The Pareto Principle: Work Smarter, Not Harder

The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, suggests that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. In IB study, this means that a small percentage of your study efforts (the 'vital 20%') will likely produce the majority of your results. The key is to identify and focus on these high-impact tasks rather than just spending more time studying inefficiently.

Many students make the mistake of thinking more hours automatically equals better grades. However, if those hours are filled with distractions, inefficient methods (like passively re-reading notes), or low-impact tasks, the actual productive study time can be minimal. The Pareto Principle highlights that quality and focus on the right tasks are far more important than sheer quantity of time spent.

Identifying your vital 20% involves understanding what truly drives your grades. This often includes active recall, practicing past paper questions, understanding core concepts, and working on high-stakes assignments like IAs and EEs. It's about focusing on tasks that directly test your knowledge and application, rather than passive activities like endlessly watching related videos or reading already understood material.

To apply the Pareto Principle, start by making a detailed to-do list for your studies. Then, critically order these tasks by importance, identifying the single most impactful item. Dedicate a specific, uninterrupted block of time each day (e.g., 2 hours) to focus solely on this most important task, ensuring you're specific about what you aim to achieve within that time. This structured approach helps you consistently tackle your 'vital 20%'.

Lanterna's expert tutors, many of whom scored 40+ in the IB or have extensive teaching/examiner experience, are skilled at helping students identify their most impactful study areas. We can guide you in prioritizing your workload, refining your study techniques, and developing a personalised strategy that focuses on the 'vital 20%' for each subject, ensuring your efforts translate into top grades.

Absolutely. Our tutors work with you to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and specific IB subject requirements. They can help you break down your syllabus, identify high-yield topics and question types, and structure a study plan that maximises your efficiency. This ensures you're always focusing your energy on the tasks that will have the biggest impact on your final grades.

Yes, Lanterna provides expert tutoring and support for virtually all IB Diploma Programme subjects, across both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). Our diverse team of over 600 tutors covers a wide range of subjects, ensuring that we can match you with a specialist who understands your specific curriculum and needs.

The Lanterna free IB consultation is a no-pressure, 20-30 minute session with one of our expert IB Student Success Experts. It's designed to help you (or you and your parents) gain clarity on your current IB situation, discuss challenges like study efficiency, and walk away with a simple, personalised plan for what to focus on next, without any obligation to book tutoring.

Yes, the Lanterna IB consultation is genuinely 100% free. There's no catch. Our goal is to provide immediate value and clarity to IB students and parents. You'll receive actionable advice and a personalised plan from an experienced Student Success Expert, with absolutely no obligation to purchase any tutoring services afterwards. It's our way of helping you get started on the right path.

Our Student Success Experts are highly experienced IB graduates and educators who understand the IB Diploma inside out. They've guided thousands of students through their IB journey. In a consultation, they can help you pinpoint areas where your study efficiency might be lacking, offer strategies to implement the Pareto Principle effectively, and provide tailored advice to optimise your study habits and reduce stress.

During your free 20-30 minute consultation, you'll gain a clear understanding of your current academic standing and potential areas for improvement. You'll receive a personalised, actionable plan with specific priorities and next steps to enhance your IB performance, whether it's improving study efficiency, tackling a challenging subject, or preparing for exams. You'll leave with increased clarity and confidence, backed by expert advice.