Top 10 Tips for A level students

Having just finished A Levels, after two difficult and gruelling years, I feel that I should share some tips on how to successfully get through them.

1.       Don’t underestimate A levels

The schoolboy error that everyone makes – ‘Oh I’m only doing 4/5 subjects it’ll be a lot easier than GCSE’s where I had to do 12 subjects at once’. Believe me when I say these are not easy qualifications to get, and you will have to work hard in order to get the grades that you want. However, the best thing you can do is prepare for them early. If you’re a Year 11 student, read up on the syllabus of your chosen A levels, after finding out the exam board and the modules you will be doing. If you’re a Year 12 student, consolidate your knowledge from the first year of your A levels, as this will help you immensely in the second year.

 

2.       Work Hard

If you do the work that your teacher sets you, as well as some extra, you are putting yourself in a good position for exam season. You should complete your homework before the deadline (not 10 minutes before it’s due in) and to the best of your ability. If you are doing knowledge based subjects (such as Psychology and Sociology or a Science subject) research the topics you are learning about in your own time, this will ensure you have sufficient background knowledge of the topic and will help you in your lessons. Essay based subjects may seem hard at first, but once you have mastered the art of writing the essays within the time limit you will find them easier. The best way to master this is to practise writing essays while timing yourself.

 

3.       Organisation

I cannot stress enough how key organisation is while doing A levels. As soon as you start, get yourself some folders (one for each subject) and some poly pockets, so you can keep track of all the worksheets that your teacher gives you. Every week, you should keep updating each of your folders with all the new sheets. You might want to put them in an order (chronological or an order of the modules on the syllabus) and this will assist you when trying to find a particular sheet.

 

4.       Active Processing

It has been found that If you take an active role in trying to remember something, you are more likely to remember it. After each lesson, you should take around 5 minutes to recall everything you learnt. You may also want to make mind-maps at the end of every unit, so you can summarise each section concisely and make it easier to remember. Flashcards are another brilliant way of remembering things and if you make them as soon as you learn a topic, you will find revision easier during exam season.

 

5.       Have Fun

Though A levels are difficult, it is important to have fun while doing them. If you are at a Sixth form or College, make friends with people who have similar interests to you, so that when you need to relax, away from the stress of A Levels, you are able to do so. It is incredibly important to have a social life away from A Levels, as you don’t want to be studying all of the time (this does not guarantee you good grades, it can infact make your grades suffer, and I found this out the hard way). You should consider joining a club such as sports clubs or reading clubs, so you can meet and have fun with people who have similar interests. You may also want to consider getting a part time job, as these are a great way to get your mind off A levels while making money at the same time.

 

6.       Sleep

When studying, you may find that you are tired more easily and want to sleep lots. This is your body’s way of telling you that you need to relax, and you should do exactly that. Having a long soak in the bath with a nice book to read may help you to relax. Alternatively, you may want to take a nap so you feel more refreshed. Concentration levels are seen to be reduced when you have less sleep; you should have a good night’s sleep before school, so that you can concentrate and learn in your lessons.

 

7.       Start revision early

The earlier you start revising, the better position you will be in when it comes to exams. If you start revising in January for exams in May/June, you will be able to learn all the content accurately so you don’t have to do it in the few weeks before your exam. Also if you have already made revision posters and flashcards a few months before your exams, you are saving yourself some time when it comes to actually recalling the information (during exam season), and this may help you to relax before the exams.

 

8.       Regular Breaks

When revising, take 10 minute breaks every hour. This will ensure that your brain is refreshed and is ready to take in more information. Taking a break may act as an incentive to actually do your work; you may look forward to your break, but you acknowledge that this will only happen after you do an hour of work.

 

9.       Past papers

The best way to find out what your exam will be like is to do past papers that have come up in previous years. You will find the types of questions that may be asked in your exam, as well as the topics that have previously come up. At first, just look at the past papers and make a list of the questions you would find difficult to answer. You can then ask your teacher or look at the respective mark scheme to find out how to answer it. When you feel confident enough, try doing past papers in exam conditions (in silence, with no notes and time it) and then get your teacher to mark it for you. You will then find areas that you are weaker on, and you will be able to revise them more in your revision time. Also, every past paper is released with an examiners report. This is a report on the students who sat the paper and how successful they were. These reports are written by the people who will mark your exam papers, so by reading them you will be able to find what they want to see students do on their exams, and how to be successful in getting the grades you want and deserve.

10.   Don’t Panic

When it comes to exam time, the worst thing you can do (which I did) is panic. If you have prepared well throughout the year, and put lots of time and effort in, you are very likely to get the grades you want and deserve. Before an exam take lots of deep breaths and drink lots of water in order to keep you calm. And remember, exam results are not the most important thing in life, so even if you do get bad grades, you can still achieve everything that you want in life.

One quote I would keep in mind is:

“When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”