Diary of a Vet Hopeful: My journey through AS
Hello, my name is VittoriaAnna, and this is my Grow Your Grades blog. I will be posting regularly with updates on any tests I do, revision resources I make and tips I have to share, as well as anything else I feel may be relevant.
I am currently studying AS Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Psychology and I am aiming for AAAA. I am aiming to be a vet, so securing good grades both this year and next is very important for me.
Here is a brief summary of where I am currently:
Maths: Working at a B+
I feel that maths is going well in terms of the learning, and I am happy with the grade I am currently working at. As long as I spend time doing lots of past papers and going over everything, I think I can achieve my target.
Biology: Working at a C+
Biology is the subject that I am finding hardest. For me it was the subject with the biggest jump from GCSE, so I am going to make it on of my main focuses. I am managing with the majority of the content, it is just linking my knowledge to the wording in the questions that I need to work on. As a result, I will be doing lots of past paper questions during my revision.
Chemistry: Working at a B+
Chemistry is my favourite subject and I feel I can understand the content well. However, of all the topics, I am particularly struggling with organic chemistry. This is the topic that has brought my current grade down,so I will be focusing on this in my revision.
Psychology: Working at A+
This is the subject I am doing best in, and feel I can reach my target grade if I continue working and revising. As there is a new specification for this year, there are few past papers, so I will have to ensure I know all of the content inside out so I am prepared for any question I may get.
Targets:
I am currently studying AS Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Psychology and I am aiming for AAAA. I am aiming to be a vet, so securing good grades both this year and next is very important for me.
Here is a brief summary of where I am currently:
Maths: Working at a B+
I feel that maths is going well in terms of the learning, and I am happy with the grade I am currently working at. As long as I spend time doing lots of past papers and going over everything, I think I can achieve my target.
Biology: Working at a C+
Biology is the subject that I am finding hardest. For me it was the subject with the biggest jump from GCSE, so I am going to make it on of my main focuses. I am managing with the majority of the content, it is just linking my knowledge to the wording in the questions that I need to work on. As a result, I will be doing lots of past paper questions during my revision.
Chemistry: Working at a B+
Chemistry is my favourite subject and I feel I can understand the content well. However, of all the topics, I am particularly struggling with organic chemistry. This is the topic that has brought my current grade down,so I will be focusing on this in my revision.
Psychology: Working at A+
This is the subject I am doing best in, and feel I can reach my target grade if I continue working and revising. As there is a new specification for this year, there are few past papers, so I will have to ensure I know all of the content inside out so I am prepared for any question I may get.
Targets:
•
Make a study timetable and stick to it (as far as possible)
•
Make organised notes for each topic
•
Make flashcards for every subject
•
Do as many past papers as possible
•
Stay organised and STAY MOTIVATED
•
Achieve AAAA!!
Scroll to see replies
Good luck! TSR have a study planner here if you want to have a look at that 
Mock Results-
I've been super busy with school work the past couple of weeks, so will post an update of everything I've been up to. But first, I thought I would start with mock results and how I am currently working compared to my targets...
AS Mock Results (Bio, Chem, Maths, Psych.):
C+ (highest in year 12), D+ (highest in year 12), U+, B
Current Grades (average of all tests, mocks etc):
C+, B+, A-, A
Target Grades:
AAAA
Mock Reflection:
So as you can see, my mocks weren't as good as expected. I was happy with my psychology result, however, I feel that I could have got an A if I included just a bit more detail. This is understandable though as it is the first psychology paper I have ever done, and I now know what level of detail is required in my answers.
My maths mock did not go well. I knew the skills and had revised, but the wording of some of the questions tripped me up, as I was unsure what it was asking. I also made quite a few silly mistakes. On the positive side, I did pick up lots of method marks, even if I could not complete the question, which proves it is always best to attempt every question if possible, as you may get marks for your working out.
My chemistry mock was extremely difficult, however, it appears the whole year struggled. Not a single person finished the paper, which shows that it was not just me that found it hard. I wouldn't normally be happy with the grade I got, but as it was the highest in the year I am pretty pleased. I think it was a lack of understanding on some of the organic chemistry that let me down, as well as a lack of time.
I was happy with my biology grade as it was again the highest, and was better than expected as I have been struggling with biology the most. When looking back at the paper, I lost most marks from either a lack of knowledge of certain facts, and from silly mistakes (eg, thiamine not thymine!!)
Targets:
For maths I am going to complete as many past papers as I can, and go through any questions with my teacher that I get stuck on. I am also going to do the same with my other subjects, although there are no papers for psychology as it is a new specification.
I am also going to make thorough notes for each subject, as well as flash cards. I need to focus on cells in biology, and organic chemistry the most.
Posted from TSR Mobile
I've been super busy with school work the past couple of weeks, so will post an update of everything I've been up to. But first, I thought I would start with mock results and how I am currently working compared to my targets...
AS Mock Results (Bio, Chem, Maths, Psych.):
C+ (highest in year 12), D+ (highest in year 12), U+, B
Current Grades (average of all tests, mocks etc):
C+, B+, A-, A
Target Grades:
AAAA
Mock Reflection:
So as you can see, my mocks weren't as good as expected. I was happy with my psychology result, however, I feel that I could have got an A if I included just a bit more detail. This is understandable though as it is the first psychology paper I have ever done, and I now know what level of detail is required in my answers.
My maths mock did not go well. I knew the skills and had revised, but the wording of some of the questions tripped me up, as I was unsure what it was asking. I also made quite a few silly mistakes. On the positive side, I did pick up lots of method marks, even if I could not complete the question, which proves it is always best to attempt every question if possible, as you may get marks for your working out.
My chemistry mock was extremely difficult, however, it appears the whole year struggled. Not a single person finished the paper, which shows that it was not just me that found it hard. I wouldn't normally be happy with the grade I got, but as it was the highest in the year I am pretty pleased. I think it was a lack of understanding on some of the organic chemistry that let me down, as well as a lack of time.
I was happy with my biology grade as it was again the highest, and was better than expected as I have been struggling with biology the most. When looking back at the paper, I lost most marks from either a lack of knowledge of certain facts, and from silly mistakes (eg, thiamine not thymine!!)
Targets:
For maths I am going to complete as many past papers as I can, and go through any questions with my teacher that I get stuck on. I am also going to do the same with my other subjects, although there are no papers for psychology as it is a new specification.
I am also going to make thorough notes for each subject, as well as flash cards. I need to focus on cells in biology, and organic chemistry the most.
Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 8 years ago)
Update- Maths Revision:
Most of my recent revision has been C1 in preparation for the mock. I made some notes on key topics, and answered the review sections of my text book. I also completed 2 past papers for C1.
On this paper (jan 2007) I got 65/75, which is an A. I need to work on 1/x graphs most.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Most of my recent revision has been C1 in preparation for the mock. I made some notes on key topics, and answered the review sections of my text book. I also completed 2 past papers for C1.
On this paper (jan 2007) I got 65/75, which is an A. I need to work on 1/x graphs most.
Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 8 years ago)
The second paper I completed was May 2005, which I got 66/75 (A) on. Most marks were lost through silly mistakes. 
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Here are my notes that I made in preparation for the C1 maths mock. These were useful to make and will be helpful for revision.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
In addition, I also made a few notes for C2, consolidated logarithms and completed a C2 assessment, which I got an A on!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Update- Biology:
For biology I have been spending time consolidating my notes. I have heartened up my folder and made some clearer notes. I have organised them in to separate topics for revision, and I am now starting to make some more visual notes to help me remember things.
*A tip that really helps me is colour coding each subject. Red is for chemistry, blue is for maths, green is for biology and purple is for psychology. I like to have my folders, tabs and highlighting/ coloured notes match the corresponding colours, as it helps me visually separate the subjects in my head. *
Posted from TSR Mobile
For biology I have been spending time consolidating my notes. I have heartened up my folder and made some clearer notes. I have organised them in to separate topics for revision, and I am now starting to make some more visual notes to help me remember things.
*A tip that really helps me is colour coding each subject. Red is for chemistry, blue is for maths, green is for biology and purple is for psychology. I like to have my folders, tabs and highlighting/ coloured notes match the corresponding colours, as it helps me visually separate the subjects in my head. *
Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 8 years ago)
Update- Chemistry:
Again with chemistry, I have been consolidating my notes, making additional notes, and tidying up my folder. I also completed a short test on module 2.1 and got an A.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Again with chemistry, I have been consolidating my notes, making additional notes, and tidying up my folder. I also completed a short test on module 2.1 and got an A.
Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 8 years ago)
Update- Psychology:
For psychology, I have been focussing on learning the key studies, by filling in study sheets for each that has been learned in class.
Posted from TSR Mobile
For psychology, I have been focussing on learning the key studies, by filling in study sheets for each that has been learned in class.
Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by richpanda
Just so you know, most pre 2012 ish maths papers are regarded as being much easier than the current ones.
Ahh okay, thank you.. That would explain why the mock was so much harder!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by VittoriaAnna
Which board are you for chemistry btw?
Final update- 10/2/16:
I thought I would finish this huge update with a summary of all my flash cards made over the past month or two...
Posted from TSR Mobile
I thought I would finish this huge update with a summary of all my flash cards made over the past month or two...
Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by richpanda
Which board are you for chemistry btw?
OCR A
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by VittoriaAnna
Hmm was hoping you were AQA or Edexcel to share revision stuff (similar specs) but oh well
Original post by richpanda
Hmm was hoping you were AQA or Edexcel to share revision stuff (similar specs) but oh well
Ahh sorry about that hahah.. How different are the specs?
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by kdizzle97
I got a low E in my AS Maths mock but I got an A in the end by doing every past paper and doing lots of practice questions on the topics I lost marks in. Best of luck! 
Wow, congratulations! And thank you
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