How to prepare for year 12...

As the school year comes to a close and September is fast approaching I thought I would share my top tips for starting Year 12, whether you are going to a Sixth Form or College it doesn't matter. Hopefully there will be something here to help!

My first tip, make your revision as you go along. As when it comes to mock exams you want to spend time focussing on exam technique and how to answer questions instead of writing up notes. Having these already made makes it easier to keep on top of your revision as well as have a little more free time when you get home from school.

Secondly, use your free periods wisely. By this I don't mean constantly work in your free periods because that will never be the case, you need days to relax and have a little time to chat with your friends. I worked through the majority of my frees in year 12 and I don't regret it at all, although I didn't end up doing mocks as they were cancelled I was still much more prepared than those who spent all their time having a mess around with their mates.

Third, use your teachers for everything. You won't realise until you experience it yourself but sixth form is a very different place to secondary school, so build up positive relationships with your teachers. This will benefit you when you have to write personal statements and also whenever you are stuck with any content. Being able to approach your teachers is very important in order to be successful.

Grades, you may be a straight A student for GCSEs but that won't necessarily be the case with A Levels. I achieved As in my GCSEs but my grades at the start of my A Levels definitely didn't suggest this. A Levels are very difficult, so don't put yourself down if you're getting bad grades to begin with. Part of the course is learning how to answer the questions, mark schemes for A Levels can be incredibly tough to understand. You can write all the right things but if you miss out one key word then you wont get the marks, I've found this with Science A Levels especially.

Stay positive, take each day as it comes! Good luck with results day, I know you will all smash it :)