What exactly do people mean by 'Hard Work'? when it comes to getting A*s at Alevels?

I'm at the University of Southampton

I had four essay-based A levels to work for, and it was my ambition to get straight A*s. I worked unbelievably hard, and got A*s all through the year, but when it came to the exams I worried so much and worked so much that I tired myself out completely. So, in the end I only got A*AAA, which was great, but not what I wanted. So my advice would be to work hard, fully understand everything you're taught- but don't go into overdrive/ get obsessive !!

In addition to everything already said, it unfortunately also means a lot of understanding of exam technique. You can go into exams these days with brill knowledge, but if you interpret the question of the exam wrong then you'll lose the mark, simply as. I think that's quite outrageous, but there it is.

This means LOTS OF PAST PAPERS.

Boo.

EDIT: I'd also add just for clarity, A* students don't aim to just scrape an A*. They intend to fully understand every topic and be able to apply every topic logically to new scenarios. They don't dismiss a particularly hard or apparently irrelevant part of the course for any reason. They aim for 100% in every exam and also read around for further knowledge and opportunity to develop on that studied in the course. I do, at least... It's the best way of securing a damn good grade really.

I got an A* in politics without doing any extra work, and barely doing the work in class. Sometimes it just happens.

i mean everytime i posted somethings about me aiming for the top grades at alevel, most comments i get are that it takes hell of a hard wok to do so. so what do they mean hard work as in? study a lot of hours? concentrate??? what?

Hi there, I'm just doing my A levels at the moment and am hoping to study Mechanical Engineering. My highest choice (in terms of entry grades and in league tables) is Southampton but something just didn't seem right to me on the open day. Do you think if I get an offer, I should ignore that and go because of its engineering reputation rather than the actual campus?

I've got some people in my halls who are doing Mechanical Engineering. The course is supposed to be very good.

If you can put your finger on what it is that you don't like about the campus then feel free to PM me. You won't have seen the whole campus on an open day, it could be that what "wasn't right" was that you didn't see something you expected to see. And remember that there is much more to Southampton than what is on campus. Contrary to what you may believe you don't have to spend much time walking around campus, you can literally just go there for lectures/labs.

But if a place just doesn't feel right and you think you might be unhappy there then you shouldn't go there on the basis of reputation.

Hope that helps

Not a good way to advice the OP now is it?

Well it's true. I don't really like the way everyone's telling the OP that the only way to get top grades is to stress yourself into a stomach ulcer, to be honest.. Sometimes people just get them.

In addition to everything already said, it unfortunately also means a lot of understanding of exam technique. You can go into exams these days with brill knowledge, but if you interpret the question of the exam wrong then you'll lose the mark, simply as. I think that's quite outrageous, but there it is.

This means LOTS OF PAST PAPERS.

Boo.

EDIT: I'd also add just for clarity, A* students don't aim to just scrape an A*. They intend to fully understand every topic and be able to apply every topic logically to new scenarios. They don't dismiss a particularly hard or apparently irrelevant part of the course for any reason. They aim for 100% in every exam and also read around for further knowledge and opportunity to develop on that studied in the course. I do, at least... It's the best way of securing a damn good grade really.

Well it's true. I don't really like the way everyone's telling the OP that the only way to get top grades is to stress yourself into a stomach ulcer, to be honest.. Sometimes people just get them.