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King's Group Academies

By Ms Stevens, Assistant Headteacher

 

It’s tough to be Year 11 and Year 13 this year.

 

For the first time since Covid, we are classified as ‘back to normal’ and so there are no considerations for the impact Covid had on the learning of our young people.  In addition to there being no apparent loss of learning, students are dealing with the pressure of this being the first time that they will enter an exam room to sit public examinations. As a result we need to consider ways that we can ensure that they have developed good study habits and feel comfortable and secure that they can do the best in the environments that they are in.  It is never too late to start revision and here are some tips and tricks to manage stress and workload at home. 

 

  1. Make a revision timetable

 Stick it up somewhere that everyone can see - this makes everyone accountable for it actually happening. Split your day into three or four chunks - don’t work more than three sessions in the day - take time for yourself to relax. Getting away from your studies is good too! 

 

Source:BBC Bitesize 


 

  1. Apps and Technology can be good! 


 

There are plenty of apps and websites that are tailored to helping GCSE, A Level and Technical students revise for their upcoming exams.  At King’s Academy Prospect we champion Seneca and Uplearn for a number of subjects - make use of these to help consolidate your learning. 

 

Here are some others you might want to use: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education 


 

  1. Find out what revision strategies work best for you

The way we remember things is personal to us.  As such, the way we revise might be different to how our friends revise and learn. 

Don’t be afraid to try out lots of different ways you can revise.  You may like to create images for your key terms, practice exam questions, write endless notes and mind maps, record yourself talking and listen back (like a podcast), discussing with friends in study groups.  The list is endless. 

 

BBC Radio 1 have created a great video to help you try to understand how to revise. 

https://youtu.be/WDKQxi0_Ogc 

 

  1. Keep eating and drinking 

Make sure that you are eating healthy, nutritious good during the exam season. Food provides you with the vitamins that you need to help keep you fit and healthy; it also gives you energy to study effectively. 

So what foods are good for you? 

  • Porridge or weetabix is good for filling you up at the beginning of the day.  

  • Eggs are a great brain food; they contain B12 which is linked to good memory. 

  • Bananas and chocolate are also great sources of energy. - dark chocolate is even better because it increases blood flow to the brain! 

Why not try some chocolate covered frozen bananas as a treat! 

 

  • Nuts are also great as a snack to help you maintain energy for longer periods of time. 

 

Try to avoid: 

too much caffeine and energy drinks - they keep you awake and you   might become dependent; leaving you feeling more tired in the long-run. 


 

  1. Get fresh air

 

It’s important that revision is still about the quality and not the quantity completed. By going outside and getting fresh air you feel refreshed and this makes you better able to focus afterward.  The #RunandRevise campaign, from England Athletics is supported by Mind mental health charity.  Mind say that doing exercise helps people deal better with stressful situations: reducing anxiety and increasing self-esteem.