Hard Work = Good Grades?

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That is amazing! Well done! How did you find the courage to carry on?
Have you got any specific tips for Biology & Chemistry?
Can you outline how you studied exactly and what you did.

Ahh I've always been the motivated type, nothing gets me down :awesome:

They can be applied to any subject, it just depends on what you're actually struggling with tbh.

I used mark schemes and past papers.. Most of my notes were formed via drawings.. and linking drawings to eachother.

So when it came to basic stuff like electron shells - I would draw the first thing that came into my head that would make me remember exactly how many electrons fit on each shell etc..

I also took it a bit further by giving each one a colour.. so D shell = yellow, p = blue, s= red etc etc

When it comes to formulas, you must know what each symbol represents why the forumla is the way it is and how can you break it if possible.

Also probably the MOST important part was trying to use these concepts OUTSIDE the classroom. - Sure for Science it can be hard, but a little imagination can go a long way..

Like when I was struggling with Kinematics and Motion in AS.. I went to the park kicked a ball in a diagonal direction towards a wall and actually watched it bounce off just to understand what Final and Initial velocity was lol - I was really stupid back when I were 17, so I didn't understand it, but the more I did little experiments like this, the better I learned.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 21

stuckinthemud2

Original post by Advanced Subsidiary

Ahh I've always been the motivated type, nothing gets me down :awesome:

That is really good, I'm happy for you that your work paid off :smile:

I find it hard to be motivated as much as I was before for my AS exams because my results were depressing to me :/
When you did past papers, how did you use them? As in did you make model answers, memorise markschemes etc. I want to maximise my potentials of getting atleast a few A's in some modules :smile:

Reply 22

Advanced Subsidiary

Original post by stuckinthemud2

That is really good, I'm happy for you that your work paid off :smile:

Memorising Markschemes is probably the worst thing anybody could do.

With past papers, I would look at each question (btw I didn't give myself a time limit until I understood the material that was to be covered and then I would time myself) and attempt to do it like you would in an exam/class room. When I get it wrong, I instinctively highlight in red which words or phrases of the question I didn't understand. Surely if I understood the question and the formula I was using I would get it right.

So after highlighting it, I would then go on the internet and delve a bit deeper into the topic or subject that im struggling with just to see if I can find it explained in a different way, no matter how small. And then attempt questions similar to that one until I was confident with that particular type of question. Then I'd re-do the question from the mark scheme and in most cases I'd get it right on the second attempt. To most people this would seem like a long winded method, but it helped me achieve what I needed :tongue:

Reply 23

FinalMH

Original post by stuckinthemud2

I was consistently getting A grades (90%+) in all assessments, mocks, papers etc. it's just when the final paper comes, I get nothing above a B even though I work incredibly hard.

As i pointed out early just because you work incredibly hard doesn't mean you will get high grades. However if you are willing to put time and effort into achieving it then you will.

I understand in June, I fell a bit because I never gave myself a break and really did burn out. By the last exam, I had no energy left and just scraped a C, one mark down and it'd be a D. That's how bad it got and in the mocks was like 80% all the time.

Okay. This is a starting point to improving your studying.

I think someone has already point out that you shouldn't be doing 5 hours of continuing study, you will learn less compare to short session of 1 hour or 45 mins with a 15 mins break in between.

I don't socialise much but I do have fun and have a laugh with my friends, I'm not isolated like that but I want the grades more than anything especially when I work so hard.

If you are motivated towards your education then sort out a revision timetable, these can work wonders if you stick to them. I'm not suggesting you have no social life but rather you focus more on studying then socializing (that is what university is for :wink:

)

Are the people who got Cs and Ds in AS Level? and they got it up to A/A*s? That's what I'm trying to do but I really want to be on the right path because I was putting the work in, it just didn't reflect in my results this year. I am however going to keep trying and perservere. No way am I giving up, I'd just really appreciate some tips or advice on how to move forward and work efficiently.

Well the first attempts at AS got them Cs & Ds but they retook them. It is possible okay to get good grades but it just needs time and effort.

My subjects are:
Biology (AQA)
Maths (Edexcel)
Chemistry (OCR A)

Thanks for replying :smile:

Above.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 24

stuckinthemud2

Original post by FinalMH

Above.

I read thoroughly through the A/A* Tips thread and some people used to make model answers for questions in Sciences, what is the best methods to maximise my chances? I'm willing to put time and effort, not a problem but just need the right guidelines

Reply 25

BeccaAnne94

Original post by stuckinthemud2

That is amazing! Well done! How did you find the courage to carry on?
Have you got any specific tips for Biology & Chemistry?
Can you outline how you studied exactly and what you did.

Although I ended up doing pretty rubbish in the Chemistry exams myself my teacher always tells us to learn the key words, otherwise we can lose out on loads of marks, unfortunately I didn't do this for my exams anyway but it makes me wonder :frown:

Reply 26

AngryCheeseCake

I also do very arts based subjects, and you can be the most amazing artist in the world who produces fantastic work, but if you don't have enough, and show progression through your work you don't get the grade.

Staying after school developing in the dark room and working in my artbook until the cleaners kick me out, working during lunch and break and during free periods, is unfortunately what produces results.

Reply 27

tobnot

If anyone's interested, I've just come across a pretty nifty software that makes really good, clear mind maps. Perfect for revision!

Check it out: http://www.thinkbuzan.com/uk/

Reply 28

...mo...

Statistics: E in practice papers to B in exam (79%)

Before I was sitting with people who were talking and messing about. I then moved to the front row. When I was near the board I felt that I worked harder.

Reply 29

Rain.

It's the learning pattern and the way you learn - but that also extends your time. Even if you are predicted a grade C there is nothing stopping you getting B's and A's. Just learning the correct thing and the correct way works.

Reply 30

koolkelv

You need a the suitable style of learning, for example I work the most efficiently by learning from past papers with mark schemes because I learn best by example, though I assure you I won't learn more from doing 7 hours of past papers and 2 hours because I just feel so ill after 2 hours that I start getting angry

Reply 31

sLip

Original post by Advanced Subsidiary

Yeah a friend gave me this book called learn more study less or something like that - it teaches you how do away with bad learning habits and learn new ones such as speed reading and teaching yourself to recollect information using webs in your head..

To put it simply...

You have constructs, models and highways. The constructs are the tightly interconnected ideas that make up a concept. Models can be visual images that you give to particular aspect you wish to learn and highways link one idea to another completely different idea in some way.. very hard to explain.. but some of the techniques did take quite a while to learn.

Got a link to this book any chance? I may be interested in purchasing it if its on avaliable online :tongue:

Reply 32

Fallen

Work hard, not long.
I revised Chemistry's second A2 module the morning before the exam and got in the high 90's (which was surprising, since previously I was a simply a solid A student, but no higher).
If you focus 100%, you can achieve a more in less time than those who spend weeks and months, revising for many hours a day.
Maybe it is just because my learning style is different, but I take the attitude that there isn't actually that much in the syllabus (I can only speak for the Sciences), so if you are taking more than a day or two to cover it then you are doing something wrong.

Reply 33

Advanced Subsidiary

Original post by sLip

Got a link to this book any chance? I may be interested in purchasing it if its on avaliable online :tongue:

https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?c=cart&i=88445&cl=11268&ejc=2

$39.00 = £25 I think.. but it's worth it. :tongue:

Reply 34

FALCONSFURY

Original post by stuckinthemud2

My subjects are:
Biology (AQA)
Maths (Edexcel)

I did these exactly

For Bio it's more of academic and intellectual ability than Hard work as "applying your Knowledge" (F ing cliche) depends on whether you can "get" the question and that varys from person to person

Maths, Yes Hard Hard work is required. The more practice you do the better you get at maths

Reply 35

stuckinthemud2

Original post by FALCONSFURY

how did u revise?

Reply 36

FALCONSFURY

Original post by stuckinthemud2

how did u revise?

Bio: I read over notes made from the book, Summery, Application, End of chapter, end of Unit, Past paper and relevant Old Specification past paper Questions. then I look for other textbooks to make sure there are no gaps in my knowledge.

Maths: Past Paper questions

Reply 37

tupac1111

I can honestly say that it is mostly down to hard work but I agree that you also need to find your correct or preferred learning style. I went from an E to an A in A level accounting and economics. What I did differently after my as year was to practice past exam papers like crazy! I guarantee you that if you do enough past exam papers you will be well capable of getting atleast a B.

Reply 38

ryanboi

Original post by stuckinthemud2

I'm not purposely starting a thread carrying on from others but I do genuinely want to know something: For those people who managed to score A's & B's from E & U in some modules, what did you do differently? Last year I worked so hard, I did past papers, memorise markschemes when appropriate, exam practice, exam content and still only got Cs in my exams. I'd really like to highlight where I went wrong last year to getting A grades this year, I'm spending the next 6/7 months fully focused and want to make the most of my A2s.

Thanks for any replies
:smile:

My subjects are:
Biology (AQA)
Maths (Edexcel)
Chemistry (OCR A)

I dont do biology so I can't tell you how to revise for that but I think it should be fairly similar to Chemistry. What I do for Chemistry is to memorise keywords for each chapters. Keywords can cause you 6-8 marks and if you memorise it, thats an easy 6-8 marks. Secondly, I do all the past papers that I could find. Then, learn from the mistakes I did whether is because of lack of understanding or because i haven't write enough to get full makes for the questions. What I then do is write out a list of common questions or trick questions. As you do all the past papers, you will find out few questions that are always repeated. Maybe not the same wording but they are asking the same thing.
To make it easier to memorise keywords, list then keywords you need to memorise according to chapter. Another advantage of doing all past papers is that you will know what words are commonly ask for definition. Then, just memorise them :smile:

Then the day before the exams, study the textbook (make sure you know everything and that you are confidence with each chapters, exam papers and all the questions that you have listed. Exam day, relax and make sure you have food before but not too much. People normally do last minute revision before going into the exam. I do this all the time (turn into a habit now) but I don't recommend you to do it as it builds up tension.

For Maths, you need to do past papers, textbooks doesnt help much. And in the exams, read the questions carefully and this goes to all subjects. Bring in highlighters ad highlight keywords. :smile:

Hope this help and good luck

Reply 39

Schoolio93

my best friend worked throughout the year and got BBCC.
My other friend didn't work at all and he ended up getting 600/600 in all five subjects, now he's doing Eco at Cambridge.