Post 16 Study Skills (Exam Success and well- being)
Exam Success • Context • Change curve • Key dates • Uncontrollables • Sixth Form learning environment • Staff said (practical tips) • Students said • Emotional Well-being Practical Advice • Key resources • Ongoing support
Context • Pastoral preparation up to this point • Fighting ground • Why do we have January mocks, Year 13 mocks and Summer Assessments? • What do we learn from mocks and how do we use info? • What do students learn from mocks? • Study – where is it taking place, when , how? • Year 12 – how do I make sure I have a place in Year 13?
Be confident Average Intelligence High Intelligence + + Ineffective work Ineffective work technique technique Average Intelligence High Intelligence + + Effective work Effective work technique technique By being accepted on your courses, you have enough intelligence to do well in your A-levels. The grades you get will depend on your work techniques, not your intelligence.
Step 3 – Create your Revision Timetable. Now you know what you will be revising in which order, the next step is to add your topics into a Revision schedule or timetable. We would suggest with 12 weeks until the AS exams and a little longer until the A2s you should be thinking of spending at least 2 hours revising / reviewing each day, and spreading your subjects evenly throughout the week. For each Subject topic you revise, be realistic about the time you think it will take. Some areas are bigger than others and build this into your schedule. Don’t be too hard on yourself !!! You will work much better if not tired, so try not to revise past 9 pm and have some proper me time / relaxation. Revision takes much longer if you Multi – task, (or as sometimes known as Multi-Fail), you can get through the topics faster and with a better focus without those Social Network Distractions. Save them for later for when you have finished.
What went badly in mocks?
The new 2 year A Levels – how did students respond emotionally last year? • The boys tended to cope better with the back to back exams – they rose to the challenge at the end of a two year course • The girls became very fragile and self-critical. They had done the training, but didn’t cope so well with the high stakes at the end. However, results from both were excellent!
What works well • You tell us…
We’ll share these ideas back with you
Key Dates 15 th May – AS • Exams Start 23 rd May – A Level 16 th August – 11 am • Results Day – Year 12 16 th August – 9 am • Results Day – Year 13
The mostly uncontrollables • Exam Dates • Access Arrangements • Special Consideration
Sixth Form Learning environment
Staff said… • Quite simple, and I know not always possible, but trying to dedicate a space in the house for revision to happen, and setting up this space so that it is distraction free, organised and a nice place to be! • Keeping modern communication a major distraction away • Many nice students, revise by taking lots of notes. This makes it look like they have done lots of work – but haven’t actually learnt anything. Once they are presented with an exam question they struggle. • My tip – after every section of revision find as many past paper questions on that topic and to test your knowledge. • Not trying to be their BFF but being prepared to be unpopular in the short term for the long term gain • From personal experience – a walk or fresh air during the day or to divide up 2 parts of the day when revising, it helped me stay balanced! • Rewards I used to give myself were edible, something to watch or something to eat.
Keep it in perspective • Lots of people will tell you this, because it's true - exams aren't everything. Whatever happens in your exams, you can still be successful in life afterwards. • Employers don't just look at your exam scores. They're just as interested in your attitude, your transferable skills and how well you'll get on with other people. • Exam success doesn't define you as a person. There's so much more to you and your personality than how well you can tackle a highly specific exercise that is in any case almost never a perfect gauge of your ability in that subject. • Think about how far you've come already. You've already done incredibly well to get to year 13 and stopping or failing exams at this point isn't 'throwing away' your past success. • Once you've done an exam, try to forget about it. There's nothing you can do about it, and worrying won't change your mark.
Get support • Don't be put off by peers saying they're doing huge amounts of revision. • One of the key reasons we feel exam stress is from comparing ourselves to others. It's important not to forget that your exam results are just a small part of who you are. • If you can, discuss with your parents what they're expecting you to achieve. Parents with steep or unrealistic expectations will just add unnecessary pressure. It's helpful to let them know what you think you have the capacity to achieve, and to insist that the best way to get there is to have support from your parents, not pressure. • If you're feeling really worried or anxious, chat to a good friend, family member, or tutor. It helps to get it out of your system, and they may well be able to help think about practical strategies to deal with exam stress.
We might not say it but…
Students said. We like it when… • Keep a conversation going – • Remind us that we can find even when we sound like we solutions don’t want to talk. • Walk the dog, run with us, book • Help us get organised us something in…we may not (equipment?) seem grateful • Check we’re happy • Offer to test us on revision • Note key deadlines and nudge – cards, help make up memory games, plaster house with post- get us to be early it notes • Let us know when a teacher has emailed!
Students said. We don’t like it when you… • Nag (we prefer encouragement) • Remind us if our last set of results were bad • Talk about what you wish you had done in your exams/or how easy you found study • Dwell on things that haven’t gone well • ‘Joke’ about just having to get A *’s now… • Don’t try and hijack our revision schedule (if we have one) – we may not want to visit Great Aunt Edith • Help us remember that there will be life after exams! (we like it when there is something in the diary to look forward to)
Get into some good habits • Take frequent breaks. Psychologists say we can only concentrate properly for 30-45 minutes. There are lots of online services like Pomodoro that help you take regular breaks. When you're on your break, do something completely different - move away from your desk, walk about, or make some tea! • Eat well. Keep blood sugars level to avoid highs and lows of energy, by eating slow-release foods like bread, rice, pasta, fruit and veg. • Drink lots of water. People often underestimate how much hydration helps! • Think about when and where you work best. Some of us aren't morning people, and not everybody finds themselves productive in the library. There's no one best place or time to work - it's about what works for you! • Keep active. Even a short walk will do. Exercising is one of the quickest and most effective ways to de-stress. Fresh air will clear your head and perk you up. • Sleep! Try to get about 8 hours' sleep a night. If you're stressed about not being able to sleep, there are lots of ways you can overcome sleep problems. • Find activities that help you relax. Maybe it's a hot bath, watching a TV show, or a creative activity. Schedule this down-time into your timetable.
Avoid bad habits • Don't set yourself ridiculous goals. Nobody can revise 10 topics in a day! Avoid setting the day up to be a disappointment. • Don't cut out all the enjoyment from your life. It's tempting to decide you'll just knuckle down to work and "focus", but this is counterproductive - it's impossible to focus without giving your brain rest by doing other activities. • Avoid stimulants. Caffeine, alcohol and drugs impede your energy and concentration in the long term. It'll also make it more difficult to get that much-needed sleep.
Scribble technique • Scribble technique • Note taking technique: 1. Open book 2. Read 1-2 sides 3. Close book 4. Scribble down all you remember 5. Open the book and see what you forgot read next 2 slides and repeat • Will help ensure that you learn the material you are reading.
Firefly – may be even better than published revision guides…
Exam board websites Past Paper: Test your knowledge by answering the past paper questions Mark Scheme – check your own answers. It might be that you have understood the content however have not written your response in a way to achieve full marks. Examiners’ report: This document assess how student performed in the paper. It gives and insight as to why previous students did/did not do well in this paper. Learn from previous students’ mistakes.
Subject revision sessions • Use as a surgery, not a miracle cure – arrive with some work you have grappled with!
Self help guides 1. I’m not smart enough 2. My school is rubbish 3. There is not enough time All these were excuses to identify why I wasn’t doing well
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