A-levels are one of the most important exams in the UK. They can determine which university you will attend, and thus can make or break your future. As a result, students experience a lot of pressure when they are close to taking, with the worry of what happens should they fail. If you are currently preparing to sit for the exams, the good news is that you can perform well without the added stress that most students face. Below is a look at some of the top tips on how to avoid do well and avoid disappointing A-levels results.
- Choose a good private school
Attending a good private school will give you a better chance at acing your A-levels exam. This is because private schools I have experienced, such as Bales College in London, offer a better chance of academic success due to their enriched opportunities. For example, you will be able to access better learning facilities and resources when attending private schools. Teachers are also more invested in the student’s academic performance.
There are also smaller-sized classes and a better teacher to student ratios, which guarantee a better learning experience. The U.K private schools also have excellent extra-curricular activities, which among other benefits, help to boost the student’s performance.
- Choose your subjects wisely
The subjects you choose for your A-levels have a huge impact on your university course options, and subsequently, your career choice. This is the reason why parents/guardians, teachers, and career advisers emphasize on taking facilitating subjects such as sciences, maths, English, history, and others. However, when choosing these and other subjects, you should be careful to choose the right subjects, which you will be able to pass.
To start with, you should first consider subjects that are in line with your career plans. You should thus talk with your advisers about which are the best facilitating subjects for your career. However, if you have no idea about what you want to follow, you should take time to consider your options. Talk with your advisors and other individuals in different career paths to see what can be good for you.
For the best chance of passing with good results, you should also choose subjects that you are good in, and which you enjoy. Never take a subject you hate or are not good at as this will only make it harder for you to pass.
- Ask for extra help from other students, teachers, and guardians
Regardless of how much you desire, not every person is naturally a genius. However, with the right attitude and effort, it is possible to pass your A-levels with flying colours. Therefore, you should not be discouraged if you find your performance is not up to par. Instead, you should seek extra help from other people who are in a position to help, for example, teachers, counsellors, and other gifted students.
Private tutoring is also another great resource that can help you prepare for A-levels. The one-on-one attention, customized learning experience, and self-paced learning can help to work wonders on you. This is especially the case if you have trouble learning in a classroom environment.
- Cultivate good study habits
How you study will have a huge impact on your A-levels results. Some people fail, not because they are not academically gifted, but due to poor study habits. Therefore, if you are looking to avoid disappointment, you should cultivate good study habits.
First, start your study sessions early enough, instead of hurrying in the last minutes to cram everything you’ve learnt. Secondly, you should also create a study plan, with emphasis on the areas of study that trouble you. You also need to choose good study areas with a conducive study environment.
Lastly, when studying, you need to organise yourself. Make sure you create your balance between your coursework, assignment, studying, extra-curricular, and social life. Don’t take too much time studying such that you have no time for academic or social life. Likewise, you should not assign too much time in your social or extra-curricular activities, such that you have no time for studying.
- Practice taking exams
In the current world, exams results are using as a measure for success. Pass your exams with flying colours and your future is bright. Fail and your future is in grim. On top of that, some people are naturally bad exam takers. These two factors combined can lead to extreme stress and anxiety during the exam, causing even the brightest student to fail exams.
To avoid the anxiety, you should practice taking exams. Talk with your teachers and tutors and schedule real-like exam sessions. Take as many tests as possible until you are no longer anxious. You should also practice some relaxation techniques to help you calm down on the exam day should you get an anxiety attack.
Failed A-levels? How to deal with disappointing results
Despite your best efforts, you might find that your results are anything but exciting. This can be a frustrating and disheartening experience. So, how do you deal with disappointment in the face of poor A-level results?
- Understand that it is not the end of the world
It might seem like the end of the road, but failing A-levels is not the end. Failure can be a good thing sometimes as it can motivate you to work hard and succeed in life. So, when you get disappointing results, don’t beat yourself up too much. Instead, go back to the drawing board and decide on a course of action. For example, you can consider going to a different university than the one you had set your eyes upon. You can also undertake some bridging course to improve your performance.
- Consider retaking your A-levels
Another good idea is to resit your A-levels exams. Several private schools, including Bales, in the UK offer customised A-level retake courses, which are designed to help individuals realize good results during retakes. For the best experience, make sure you enrol for a retake as soon as you get your results. This will give you enough time to study for the retakes, and ensure that you don’t stop too much time before going to university.
Summary
The fear of not knowing whether you will get good A-level results or not can be overwhelming. However, with the above tips, you can prepare yourself and pass with satisfaction. And in the off chance that you get disappointing results, you still have several other options, including enrolling for an A-level retake course.
