Brian- History & Sociology Tutor

Another busy week.

🧑‍🎓 Had a long conversation with two of my tutees this week about their UCAS applications. Both wrote excellent personal statements. I was so impressed with both students. My only input was just to make a few minor alterations.

😊 Two of my A Level Sociology students are making real progress after a shaky start. They are really starting to think like sociologists. Sometimes it just takes time to find out their preferred learning styles.

🎙️ I recorded a couple of my podcasts which have gone live now. Please take a look and listen.

🤣 Off out tonight for some comedy from Geoff Norcott.
If you want help with A Level or GCSE Sociology get in touch.

https://open.spotify.com/show/5ffefyy8po4gRB3k81MEq8

Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast Podcast · Brian Dickinson · The Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast is your go-to resource for mastering GCSE and A-Level Sociology. Hosted by Brian, an experienced tutor and examiner, this podcast is designed to make studying easier by breaking down key exam topics into short, focused episodes. Whether ...

Been another busy week.

Apart from tutoring my usual set of students I have also been helping some students with their personal statements for their UCAS applications.

Recorded another two episodes of my podcast which I will be uploading over the weekend. 🎙️

Finalised some dates for a new student who lives in Kenya who wants some help with her Sociology over the Xmas holidays. 🖥️

Had a hugely productive 90 mins with the excellent Helen Dickman. We looked at my lead magnet, how to promote my podcast more and now looking at developing my own website. 👏

Finished off the week with a walk round Horsham Carfax to get in the festive mood with a coffee and cake. 🎄

Your A Level Sociology exams don't have to be stressful.

Join me every week as we work through the topics you need to know.

We’ll also cover the skills you need to show, and the revision methods that will help it all stick.

Hit subscribe and follow along for weekly episodes!

And if you have any suggestions of what topic I should cover never,
Drop your requests in the comments 👇



https://open.spotify.com/show/5ffefyy8po4gRB3k81MEq8

Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast Podcast · Brian Dickinson · The Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast is your go-to resource for mastering GCSE and A-Level Sociology. Hosted by Brian, an experienced tutor and examiner, this podcast is designed to make studying easier by breaking down key exam topics into short, focused episodes. Whether ...

Here's what you can expect from the podcast each week:
✅ Deep dives into key exam topics
✅ Practical exam skills and techniques
✅ Effective revision strategies you can use right away
✅ Tips from someone who knows the sociology syllabus inside out
Perfect for your when you need to do a quick bit of revision on-the-go.
🎓 Subscribe now and listen to the weekly episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ffefyy8po4gRB3k81MEq8

Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast Podcast · Brian Dickinson · The Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast is your go-to resource for mastering GCSE and A-Level Sociology. Hosted by Brian, an experienced tutor and examiner, this podcast is designed to make studying easier by breaking down key exam topics into short, focused episodes. Whether ...

Struggling to remember all those sociologists and their theories?

Or perhaps you’re finding it hard to structure your exam answers?
I created my podcast to give you bite-sized, focused episodes that help you understand the content,
and master the exam skills you need to succeed. 📖

New episodes every week from Wednesday 5th November. 🎙

Click here to listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ffefyy8po4gRB3k81MEq8

Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast Podcast · Brian Dickinson · The Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast is your go-to resource for mastering GCSE and A-Level Sociology. Hosted by Brian, an experienced tutor and examiner, this podcast is designed to make studying easier by breaking down key exam topics into short, focused episodes. Whether ...

Ever wondered why Marxism keeps appearing across different sociology topics?

In Episode 1, I break down Karl Marx's ideas on class conflict and social inequality.
I’ll show you exactly how to apply this theory to education, crime, and the media in your exam answers.
We'll cover: ✨ The core concepts you need to know ✨ How Marxism helps you analyse power and wealth distribution ✨

The criticisms examiners expect you to include ✨ Practical ways to use Marxist theory across multiple exam questions

Whether you're just starting out or need to refresh your understanding before the exams, this episode will give you the confidence to tackle any Marxism question that comes your way.
Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ffefyy8po4gRB3k81MEq8

Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast Podcast · Brian Dickinson · The Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast is your go-to resource for mastering GCSE and A-Level Sociology. Hosted by Brian, an experienced tutor and examiner, this podcast is designed to make studying easier by breaking down key exam topics into short, focused episodes. Whether ...

Just finished a good week. Despite having a slight set back with my injured knee it has been a productive week.

👏 Had some excellent feedback from one of my students who told me how much she enjoys our Sociology lessons and now feels much more confident going into her mocks next week.

🧑‍🎓 I met a new A Level student today. Our first lesson went well. His mum was really pleased at how much he felt confident enough to interact with me. This was my first face to face lesson in a couple of years.

🎙️ My second podcast went live this week. So if you need any help with Sociology revision take a look and listen. I would love and appreciate any feedback.
on Spotify here https://lnkd.in/diG-nPh3

On Apple podcasts here https://lnkd.in/dMSWxxts

🖥️ Despite with miserable weather today I have enjoyed being in my garden office.

Follow along so you don't miss it!

So many parents tell me their teen ‘just doesn’t care anymore’. But what if that’s not true at all?

When Confidence Disappears Before the Exams

When teenagers lose confidence, it rarely looks like what it is.
It looks like apathy, distraction, or endless scrolling.
But often, what we’re really seeing is a quiet collapse of hope.

In Shift, that’s where we begin — not with revision timetables, but with psychology.
Confidence, in the research sense, isn’t about bravado or positive thinking. It’s built on three things: belief, evidence, and agency. The belief that “I can improve”, the evidence that “my effort matters”, and the agency to act on it.

Many teens who’ve lost motivation are actually protecting themselves from disappointment. If you don’t try, you can’t fail. That’s not laziness. It’s self-preservation.

So we rebuild from a different place.
We look for what’s still working — their natural strengths, the subjects that spark interest, the small successes they’ve stopped noticing. We help them connect effort with outcome again.
Through small, practical steps — micro-goals, reflection, noticing patterns of success — they start to experience what psychologists call self-efficacy: the confidence that comes from doing, not being told.

And once that belief returns, everything shifts.
Motivation grows. Focus strengthens. Revision becomes self-directed, not parent-driven.

If your teenager seems to have lost their spark or their faith in their own ability, Shift offers a way back — grounded in positive psychology, guided by strengths, and built around the science of hope and motivation.

To find out more, email [email protected]

Do you struggle with Sociology revision?

🎧 I'm launching a podcast designed specifically for A Level Sociology students.

Every week, we'll break down exam topics, sharpen your exam skills, and share revision strategies that actually work.

This also includes tackling tricky theory and perfecting your essay technique,

First episode is now available on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ffefyy8po4gRB3k81MEq8

Also on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sociology-exam-tutor-podcast/id1849115233?i=1000733846378

Follow along so you don't miss it!

Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast Podcast · Brian Dickinson · The Sociology Exam Tutor Podcast is your go-to resource for mastering GCSE and A-Level Sociology. Hosted by Brian, an experienced tutor and examiner, this podcast is designed to make studying easier by breaking down key exam topics into short, focused episodes. Whether ...

I have been reading a lot of posts on social media from parents who struggle to get their children to do any revision.

One thing parents can try is to still allow their child to still do their”nice stuff” but schedule it into the day for a specific time or day.

That way it can be seen as a reward for some specific timed revision.

Spending hours and hours revising is rarely sustainable.

It leads to burn out.

So my top tip is don’t revise for hours and hours. Still do the nice stuff.

Another busy week.

🦵 My knee is still painful but getting better, especially now I have a support bandage on it during the day.

🧑‍🎓 I was contacted by one of the tutoring agencies I help out to take on another A level student who is home schooled.

I have also just posted my first video on TikTok. Please take a look https://lnkd.in/dtxvDGfz and let me know what you think.

If you want any help with A Level or GCSE Sociology let have a chat.

Have a good half term next week.

What a challenging week this has been.

It started well, I helped a neighbour find a good English tutor for his son.

Had an excellent, but challenging session with Helen Dickman and her community looking at mindset and what stops us from doing what we should be doing.

I started tutoring a new A Level Sociology student who lives in Portugal.

Monday evening I aggravated an old knee injury playing walking football. So I have spent the rest of the week in pain and using crutches to get around the house.

On the bright side I had an excellent session with Helen Dickman where we discussed how to promote my tutoring and in which direction to go in. I now feel much more focused on my target audience.

Some small wins this week: One of my students told me, completely unprompted, she really enjoys her History lessons with me.
My dog Bentley kept me company on the sofa when I have been resting my painful knee.

If you need any help with Sociology or History let’s chat