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Regrets from any year 12s?

I'm currently waiting for my GCSE results and I was wondering if any year 12s would share their experience of things they wish they did at the start of year 12 to make life 'easier'. Also just general tips and advice on how to make year 12 enjoyable because I can only imagine myself being a workaholic and not really having a balance?

I was also wondering when would be a good time to start revising and making revision materials? And using things such as past papers?
Edit: I'm taking Sociology, History and Biology
(edited 4 years ago)

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i took english lit and i wished i read the books at the start of the year, though i'm doing okay right now not having done that.
revision materials make as you go along, will save you a lot of stress. frees try to use productively but give yourself a break also- the more work you do at the beginning of the year will mean the end of the year won't be as chaotic when it comes to revising:yes:
you don't have to start revising immediately from the beginning of the year but it'd be good practice to review any material you've covered after each lesson to make sure your knowledge is consolidated. i started revising several weeks (or even months) before exams as it gave me lots of time to practice.
try to start looking for work experience early on if it's relevant for whatever you wish to study post-sixth form.
Reply 2
Thank you for the advice! Although I won't be taking English Lit I will deffo pass the message on to my friends who are :smile:
Original post by entertainmyfaith
i took english lit and i wished i read the books at the start of the year, though i'm doing okay right now not having done that.
revision materials make as you go along, will save you a lot of stress. frees try to use productively but give yourself a break also- the more work you do at the beginning of the year will mean the end of the year won't be as chaotic when it comes to revising:yes:
you don't have to start revising immediately from the beginning of the year but it'd be good practice to review any material you've covered after each lesson to make sure your knowledge is consolidated. i started revising several weeks (or even months) before exams as it gave me lots of time to practice.
try to start looking for work experience early on if it's relevant for whatever you wish to study post-sixth form.
Original post by syllie19
Thank you for the advice! Although I won't be taking English Lit I will deffo pass the message on to my friends who are :smile:


no worries!! best of luck with year 12:smile:
in biology, i wish i had asked questions whenever i didn't understand something as i let it pile up to the end of year, and it was a lot harder to remember what i didn't understand. i would also say make revision materials as you go along, i've struggled with the most effective revision method for me for years and even now and this may not apply to you but definitely make sure you know what works best - this could apply to any of your subjects. also, make sure to use your frees wisely, such as by doing homework so you have more free time at home. as more general tips, maybe there will be more opportunities like clubs for you to join, so make sure you get involved but not so much that you'll struggle to keep on top of things. good luck!
Just get on top of your revision notes straight away. As soon as you've covered something in lesson, make a revision sheet for it, and if you've got spare time at the weekend perhaps read through some of the sheets. That way, when you come to exam time, you'll feel like you know the material, and you can go straight to past papers rather than spending ages going over things you haven't studied in months.

It takes a lot of organisation, but you will be so glad that you did it.
look at the curriculum for your courses, maybe watch a few videos and try out some questions. i based my choices off of a future job i was considering, and got too far into the year to change once i realised i only liked one of my three options because i didnt research properly. if you enjoy your subjects, you have a lot more drive to put the effort in. also, start revising a few months a head of as level (or as mocks if you dont do them). so many people got way below what they've been getting through the year because as time passed they were all anxiety and zero motivation, if youre looking at uni its no good sending them predicted grades way below what they want
Reply 7
for bio keep doing bare questions. exam technique is really important
Original post by syllie19
I'm currently waiting for my GCSE results and I was wondering if any year 12s would share their experience of things they wish they did at the start of year 12 to make life 'easier'. Also just general tips and advice on how to make year 12 enjoyable because I can only imagine myself being a workaholic and not really having a balance?

I was also wondering when would be a good time to start revising and making revision materials? And using things such as past papers?
Edit: I'm taking Sociology, History and Biology
My list:
- Use your time wisely, especially during study periods, don't mess around and ignore your work and play cards. Time at school is precious because trust me it will go fast. Even if your not motivated, just try and do some reading.
- Do further reading around the subject, stuff like this is important for your Personal Statement.
- Don't go into hardcore revision from the first week, gradually build up your hours spent at home. There's no need to do 5 hrs revision on the first day of school, what would you cover? :wink:
- Build up a bank of revision resources and questions that you can access throughout the year, (like make a folder on your computer for each subject) and when it comes to revising, print off the things you need and work on them.
- When revising, cover your hardest topics first!!! If you are struggling with a specific topic, seek help from a teacher or get someone to explain it to you. Then when you are revising for your AS exams/mock exams, cover these topics first.
- Have an early look through UCAS and what courses you want to do. You don't need to full on choose your firm and insurance unis, just have a look through some prospectuses, grade requriements, etc.
Further to this point, when it comes to grade requirements, use them as a goal. If you know these are the kind of grades you need (i.e. A* A A) then think that if I need to be predicted this as a minimum, I need to put in as much effort to obtain these grades. If your school predicts one grade higher (then A B B) then use this as an indication of your projected improvement over the next year.
- Socialise!!! It's not all about studies, even though it may seem like it! Engage in volunteering activities, sport, Netflix, travelling! Life is not all academics and having your priorities set straight and using your time wisely will lead to much less stress.
- My Most Important Point: Look after yourself and your wellbeing. Y12 is a tough year, and its not like any other year - its a fast paced year and they expect you to cope with the demand quite quickly. Your knowledge in subjects will be immensely detailed. It's about time management, having targets and goals and keeping yourself well. Your mental health is so crucial and never neglect it.

Sorry that this post is so long or that it may seem quite corny/cliche but its most of what I could think of.

Let me know if you need any more advice and feel free to PM me!

But all in all, just enjoy the rest of your summer as Y11 summer is always the best no matter what. Your GCSE grades will be important but never stress too much over them. I'm sure you'll be fine as you are already concerned about your education for next year (a very good sign).
(edited 4 years ago)
I wish I applied for more things like being on the committee/prefect whatever and did more clubs because now I'm struggling to find things to put on my personal statement. And I wish I'd started researching degrees and unis much earlier, maybe not the very start of year 12 but I haven't decided now so...
study a bit at the end of every week or make notes throughout the year not 3 months prior in an absolute panic 😂 If you miss a lesson make sure to properly study any notes you borrow so you actually properly understand and ask your teacher to explain if you don’t, and deffo do your homework as soon as you get it because it piles up!
Reply 11
I understand what you mean! Thank you for the advice and I'm already planning what kind of extracurriculars I want to do at school :smile:
Original post by ephemeral02
in biology, i wish i had asked questions whenever i didn't understand something as i let it pile up to the end of year, and it was a lot harder to remember what i didn't understand. i would also say make revision materials as you go along, i've struggled with the most effective revision method for me for years and even now and this may not apply to you but definitely make sure you know what works best - this could apply to any of your subjects. also, make sure to use your frees wisely, such as by doing homework so you have more free time at home. as more general tips, maybe there will be more opportunities like clubs for you to join, so make sure you get involved but not so much that you'll struggle to keep on top of things. good luck!
Reply 12
Thank you for the advice!
Original post by xoxAngel_Kxox
Just get on top of your revision notes straight away. As soon as you've covered something in lesson, make a revision sheet for it, and if you've got spare time at the weekend perhaps read through some of the sheets. That way, when you come to exam time, you'll feel like you know the material, and you can go straight to past papers rather than spending ages going over things you haven't studied in months.

It takes a lot of organisation, but you will be so glad that you did it.
Reply 13
Yeh I know a few people who got considerably lower than what they need for uni. Thank you for the advice :smile:
Original post by smthnginventive
look at the curriculum for your courses, maybe watch a few videos and try out some questions. i based my choices off of a future job i was considering, and got too far into the year to change once i realised i only liked one of my three options because i didnt research properly. if you enjoy your subjects, you have a lot more drive to put the effort in. also, start revising a few months a head of as level (or as mocks if you dont do them). so many people got way below what they've been getting through the year because as time passed they were all anxiety and zero motivation, if youre looking at uni its no good sending them predicted grades way below what they want
Reply 14
Thank you!!
Original post by syrup!
for bio keep doing bare questions. exam technique is really important
Reply 15
Thanks for such a detailed response :smile: Will definitely contact you if I have any queries
Original post by UrbanIncentive
My list:
- Use your time wisely, especially during study periods, don't mess around and ignore your work and play cards. Time at school is precious because trust me it will go fast. Even if your not motivated, just try and do some reading.
- Do further reading around the subject, stuff like this is important for your Personal Statement.
- Don't go into hardcore revision from the first week, gradually build up your hours spent at home. There's no need to do 5 hrs revision on the first day of school, what would you cover? :wink:
- Build up a bank of revision resources and questions that you can access throughout the year, (like make a folder on your computer for each subject) and when it comes to revising, print off the things you need and work on them.
- When revising, cover your hardest topics first!!! If you are struggling with a specific topic, seek help from a teacher or get someone to explain it to you. Then when you are revising for your AS exams/mock exams, cover these topics first.
- Have an early look through UCAS and what courses you want to do. You don't need to full on choose your firm and insurance unis, just have a look through some prospectuses, grade requriements, etc.
Further to this point, when it comes to grade requirements, use them as a goal. If you know these are the kind of grades you need (i.e. A* A A) then think that if I need to be predicted this as a minimum, I need to put in as much effort to obtain these grades. If your school predicts one grade higher (then A B B) then use this as an indication of your projected improvement over the next year.
- Socialise!!! It's not all about studies, even though it may seem like it! Engage in volunteering activities, sport, Netflix, travelling! Life is not all academics and having your priorities set straight and using your time wisely will lead to much less stress.
- My Most Important Point: Look after yourself and your wellbeing. Y12 is a tough year, and its not like any other year - its a fast paced year and they expect you to cope with the demand quite quickly. Your knowledge in subjects will be immensely detailed. It's about time management, having targets and goals and keeping yourself well. Your mental health is so crucial and never neglect it.

Sorry that this post is so long or that it may seem quite corny/cliche but its most of what I could think of.

Let me know if you need any more advice and feel free to PM me!

But all in all, just enjoy the rest of your summer as Y11 summer is always the best no matter what. Your GCSE grades will be important but never stress too much over them. I'm sure you'll be fine as you are already concerned about your education for next year (a very good sign).
Reply 16
This is great advice thank youu
Original post by saf1554
I wish I applied for more things like being on the committee/prefect whatever and did more clubs because now I'm struggling to find things to put on my personal statement. And I wish I'd started researching degrees and unis much earlier, maybe not the very start of year 12 but I haven't decided now so...
Reply 17
This sounds like me at GCSE lowkey but thank you for the advice :smile:
Original post by Catrin Fay
study a bit at the end of every week or make notes throughout the year not 3 months prior in an absolute panic 😂 If you miss a lesson make sure to properly study any notes you borrow so you actually properly understand and ask your teacher to explain if you don’t, and deffo do your homework as soon as you get it because it piles up!
I have just completed year 13 and i would recommend making your notes as you go along and not last minute
it helps to refresh the content you have done. i think a study showed to do them within 48h of the lesson so that's the general rule i would follow although i would usually do it the same day.
good luck with your GCSE results and college! :smile:
Reply 19
Thank you so much! I never knew about the 48hr thing so I will try that out :smile:
Original post by Skeletonclique21
I have just completed year 13 and i would recommend making your notes as you go along and not last minute
it helps to refresh the content you have done. i think a study showed to do them within 48h of the lesson so that's the general rule i would follow although i would usually do it the same day.
good luck with your GCSE results and college! :smile:

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