#gcsestudybr

[noodle-studies]

Things to do before the Easter holidays

•Check you haven't left anything at school (in your locker sixth form area etc.) •Check with your teachers what Easter homework they've set- it will most likely be revision but it's good to get it out the way • Know your exam dates and how it's structured- if you have any that it is. You need to know this so you know what needs the most priority • Ask for extra material from your teachers to do during Easter- past papers etc. • If it's an essay subject ask for a few essay questions that you can do and give to your teacher for marking when you come back- two weeks is a long time • Check your stationary- Seems random but if you find that you have no paper it will kind of waste your time.This applies to essential stationary! • Have a plan- What needs to be covered? Can you work well at home and if not do you know where your nearest library is? In how much detail do you need to cover it? Good luck!

[noodle-studies]

THE MOST IMPORTANT PAST PAPER HINT

Never do all the past papers; keep the newest past paper ( the 2016) paper and the even the 2015 ones if you want until the week before your ACTUAL EXAM. These papers will be the closest representation of the real thing; so you should complete them only when you've covered everything. Unless you have to complete them in class or for a mock you will want to save these!

[noodle-studies]

Things I would tell GCSE me

• I know you'll avoid revising the topics you find hard but you need to anyway • Sleep > night before exam worries • Talking to people before exams freaks you out • You think meditation is silly but you end up doing it. A lot. •Past papers are everything. • Go to the toilet before every exam- you definitely couldn't hold the whole of the English language exam! • Some teachers pretend to care about you so you get the grade- that's okay • The invigilators aren't evil • Don't look around the exam hall during the exam - it's a waste of time • People who boast how much revision they have done are lying 98% of the time - you don't need to compare yourself to other people. •Moving school for sixth form was a good decision •Your grades will reflect your effort- it was good news don't worry!

[noodle-studies]

How do you get full marks in an essay or test at a level? 1) sophistication: A sophisticated writing style is crucial to achieving full marks in essays or written exams. It's not something you learn but rather something you develop as you get more confident with your subject but once you have it you are unquestionably chilling in the top grade band. 2) Passion: It goes without saying that if you are doing an a level you should probably be interested in it but passion is what encourages you to better yourself. You don't have to enjoy every single aspect of the subject but it's good to have a few topics that you can research or want to discuss in length. ( Something that will probably help when applying for uní too!) 3. Write/ think at a higher caliber than required: This relays back to the sophistication point. If you are an A level student attempt to adopt a more liberal university style of writing. For example my friend who takes A level history writes her essays to an undergraduate level and hasn't gotten less than an A from September. This may seem pointless and unnecessary and I do agree that if you just want to get the grade then maybe it isn't worth the effort of doing this but if you truly want full marks, speaking from my own experience with English lit essays this is how you do it. If you want me to explain this point further be sure to let me know :) 4. Wider reading. Contrary to the stereotypical belief there is actually more to your subject than what is on your course. Delving into to this and being able to compare the information that your course requires you to know to and things you learn yourself is crucial. 5. Be meticulous. This applies more for science and maths but can apply to essay subjects too. That step you don't have to take to get the correct answer or that small point that you don't need to know but is still relevant? Learn it. 6. Be authoritative. If you look at any academic material in regards to your subject no one is asking you for your opinion- they are telling you theirs. A big problem with gcse and a level students ( which I did admittedly have at gcse) is that we are doubtful of our own ability. You can do it! If you write like you mean business, the examiner will read it that way and your work will exude confidence. If you want any subject specific advice be sure to let me know.

[noodle-studies]

The thing about studyblr is...

Recently one of my friends told me how she loved studyblrs but when I asked her why she doesn't start her own her response was because she didn't believe her notes were good enough. For some reason people seem to believe that your work has to attain a certain standard to be posted which I completely disagree with. I know how nice it is to have bright, colour coded notes this is not always feasible, particularly during exam time! Personally, I am more motivated by studyblrs that post consistently irrespective of what your notes look like. Therefore, if you believe that your notes aren't good enough or your afraid of being judged for what you are trying to work for then don't be because everyone's end goal is different, just like everyone's notes should be ☺️

[noodle-studies]

So it's results day

We are currently three days away from a level results day and 10 away from gcse results day so this seemed appropriate. 1.Avoid all forms of social media Fear is contagious and reading tweets or watching snapchat stories about how nervous other people are will make you stress, it will only take one "results day tommorow😭" and you can say goodbye to all forms of sleep. So avoid it, like the plague 2. Grade boundaries For the love of all holiness don't check the grade boundaries before you get your results, it won't make you feel better at all and it doesn't really matter until you know your results (for remarks and stuff) so from personal experience really excersise your self control and DON'T LOOK. 3. Be optimistic but reasonable For example, if you didn't revise whatsoever for any of your exams it's highly unlikely your going to come out with all A*'s, so If you didn't put the work in and you aren't very happy you haven't failed, you've learnt which is invaluable. 4. Do a mindless task This could be ironing,gardening or for me cleaning my room.Its boring but it will definitely distract you so get washing those dishes! 5. Results day videos Hold off on watching these until after you have got rid of all the results day emotions and your completely fine with what you achieved. 6. Opening the envelope In year 10 for me this was behind a potted plant at school. Try to find a quieter spot where you can open them in your own time without being pestered by teachers/other students who want to know how you did before you've seen them. 7. Plan things after results day You need things you can look forward to after all life is going to continue regardless of how you do so get planning! Good luck guys for the next 10 days and if anyone wants to message me about nerves/good or bad grades/whatever feel free 😉 Love, Noodle