
How to Ace the IB as a Lazy Student
Ace the IB without working hard! Learn expert revision tips for lazy students, including the rule of threes and smart study techniques.
Being lazy means not wanting to work hard when you don’t have. It means not wanting to do things the hard way and spend hours on something that you can get away with doing in minutes – or not doing at all. If you’re lazy, I like you, and you can still be awesome at the IB. But only if you follow these four steps.
1. How do you eat an elephant?
Lazy people are smart, because they know that if they try to cram too much into their brains, it will melt and come out of their ears. OK, not quite, but you will find that if you try to memorise too much information in one go you will really struggle to recall it later (after 72 hours or more). This is because the brain is much better at absorbing information it is exposed to repeatedly. The rule of threes is a good guide. Don’t try to force more than 3 pieces of information into your brain at once. Instead, learn 3 new things, then go and browse the textbook / check out your notes, then come back and learn the next 3 things. And remember….
2. Multiple Sources
In some Chinese schools, staff attach students to IV medical drips, so they can study and take tests without going to get drinks, food etc. Students sit at desks doing the same intense studying all the time. They’re mad.
Often textbooks are terrible and homework assignments are boring. It’s no surprise that when things are terrible and boring we don’t remember them! In fact the best way to remember things is to learn them from lots of different interesting sources.
When you find out the next topic is on Roman history, start watching documentaries on it. Start browsing different websites about Rome. Watch the TV show The Romans. Play total war Rome 2 on your PC. Listen to podcasts Immersion is the number one way to quickly absorb massive amounts of information. So if you’re going to be learning about magnets in physics check out some awesome super-cooled magnet videos on youtube and get ahead in the IB too!
3. Empty your desk!
One massive advantage you can give yourself is to set up your desk so that it’s similar to the desk you will be using in the exams. This means having a clear desk with no distractions. Working in a quiet space. Having a clock always visible. The idea here is that you’re creating an environment similar to that of the exam. You should always make sure your desk is completely empty at the end of each day. That way when you start in the morning you won’t be worried about yesterday’s work and you can start fresh.

(this guy is doing it so, so wrong.)
Setting up a good environment is super important to being successful and it isn’t that hard. It’ll take you a few minutes to clear your desk, then you’re done. Well the IB is taught all over the world so some of you might struggle more than others to find a good working environment.

4. Sketch!
You spend so long in school writing down ideas that you know you’ll never remember. Writing out the same notes a billion times is for people who work hard and don’t get results. But you want to work smart and lazy…so get drawing!
It turns out sketching or doodling while you listen in classes can help concentration. Even more useful is sketching out concepts. Learning about the cold war? Sketch out the different characters, events and situations. Learning about cell biology? Make a comic strip explaining what happens. Human beings are very good at remembering images and sketching is easy.
Now go forth, lazy champion, and vanquish the IB! Bon courage!

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Being "lazy" in the IB context means working smarter, not just harder. This involves strategic approaches like breaking down information into manageable chunks (the rule of threes), using diverse and engaging sources for deeper immersion, optimising your study environment for focus, and utilising visual learning techniques like sketching to improve memory and understanding.
The "rule of threes" suggests that your brain absorbs information better when exposed repeatedly and in small, digestible doses. Instead of trying to cram too much at once, focus on learning 3 new pieces of information, then review your notes or textbook, and then move on to the next 3. This method prevents cognitive overload and significantly improves long-term recall.
Relying solely on textbooks can sometimes make learning feel tedious and harder to retain. The guide recommends using multiple, interesting sources like documentaries, educational websites, podcasts, and even relevant games to immerse yourself in a topic. This makes learning more engaging, multi-faceted, and significantly boosts information absorption and retention.
Creating an optimal study environment means setting up your desk to mimic the exam conditions: clear, quiet, and with a visible clock. A key tip is to clear your desk completely at the end of each day. This simple act helps you start fresh each morning, free from the mental clutter of yesterday's unfinished tasks, reducing stress and improving focus.
Yes, absolutely! The guide highlights that sketching or doodling can significantly improve concentration and memory. Humans are excellent at remembering images. By visualising concepts, creating comic strips for processes, or sketching out historical events, you engage a different part of your brain, making complex information easier to understand and recall than just writing notes.
The Lanterna IB consultation is a free, no-pressure 20-30 minute session with an IB Student Success Expert. It's designed to help you get clarity on your current study situation, identify areas where you can work smarter (not just harder), and walk away with a personalised plan for what to focus on, without any obligation to book tutoring. It's a great way to get expert insights and a clear path forward.
Yes, the Lanterna IB consultation is 100% free with absolutely no obligation to purchase tutoring. There's no catch! It's our commitment to providing immediate value and expert guidance to IB students and parents. You'll receive a clear, actionable plan from an experienced Student Success Expert, helping you prioritise your efforts and reduce stress, regardless of whether you choose to continue with us.
Our 600+ IB tutors, including 40+ point graduates, experienced teachers with over a decade of experience, and even IB examiners, are experts in helping students apply effective study techniques. They can guide you on breaking down complex topics, finding diverse and engaging resources, optimising your study environment, and using visual aids, ensuring you're working efficiently towards your best grades in any IB subject at SL or HL.
Lanterna's Student Success Experts are highly experienced professionals with deep knowledge of the IB Diploma Programme. They are dedicated to understanding your unique challenges and goals. Through the free consultation, they provide tailored advice, help you create a strategic study plan, and offer insights into how to navigate the IB successfully, ensuring you gain clarity and confidence, whether you choose tutoring or not.
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