Tutoring with Dr Sarah Cole

Is it terrible to say I have a love / hate feeling with this time of year?

Why?

Transitions and change, not that this is a bad thing but the emotion involved, but then that makes us human.

This was the fabulous gift I received this week from a student who's exams finished this week. To be so appreciated for what you do is a wonderful thing, especially since I love what I do. It does bring with it the danger of tears, even as I feel so very grateful.

Revising for Physics paper 1 on Tuesday?

Focussing on frequent flier topics (eg Electricity, radioactivity, energy transfers, particle model of matter and the atomic model of the atom is fine but don't forget to practice some calculation questions too.

Check you "know" you units many students drop marks for not converting data into the correct unit.

Practice rearranging equations, boring yes will it help? DEFINITELY.

Try some calculations from past papers, use these rules as a guide.

Practising will help ensure you don't loose marks and the name of the game is to get as many marks as possible 😁

The first phase of your GCSE's are done.

How to make the next phase of revision the most effective that it can be in the time you have available?

Firstly remember you will be a bit rusty when it comes to the content for these exams (having focussed on the exams and content before half term).

Test your self, find out what you don't know and then target those things when you are revising

This will improve your knowledge and marks for the exams after half term faster than anything else.

You also need to take breaks, this should be easy with the weather being as lovely as it is now. Get outside and move.

As a completely science obsessed science tutor (this was my 60th birthday present in April, yes really 😁) wishing everyone taking Chemistry today the very best of luck, you've got this.

Wishing everyone the very best of luck on their exams.

You've got this but at the risk of repeating myself read the questions carefully, and then read it again, boring but it works.

The main piece of advice I would give all exam students in any subjects is this:

READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY.

If its a longer answer question underline key words to slow yourself down a little bit and make you focus on the key information, have a think and jot down a couple of thoughts.

THEN CHECK YOU ARE STILL ANSWERING THE QUESTION ON THE PAPER!

You would be surprised how often the answer in your head isn't really answer the question you have been asked.

Finally make sure to take breaks and rest, you've got this 😊

Let's talk about the equation sheets for GCSE Maths and Physics.

My personal opinion is that the equation sheets should stay (they were made available as a result of Covid) since the application of the equations should be what is tested in an exam rather their recall.

If I think this then I should take part in the consultation as to whether or not the equations should remain available after the exams in 2027.

Job done 😊

Only loosely related to science, the cherry trees on the hill by the Abbey are looking fabulous. One of the delights of cherry blossom is that it arrives before the leaves (improves pollination chances, I can't resist 🤣) but it's fleeting. If you want to catch it this year, now is the time 😁

If you're looking for an RE tutor I can personally recommend Tutoring with Miss Beth Kisby,

I am happy to share I will be starting tutoring in Religious Education! From building confidence in your child's learning, to wanting to consolidate their knowledge, I will do everything I can to help. Being based online, I can help students anywhere, with my love for religious education and teaching. I am able to offer support in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5, and am fully DBS checked.
I have an undergraduate degree in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics from the University of Nottingham, and am a fully qualified teacher.
Please send an enquiry to [email protected], or message me on Facebook/ LinkedIn.

I look forward to helping!

This week has been spent largely supporting a number of year 11 tutees with past paper practice in preparation for the upcoming mocks.

It's not been exclusively exam focussed as I spent a happy hour using red cabbage indicator to test common household acids and alkali's. (You just need to boil the red cabbage for a bout 5 minutes, allow it to cook and then you strain it.

I did try to get hold of some Universal Indicator but as I'm not an education establishment had to settle for Universal indicator paper 😄.

So much fun, and I have to say I always thought that hand soap was alkaline, turns out it's slightly acidic so I even learnt something new, an added bonus.