The Savvy Student: Surviving Sixth Form Tips

September eh? Didn't see that one coming did we. For most of us, that means starting/continuing with GCSE's/ A Levels or a university degree. Now I cannot talk about starting a university degree as I am not quite there yet. However I can easily share my top tips for starting or continuing your GCSE's or A Levels so that's what I thought I'd do today! My organisational tips are applicable to everyone but I thought I'd also do some sixth form specific tips as its such a different experience to the rest of school! Enjoy...

Organisation

OMG. Folders will probably be your best friends for the next 2 years so buy good ones that you like. Forget stupid patterns that you will regret by next year, buy plain folders in bold colours. If you're doing GCSE's; not all subjects require folders but for some (e.g. history, DT and music), folders are essential.

I'd recommend lever arch folders for organising your papers at home (e.g. different topics) but using an A4 Ring Binder to carry the useful papers into school everyday. Mostly because Ring Binders are more spacious but might weigh you down.

It's really useful to buy plastic wallets to go into your folders before school even starts. I know from experience that trying to organise months worth of loose paper is a lot more trouble than taking the time to put your paper into a plastic wallet at the end of each lesson. This will also help you later when it comes to revising as your paper will be neat, easy to read and pre-organised chronologically.

Pre-order any books you will be reading before you need them. Before you start shouting that this post is way too late, you will only be studying one book at a time and probably not all at the start so there's no need to panic if you haven't got them yet. But once you have ordered them it's useful because when the time comes you will have it to hand and won't miss out on the first lesson of notes. But make sure you check with your teacher which copy you'll be using; it's so useful to have the same one as your page numbers will correspond everyone else's.

Buy a clear pencil case. This is a simple one. You're gonna need a pencil case for your mock/real exams, you might as well get it now whilst the school supplies are everywhere.

If your school doesn't provide you with a planner, I'd definitely recommend getting your own. Personally, my school supplies a weekly planner and I don't know what I'd do without it. You'll need somewhere to write down your homework, course work deadlines and extra curricular stuff e.g job shifts.

For the next 1/2 years, you're going to be learning topics that should show up in your final exams (unless it's Edexcel physics ey!) If you're anything like the rest of us, you'll leave your revision till the 2 months before your exams. However that doesn't mean you can't help yourself out a bit. Try buying a pack of flash cards and every now and again in lessons, make one on the subject you're covering at the time. By the time revision starts, you will already have a pack of flash cards pre made.

Sixth Form

Can you guess what subject I was doing some 'further reading' on??

Make the most of your time- especially free periods. Study, do group projects, research universities or do some further reading. I know chatting is very tempting (and don't just sit in silence) but make sure you get on with something even while your sat with your friends.

Talking about reading, do it! If you're looking to go to a top university, you will have had to of read around the subject you want to do and be able to talk about what you've read.. Look online and in the library

Talk to your teachers/ tutors. We all pay loads of money for extra tutoring but normally if you ask a teacher (and they have time), they're more than happy to help you outside of lessons if you're struggling. Take advantage of the fact you've got a near expert that will answer any questions you've got to the best of their ability. Also talk to your tutors loads when it comes to universities. If you're aiming for a top (or any university), they will be happy to help and support you with the process. It's great to get them involved as well they will be happy to write you a glowing review.

Get a part time job. You will probably need a bit more cash for clothes, travel and books so it's a good idea to get yourself a part time job. (I'll be writing a blog post on first jobs soon!) They also look great on your personal statement as it shows you're taking responsibility.

Get as much information about the future as you can. Whether it's an apprenticeships, full time work or university, there's so many ways to get information on our futures, we're almost spoiled for choice. So make the most of it! Your main resource is probably the wide world web as you can find out about almost anything. Apprenticeships opportunities, university degrees and open days, work experience...

Set a goal. If you have a goal that you're driven towards, it will be a lot easier to stay focus and motivated on your work. This is important as the work will be so much harder, having a goal kind of reminds you why you're still going.

They're all my tips for now, I hope some of those help if you're starting or continuing through GCSE's / A levels. I'm probably going to be doing a bigger post of tips for sixth form tips but hopefully they're alright to get you into the swing of things!

Good luck with whatever you're working on everyone! Remember work hard but have fun!

See you next time,

Laura Stone x

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