Starting A'Levels - how to study well?

Walkingtheplank · 2023-08-28T21:14:43+00:00

DC about to start 6th Form and after GCSEs that weren't as good as he'd hoped, he wants to study smarter in 6th Form. He's not very focussed/organised and just doesn't use his time well. Does anyone have any tips on how to study smartly? What should he organise his day/week/month? Is there anything we should buy? Any tips gratefully received!

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 28/08/2023 22:30

My dd wrote all the notes up from each class from the start of the year ready for revision. Any problems she tried to understand it but if not she had a tutor who she had a few sessions with at the beginning of yr 12 to get her back on track. Aiming for an hour of study for every hour in the classroom was a good rule of thumb.

Monstermunchy · 28/08/2023 22:33

My DS2 is about to start sixth form - and DS1 is going into yr 2 of uni.

My main reflection after having one go through sixth form (post lockdown after no GCSEs and 6 months off school) is that the best approach is to start making notes and recapping on work right from day one.

Don’t just go through the motions of lessons and wait till a test happens. Check that what you’ve been taught that day makes sense, make notes from a text book to clarify areas that you might have missed in class and even read ahead what’s coming up next, if there’s time.

My eldest didn’t do this and by around November panicked after the realisation set in that A levels are hard! He’d found school quite easy till that point - sixth form was a shock to the system!

Luckily DS2 seems to have his head screwed on and knows what he needs to do. I don’t blame DS1 at all - the whole cancellation of GCSEs / 6 months off was a nightmare!

Muphryscrabsticks · 28/08/2023 22:34

I recommend using mindmaps and the pomodoro technique.

Original poster

Walkingtheplank · 28/08/2023 22:53

I use Pomodoro myself!

I have said he needs to start afresh next week and be making notes etc from the first lesson - so the work is all there for the future.

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 28/08/2023 23:04

He should have lever arch files WITH DIVIDERS to file his notes/homework/tests/independent study work in. He can take notes on a pad of paper but these must be filed every week.

He will have free periods at school. He should timetable work in them and go to the study centre so he knows exactly what he should be doing and when. He should not spend those periods chatting with his mates (so easily done!). As a pp said, one hour of study for each hour in the classroom. If he studies during the day that will give him more free time in the evening.

He shouldn't just be completing homework, he should be doing independent work on top of it to make up the hour of study per lesson, whether that is going over his notes, reading around the subject or doing practice questions.

He needs to get to bed at a reasonable time on school nights, and he should aim to get up at the same time every morning even if he doesn't have a lesson till later. Kids who don't have a sleep routine end up tired in lessons, or missing morning lessons.

curaçao · 28/08/2023 23:15

Read through whatever the next topic is, so when it us being taught you already understand it and can pay more attention to the detail

allthehops · 28/08/2023 23:51

My DS got A* in all his A levels. He wrote up his notes and made bullet point cards for key things, did past A level papers every night, and marked them against the marking scheme. He did one paper a night, alternating between his subjects. The paper would go to the bottom of the pile and be done again at a later date.

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 29/08/2023 07:12

Also if you can get the text books at home and he can read a lesson ahead then when he goes into the lesson he will be more prepared and ready to add to his understanding or have questions to ask in the class.

MrsHamlet · 29/08/2023 08:33

noblegiraffe · 28/08/2023 23:04

He should have lever arch files WITH DIVIDERS to file his notes/homework/tests/independent study work in. He can take notes on a pad of paper but these must be filed every week.

He will have free periods at school. He should timetable work in them and go to the study centre so he knows exactly what he should be doing and when. He should not spend those periods chatting with his mates (so easily done!). As a pp said, one hour of study for each hour in the classroom. If he studies during the day that will give him more free time in the evening.

He shouldn't just be completing homework, he should be doing independent work on top of it to make up the hour of study per lesson, whether that is going over his notes, reading around the subject or doing practice questions.

He needs to get to bed at a reasonable time on school nights, and he should aim to get up at the same time every morning even if he doesn't have a lesson till later. Kids who don't have a sleep routine end up tired in lessons, or missing morning lessons.

Exactly 100% this.

And if he gets stuck with homework, speak to the teacher sooner rather than later. Don't just shrug it off and hope it goes away.

ThereIsOnlyOne · 29/08/2023 17:54

If he gets a part-time job, make sure they only require him to do one day a week - not 14/16/18 hours a week (looking as your McD and Tescos). Often the lure of ££ and/or the pressure by the bosses to "do an extra shift" slowly erodes the time available to do the work outside of school.

ChilliSensation · 29/08/2023 18:23

My daughter who has just got four A stars says her advice was to work from the very start and to make sure you understand every topic as it’s taught. If you don’t understand it go back to the teacher and have them explain it that week. Again and again if needed till you ‘get it’.

She did Sciences and Further Maths so perhaps advice depends on the subject.

turtletum · 29/08/2023 18:37

I agree with all that's been said above. Make summary notes after each lesson, do practice questions from the textbook, make cue cards/mind maps. Working consistently from week 1 is absolutely the best way, but very few students do this. I also recommend taking notes in class following the Cornell note format.

MrsHamlet · 29/08/2023 19:10

Definitely also agree on the job front.

I have a very able year 12 who keeps missing my lessons because they "can't let the boss down."

Okay, but those poor exam results they got in the summer.... that's the consequence. And I'm far less likely to find an extra period to help someone who doesn't bother to turn up to lessons.

Botanicaa82 · 31/08/2023 05:09

Very useful advice. Thanks so much everyone.

Blubell46 · 31/08/2023 08:18

My dd has to take 4 A levels and then drops one at the need of year 12. She is taking maths, economics, Spanish and RE.

I really wish they could drop it at Christmas- by then they should know which subject they like more.

My ds has just finished year 13 and has done well ! From seeing him work- the key is consistency...something I think dd will struggle with . She is last minute and did well in GCSEs but I keep saying you can't apply this technique at A level. Here's hoping she listens!

Monstermunchy · 31/08/2023 11:31

Blubell46 · 31/08/2023 08:18

My dd has to take 4 A levels and then drops one at the need of year 12. She is taking maths, economics, Spanish and RE.

I really wish they could drop it at Christmas- by then they should know which subject they like more.

My ds has just finished year 13 and has done well ! From seeing him work- the key is consistency...something I think dd will struggle with . She is last minute and did well in GCSEs but I keep saying you can't apply this technique at A level. Here's hoping she listens!

It’s a shame she has to do 4 for a year.

My ds is starting 4 but can drop one as soon as he knows which he doesn’t want to continue with