GUEST POST
The transition from GCSE to Year 12 and starting Key Stage 5 is significant, to say the least! For many students, it is the first time they are expected to independently manage their workload; from homework, to self-study, to wider reading. Although this freedom is often an enjoyable change, it requires a lot of self-discipline, organisation, and effective time-management strategies.
In this article, we will discuss some key tips to help you develop strong self-study habits that will strengthen your approach to A-levels. Whether you're feeling excited, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, keep these tips in mind to help you stay focused and always remember to just try your best.
As you have probably noticed by now, A-levels are a considerable step-up from GCSEs. While GCSEs involve a lot of teacher guidance and regular homework, A-levels are designed to promote independence and self-motivation through independent learning.
Teachers will still provide guidance in lessons (and homework), but there is an expectation now that you will read around your subjects, consolidate your learning chapter by chapter, and come to lessons prepared. You must recognise this as early as possible and start giving it a go.
I realise this probably sounds like a lot of work and responsibility, and in some ways it is just that, but due to your reduced number of subjects it is definitely more of an opportunity to take ownership of your education and explore your chosen subjects more deeply.
Anecdote: one of my A-levels was History - British and Russian to be specific. We were set, on average, one essay a fortnight, plus lesson preparation, plus self-study.
Lesson preparation could vary, sometimes it was just to read ahead in the textbook, and other times it would be a few questions or a bit of research to set the lesson up. So I would do this, and then watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, and complete any extra questions in each chapter to top up my knowledge, all whilst gradually writing my essay.
This may sound like a lot, but it was only a few hours a week and it put me in a really strong position for exams. I would definitely recommend listening to podcasts and watching programs as a way to passively revise when you’re doing other things such as travelling, or if you’re too tired for active revision (such as essay questions).
When you transition to Year 12, take some time to reflect and set clear academic goals. You can do this right at the start, or after a few weeks when you have settled in, but either way it can really help with motivation.
Think about:
These overall goals will hopefully give you a more tangible idea of what you would like to accomplish to motivate yourself. I would definitely recommend further breaking these down into smaller goals and manageable tasks as well though.
For example, to continue with the History anecdote, I wanted an A, so my smaller goal was to achieve relatively consistent Bs by the end of Year 12, and to achieve that, my manageable task would be to complete chapter review questions every week, and to be active with essay feedback*.
*This meant that, say if I got a target to be more evaluative in my paragraphs, I would highlight this, and write it at the top of my next homework essay, so that I was constantly aware of it, and my teacher knew I was trying my hardest and I needed him to feedback on the target action too. This is one of many active self-study techniques you can do.
The dreaded two words, likely unspoken since the depths of GCSEs… but don’t worry!
Again, A-levels are different and a study routine is a very powerful habit to develop as it relies on consistency rather than random bursts of often-wasted energy and motivation. This helps the relationship between your short-term and long-term memory grow stronger, which is what we want!
Alternative Idea - if you are someone who struggles with the rigidity of a revision timetable or you’re going through a time where you are finding it difficult to self-motivate, try instead thinking: “Today, I am going to do at least an hour of subject A and at least finish my homework in subject B”.
This way, you have set yourself an easily reachable goal, and at the very least you will be successful in achieving it, or it may motivate you to work a bit longer which creates an even bigger sense of achievement. It’s a win/win.
You may notice that your new school timetable has a few free periods, this is because A-levels have fewer contact hours than GCSE to aid in the promotion of independence. However, despite the name, these free periods aren’t always meant to be ‘free’.
They are for you to use to review class notes, ask your teachers questions, or for your independent study. When used this way, free periods are really beneficial and can make an impact in reducing your workload when you get home.
One of the main A-level expectations is that students will ‘read around’ their subjects. This means you are going beyond what your teachers or exam boards have provided for you to explore further resources such as academic articles, research, books, and even documentaries that relate to your studies.
This wider reading and research allows you to draw from a broader knowledge base, providing a deeper understanding of your subjects which examiners love because it shows passion and agency. It is essential and here are a few ideas to get you started:
Anecdote: one of my other A-levels was English Literature which I loved and wanted to achieve an A* in. To aid my goal, my wider reading and research consisted of:
This may seem obvious, but I cannot stress the importance of the right study space enough. You need to be comfortable, with as little distraction as possible.
Consider these things:
All I mean by this is to start organising your notes at the start of Year 12 and retain that organisation throughout.
If you prefer paper notes, then invest in some good folders to store your notes in chapter by chapter, but consider waterproof wallets for the paper you take to school. The last thing you want is a downpour ruining a whole year of notes because you’ve been taking the whole folder to school (take it from me, British weather is cruel).
Alternatively, apps such as Evernote or OneNote are fantastic if you have a laptop or tablet. I still use OneNote for Uni and it has been fantastic, I can’t recommend it enough.
Similarly to when you decided your goals, remember to keep taking time to reflect throughout your A-level journey and ask yourself questions such as:
Don’t be afraid to change your study methods if you feel something isn’t working. Consider mind maps, flash cards, practice questions, or detailed notes. I would recommend trying all of them and seeing which ones you find most effective.
Remember: you don’t need to answer every essay question in full, a detailed plan can be just as effective to revise and it is far more time efficient.
Independent study doesn’t mean that there isn’t help if you need it. Please don’t be afraid to ask your teachers, family, friends, or consider online tutoring if you feel you need a bit of extra clarification or support.
Many students find A-levels to be stressful but feel they need to keep their confusion and anxiety inside which can lead to feeling overwhelmed and falling behind.
Try to be as proactive as possible, and ask questions as early and as often as you can so you don’t have any gaps in your knowledge when it comes to revision. It doesn’t hurt to have a free introduction with an online tutor on sites like Sherpa.
Once you find someone you get on with, it’s really easy to chat with someone experienced and trustworthy in a pinch and get expert help when you're stuck.
Check out the links below to contact a qualified tutor with no obligation:
Furthermore, support doesn’t just come from school, I know it's been a while since parents have been in this position but their knowledge of work-life balance, coping with stress, and balancing responsibilities will be invaluable and I really recommend telling a parent or family member about any concerns you have, and asking for help if you are struggling.
At the risk of stating the obvious (again), A-levels take dedication, but it is crucial to maintain a balance between your academic life and social and emotional well-being. Overloading yourself with study can lead to burnout, which is seriously counterproductive in the long run.
Here are some things to consider:
Starting Year 12 is exciting but challenging at the same time. Embrace the freedom whilst taking ownership of the discipline required, and you will find yourself well-prepared for the demands of A-levels and later life.
Lilli
Tutor
I tutor English, French, and History from KS1 to ALevel.
Sherpa has hundreds of qualified and experienced UK tutors who are ready to help you achieve your goals. Search through our tutors and arrange a free 20 minute introduction through our industry-leading online classroom.
Find a TutorSimilar Articles