You have got a two-month break between DP1 and DP2, everyone says to finish your IAs and EE, and you are wondering what else is worth doing. Study DP2 content in advance, or re-study DP1? Here is the highest-return way to spend it.
Finishing your EE and IAs is the best use of the break
This is almost certainly the single highest-return thing you can do. Future you, buried in DP2 deadlines, will be very grateful for every section you got done over summer.
Don't try to speed-run DP2 content
Spending the whole break trying to learn next year's syllabus usually is not worth it. You are better off strengthening weak DP1 areas and building good systems for DP2 than racing ahead into content you will be taught properly anyway.
A summer list that actually helps
- 1Finish as much of your EE and IAs as possible
- 2Organise your notes properly
- 3Work out your weak subjects and topics
- 4Build a revision system you will actually stick to
- 5Read examiner reports and markschemes for your subjects
Also start treating research as a skill. The EE is one of the best chances you will get to learn how to research properly, and the sooner you are comfortable finding and evaluating sources, the easier the whole of DP2 becomes.
And actually enjoy your summer. Plenty of students burn themselves out before DP2 even starts, so rest is part of the plan, not a betrayal of it.
Key Takeaways
- Finishing EE and IAs is the highest-return summer task
- Don't speed-run DP2 content, strengthen weak DP1 areas instead
- Organise notes, spot weak topics, and build a revision system you will keep
- Read examiner reports and markschemes to learn what is rewarded
- Rest properly, burnout before DP2 helps no one
Free workspace
Get a head start on the EE over summer with 5 free modules, workbooks, and a real 32/34 example.