as many key terms as you can, and define any words you don’t know
• don’t worry too much about whether your notes are aesthetically pleasing, making them detailed and easy to read/ understand is more important