Science Tutors - The Study Solution

3 Tips to Master Your Mocks

With mock exam season coming up, a lot of my students have asked me what the most efficient revision techniques are. Here are 3 of my most important tips in order that you can master those mocks, get the right results and make sure you are prepped

I’ve got many more tips like these for ensuring that you get the most of your mock exams, and then your actual GCSE’s later - but if you start with these you can’t go far wrong.

Charlotte

I know my students often tell me about how intimidated they feel in their classes. Surrounded by students who seem to find it all easy when they are themselves struggling.

Today I just want to remind you that it doesn't matter if you find things challenging today, because with some work and persistence, you will soon be one of those students!

All it takes is getting started and you too can become great!

Students are so lucky nowadays - we have a bounty of resources going back years and years that enables us to get to grips with exactly what to expect in our exams.

When I was at school I remember feeling out of my depth - what am I supposed to do to revise? What will the exam be like? 

Would you believe it - past papers were not available online! You had to contact the exam boards and ask them to send you them (I’m feeling about 100 years old now haha!). Regular students like myself simply didn’t do this. I remember watching the top students, the amazing ones who were applying to medical school, opening their envelopes from the exam boards and thinking ‘wow, they know what they are doing!’.

Now we are privileged to have the information that we do, available to all online.

Here are the top free resources that you need to be using - these aren’t optional anymore - use them to get the top grades you deserve.any questions that you didn’t get full marks.

Are there any other free resources that you enjoy and would recommend?

I would love to hear all about them!

                                   

3 THINGS I’D TELL YOU IF I WAS YOUR TUTOR

I have been tutoring Maths and the Sciences at GCSE and A-level full time since 2008!

I have helped 100s maybe even 1000s of students to overcome exam stress, improve their grades and to see how easy it can be when taught in a manner tailored to them!

I love my job and wanted to share these important things I tell my students every year.

If you are looking for a tutor - send me a DM and I will let you know how I can help.

Have you ever failed a test and felt like giving up?

That is what this quote is all about. The only difference between those who succeed and fail is whether or not they gave up.
Don't let a temporary defeat lead you to failure - have a vent, a few days off, and then dust yourself of and try again.

You won't regret it!

Stress. In my opinion this is the number one this that is holding you back right. So often stress is seen as a vital part of student life and something that needs to be accepted.

It is true that to a point a small amount of stress can push you a little harder and keep you going during busy times. 

However, that is not the level on stress I am talking about. If you have ever felt overwhelmed, suffocating at the workload, crying at the thought of studying or even fainting due to the pressure - this is too much.

Here are three ways stress may be affecting your studies and suggestions on what to do to reverse this

If you are feeling stressed and need some extra help and support, don’t hesitate to contact these organisations who are there to help:

* Ring HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 or the Samaritans on 116 123.
* Text YM to YoungMind's Textline on 85258.

Mindset is everything!

If you believe you are failing you will be amazed at how these negative thoughts can actually lead to self sabotage.

One of the most important things you can do is to start believing in yourself - I believe in you - I know you can master these topics and grow to love them.

Do you need any help in gaining confidence? I'm here to help - get in touch and I will let you know what services I provide to struggling students.

HOW TO USE PAST PAPERS TO GET TOP GRADES

Past papers are the most underused - or wrongly used - revision resource out there. 

I want to make this very clear - past papers are your golden ticket to a top grade.

If you do not use them, or you leave them to the last few weeks before your exams, you will be very unlikely to get a topic grade.

I know you probably think you don’t know enough yet to attempt a paper - this is no excuse - if this is true you can and SHOULD still be doing exam questions by topic through the year. 

If you follow these steps I guarantee you will improve your grade. I know that may sound bold - but that is how confident I am!

Let me know how you get on! If you have any questions - or top tips of your own - I would love to hear them!

We can learn so much from failing.

We need to stop fearing it as it can equip us to start again - but better!

Did you use a particular study technique and it didn't work? Try a new way!

If you feel like you need a little help in seeing how to turn failures into your very best opportunity - DM me and I will let you know some of the ways I can help you boost your grade.

Top 3 Websites for GCSE and IGCSE Students

I am asked all the time what website I recommend for GCSE and IGCSE revision, particularly for Maths and Science students - so I decided to put my favourites together for you to check out.

Let’s buckle up and check out what I consider 3 of the very best revision websites out there.

1. Save My Exams (www.savemyexams.co.uk) 

- Packed with great notes, exam tips and full of past papers and exam questions by topic. 

- Clearly laid out information with helpful pictures along the way

- Paid subscription option with even more support - though you will get lots of help even if you just use the free pages!

2. Physics and Maths Tutor (pmt.physicsandmathstutor.com)

- Don’t be deceived by the name! Also has Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, English, Psychology, Economics and Computer Science.

- Crammed full of really useful information - past papers, notes, flash cards, questions by topic and much more.

- Used by my students (and myself!) for years!

3. Maths Made Easy (www.mmerevise.co.uk)

- Great for Maths, Science and English this website is great.

- Practice workbooks for each topic - as well as those very important solutions.

- Presented clearly and colourfully

Do you have any favourite websites? I would love to hear them - leave a comment below!

Working hard to get the grades you want at A-level can sometimes feel like the biggest obstacle you could ever face.

When I’m finding something difficult, feeling like I can never achieve what I want, I always find I’m able to dig deep and focus on my inner belief. A belief that has been built up over time , remembering when I did overcome obstacles to what I wanted to achieve, when I did succeed in a difficult task or test. 

Building that inner self belief is key in knowing you are capable of getting what you want out of your studies.

Start  building that belief today, comment below on a time when you thought you couldn’t overcome an obstacle and you did it, and then commit that thought to memory, building the belief bit by bit 

Charlotte x

3 Things To Do This Half Term

Organise Your Notes

If you are anything like me, the term starts and you are super keen and eager. You buy lovely new folders and notebook and make sure all your work is perfectly organised in the right place…

Then reality kicks in, school gets busy an before you know it you’re just throwing everything into your bag where it all accumulates, a rather crumpled mess!

This half term is the perfect opportunity to catch up with you organising - something you will be very thankful for as exam time approaches.

Catch Up on Challenging Topics

Often we get taught things at such a pace it can feel like we are on a neverending treadmill - moving forward is the only option! However, if you find a topic or concept confusing you need to go back to it - something that can be very difficult when you are continually being taught new information in term time.

Half term provides the perfect stop button on that treadmill - allowing you to go back over those tricky topics and give them a little extra time.

You will not regret mastering these over half term!

Rest

Do not underestimate your mind and body’s need to rest. Learning is demanding of our energy and your brain needs some time out! Make sure you schedule time with friends and family so that when you get back to school you are feeling refreshed and excited to learn again.