Maximising the New Year: A Guide for GCSE Students

As we begin a new year, students in Year 11 probably have one thing on their mind: GCSE exams. The summer series of exams begin in May, which gives students around five months to make one final push. 

Here are some strategies that may help prepare students well for their examinations.  

Reflect:

Students may overthink their GCSEs, and in the process, forget about all the hard work and learning they have achieved. Reflecting on the good things results in a balanced approach to the exams and may narrow down what works well for a student. For example, suppose using past exam papers and mark schemes really helped pupils improve their grades for Maths, could the same strategy work for Science and English? Reflecting on what went well can help to identify effective learning strategies. 

Set Goals:

Sometimes students leave all the revision till the end. This rarely works and results in higher levels of stress. Instead, students should set goals to manage the workload and reduce anxiety. For example, a target could be to complete one past exam paper and mark it against the mark scheme for English on Friday. Then, do the same thing for Maths a week later, and again the same thing for Science the week after that. By spacing things out, it makes it a manageable goal to achieve. 

Using the SMART system may be helpful. The ‘s’ stands for specific. Goals should be specific as opposed to setting a goal such as ‘study for exams’. ‘M’ stands for measurable. For instance, setting a time limit on something allows it to be measured. ‘A’ stands for achievable. For instance, Year 11 pupils attempting to complete a past GCSE paper (also sat by previous Year 11s) is definitely achievable. ‘R’ stands for realistic. If it’s not realistic to complete a past exam paper for English, Maths and Science on the same evening, it should not be set as a target. And ‘T’ stands for time-specific. 

In the example above, the target was to complete a past English exam paper and mark it against a mark scheme (this is specific and realistic). The mark scheme allows it to be measured. And the deadline is to do one on Friday (this is time-specific). All of this is achievable, which makes this a good SMART target. 

Create a Study Schedule:

This is one of the most important things to put into place and is very undervalued by students (and sometimes parents). Students should establish a realistic study schedule. Balancing study time with breaks is crucial for maintaining focus and avoiding burnout. Consistency is key to long-term success.

Utilise Resources:

Students should use a wide range of resources, including textbooks, online platforms (including video platforms), revision guides, exercise books, past exam papers/ mark schemes and teacher guidance rather than relying on one single resource. Utilising a variety of resources enhances understanding and reinforces key concepts. Different resources also explain things from different angles, making it more likely that a pupil will come across an explanation that resonates with them.

Healthy Lifestyle Habits:

We'd advise parents to emphasise the connection between a healthy lifestyle and academic performance. Adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise contribute to improved concentration and overall well-being.

Join Study Groups:

Parents could suggest joining or forming study groups to their children. Collaborative learning allows students to share insights, clarify doubts, and gain different perspectives on challenging topics. Equally importantly, it creates a type of accountability where students are responsible to each other for turning up to the study session and motivating each other. 

Practice Past Papers:

Oftentimes, the difference between exceptional student performance and good student performance in an exam is how students express the knowledge they already know effectively in an exam. Realistically, this can only be achieved by doing lots of practice. Being familiar with the exam format and practising under timed conditions enhances confidence and performance. This is one of the top things students can do to maximise their chance of passing their exams. 

Effective Time Management:

Like note-taking, effective time management is a skill for life. 

Prioritising tasks, breaking them into smaller steps, and setting deadlines can prevent procrastination and reduce stress. For example, instead of continuously revising topics that a student finds easy (which can be tempting), students could prioritise revising the topic that will appear in the first exam. This is a smarter choice compared to revising topics a student may already be good at. 

Mindfulness and Stress Management:

Not many parents consider mindfulness techniques and stress management strategies. Techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation can help students maintain focus and cope with exam-related stress. I have seen how my h anxiety exam stress can bring on first-hand and have also seen how these techniques can really help to calm students. 

Conclusion:

By embracing these strategies, GCSE students can approach the New Year with a proactive mindset, laying the foundation for academic success. As they navigate the challenges ahead, a combination of effective study habits, goal-setting, and a balanced lifestyle will contribute to a fulfilling and rewarding educational journey.