what to do when you suddenly aren’t good in a subject anymore?
hi, i’m in 6th year studying advanced higher physics right now at another school. last year, i did higher and excelled in it, and i was awarded a certificate for significant distinction in physics. but i started doing adv higher, and it just isn't working for me. on my last 3 tests, i’ve got 60%, 38% then 36% last week. the last test i felt confident I had at least passed, but i did horribly. i told my mum and she said she’s disappointed in herself for not making me study more. the only thing thats changed is that i’ve got a boyfriend now, but that’s it. we both don’t understand how this has happened, and i was wondering if i could get any advice? i’m not comfortable with a tutor but i’ll get one if its the only option. this is making me really sad and i feel so ashamed and disappointed in myself. pls help!!
Reply 1
The best thing to do long story short is try and see where you went wrong. Sometimes you may feel you know a subject but putting it on paper is a very different matter.
When I was in sixth form (I just completed my Masters, so this was a while back), I understood the topic but putting it down on paper was a different matter entirely, long story short, I would put down more food instead of a greater variety of food and that would be enough to give me 0 instead of a mark and all those marks add up.
Look at your test and try and ask if you can get a mark scheme and see what you did wrong (either that or just see what the feedback was).
When I was in sixth form (I just completed my Masters, so this was a while back), I understood the topic but putting it down on paper was a different matter entirely, long story short, I would put down more food instead of a greater variety of food and that would be enough to give me 0 instead of a mark and all those marks add up.
Look at your test and try and ask if you can get a mark scheme and see what you did wrong (either that or just see what the feedback was).
(edited 1 year ago)
If you excelled at Higher you shouldn't need a tutor. You just need to make the time to sit down, actively study, and make sure you understand how to format your answers. If the content isn't going in, try other techniques. The content is naturally more complicated at AH so you'll need to dedicate more time to it.
I think there comes a point in everyone's academic journey where their inherent ability for academics plateaus and they need to start putting in a lot more active work to excel. For some people that occurs before even finishing National 5, for others it might not hit until university. It's what causes a lot of high achievers to give up - when they start needing to put in more active effort to get the grades they were previously able to achieve with less work. Don't let that happen to you. Put the boyfriend on mute, use active methods to learn the content, and take the time to test yourself on what you actually know vs what you think you know.
I think there comes a point in everyone's academic journey where their inherent ability for academics plateaus and they need to start putting in a lot more active work to excel. For some people that occurs before even finishing National 5, for others it might not hit until university. It's what causes a lot of high achievers to give up - when they start needing to put in more active effort to get the grades they were previously able to achieve with less work. Don't let that happen to you. Put the boyfriend on mute, use active methods to learn the content, and take the time to test yourself on what you actually know vs what you think you know.
Reply 3
This is all great advice! You may not be doing as well because of the significant workload - how many AHs do you take? Would you be able to drop any at this time of the year? Otherwise, as said, dedicate more time to Physics and PRACTICE!
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- A level maths….
- 2nd Degree with Foundation Year, how does LLE rules impact funding?
- college courses and future
- How do I get my ex back
- Boundary conditions confusion
- Library Crush
- Langley Grammar School
- T level in education and childcare
- Taking a Gap year and feeling a bit lost
- newbiee!!
- advice please!!
- What can you do with A-level chemistry
- Don't know what I want to do with my life
- struggling a lot with math - as level
- A levels vs IB (urgent!)
- What to include in your personal statement
- I'm "homeschooled" and I don't know what to do anymore
- Chem engineering without maths and physics
- Deciding to quit drinking for good
- Should I drop A-level art?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 months ago
Could I get into architecture at uni?Last reply 5 months ago
Artificial Intelligence at Edinburgh UniLast reply 5 months ago
SQA Advanced Higher Biology - 27th May 2025 [exam chat]Last reply 5 months ago
[Official] SQA Results Day Countdown 2025Last reply 5 months ago
Predict Your SQA Results! - SQA Results Day 2025Last reply 6 months ago
English portfolio concern sqaLast reply 6 months ago
Scottish student applying to LSEPosted 6 months ago
Make sure you check / change your UCAS email addressLast reply 6 months ago
Is 4 advanced highers too much? - continuedLast reply 6 months ago
Do English Unis care about SQA Higher grades?Last reply 6 months ago
Should I swap Higher Maths for Higher Business Management?Last reply 6 months ago
Transitioning from gcses to highersLast reply 6 months ago
Can you get into LSE with…Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
