Staying sane

How do you find a balance between A-levels/studying and having a social life? I'm finding the balance a struggle and as a result I feel like I'm slipping behind with them both! Any tips would be really appreciated

Reply 1

Songbird19

Original post

by evie.mm

Use all your free periods as study periods. Go to any clinics/extra study sessions that your teachers run. The key to studying is not just how much you do but how efficiently you are doing it. Are you revising topics you struggle with most? Are you asking your teachers for advice and resources to help you learn those tricky topics? Are you taking the work that you do, to your teachers to look at and then getting more feedback from them? Are you keeping note of which topics are getting easier for you and which new ones are getting harder (so continually reviewing your learning and revision plans)?

My daughters stay on at school to work for two hours each day, so that when they get home they can switch off, knowing they have done some good work. Sometimes they do a hobby or see a friend on weekday evenings but mostly they chill at home. At the weekends they do between 4-5 hours in total (a bit more nearer to exam times). This leaves them plenty of time to relax and socialise.

Once you have a good routine established, you will have more time and energy and will be able to plan your social life around this. Do keep seeing friends, family and doing hobbies as those are key to feeling positive and getting a proper break from a levels. But also forgive yourself if sometimes something has to give, as you can’t always take on more pressure or work without temporarily letting something else go a bit. Prioritisation is key! Pick the social activities and people that bring you the greatest joys. It is ok to drop a thing or two that might be taking away from the stuff you really need or want to do.

The essential thing is to get help from your teachers. My yr13 daughter has the philosophy that she should never leave a lesson, without having understood it. That’s not always feasible in reality but it does mean she concentrates hard in class, asks questions all the time to clarify her understanding and she seeks extra help when needed. Use your teachers as much as you can. It’s their job to help you. Ask and learn, ask and learn, ask and learn. Don’t be shy! Then you will have more confidence and knowledge and it will be easier to enjoy your down time. Lastly, make revision products (mind maps, flash cards, blurting, summerising, timelines etc) as you do each lesson/topic so they are fresh in your mind. File them away in an ordered, easily accessible place (whether online or in a file on a shelf) Then you can review them sporadically as well as use them just before exams. Don’t forget that past papers and their mark schemes are wonderful resources to use to get familiar with what the examiners need to see, in order to be able to give you points. Practice practice practice and get them reviewed by your teachers. Get their advice regularly so you can justifiably relax and enjoy your chill times. :smile:

Reply 2

Analyst89

Original post

by evie.mm

Prepare, plan, make a routine, leave time for social life.

If you feel your mental health is becoming an issue,

There is a lot of support out there such as:

-The Samaritans, you can call 116 123, which is available 24 hours a day

-Mind, 0300 123 3393

-Saneline, 0300 304 7000, from 4.30pm-10.30pm

-The mix, 0800 808 4994, 11am-11pm

-SHOUT, text 852258, 24 hour text service

-Crises, 741741, text service

-Papyrus, 0800 068 4141, if you have thoughts of suicide or in emotional distress

-Rethink mental health, 0300 5000 927

-No Panic, 0800 138 8889

-Relate, they have a chat advisor

-NHS mental health 111

-Kooth, www.kooth.com, a chat, message website

-7cups, www.7cups.com, 24/7 online chat

-Support line, 01708 765200, email: [email protected]

-Anxiety UK, 03444 775 774, 9:30am to 17:30pm Mon to Friday, a text service 07537 416905

-Young minds, www.youngminds.org.uk

-Calm, calm.com

-Mental Health 24/7: 0800 008 6516

-Nightline, usually run by your university

-hubofhope website, useful contact information for your local area.

Reply 3

Analyst89

Prepare, make plans, have a routine, priorities stuff.

Make daily, weekly goals.

Allow, make time for studying and your social life.

Reply 4

evie.mm

Original post

by Songbird19

Use all your free periods as study periods. Go to any clinics/extra study sessions that your teachers run. The key to studying is not just how much you do but how efficiently you are doing it. Are you revising topics you struggle with most? Are you asking your teachers for advice and resources to help you learn those tricky topics? Are you taking the work that you do, to your teachers to look at and then getting more feedback from them? Are you keeping note of which topics are getting easier for you and which new ones are getting harder (so continually reviewing your learning and revision plans)?
My daughters stay on at school to work for two hours each day, so that when they get home they can switch off, knowing they have done some good work. Sometimes they do a hobby or see a friend on weekday evenings but mostly they chill at home. At the weekends they do between 4-5 hours in total (a bit more nearer to exam times). This leaves them plenty of time to relax and socialise.
Once you have a good routine established, you will have more time and energy and will be able to plan your social life around this. Do keep seeing friends, family and doing hobbies as those are key to feeling positive and getting a proper break from a levels. But also forgive yourself if sometimes something has to give, as you can’t always take on more pressure or work without temporarily letting something else go a bit. Prioritisation is key! Pick the social activities and people that bring you the greatest joys. It is ok to drop a thing or two that might be taking away from the stuff you really need or want to do.
The essential thing is to get help from your teachers. My yr13 daughter has the philosophy that she should never leave a lesson, without having understood it. That’s not always feasible in reality but it does mean she concentrates hard in class, asks questions all the time to clarify her understanding and she seeks extra help when needed. Use your teachers as much as you can. It’s their job to help you. Ask and learn, ask and learn, ask and learn. Don’t be shy! Then you will have more confidence and knowledge and it will be easier to enjoy your down time. Lastly, make revision products (mind maps, flash cards, blurting, summerising, timelines etc) as you do each lesson/topic so they are fresh in your mind. File them away in an ordered, easily accessible place (whether online or in a file on a shelf) Then you can review them sporadically as well as use them just before exams. Don’t forget that past papers and their mark schemes are wonderful resources to use to get familiar with what the examiners need to see, in order to be able to give you points. Practice practice practice and get them reviewed by your teachers. Get their advice regularly so you can justifiably relax and enjoy your chill times. :smile:

Thank you so much for taking the time to write that all out, it was really helpful thanks again