Mastering Your Study: The Hardest-First Technique

The "hardest-first technique" is a study strategy where you tackle your most challenging or least appealing tasks at the beginning of your study session or project. This leverages a psychological effect where people prefer tasks to get easier over time, leading to a more enjoyable and productive experience.

Starting with the hardest tasks means that everything else you do afterwards will feel easier, giving you a motivational boost. It prevents procrastination on difficult work, reduces overall stress by front-loading the effort, and ensures that critical, challenging components of your IB studies aren't left until the last minute.

By addressing the most demanding parts of your workload early, you avoid the intense pressure and anxiety that comes from having difficult tasks pile up. This proactive approach helps manage the rigorous IB curriculum more effectively, leading to a calmer and more confident study experience, especially as deadlines approach.

Absolutely. For long-term projects like Internal Assessments (IAs) or the Extended Essay (EE), identifying the most challenging components (e.g., complex research, data analysis, or a difficult section of writing) and tackling them first can make the entire process smoother and less stressful. It ensures you allocate sufficient time and energy to critical areas.

It's common to feel overwhelmed when faced with many tasks. The "hardest" task isn't always obvious. It could be the one you dread most, the one you're least confident about, or the one that requires the most mental effort. Breaking down large tasks into smaller steps can help identify the core challenging elements. If you're still unsure, a Lanterna Student Success Expert can help you strategize.

Our expert IB tutors don't just teach content; they also guide students on effective study strategies. They can help you identify your personal "hardest" tasks, structure your study sessions, and develop a personalized plan to integrate techniques like "hardest-first" into your routine, ensuring you maximize your learning and minimize stress.

Yes, our tutors and Student Success Experts are highly experienced in helping students develop comprehensive and personalized study plans. They consider your individual strengths, weaknesses, subject choices, and university aspirations to create a roadmap that helps you manage your workload, apply effective techniques, and achieve your academic goals.

The Lanterna IB consultation is a free, no-pressure 20-30 minute session with one of our expert IB Student Success Experts. It's designed to give you clarity on your current situation, discuss your challenges, and help you develop a simple, personalized plan for your IB journey.

Yes, absolutely. Our IB consultation is completely free of charge and comes with zero obligation to book tutoring. It's our way of providing immediate value and expert guidance to IB students and parents who need clarity and direction.

Our Student Success Experts are highly knowledgeable individuals with deep experience in the IB Diploma Programme. Many are high-achieving IB graduates themselves, and all are trained to understand the unique challenges of the IB. They are here to listen, advise, and help you navigate your IB journey effectively.

After your free consultation, you'll walk away with a clear, personalized plan and actionable next steps for your IB studies. There's no obligation to continue with tutoring, but if you decide you'd like further support, your Student Success Expert can discuss how Lanterna's expert tutors could help you achieve your goals.