Study Skills: Advice from Students and Teachers

Study Skills Advice from Last Year’s 6th Years
I know it’s been a difficult transition for you all this year but the best advice is often the simplest. Take it from BGS students who have been through the same challenges as you all…

Keep the head. No matter what happens at the end of the year there will be a path open to you
Keep working consistently there’s no need to cramp just work away throughout the year
Don’t compare yourself to others. Have a well balanced life – exercise diet sleep study and socialising
Limit yourself to a time limit of your choice on subject’s and make list of the topics within you subject so you know what you have done
-Exam papers and lots of them
-Making a study timetable and sticking to it.
-Make sure when you’re not studying, you’re not even thinking about school. Let your free time be actual free time, and allow yourself to take time off.
-Making an excel spreadsheet where you can track your topics(how well you know them, how often they come up) for each subject is something I used and found really helpful.
For the LC I swore by making lists of what I needed to do and crossing them off as I did them, it sounds silly but is extremely useful! Practice as many exams questions as possible and don’t be afraid to ask teachers questions!!For the LC I swore by making lists of what I needed to do and crossing them off as I did them, it sounds silly but is extremely useful! Practice as many exams questions as possible and don’t be afraid to ask teachers questions!!
Procrastinate less, with covid it was easy to think that the study would be pointless. Try to work more consistently so that its less stressful long term. For 6th year prioritize study but make sure to keep up hobbies and make time for them each week.
Focus on yourself. Your path is your path and just because other students are not doing what you are doesn’t mean you are wrong. From my own experiences, not many people could follow my mindset, and I’ve learned that that’s ok.
Personally, as ironic as it sounds if I were to relive 6th year, I would stress less. Don’t stress over the things you can’t control, just take a breath and focus on the week ahead, not next week or next month because it does get overwhelming with deadlines, class tests, figuring out what step you want to take next, etc… Just take it bit by bit and plan out what you’re going to do each evening and then sit down and get it done as it makes everything much easier to manage instead of letting it all build up to the point where you don’t even know where to begin.

You can find lots more advice including advice on courses from last year’s 6th years.. and 10 Years of Advice can be found here from BGS students: https://bgsguidance.wordpress.com/category/advice-courses-and-careers/

Podcast Senior Students: Study Skills Advice from Students

Part 1: Adrian and Grace talk about **Getting the best out of yourself in challenging times**
**Part 1 – Study Skills**
· What subjects did you study for the LC?
· What kind of student were you?
· How did you approach your study for LC?
· What study skills worked for you?
· What would you do differently if you were in LC again?

Study Skills Advice from Denise and Sophie

Key Points
Importance of Routine, Breaks, Structure, Tasks, Targets.
Focussing on what you can control
Study Skills for different Subjects. Finding what works for you
Importance of keeping the end-goal in sight. Keep your daily routine
Do NOT compare yourself to others

Junior Students

Study Skills Mentoring #2: Great advice from Jack, Daniel and Holly.

Excellent information from our 5th years aimed towards Junior Students which includes their experiences of finding the right routine and study skills that work for you.

Study Skills Mentoring #1: Advice from TY students on how to adjust you routine and study skills for online learning

Great advice from 3 of our TY students ( Ryan, Joseph and Holly) in conversation with Mr. Kearney on how they adjusted to online learning last year. Use your bgsmail to listen to the link above. They discussed a variety of areas including the importance of:

A Routine that works for you.

Exercise

Making a Checklist to cover your priorities for the day

Communication with teachers if you are struggling

Balancing your workload