Starting A levels Tips?

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

Reply 1

UtterlyUseless69

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

You may get more helpful recommendations for resources if you specify which exam boards you are with.

Of those three subjects, I only did A level chemistry (Edexcel - I sat exams in 2022 and managed an A*). I also mentored A level chemistry (I have now mentored for most exam boards - OCR B and WJEC are the only two I haven’t taught yet) during my A level years and after, so I have some advice.

In chemistry, you will have a fair bit of maths. For example, you will need to be good with plotting graphs, reading relevant information off of them and calculating gradients. Furthermore, you will have to memorise a number of equations and know how to rearrange them. My experience is that students who did not pick A level maths alongside chemistry found these areas more tricky as they didn’t have regular practice with them outside of chemistry, but this was often remedied by giving them this resource by OCR that works for all exam boards.

There is also a lot to memorise - colours of chemicals, chemicals and conditions needed for organic reactions, tests for ions and functional groups etc. As such, using active recall based revision methods are a must. These may include “blurting” onto a piece of paper, flashcards or regular practice with past exam questions.

I would also urge you to remember that you cannot possibly hope to study three A levels and come out with a strong set of grades if you do not have a healthy work-life balance. Have a routine that ensures you spend a sensible amount of time studying per day and some time to relax, eat and take care of yourself.

If you have further questions, feel free to ask away.

Reply 2

linny_street

Original post by UtterlyUseless69

You may get more helpful recommendations for resources if you specify which exam boards you are with.
Of those three subjects, I only did A level chemistry (Edexcel - I sat exams in 2022 and managed an A*). I also mentored A level chemistry (I have now mentored for most exam boards - OCR B and WJEC are the only two I haven’t taught yet) during my A level years and after, so I have some advice.
In chemistry, you will have a fair bit of maths. For example, you will need to be good with plotting graphs, reading relevant information off of them and calculating gradients. Furthermore, you will have to memorise a number of equations and know how to rearrange them. My experience is that students who did not pick A level maths alongside chemistry found these areas more tricky as they didn’t have regular practice with them outside of chemistry, but this was often remedied by giving them this resource by OCR that works for all exam boards.
There is also a lot to memorise - colours of chemicals, chemicals and conditions needed for organic reactions, tests for ions and functional groups etc. As such, using active recall based revision methods are a must. These may include “blurting” onto a piece of paper, flashcards or regular practice with past exam questions.
I would also urge you to remember that you cannot possibly hope to study three A levels and come out with a strong set of grades if you do not have a healthy work-life balance. Have a routine that ensures you spend a sensible amount of time studying per day and some time to relax, eat and take care of yourself.
If you have further questions, feel free to ask away.

Thank you very much. I’m doing AQA in chemistry and psychology but OCR in biology i think.

Reply 3

UtterlyUseless69

Original post by linny_street

Thank you very much. I’m doing AQA in chemistry and psychology but OCR in biology i think.

AQA chemistry has a lot of resources for you to use.

Physics and Maths tutor and Allery Chemistry have AQA-dedicated sections

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPtWS4fCi25YHw5SPGdPz0g

Davies A level chemistry is AQA-oriented and has past paper walkthroughs for both AS and A level, as well as walkthroughs for other exam boards papers

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCjnvQEEejEGQrPT4JVJgbyQ

Dr Clay has both a website and YouTube channel for the AQA board

https://m.youtube.com/@DocClay1978ALevelChemistry

https://drclays-alevelchemistry.com

Eliot Rintoul is by far your best resource, however.

https://m.youtube.com/@MrERintoul

Reply 4

X.243llie

I did biology and psychology but different exam board but what i would say generically is take all mocks seriously. Why? Because when you come to real exams it doesnt feel so scary and stressful, it just feels like mocks for the millionth time. Secondly study little, often and consistently because again by the time you get to real exams revision is less stressful as youve done it all year allowing you to revise what you really most need to last minute that you may find harder rather than easier stuff you shoulda revised earlier. Thirdly, figureout your revision techniques by tryi g out everything, each subject is different so each subject youll find youll have a different way of revising it that works. For example psychology i used to just make consise notes and practice exam questions all the time, but biology i found i loved to draw biological processes like DNA replication or muslce contraction or glucose onto a big A3 piece of paper and make a poster where id try fit the whole of that topic on that one piece of paper. You see how thata quite different approaches but both worked very well for that subject but not so great for others

Reply 5

Maga^_^

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

Hi, I just finished Y12. I take Bio (AQA), chem (AQA) and Maths (MEI). My predicted grades are A*A*A.

First of all (and I know everyone says that), use your free periods! Even if you get just a little bit of work done or complete your prep, your future self will thank you. You can also spend your frees doing some research about higher education.

As for Chemistry, to my surprise it became my fav subject (I totally hated it before). How I study: make revision cards (basically shortened notes, so that when you revise for you tests or exams you don't have to look at your normal notes, but have everything you need on those few cards), and DO PAST PAPER QUESTIONS. I cannot stress this enough. For me it's the best way to learn - trough practise.
Of course there are quite a few definitions that you have to learn by heart, and some maths. But I would say your knowledge from GSCEs should be enough.

When it comes to biology, there is a lot of content and a lot of things to remember. Same here - I make revision cards. Maybe it's just me, but I hate the praticals, especially the writeups, but if you've done GCSEs I think you will be fine. (I havent done gcses)

Hope that helps. Take care and good luck!

Reply 6

linny_street

Original post by UtterlyUseless69

AQA chemistry has a lot of resources for you to use.
Physics and Maths tutor and Allery Chemistry have AQA-dedicated sections
https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-aqa/
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPtWS4fCi25YHw5SPGdPz0g
Davies A level chemistry is AQA-oriented and has past paper walkthroughs for both AS and A level, as well as walkthroughs for other exam boards papers
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCjnvQEEejEGQrPT4JVJgbyQ
Dr Clay has both a website and YouTube channel for the AQA board
https://m.youtube.com/@DocClay1978ALevelChemistry
https://drclays-alevelchemistry.com
Eliot Rintoul is by far your best resource, however.
https://m.youtube.com/@MrERintoul

Ah excellent thank you very much

Reply 7

linny_street

Original post by X.243llie

Thank you, that’s very helpful

Reply 8

linny_street

Original post by Maga^_^

Hi, I just finished Y12. I take Bio (AQA), chem (AQA) and Maths (MEI). My predicted grades are A*A*A.
First of all (and I know everyone says that), use your free periods! Even if you get just a little bit of work done or complete your prep, your future self will thank you. You can also spend your frees doing some research about higher education.
As for Chemistry, to my surprise it became my fav subject (I totally hated it before). How I study: make revision cards (basically shortened notes, so that when you revise for you tests or exams you don't have to look at your normal notes, but have everything you need on those few cards), and DO PAST PAPER QUESTIONS. I cannot stress this enough. For me it's the best way to learn - trough practise.
Of course there are quite a few definitions that you have to learn by heart, and some maths. But I would say your knowledge from GSCEs should be enough.
When it comes to biology, there is a lot of content and a lot of things to remember. Same here - I make revision cards. Maybe it's just me, but I hate the praticals, especially the writeups, but if you've done GCSEs I think you will be fine. (I havent done gcses)
Hope that helps. Take care and good luck!

Thank you, that’s very good advice.

Reply 9

Muttley79

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

Download the specifications from the exam board websites, do any summer prep work you've been set and look for useful websites.
Biol: https://mmerevise.co.uk/a-level-biology-revision/
Chem: https://mmerevise.co.uk/a-level-chemistry-revision/

Reply 10

linny_street

Original post by Muttley79

Thank you!

Reply 11

UCLan Student

Official Rep

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

Hey!

My best advice for this is to keep on top of the studying as college flys by! I found that active recall (e.g. quizlet) works really well for these subjects as well as exam papers a little bit further down the line.

I'd also remember to have fun and take regular breaks during this time as you don't want to burn out!

I hope this helps,

Rebecca, UCLan

Reply 12

arora2005

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

Some advice for Chem:

•

Ensure your understanding of key topics is sound (MaChemGuy vids are very helpful for understanding)

•

Mole calculations, definitions and common ions are essential for AS

•

You don't have to be doing A-level Maths but ensure you are comfortable with using numbers

•

Past papers!!

Hope that helps

Reply 13

linny_street

Original post by UCLan Student

Hey!
My best advice for this is to keep on top of the studying as college flys by! I found that active recall (e.g. quizlet) works really well for these subjects as well as exam papers a little bit further down the line.
I'd also remember to have fun and take regular breaks during this time as you don't want to burn out!
I hope this helps,
Rebecca, UCLan

Thank you very much. I agree alot with taking breaks too.

Reply 14

nou19

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

I don't take any of these but I would recommend doing a little but often straight from September.

Reply 15

kitty15

Study Forum Helper

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

Hi, one of my best tips would be to utilise organisational softwares and know how to set ‘smart’ goals. Sure folders are good but papers get lost easily. You can use handwritten notes, but it’s worth taking photos of them so they are not lost. I would recommend bringing in a device to take notes on a stylus if allowed. My school uses Microsoft for lessons so I store my notes primarily on OneNote and Word, though I also utilize Google Docs and Notion. I particularly like Notion as you can create a to-do-list using it which you can ‘traffic light’ as well. Save timetables and task lists as your phone wallpaper or pin them to your fridge.

I would recommend making these organisational folders or lists as soon as possible during the summer so you are ready for when a levels start.

As for setting ‘Smart’ targets the acronym SMART stands for specific, measurable, acheivable, realistic and timed.

For example a goal to ‘study trig in textbook’ is not specific as it does not specify particular pages or questions. It also is not measurable or timed as it does not specify how long this will take and you may have no indication of when to stop. Realistic means not to be too hard on yourself (I’m going into y13 next year and for y12 I was very guilty of going to the library to study and printing out a vast number of past papers, out of which I could only finish and review about 2.) utilising this mnemonic, a better goal compared to the one above would be ‘Study trigonometric equations in textbook Pages 1-3 Questions 1-10 for an hour. Target: Answer 8 questions successfully) A quick note that when using textbooks don’t just do questions like a robot- know when they are getting too repetitive or easy and move on to the next question.

Hope this helps!

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 16

kitty15

Study Forum Helper

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

Hi, in terms of subject specific advice, I would recommend:

For biology:
. Making folders (online or physical) for each topic.
. Making a folder for school work and home revision.
. Identify which exam questions you struggle with (e.g maths skills or extended response), and concentrate on these.
. CGP exam practice workbook and hodder workbooks are very good.

For chem:
. Attend subject clinics! Honestly it is very helpful and I wish I did it more in year 12.
. A level chemistry is quite a large jump (you might have heard). As a result you may wish to preview before y12 but you don’t have to do too much. I would recommend Primrose Kitten Head Start to A Level Chemistry Workbook.
. As with biology, identify your worst topics or exam question style and do extensive practice on them.
. Don’t be put off by low grades at the start of y12. You will get used to exam technique with practice. Instead focus on learning from bad results and analyzing where you went wrong and create an action plan.
. allery chemistry is a very good YouTuber for chem.

Reply 17

A.bagel123

Original post by linny_street

Hi, i’m starting college in september and want to do sciency (bio, chem and psychology) a levels but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general a level/college starting tips?

I am doing Psychology with two essay subjects. My advice for Psychology is to learn key terms (try and create a glossary as you go along as there may be an overwhelming amount if you leave it all for later). Note that it is still essay based subject and there is more writing than a lot of people in my class expected!

In general I would just say try and keep ontop of everything as you don't have as much time as you expect. Although my subjects are very different to yours (apart from psychology) i think everyone in my year has found that yr12 went really quickly and there isn't that much time to fill in gaps. Similarly if have any questions about content it is best to ask at the time as nothing can be brushed over in a hope it wont come up (I had that mentality at GCSE).