Surviving Sixth Form
So the first week of starting school or college is finally over...and if you're starting college or sixth form, you're probably realizing that you may need to make some major changes in your life to accommodate yourself to the life of an A Level student. Having completed two years of A Levels and leaving with some very good results, I've compiled a list of my top tips to help you out for the next step in your education!
Tip One: Be organised. This sounds obvious, but as you get older and gain more freedom, become able to drive or drink (hopefully not at the same time...!) staying organised becomes more and more difficult. Keeping a diary is a must- this really will prevent you from forgetting anything. Dates, meetings, deadlines, anything. Have plenty of folders and dividers to keep all your work organised and have a set space in your room kept clear for storing your work and keeping it safe.
Tip Two: Start retaining information you learn right away. When writing in class, use lots of coloured pens and highlighters to help the most important bits stand out. When you get home, re-write up the important facts that you have learnt and need to remember. Keep going over the notes all of the time- if you can't find time everyday, read them whenever you can. It sounds tedious but it really will help when it comes to exams.
Tip Three: Meet deadlines. Do work on the night it is set- your social life is important, but if you fall behind on one piece of work, it is more likely to happen again and again- the further you fall behind and fail to meet deadlines, the more stressed you will become and the more difficult it will be to get back on track.
Tip Four: Whilst having money is important to nearly all teenagers, having job should not be a priority over your work and getting the best grades that you can achieve. If you manage to balance a job and school/college, that's really great! But do not let a job just cause added stress to your life for the need of money.
Tip Five: Similarly to tip four, a social life isn't the top of your list if you want to reach university with the best grades you can get for your capabilities. Having friends is important but if you can't make every single party or social gathering, it isn't the be all and end all. Doing the best work that you can do should come first. Your friends will understand if you aren't out 24/7- and if they don't, are they really your friends?
Tip Six: Tidy space, tidy mind. It sounds completely unrelated but having a clear space in your home, be it a study or a desk in your room, is so important. You work better in calm, tidy environments. If this is impossible, maybe ask a local relative or use a space at school or your local library. Peace and quiet really counts.
Tip Seven: Stay healthy. When getting stressed over school, or becoming consumed with deadlines people often become a little less healthy- they can eat too much or not at all and don't always have time to exercise as much as they can. These can lead to illnesses which then prevent you from being able to get the results you are able to. Staying healthy, eating three meals a day and regularly exercising is important!
Tip Eight: Get enough sleep. Working until 3am and then getting up again at 6:30am is no good- your brain won't function properly and you won't retain anything you think you are learning anyway! Sleep for at least 6 hours a night- but nearer to 8 is better!
There is so many things you can do to make your life easier during the next few years of your education. It may seem impossible to do them all, but it really is doable. Good luck with your studies and if you feel like everything is falling apart, get in touch- I am more than happy to help anyone!
Love from,
Florence Grace
Tip One: Be organised. This sounds obvious, but as you get older and gain more freedom, become able to drive or drink (hopefully not at the same time...!) staying organised becomes more and more difficult. Keeping a diary is a must- this really will prevent you from forgetting anything. Dates, meetings, deadlines, anything. Have plenty of folders and dividers to keep all your work organised and have a set space in your room kept clear for storing your work and keeping it safe.
Tip Two: Start retaining information you learn right away. When writing in class, use lots of coloured pens and highlighters to help the most important bits stand out. When you get home, re-write up the important facts that you have learnt and need to remember. Keep going over the notes all of the time- if you can't find time everyday, read them whenever you can. It sounds tedious but it really will help when it comes to exams.
Tip Three: Meet deadlines. Do work on the night it is set- your social life is important, but if you fall behind on one piece of work, it is more likely to happen again and again- the further you fall behind and fail to meet deadlines, the more stressed you will become and the more difficult it will be to get back on track.
Tip Four: Whilst having money is important to nearly all teenagers, having job should not be a priority over your work and getting the best grades that you can achieve. If you manage to balance a job and school/college, that's really great! But do not let a job just cause added stress to your life for the need of money.
Tip Five: Similarly to tip four, a social life isn't the top of your list if you want to reach university with the best grades you can get for your capabilities. Having friends is important but if you can't make every single party or social gathering, it isn't the be all and end all. Doing the best work that you can do should come first. Your friends will understand if you aren't out 24/7- and if they don't, are they really your friends?
Tip Six: Tidy space, tidy mind. It sounds completely unrelated but having a clear space in your home, be it a study or a desk in your room, is so important. You work better in calm, tidy environments. If this is impossible, maybe ask a local relative or use a space at school or your local library. Peace and quiet really counts.
Tip Seven: Stay healthy. When getting stressed over school, or becoming consumed with deadlines people often become a little less healthy- they can eat too much or not at all and don't always have time to exercise as much as they can. These can lead to illnesses which then prevent you from being able to get the results you are able to. Staying healthy, eating three meals a day and regularly exercising is important!
Tip Eight: Get enough sleep. Working until 3am and then getting up again at 6:30am is no good- your brain won't function properly and you won't retain anything you think you are learning anyway! Sleep for at least 6 hours a night- but nearer to 8 is better!
There is so many things you can do to make your life easier during the next few years of your education. It may seem impossible to do them all, but it really is doable. Good luck with your studies and if you feel like everything is falling apart, get in touch- I am more than happy to help anyone!
Love from,
Florence Grace
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