If you’re currently in Year 11 or your final year of college, chances are the last thing you want to think about at the moment is summer exams. However, as we hurtle towards Christmas and the New Year, the reality is it won’t be that long until the temperature rises, and exams begin in May.
Whilst Christmas may be a time for relaxing, indulging and spending time with family it’s also a great time to really get ahead with your studies and set yourself on a great path for the rest of the academic year.
Here at Tutorspot we have a huge number of A Level tutors, not to mention GCSE tutors, who provide expert help and support online to their students. We’ve pulled together some information to help you make sure that you’re on top of your subject knowledge and ready to perform your absolute best when it comes to revision. Keep reading for our top tips.
Having clear cut goals dramatically increases the chances of your goals being achieved. Writing them down and pinning them somewhere you can see them daily makes things even better.
Your own goals when it comes to your academic success will depend on what you want or need to achieve. Perhaps you’re looking ahead to university and know you need to gain three Bs to receive an offer for your preferred course. Maybe you’re sitting GCSEs but already have your eye on the next few years and the route you need to take. Knowing what grades you need to secure to give yourself the best options will help you determine how much work you need to do.
Be clear on what your goals are when it comes to your results and be honest about where you are now. Think about your own knowledge as well as speaking to your teachers to determine what you may currently be predicted to receive. Knowing what the gap is between your current situation and your predicted and needed results will help you plot a path to ensure that gap is decreased.
It can be tempting to use the Christmas period as a great opportunity to plough on with some revision. However, revision only works for the information you already know, but perhaps don’t entirely remember or aren’t confident with. You cannot revise something you don’t already know – which is why it’s essential to take the time to identify any gaps in your knowledge for each subject.
You can find out all the syllabus information for each course you’re studying, specific to the examining board you’re sitting. This way you will have details of every topic that may come up in the exam. If, as you read through these bullet point lists you find that there are areas you feel clueless with, or have limited knowledge and confidence around, then it’s important you fill those gaps.
No one can be expected to know every single aspect of all the subjects they’re studying at this stage of the academic year; however, if you find that there are gaps in your knowledge six months away from exam season it may be time to consider hiring an online A Level tutor or GSCE tutor.
Working with a tutor, such as a maths tutor or a science tutor, is a great way to focus on any areas within a subject you may be struggling with. For example, you may feel confident with your biology lessons in science but are stumped by various aspects of Physics. A subject specific specialist who can offer GCSE tuition online can be a great support and our range of tutors, including science tutors, biology tutors, chemistry tutors or physics tutors, are on hand to help.
Instead of simply going over the content you need to know, they can consider whether there are any gaps in your foundational knowledge. Is there something you’re not quite grasping from earlier in your studies that is impacting your ability to really absorb this new information? The bonus of working with a private online tutor, for instance an online maths tutor or perhaps a physics and maths tutor, is that all sessions are tailored to your individual goals, needs, expectations and learning styles.
Your tutor can also help you to organise your notes and plan your revision effectively moving into the New Year. Not everyone learns the same way or finds it easy to absorb information. Some students do better from reading long form notes, whilst others swear by Post It Notes stuck around their bedrooms. Working with a tutor can help you identify the best methods for you, whilst also hearing about methods you may never have considered. Revising is an art form and a skill you need to learn for yourself, which is hard when you feel the pressures of time breathing down your neck.
If you really want to make the most of the Christmas break to enhance your subject knowledge you should consider looking at additional resources. Instead of simply relying on your school text books and class or lecture notes you should look further afield. Take a trip to the library and see what other books you can find that may be able to give you a deeper dive into a specific subject.
You can also make the most of sites such as YouTube where there are lots of videos available, often from other students who share their tips and tricks, as well as demonstrations of specific experiments or calculations.
If you’re looking for A Level online tuition, then it’s worth getting in touch with us. Use our handy search tool to find a tutor that appeals to you – remember, with online tuition location isn’t important. You really can focus on the tutor with the right subject knowledge and teaching style to meet you and your learning approach. Tutors are dedicated to helping you identify and achieve your goals and can support you throughout your revision period.
