Meet Your Expert: Lola, IB Biology Tutor
Lola is a passionate and experienced tutor with over two years of teaching and 400+ hours of tutoring experience. A graduate of QACI and Academic Student of the Year, she achieved an IB score of 40 (96.80 ATAR, 99.95 adjusted), earning Dux awards in IB Biology SL, Psychology HL, and English HL. Having lived in Shanghai for 12 years, she also brings extensive Chinese language and cultural knowledge to her teaching. Lola specialises in simplifying complex concepts, delivering engaging, personalised lessons and sharing key strategies to help students succeed in IB Biology and beyond.
IB Biology Without Rote Learning
IB Biology is undeniably a content-heavy subject that many struggle to cope with. With dense terminology and vast amounts of information, many students default to rote memorization. While this works for some, learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. The key is to find strategies that make the content stick in a meaningful way.
Here’s how to approach IB Biology without relying on rote learning.
Shift the Mindset
I came into biology with the knowledge of how content-heavy it was going to be, expecting to spend a lot of my time “rote learning” the content. I quickly realised that this was not a strategy that worked for me. Whilst the content would make sense in the moment, when I tried to recall it two weeks later, I struggled to remember it.
The breakthrough happened when I stopped seeing biology as a series of facts to memorise and instead realised that it was an interconnected web in which each topic was related. Every concept is connected—evolution ties into genetics, enzymes drive metabolism, and cellular respiration affects the carbon cycle. When I began viewing it as a series of relationships rather than isolated facts, it was much easier to remember content.
Before I begin to share my tips and tricks, you have to shift your mindset: biology isn’t just about being able to recite facts, it’s about understanding how it all links together.
Use Active Learning Techniques
Regular revision is key to IB Biology success. Instead of passively rereading notes, use active learning techniques to stay engaged and improve retention.
- Mindmaps and Visual Aids: Putting my notes into mind maps or concept diagrams helped me organise information effectively. These visuals made it easier to recall topics and link them to relevant concepts.
- Feynman Technique: Instead of memorising, I focused on explaining concepts as if I were teaching someone else. This method challenged my understanding and helped me process information aloud.
- Gamification: My teacher quizzed us at the start of every lesson, which reinforced knowledge. I took this strategy further by creating my own quizzes—both making and using them as a revision tool.
- Mnemonics: Many topics require memorising keywords, and mnemonics simplified these into more digestible parts. We applied this technique for taxa, phyla, cell components, protein functions, and more.
Real-World Context
When I struggled with telomeres, my teacher explained their potential in aging research and the possibility of extending life. Suddenly, it made so much more sense—I could see its relevance beyond the textbook.
If a topic feels abstract, connect it to real-world contexts:
- Enzymes? Look at how they are used in different industries.
- Genetics? Understand how gene editing is revolutionising healthcare.
- Ecosystems? Explore conservation efforts and climate impact.
Understanding why a topic matters makes it far easier to remember.
Practice Questions
Instead of rote learning, complete practice questions and past exam papers! Learnmate’s research has shown that high-achieving students consistently rank practice exams as the most effective study strategy for securing a high ATAR. Applying knowledge in this way extends understanding beyond memorisation. It trains you to focus on using what you know to answer specific questions rather than just recalling facts, reinforcing exam techniques and improving retention. This shift encourages deeper learning and application, ultimately leading to stronger exam performance.
Final Thoughts
Mastering IB Biology isn’t about cramming facts—it’s about making information meaningful. By focusing on connections, active recall, real-world applications, and practice, you’ll retain knowledge far more effectively.
Shift your mindset. Engage with the content. And most importantly—stay curious. If you found these tips helpful, I’d personally love to support you as your tutor this year. You can view my profile here on Learnmate and contact me to discuss tutoring.
Alternatively, you can also engage other tutors on Learnmate to help you refine your IB Biology skills, boost your confidence, and provide guidance tailored to your specific needs. Connect with an expert IB Biology tutor on Learnmate and take your approach to the next level!
