Y11 Advice Session
Rebecca Musgrave
Created on August 10, 2024
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Transcript
Advice session
START
Year eleven
Meet the hosts
Introductions
Harry
- Goiong into Year 13 in September, studying A-Level Sociology, History and Law.
- Favourite subject at GCSE was Sociology and Law at A-Level.
- Passed all GCSEs.
Maggie
- Going into year 13 in september studing Further maths, maths and chemsitry (all a-level).
- Favourite subject was history during GCSE and chemistry during A-level
- Was unfortunately not able to be here today
Rebecca
- Going into year 12 from September to study A level English, History, Psychology, and Classical Civillisations
- Favourite subject is English Literature
Exams in year 11
Don't focus too much on your grades. Focus on the opportunity to improve.
Mocks
Mocks will help you to understand what your actual exams will be like. Schools usually do 1-3 sets of mocks prior to your exam. The mocks will give you an indication where you are at the moment. Doing the papers and should be a guide to how you can improve for the future. You should treat your mocks seriously, although your priority should always be the actual exam. In addition to this do not let mocks discourage you or make you think you will do badly. They are just another test to see where you are at. In that sense, take them seriously but always keep in mind they are not your actual exams and you still have lots of time to improve.
- Make sure to look after your mental health. Don't burn out or sacrifice your mental wellbeing. You will do better in the right mindset, and exams aren't everything.
- Pace yourself. The build up to and length of exam season is a long time, so always take breaks and time for yourself.
- Finish coursework early in the year. Don't be left with any close to exams.
For your exams, you will need:
- At least two pens (black ink and ballpoint only)
- Two pencils
- A ruler
- A calculator (not allowed in some papers)
- A rubber
- Highlighters (Not mandatory but would reccomend)
- A sharpener
- A clear pencil case
- A clear water bottle (Not mandatory but would reccomend)
GCSE Exam season
Advice
When?
- Exam season starts in early May
- Finishes in July
- Lasts 5-6 weeks
- You will get one week off during exams (half term)
Equipment
Your lessons
Firstly, you will start to finish the content for subjects. In your lessons, your teachers will start going through revision with you. When you finish the content for each subject will vary but it's usually some time between the end of the first term and the end of the second term.
Teachers and your peers will start to talk more about revision, and how they are revising for their exams.The important thing is to never compare yourself to others. Year 11 will be a different experience for anyone, and no matter how much revision you have done in the past or what your grades have been like, you always have the opportunity to progress.
Focus on yourself. Not everybody else.
Don't rely on revision in class. It can be very useful, but, teachers choose what they want to go over, and you may not cover what you need personally. They may also not revise it in a method that works well for you.
What will be different to year 10?
Note-taking methods
-Colour code things, definitions, important points etc. - It doesn't need to be 'pretty' as long as it is clear-Add small drawings to associate with the word/topic/event etc etc.-Do not copy what you see word for word, reword it and/or summerise it that way you are more likely to remember it.-Some note-taking methods: ~Cornell's method ~Linear ~Mind mapping-Always remember your notes are for you! That means if your notes are effective for you thats all that matters.
Revision: Techniques and tips
Take breaks within your revision time, even if they are short ones. It will help you retain information and be more efficient.
Plan, but be flexible. Planning ahead is useful to ensure all revision is finished on time, but your life and plans will always change, so something too rigid will be imposssible to stick to.
Try lots of different revision techniques early in the year so you know what works best for you before exams approach.
Keep up with your hobbies. They are a perfect break from exams and give you a cl ear head.
Do little and often. A consistent 2 hours per day is better than cramming in lots of hours right at the end. You can also start with very little revision at the start of the year and slowly increase it over the first term if you aren't used to revising.
Managing your revision
The forgetting curve
Over time, we forget information we have learnt, as our brain believes it is unimportant. This is represented by the forgetting curve. Each time we go over something, we remember it for longer. The first time we may only remember it for a day, then multiple days, then weeks etc. This is why it is best to frequently revisit topics using spaced repition. Spaced repitition is revising topics at set intervals using your preferred studying techniques. An example of intervals you could use is you revise it the first time, then again three days later, then again a week later, then again 2 weeks later, then a month later.
Active vs passive revision
Revision is either active or passive. Passive revision is when you review information without actively engaging with it, including things such as reading notes or copying out notes word for word. This is ineffective as your brain does not take in information.Active revision forces your brain to think about it and understand topics. Not all active revision techniques work for everyone, however so it is important to find the ones that work best for you early on, long before GCSE exams so you know what helps you to remember things. Active techniques ofteb take longer but you have to go over things less because you remember far more. On the following slides, there are various active revision methods you can try out!
Symbols are used to represent different components of a circuit.
Series circuits are connected in one loop. Parallel circuits have branches with components on them.
Parallel and series circuits
Blurting
Blurting is a technique in which you set a timer and in that time you write down everything you can remember about that topic. You can do this as normal notes, bullets, mindmaps, add images, or whatever else helps you understand and remember the information.Then, you check your notes and write in another colour everything you forgot about that topic. There is a very simple example on the right with things remembered in black and things forgotten in green. This technique forces your brain to think about the topic and highlights the areas that need the most work. To make this even more effective, you can:
- Close your notes again. After you blurt and check your notes, hide your notes again and add anything else you now know. You will still need to add anything else you forgot the second time (ideally in another different colour).
- Make recall questions on things you forgot and quiz yourself, so that you remember them in the long term.
Flashcards
Flashcards are another useful active recall technique. You use the information on a topic you want to learn and come up with as many questions as you can. These can be made on paper or on a computer. Things you can put on flashcards vary. One idea is to put a key word on one side and the definition on another. You could put a true or false question, a question and answer, fill in the gap in a sentence, or a practice exam question.Not only is answering the flashcards very helpful but it highlights what you struggle and makes you think of information in front of you in different ways when making the flashcards. When answering them, if you really are stuck on a flashcard, make a guess! Just checking the answer without even trying is not as effective, because in a real exam, you should always at least guess, and you may be correct!Study these flashcards using spaced repetition. For example, after you get it right the first time, you don't do it again for three days, then if you get it right again, you don't do the card again for a week, then every two weeks. if you get it wrong, you reset and do the card again in three days. This ensures the knowledge stays in your memory.
Condensing is when you simplify notes or an article you find online in a way that is easy for you to understand. Often, notes you have taken in class or information in textbooks can be long and overcomplicated, which is why you simplify them. Take the main points and write it in your own words. Then when you next need the information, it will be in a format which is easier for you to understand. If you can't explain a topic in your own words, it is definitely something you should revisit. However, this technique should not be the only thing you use, as it doesn't help your brain to apply the information you have learnt. It only aids future revision and makes it easier to understand. This method can be used when creating revision resources such as posters, mind maps, and flow diagrams, or even for general note-taking.
Condensed: Characteristics controlled by a single pair of genes are inherited through 'monohybrid inheritance.'
Original: Monohybrid inheritance is the inheritance of particular characteristics controlled by one pair of genes only, such as fur in animals. This applies to a very limited number of characteristics.
Condensing
Original vs Condensed
Teaching
An excellent way to recall information is to teach it. With no notes in front of you, imagine you are teaching someone (who has never heard of this before) all about your topic in a simple way. Anything you missed or did not explain very well is something you should revise again, because this shows you either did not remember it or you do not fully understand it. This technique is useful because it tests both your memory and understanding of topics, both of which are essential for your exams.
- Online, you can search up a topic name followed by exam questions to find specific exam questions about one topic
- Another useful suggestion is to find out what different sentence starters mean in exam questions
- In exams, words such as describe and explain, although they sound similar, actually are looking for very different answers so this might be a good thing to look into
- This is useful because it demonstrates how to write exam answers and tests knowledge
Best examples, why they work and how to do
practice questions
Past papers
- Online you will find many past papers for GCSE's and end of year papers
- Use the time limit on the paper
- Mark it and see what you missed
- Learn from your mistakes
- Effective because it gives you an idea of what questions will come up and how to answer them
- It also shows you your weakest areas
Knowledge based questions online
- Find questions which are about topics you struggle with or havent done in a while
- Your school might have hegarty, century or another educational platform with such questions online which often come with videos to explain
- If you don't have a platform with your school, there are tests on BBC bitesize
- This refreshes your memory with the knowledge so that you can accurately answer exam questions
Exam questions
The night before the exam
If you have revised but are wondering how to make the most of the night before your exam, here is what to do to make sure you are prepared:
- Practice questions/ past papers- identify any last weak points and test your exam technique.
- Use your preferred active revision techniques.
- Revise concepts you find difficult. This is where you are currently dropping the most marks, so it is also where you can gain the most marks by revising.
- Past paper.
- Include breaks and rest. Don't enter the room tired or sleep deprived.
- Don't read notes over as this is a waste of time so close to the test.
- Find a way to wind-down that works for you.
- Don't stress! You remember more when you are relaxed. Take a few deep breaths.
- Take it one task at a time
- Focus on things you find the hardest
- Use practice questions and other active techniques
- Make a study schedule- organise your time into manageable chunks to keep you on track
- Take breaks- don't go more than an hour without any breaks or you will be exhausted and burnt out during your exam
- Focus on core concepts
Effective cramming
Cramming is when you have a matter of a few days or a few hours left to revise before your exams but you have done no work. Cramming is never reccommended but it is better than nothing at all so if you have to cram, this is how to do it effectively:
Revision: Managing your time
Find the root cause. There is a difference between being 'lazy' and procrastinating. Procrastination is based on fear. For example, it could be a fear of failure or low self esteem. By identifying this fear and where it came from, you can start to manage it.
Your revision space. The setting you revise in is important for revising. A tidy desk is preferable, away from noise or distractions. If your space is cluttered, so is your mind. You could also put on revision music. Nothing with lyrics but there are some great ones on youtube.
Rewards. Every time you revise, tell yourself that if you do a set amount of revision in a day or in a week, you will give yourself a set reward. Then when it comes to studying, focus on the reward you promised yourself.
One step at a time. It can seem overwhelming to revise, with a lot of tasks ahead of you. Start by simply grabbing a pen or getting a drink. Set a goal to get a specific task done. Then complete that one task. By splitting it into individual tasks, it makes it seem less daunting.
Changing your mindset. This is key. Studying doesn't need to be stressful. Allow yourself to relax when studying and work at a pace that works for you. It's like long distance running. You need to pace yourself. Don't overwork yourself or you will dread studying. Over time, studying will seem less difficult.
Procrastination
A lot of people struggle with getting started on their revision session. Procrastination stops us from reaching our full potential, and everyone will experience it at some point.. However, there are many ways to recover from this and get started. The ones on this screen are only a few, and they will not all work for everyone. Find out what works for you. If you are really stuck, think of the reason you want to study and let that motivate you to work for what you want.
The two minute rule
Still struggling to get started? Procrastinating? The two minute rule allows you to always get as much work done as possible, while making sure if you are too tired, you know to take a break.
Simply tell yourself you are only going to revise for 2 minutes. That will make it easy to start as 2 minutes isnt long at all. Set a 2 minute timer and study. At the end of it, if you feel like you can't do any more and are too tired, relax. You are too exhausted to learn anything anyway. But if not, keep going. Set another timer and keep on studying.
Pomodoro technique
The pomodoro technique is a useful way of studying which is scientifically proven to make your sessions more productive. It gives you time to relax as well as sessions of hard work. However, please note that this does not work well for everyone, but it worth trying.
This can be used in two different ways. You can either study for 25 minutes and have a 5 minute break or you can study for 50 minutes with a 10 minute break. Overall, 25 minutes studying with a 5 minute break is more effective, especially for longer periods of studying, but some people find 50 minutes and a 10 minute break easier. Repeat this as many times as you need. If you do this for a prolonged time, take a longer break every 2-3 hours.
Resources
Paper resources
- Textbooks. They contain all of the information for your topic but they are often convoluted and can be further simplefied. They will be provided for you, or you should be able to find a copy in your school's library.- Revision guides. This contain practice questions and condensed versions of the content, so would be highly reccomended. Good brands include CGP and Collins. You are likely to have to pay for these, but you may be able to get them through your school from their previous pupils, from the school library for free or secondhand for a reduced price.-Any resources you make for yourself. Make them highly condensed. They don't need to be pretty, but do need to be easy to understand. You could make paper flashcards, mindmaps, flow diagrams, time lines and more. Experiment with this and see what works best.Do not throw away any useful paper resources, and make sure they are organised so you can easily find them again.
Online resources
Here are some websites that have, or where you can make, onlines resources:- PMT have notes and practice questions for a variety of subjects .- First class maths/ Corbett maths have maths resources, including videos, practice questions, and more.- Quizlet has lots of flashcards you can use for free, or you can make your own.- Study Smarter has study sets for different subjects, or you can make your own. These contain notes, flashcards, and files on that topic. - BB resources channel.- Save My Exams has notes and practice exam questions on various topics. Whilst you can access some content for free, some is paid.
Is there anything else you want to know?
Questions
Thank you for coming!