Heyya!
At the risk of sounding bitter, I have started studying for hell – err shit, I meant A-Levels. Oh Elm, cutting right to the point WOW!
For those of you who don’t know, A-Levels are exams that people in the UK take when they’re 18. They sit them after two years of study, in 3 or 4 subjects of their choice, and they’re rather… Difficult. It’s more of a focused study, and you’re encouraged to look outside what you learn in the classroom.
Because of our beautiful, faultless education system (why would you think I was being sarcastic?), they are now even more difficult. They’ve fucked up the GCSEs: when I did them they were ‘easier’, and then they made the A-Levels for my year harder. That means that the jump from GCSE to A-Level is like trying to jump from the bottom of a cliff to the top. A tall cliff.
Honestly, I could rant about how angry I am for days, but it’s better that I don’t. Deal with a bad situation, all of that; anyway, compared to other countries around the world, our education is amazing. I’m LUCKY to be able to go to school.
Still, for the next two years, I have to work. I have to work even more than I did at GCSEs, and you know how much I worked then (nearly into the ground). To prevent too many breakdowns, I’ve compiled a list of what I want to do to help myself… Cope.
Actually do homework the day it’s due
I said this at GCSE, and failed so miserably that I may as well have not said it at all. Doing homework on the set date will free me up for other things, make me less stressed (isn’t that what all of this is about?) and I can manage my workload. YAY.
Give myself an hour a day to look over what I learnt
If I do that, it’ll make 6-7 hours a week, depending on how I’m feeling. If I start now, I can get en board with everything (I’m such a nerd) and I won’t panic so much when I take my AS exams. I’ll panic, but it won’t be as bad. In that one hour per day, I’ll read my class notes, think about anything I got stuck on and do any extra work.
On that note, do extra work outside the lesson
It will ‘advance your learning!’ apparently. Yeah, that’s true, but I hate thinking about it like that because it loses it’s appeal. I love learning, but I’m not very good at unconstrained learning even though I prefer it. Me being me, I’mrubbish at common sense and thinking outside the imaginary box. I’ll read french newspapers, books, listen to french music; research key terms for psychology; read some of the classics for English and research context about the books I’m studying, and also go and totally nerd out on Stuart Britain and unified Germany. Thrilling, right?!
Make work seem exciting
Okay, as I was writing that last paragraph, I lost the will to do anything for a second. It’s so much work and I just… UGH. To stop myself from sobbing, I’ll make it something I want to learn about. Get passionate to the point of strangeness, so that I don’t trawl through endless intthnet pages whilst slowly slipping into a fog of boredom.
Blog
I’m sorry, but I’m not giving up this blog. Even if I have to cut down on reading blogs, I’ll still post and talk to new people. I will STILL keep up with blogging friends and talk to you guys; I’m not becoming a recluse and shutting myself off. There are a lot of people who, because of A-Levels, have had to stop blogging and I can’t be one of them: it might be stupid, and if my studies take a tumble I’ll take a break. Blogging’s the one thing that keeps me sane and happy sometimes, and if I took that away from myself, I don’t know how I’d cope. I’ve got roots here and I’m planning to stick by them, whilst crying at the awful pun I just made.
Actually do something to relax
This is a huge one. If I go on a walk, it’ll calm me down. I think I’ll take up exercising – rock climbing again maybe – because it will give me a break from learning and will clear my mind. Meditation doesn’t especially work for me, but there are otherways to relax, and if I don’t I’ll be in the same situation as GCSE. That is to say, I’ll work so hard that I have many crying episodes.
Do some type of volunteering or get a part-time job
Yes, I’ve already got enough going on. But Unis like that sort as thing, I can show the school I’m capable of doing things, but most of all it’s for me. I want to do something good, to help people, and also earn money if I can. I want to take control of my finances and LEARN how to be sensible, whilst doing something that will benefit other people like volunteering for charity.
It may seem as if I’m piling so, so much onto my brain, but I think this will work for me. As well as all of it, I’ll hang out with my friends, go to parties, meet internet friends if I can, laugh, and fix all the shit that I feel guilty about. I won’t let A-Levels drag me down.
People have told me that if I start working now, it’ll pay off. I’m taking their advice, mixing it with yours, and I’m just trying to live my life and be happy. I don’t want to hurt anyone by doing so.
What are you going to do to manage your life at the moment? If you’re doing GCSEs, A-Levels or ANY other exam, try not to stress too much. Do things a little at a time, and you’ll be fine.
From Elm 🙂
Just Call Me Elm or Something 
Im doing my GCSE’s and I don’t have a clue how to revise or when to start!! I have been so inconsistent but I’m so busy trying to balance my two lives – in a way xx
Hey I totally understand 🙂 For GCSE, don’t overwhelm yourself. Revise a little bit at a time, but NOT overly so. What year are yin at the moment? 🙂
Year 11, what GCSE’s did you do in Year 11?x
The core ones, plus RE which was a core, and then french, music, history and sociology 🙂 Which ones are you doing?
French PE History Re and all the core ones x
Those are some good choices 🙂 X
Oh my god I’m less than a week into a levels and I’m already ready to give up 😂 my school has really messed up how we do A-levels so we no longer sit AS exams, we do all two years of content at the end. I’m absolutely dreading it. I think with A-levels staying on to of your work is super important, before I could get away with cramming or leaving things until the day before, but I have a feeling that’s not going to be possible. In biology today our teacher told us that we are expected to do 5/6 hours of study at home for biology as well as regular lessons, I’m taking 4 A-levels… Kill me 😭 I guess being positive is something I’m going to have to work on to get through the next two years 😂
Honestly same. I feel like I have no life left, you know? I’ve only been at school for 3 days and it’s already getting to me 😦 I better read over my notes. Good luck – we’ll get through this!
Oh boy do I know 😭 but I must say my teachers are all much more chilled and lessons are less of a riot now that so many people have dropped subjects 😂 we certainly will!
YES same with me! 🙂
All I’ll say is Good luck Elm dear!
When I started my teaching job last year I had to prioritise.i couldn’t stop blogging but equally I couldn’t keep Up the pace I’d set. So I went from 2 posts a day to maybe a post every couple of days, reading blogs and answering g comments. That was my wind down time!!!
That’s a good strategy! 🙂 I might copy that haha. Thanks, Ritu!
You’ll make the right choice Elm 😊
I hope so! 🙂
😚
It’s not stupid at all! I totally think you can manage it, Elm. 🙂 And you know we’re always here for you, whether you’re posting all the time or once a month (although we would miss you)! 😉
-Amy
And I’d miss you and blogging too! You really are fab 🙂 Thank youuu!! And trust me, I want to stick at this!
Awwwwwwwwwwwww, thanks! XD I always enjoy reading your posts!
Even tho this seems hard, I know you can do this Elm! And, I think you can manage all of this! Also, I love how you’re not giving up on this blog!
It’s the one thing that helps me! 😀 Thank you, Jerrod; you’ve always been such a lovely friend. I do think I can do this – I’ll just have to deal with the stress.
That sounds overwhelming, Elm! Don’t worry you can do it — some of us are going through similar things and we’re ALWAYS there for you.
Likewise to you! 😀 Thank you!!!! I do think I can do it. I HOPE.
Damn I wish you the best! Good luck and try not to get too stressed😂❤️ -Lyss
I’ll do my very best! 🙂 Thanks so much!!
Omg good luck Elm!!! I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly. I myself have these board exams in less than a WEEK. I haven’t started revising and I’m freaking out so bad.
Also, these aren’t even the main boards. Those are in feb. And those a lot lot lot lot harder.
I’m gonna die.
I hope you don’t and do the very very best!! 💁💕
I’m sure you’re going to do fantastically! Don’t stress too much 🙂 and most of all, don’t panic, because that makes everything fly out of the window. Good luck! XX
Well, that seems like a great plan! Might have to steal some of those ideas for myself… Good Luck, I’m sure you’ll do great.
-Dani
I really horc I will! 🙂 Thank you!!!
A levels are flipping difficult (I’ve just finished my first year) but they can also be fun occasionally☺ The freedom and independence that comes with then is great!x
They REALLY sound it!!! I’m looking forward to the freedom honestly; that’s why I’m feeling more positive.
Elm all the very best. I know how stressful examinations can get. I have my mid-terms in 2 weeks so I am freaking out rn. Also I love your plan.
Thanks so much – I’m glad you do!! Good luck for the midterms; I’m sure you’ll do great! SO glad you like it xx
Hey, we’re kind of on the same boat!
I’m also starting AS Level right now, although I think I live very far from where you are, Elm. I think I’ve read this on one of your posts but I couldn’t find it again – what subjects are you taking?
Good luck with them! Whereabouts do you live? 😀 (Because you said you lived a way away OH NO I sound like a stalker!)
And I’m taking English Lit, History, Psychology and French. How about you?
I live in Vietnam, and because A Levels isn’t very common here I don’t get to do certain subjects (Eng Lit!!!). I’m doing History, Sociology, Math and Economics.
Also good luck to you too! I love how you plan to manage your year by the way, and I definitely find it helpful for me anyway haha!
OOOHHHH that’s awesome!!! 🙂 It’s a shame you don’t do English Lit! 😦 What do people do instead of A-Levels?
Well, in the Vietnamese system you finish years 11 and 12 and then do graduation exams, and that’s what most people do. Only international schools have A Levels, and some of them offer IB.
Ooooh I get it now – thanks for explaining!
Good luck! 🙂
Thanks so much – and to you too!
😄
I find psychology so hard to revise for! I can’t remember any of the studies names and the experiments. How do you revise them and how often? I’m taking GCSE psychology which is apparently the same as A-level.
I’ve created a glossary page for the words and experiments, and a researchers one for the psychologists 🙂 And then I walk around my house talking about them. It seems ridiculous, but it works for me!
Thank you! I’ll make sure to try it out 🙂
Wow this post is awesome!! I wish you the bets of lucks!!! XD
I’m supper glad you wanna keep on blogging (obviously), learning on your own, working… Nothing you could have said in this post would’ve sounded better!!! And also, doing stuff to relax often is the best thing you can do!! It really helps a lot, I’ve always said walking is great!!!!!
Again, I love this post!! XD
YES YOU’RE SO RIGHT, AS EVER!!!!!! 🙂 Thank z yoouuuu! Your advice is faaaab
Thank you!!!! XD XD And no problem!!! I’m glad you liked my advice!!!! XD XD
I always say to myself, yes, I’m going to revise every day, but it never happens. However, once or twice a week is substantially more effective, so if like me, all your plans fail, then don’t be like me and completely forget to work. I’m not sure if this comment is structured properly, going through a tough time at school myself, lol.
I understand that 🙂 My attitude’s slipped a bit recently which is annoying, but ahh well! We can get through this!
Omg good luck!!! I’m studying for the ACT this year, which I think is probably the closest the US comes to your exams. I’m 5 weeks into school and ready to crawl in a hole for a while. And 5 of my classes are online which is absolutely nightmarish! But my rant aside, we’ve totally got this!!! I’m sure all the torture will pay off in the end! 😫😄
YEEESSSS IT WILLL!!!! Good luck for the ACT! 🙂 You will do fab) And oooohhh how do the online classes work?
Well… They are interesting for lack of a better/nicer word. They don’t work that great with any screen-reader I’ve tried, and nobody seems to want to do anything about it! Basically the assignments are questions with checkboxes for the choices or textfields for you to type something, which I thought would be perfect, but they’re really weird! And the video chat thing they use to meet with teachers live is completely inaccessible, so I can’t use the built in chat box or unmute myself so they can hear me. I’ll spare you the rest of my rant because I could go on forever…. 😄
Ugh, that’s rubbish! 😦 Like that’s REALLY bad
I’ve just started to study my Highers, the equivalent of A-levels except we get one year to study them
Unlike Nat 5’s, the exams I did in May, you actually need to study for Highers a whole lot and I’m kind of shitting it 😦 Good luck in your A-levels!
And good luck in your Highers; you’ll do great! I can’t BELIEVE you only get a year!
I know!
Good luck Elm! These tips were so useful, I’ll keep them in mind. 🙂
Good good – I’m glad! Thank you so much 🙂 I hope they help you!
I admire your effort, don’t give up! 🌞
I’ll do my very best not to – thanks so much! 🙂
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