Self Teaching 5 A levels?
I am currently in Year 12
For my A levels I am studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths, and I would like some advice on my situation.
During revision I noticed that my method of teaching myself works extremely well for me and I am very happy with the results I obtained.
However after a while I stopped attending my lessons to 'self teach'( my teachers are not necessarily the problem for this decision i have made) , for example my plans are to complete all my AS's 3 months prior to the examination then work on past papers from then, and at the rate my class are working I don't see that happening.
How I seem to work best is to study one thing at one time, what I mean by this is, during the half term, in 1 week I only did maths and I completed the entire FP1 Module and C1,. So noticing this, I sort of built my own 'schedule' where I complete my entire AS maths, then complete all of AS physics, then complete all of AS Chemistry then Complete AS Biology and I'll still have 3 months remaining to practice.
So i proceeded with this schedule and every morning headed to the school library and every so often visit my teachers after school for help, currently I am nearly done with my C2 and will be starting S1 very soon and everything seems to be working well. But obviously my poor attendance was noticed by my head of year and form tutor, and I've been getting multiple warnings from teachers urging me attend my lessons, however I still persist that my method of learning is better.
I asked some of the highly academic year 13 students relating to this situaution and they explained that I should attend my lessons, because they will be the ones that will be writing my reference for me later on.
I'd really like some advice on this situation, and on the legitimacy of this statement that was mentioned by my physics' teacher, 'You can not get any higher then a C by self teaching' he explained that this is because of 'how science works' that you can not learn it self teaching but by actual practicals. Also do Universities check your attendance and if so does it in anyway influence the students they pick?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
For my A levels I am studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths, and I would like some advice on my situation.
During revision I noticed that my method of teaching myself works extremely well for me and I am very happy with the results I obtained.
However after a while I stopped attending my lessons to 'self teach'( my teachers are not necessarily the problem for this decision i have made) , for example my plans are to complete all my AS's 3 months prior to the examination then work on past papers from then, and at the rate my class are working I don't see that happening.
How I seem to work best is to study one thing at one time, what I mean by this is, during the half term, in 1 week I only did maths and I completed the entire FP1 Module and C1,. So noticing this, I sort of built my own 'schedule' where I complete my entire AS maths, then complete all of AS physics, then complete all of AS Chemistry then Complete AS Biology and I'll still have 3 months remaining to practice.
So i proceeded with this schedule and every morning headed to the school library and every so often visit my teachers after school for help, currently I am nearly done with my C2 and will be starting S1 very soon and everything seems to be working well. But obviously my poor attendance was noticed by my head of year and form tutor, and I've been getting multiple warnings from teachers urging me attend my lessons, however I still persist that my method of learning is better.
I asked some of the highly academic year 13 students relating to this situaution and they explained that I should attend my lessons, because they will be the ones that will be writing my reference for me later on.
I'd really like some advice on this situation, and on the legitimacy of this statement that was mentioned by my physics' teacher, 'You can not get any higher then a C by self teaching' he explained that this is because of 'how science works' that you can not learn it self teaching but by actual practicals. Also do Universities check your attendance and if so does it in anyway influence the students they pick?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
your physics teacher is a moron and makes me cringe - while he's right that you need to do practicals (this is what science is, not just reiterating theories) - you can do these yourself, set them up yourself to demonstrate Newton's laws etc (there's plenty of information online) how the bloody hell does he think Newton did physics? By attending his university lectures?
Clearly you need to complete any practical or coursework elements of the sciences to obtain any sort of AS grade at all, and if that means going to your lessons then you might just have to attend. if your time management is good enough then you can go to lessons and basically self-teach in your spare time - your knowledge will be much more sound. I understand what you're saying about self-teaching being more effective for you, but there is significant merit to taking the standard path through education as well, whether you like it or not.
I wholeheartedly disagree with your physics teacher about the reasons why you should attend, but completing your assessed practicals etc will be very tough without in-class prep.
I wholeheartedly disagree with your physics teacher about the reasons why you should attend, but completing your assessed practicals etc will be very tough without in-class prep.
(edited 10 years ago)
Try to attend your lessons and since you're ahead you could see them as a revision session almost....
(edited 10 years ago)
I heard the whole 'if you only use a revision guide you'll only get a C' thing lots but I had to self teach some of my modules and did well. Although you should go to lessons, a uni will only know about your attendance if it's written in your reference though. My college said that if we don't mention that you have high attendance they'll figure you never turned up blah blah but grades are much more important.
Still, go to your lessons, at least use it as time to socialise
.
Still, go to your lessons, at least use it as time to socialise
.
I would recommend maybe going in one day a week to see what the teachers have been teaching. Sit in on your lessons but maybe get on with your own stuff at the back of the classroom? I prefer self-teaching too but sometimes the guidance of a teacher can be beneficial. For example, you said you haven't started stats yet. I'm taking maths and further maths too, and i think i'm coping very well core maths and mechanics wise. Stats on the other hand is a bit of a mind ****, i would definitely not be able to teach it to myself. Also, out of curiosity, why are you learning FP1 now? Surely it would make sense to do C1, 2, 3 and 4 before starting FP1. They all build off each other. You'd probably find it easier that way. And to answer your question, your teachers can't speak negatively of you in your references so they can't write 'his attendance was poor' however, if they don't mention attendance then it's something the university might look into themselves (that's what i was told my chem teacher when i asked if i could teach myself). I'd say that if your grades were brilliant, then your not attending lessons would be justifiable. You could say you preferred to self teach. But, you'd probably have to be part of clubs or have a really high music grade in some instrument to prove to them you don't have commitment issues. When you want something you stick to it. Hope everything goes well! xx
I wouldn't agree with your physics teacher with the C remark - you can get a very good mark by self-teaching (depending on how well you do so). In fact, in terms of preparing for exams, self-teaching may even be a favourable option. But, exams aren't everything. And I am sceptical as to whether self-teaching would prepare you better in terms of general education in the subject. For example, practicals are not necessary to do well in the exam but will help you understand the subject better outside the exam syllabus.
Original post by Gibber96
Clearly you need to complete any practical or coursework elements of the sciences to obtain any sort of AS grade at all, and if that means going to your lessons then you might just have to attend. if your time management is good enough then you can go to lessons and basically self-teach in your spare time - your knowledge will be much more sound. I understand what you're saying about self-teaching being more effective for you, but there is significant merit to taking the standard path through education as well, whether you like it or not.
I wholeheartedly disagree with your physics teacher about the reasons why you should attend, but completing your assessed practicals etc will be very tough without in-class prep.
I wholeheartedly disagree with your physics teacher about the reasons why you should attend, but completing your assessed practicals etc will be very tough without in-class prep.
My time is very limited, If i were to attend my lessons I would not be able to self teach as planned in addition, i still need to find a health-related volunteering placement and on top of that I hope to self teach Additional* further maths.
The only way possible for this to happen is to 'self teach' I concluded, I could be very wrong however.
What is the significant merit /advantage of attending my lessons that I will not be able to do my self?
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Tarzipan1997
I would recommend maybe going in one day a week to see what the teachers have been teaching. Sit in on your lessons but maybe get on with your own stuff at the back of the classroom? I prefer self-teaching too but sometimes the guidance of a teacher can be beneficial. For example, you said you haven't started stats yet. I'm taking maths and further maths too, and i think i'm coping very well core maths and mechanics wise. Stats on the other hand is a bit of a mind ****, i would definitely not be able to teach it to myself. Also, out of curiosity, why are you learning FP1 now? Surely it would make sense to do C1, 2, 3 and 4 before starting FP1. They all build off each other. You'd probably find it easier that way. And to answer your question, your teachers can't speak negatively of you in your references so they can't write 'his attendance was poor' however, if they don't mention attendance then it's something the university might look into themselves (that's what i was told my chem teacher when i asked if i could teach myself). I'd say that if your grades were brilliant, then your not attending lessons would be justifiable. You could say you preferred to self teach. But, you'd probably have to be part of clubs or have a really high music grade in some instrument to prove to them you don't have commitment issues. When you want something you stick to it. Hope everything goes well! xx
I considered that possibility, unfortunately I have too many friends in my science lessons and I am distracted way too easily (this is why I spend all my time in the library), also in terms of morality would it not seem very rude to be working on another teachers lesson/assignment in front of your teacher?
Attendance is noted on UCAS/job references. Also, depending on your exam boards, I assume you have assessed practicals, which you need to attend ? You will also need to attend lessons prior to these to practice using any new equipment. For example during AS chemistry, we practiced using a burette the lesson before an assessed practical as no one had used one before. And if you're going to go up to your teachers to ask them questions at lunch/after school they'll get annoyed and tell you to attend lessons because they'll probably have explained whatever you're stuck on, in the class.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Mentally
My time is very limited, If i were to attend my lessons I would not be able to self teach as planned in addition, i still need to find a health-related volunteering placement and on top of that I hope to self teach further maths.
The only way possible for this to happen is to 'self teach' I concluded, I could be very wrong however.
What is the significant merit /advantage of attending my lessons that I will not be able to do my self?
The only way possible for this to happen is to 'self teach' I concluded, I could be very wrong however.
What is the significant merit /advantage of attending my lessons that I will not be able to do my self?
If you're limited for time then I'd say stick to what works for you, which appears to be self-teaching - so be it.
The obvious significant merit is that you will need to complete your assessed practicals to get a grade and you will need to have a positive rapport with your teachers if you want any kind of reference whatsoever. My final point is perhaps less applicable in the sciences, and I am unaware just how competent or otherwise your class is, but voicing and debating ideas is often an excellent way of gaining an understanding of tough concepts that goes beyond the perhaps more limited knowledge available from self-teaching through textbooks. I'm doing Chemistry A2 and I have learned to think "around" certain concepts much more analytically through discussion with my teacher and classmates than I could through mere textbook knowledge. That said, this would not be the case if I had a low ability class and average teachers. Only you know whether or not you could learn better in a group environment.
basically don't let your education infere with your learning, education is the most backwards thing ever.
yes, that would be very rude. I meant work on their subject, just at your pace
You need to have a conversation with school . If you continue with poor attendance they are within their rights to ask you to leave and not enter you for exams.
Original post by Mentally
I am currently in Year 12
For my A levels I am studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths, and I would like some advice on my situation.
During revision I noticed that my method of teaching myself works extremely well for me and I am very happy with the results I obtained.
However after a while I stopped attending my lessons to 'self teach'( my teachers are not necessarily the problem for this decision i have made) , for example my plans are to complete all my AS's 3 months prior to the examination then work on past papers from then, and at the rate my class are working I don't see that happening.
How I seem to work best is to study one thing at one time, what I mean by this is, during the half term, in 1 week I only did maths and I completed the entire FP1 Module and C1,. So noticing this, I sort of built my own 'schedule' where I complete my entire AS maths, then complete all of AS physics, then complete all of AS Chemistry then Complete AS Biology and I'll still have 3 months remaining to practice.
So i proceeded with this schedule and every morning headed to the school library and every so often visit my teachers after school for help, currently I am nearly done with my C2 and will be starting S1 very soon and everything seems to be working well. But obviously my poor attendance was noticed by my head of year and form tutor, and I've been getting multiple warnings from teachers urging me attend my lessons, however I still persist that my method of learning is better.
I asked some of the highly academic year 13 students relating to this situaution and they explained that I should attend my lessons, because they will be the ones that will be writing my reference for me later on.
I'd really like some advice on this situation, and on the legitimacy of this statement that was mentioned by my physics' teacher, 'You can not get any higher then a C by self teaching' he explained that this is because of 'how science works' that you can not learn it self teaching but by actual practicals. Also do Universities check your attendance and if so does it in anyway influence the students they pick?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
For my A levels I am studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths, and I would like some advice on my situation.
During revision I noticed that my method of teaching myself works extremely well for me and I am very happy with the results I obtained.
However after a while I stopped attending my lessons to 'self teach'( my teachers are not necessarily the problem for this decision i have made) , for example my plans are to complete all my AS's 3 months prior to the examination then work on past papers from then, and at the rate my class are working I don't see that happening.
How I seem to work best is to study one thing at one time, what I mean by this is, during the half term, in 1 week I only did maths and I completed the entire FP1 Module and C1,. So noticing this, I sort of built my own 'schedule' where I complete my entire AS maths, then complete all of AS physics, then complete all of AS Chemistry then Complete AS Biology and I'll still have 3 months remaining to practice.
So i proceeded with this schedule and every morning headed to the school library and every so often visit my teachers after school for help, currently I am nearly done with my C2 and will be starting S1 very soon and everything seems to be working well. But obviously my poor attendance was noticed by my head of year and form tutor, and I've been getting multiple warnings from teachers urging me attend my lessons, however I still persist that my method of learning is better.
I asked some of the highly academic year 13 students relating to this situaution and they explained that I should attend my lessons, because they will be the ones that will be writing my reference for me later on.
I'd really like some advice on this situation, and on the legitimacy of this statement that was mentioned by my physics' teacher, 'You can not get any higher then a C by self teaching' he explained that this is because of 'how science works' that you can not learn it self teaching but by actual practicals. Also do Universities check your attendance and if so does it in anyway influence the students they pick?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
I completely understand your situation! I did the same 5 A levels - 4 at sixth form and Biology at night school during Year 13 - and got into Medicine. What are you looking to do?
I self taught an entire physics module - Med Physics - as all the class wanted to do Astro and got an A - hence your teacher is talking clobbers!
What do you parents think? What were your GCSEs?
I am happy to help you as much as possible as I remember sixth form all too well!
Original post by DoctorInTraining
I completely understand your situation! I did the same 5 A levels - 4 at sixth form and Biology at night school during Year 13 - and got into Medicine. What are you looking to do?
I self taught an entire physics module - Med Physics - as all the class wanted to do Astro and got an A - hence your teacher is talking clobbers!
What do you parents think? What were your GCSEs?
I am happy to help you as much as possible as I remember sixth form all too well!
I self taught an entire physics module - Med Physics - as all the class wanted to do Astro and got an A - hence your teacher is talking clobbers!
What do you parents think? What were your GCSEs?
I am happy to help you as much as possible as I remember sixth form all too well!
My GCSE's are not very good but I got A's and A*s for the A level's I'm doing. My parents are not very much supportive to this idea and rather i'd go to my lessons. What A levels did you chose?
Original post by Mentally
My GCSE's are not very good but I got A's and A*s for the A level's I'm doing. My parents are not very much supportive to this idea and rather i'd go to my lessons. What A levels did you chose?
Attention to detail isn't your forte - the same!
How do you have A/A* for A levels if you are in year 12? You are only 3 months in!
You are taking a massive gamble - I self taught year 13 after I knew what the exams involved.
I'm not saying it definitely won't work but I question why you feel that only weeks into A levels you felt the need to self teach.
Original post by DoctorInTraining
Attention to detail isn't your forte - the same!
How do you have A/A* for A levels if you are in year 12? You are only 3 months in!
You are taking a massive gamble - I self taught year 13 after I knew what the exams involved.
I'm not saying it definitely won't work but I question why you feel that only weeks into A levels you felt the need to self teach.
How do you have A/A* for A levels if you are in year 12? You are only 3 months in!
You are taking a massive gamble - I self taught year 13 after I knew what the exams involved.
I'm not saying it definitely won't work but I question why you feel that only weeks into A levels you felt the need to self teach.
For my A Levels, the corrosponding GCSE's I achieved A/A*, for example for my chemistry GCSE i got an A, for my maths i got an A*... etc.
Thanks for the advice, but the problem has been solved now.
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