Countdown Rule: Count down from 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and on 1 force yourself to work. And no, you can’t stretch the countdown forever.
3 Minute Rule: Start working on the Thing for three minutes, which is barely the amount of time it takes to brush your teeth, and if by the end of it you still HATE YOUR LIFE then see what’s wrong. The hardest part is getting started- if you’re still struggling once you start, your problem isn’t procrastination.
The Absolutely Nothing Technique (TANT): if you’re scrolling on YouTube or whatever and procrastinating, stop and stare at the ceiling. Do absolutely nothing. Don’t pick up your phone, don’t sleep, don’t do anything but stare. Eventually you’ll realize how stupid this is and how you might as well work. verb: tanting ;)
Clean Your Room: similar to the previous one and very self-explanatory. Clean your room- if you don’t like doing it, eventually you’ll realize you’d rather just sit down and work. You’ll get a bit of your space clean as well!
Let me know if you want other posts similar to this! Like how to stay focused during studying or study motivation tips or apps for study help.
If I can only stress one piece of advice, it's: DO YOUR NOTES AT THE END OF A TOPIC! I didn't do that for the first term of the year (despite half my teachers advising me to), and it took me ages to catch up on everything. So incorporate it into your revision, and whether you type them, handwrite them, or anything else, just do them!
If you're starting the GCSE course this year and want to chat about it, my inbox is always open and you can send me a message if you want! <3
Transcript under the cut!
Slide 1:
For all the new year 10s!
Top tips for starting the GCSE course, staying on top of things, and staying happy in this crazy time!
Slide 2: Basics
All the easy things you can do to help future you!
Everyday:
If you don't understand something from your lesson - ask your teacher!
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Look over your notes for lessons (my teachers were always fans of surprise quizzes and you want to be prepared)
At the end of a unit:
Make flashcards (you can use them at end of year exams and actual GCSEs)
Make ALL your notes for that unit - never leave some of them for 'later'!
Practice, practice, practice - your teachers can give you practice questions, and there are loads online
End of year exams:
Make checklists of everything the exam is on, and check each topic off when you understand it.
Make a revision timetable, and be honest with how much you can humanly do.
Stay calm, and chat with your friends - they're also probably feeling nervous!
Slide 3: Staying Organised
Write down your assignments!
Half the time, the reason I was rushing to complete a piece of homework was because I hadn't written down the assignment details properly. If your school gives you a planner, use it! Write down the assignment, date due, and the details of what you actually have to do.
Have designated folders/books/binders for each subject.
For me, I wasn't going to go out and buy ten different ringbinders, so I have one for sciences, one for English, French, and Drama - you get the point. Just make it so you know where all your notes go.
Empty your bag!
This might sound unnecessary, but clean out your bag! By the end of the week, I have pens, sheets, and forms I need to fill, in all cluttering up the bottom of my bag, and it makes it so easy for things to get lost. So clean it out!
Slide 4: Apps + Websites I've used
Adapt - Makes a revision timetable and reminds you topics to look over each day!
Voice Recorder - I record myself speaking in French so that I can listen back and improve my accent.
Quizlet - I think most people know about this one - flashcards galore!
Physics and Maths Tutor - Literally a lifesaver. Notes, practice questions, flashcards, exam questions - and for so many subjects!
Save My Exams - Practice questions and notes! You have to pay for some of them, but I only use the free resources and they're great!
Slide 5: Final Tips (Almost There!)
Remember, this is the first time you've studied in this capacity - you might not have done certain subjects before, and there are certainly a lot of new things to get used to, so it's okay to take some time to adjust.
Bearing that in mind, it's really not as bad as you think it'll be, and there's no need to be too nervous! Just work hard, and try and enjoy what you're learning - you may be working towards the exams, but you can still take an interest in what you're studying!
i got an anatomy colouring book for christmas and it’s really helpful as a med student! definitely helps me learn things without zoning out at least. i’ll admit that sometimes i don’t have the attention span for some of the more complex pages but otherwise it’s been really helpful for me.
I had put this book on hold to work on some projects but I’ve come back to it! It’s too hot to curl up with a blanket so I’ve been reading on my desk and enjoying iced tea and the occasional cookie.
