Overwhelmed...
I just started Y11 and I find GCSEs really stressful. I feel like I have forgotten everything I have known before- that there is too much content to revise and not enough time. I am predicted all 9s and this just feels so incredibly overwhelming to have to achieve them. This is just a vent but if anyone has any advice or can relate, please reply. 
Reply 1
Hey. I can completely relate to this bc when I was doing my GCSEs, suddenly everything felt real. All of the talk about public exams really set in once the academic year started and trust me when I say that you're not alone in this.
I was predicted all 8s and 9s for GCSE but I felt like I had forgotten everything. The GCSEs I chose (along with english, maths, a language and science) were Geography, History (both of these were AQA) and Computing (OCR) so I can give you some advice on those if you want any.
Honestly all I would say is do a little bit everyday. This is so that you can give yourself some breaks to avoid burnout but also to get back on track with content. You can determine which topics to start with first using the RAG system (red, amber, green) and prioritise the red topics first, then the yellow topics and finally the green topics. Because you're trying to remember content at this stage use techniques that have active recall like flashcards. However, if there is a study technique that works for you then you can do that as well.
I hope that helped. All the best for your GCSEs!!! Remember, you're not alone in this, it's completely normal to feel like this and the most important thing: you're doing the best you can so don't give up!!!
I was predicted all 8s and 9s for GCSE but I felt like I had forgotten everything. The GCSEs I chose (along with english, maths, a language and science) were Geography, History (both of these were AQA) and Computing (OCR) so I can give you some advice on those if you want any.
Honestly all I would say is do a little bit everyday. This is so that you can give yourself some breaks to avoid burnout but also to get back on track with content. You can determine which topics to start with first using the RAG system (red, amber, green) and prioritise the red topics first, then the yellow topics and finally the green topics. Because you're trying to remember content at this stage use techniques that have active recall like flashcards. However, if there is a study technique that works for you then you can do that as well.
I hope that helped. All the best for your GCSEs!!! Remember, you're not alone in this, it's completely normal to feel like this and the most important thing: you're doing the best you can so don't give up!!!
Reply 2
18
Original post
by leisurely-expertHey. I can completely relate to this bc when I was doing my GCSEs, suddenly everything felt real. All of the talk about public exams really set in once the academic year started and trust me when I say that you're not alone in this.
I was predicted all 8s and 9s for GCSE but I felt like I had forgotten everything. The GCSEs I chose (along with english, maths, a language and science) were Geography, History (both of these were AQA) and Computing (OCR) so I can give you some advice on those if you want any.
Honestly all I would say is do a little bit everyday. This is so that you can give yourself some breaks to avoid burnout but also to get back on track with content. You can determine which topics to start with first using the RAG system (red, amber, green) and prioritise the red topics first, then the yellow topics and finally the green topics. Because you're trying to remember content at this stage use techniques that have active recall like flashcards. However, if there is a study technique that works for you then you can do that as well.
I hope that helped. All the best for your GCSEs!!! Remember, you're not alone in this, it's completely normal to feel like this and the most important thing: you're doing the best you can so don't give up!!!
I was predicted all 8s and 9s for GCSE but I felt like I had forgotten everything. The GCSEs I chose (along with english, maths, a language and science) were Geography, History (both of these were AQA) and Computing (OCR) so I can give you some advice on those if you want any.
Honestly all I would say is do a little bit everyday. This is so that you can give yourself some breaks to avoid burnout but also to get back on track with content. You can determine which topics to start with first using the RAG system (red, amber, green) and prioritise the red topics first, then the yellow topics and finally the green topics. Because you're trying to remember content at this stage use techniques that have active recall like flashcards. However, if there is a study technique that works for you then you can do that as well.
I hope that helped. All the best for your GCSEs!!! Remember, you're not alone in this, it's completely normal to feel like this and the most important thing: you're doing the best you can so don't give up!!!
Thank you so much for your reply, it actually helped me feel a bit better so thanks. Did you end up getting the grades you wanted? It sounds really stupid but I have this massive fear of failure where I am afraid I won't be able to achieve what I want and if I don't, then there's not much else to put my worth on.
I do Maths, Triple Science, English Lang and Lit, French, Geography, Computer Science and Art. Some advice for any of these subjects would be helpful, thank you
Thanks for the RAG idea actually, I might try that out
Thank you so much once again for your advice, it really helped!
Reply 3
Hi 👋. I'm really glad you found that helpful and I hope you're doing well.
I did end up getting what I wanted in most of my subjects. The only subjects where I didn't get what I was predicted were English Lit, Religious studies and Geography but I got a 7 in them and I wasn't taking them for A Levels anyways so it was fine with me (tbf geography was completely out of my control due to a family emergency. Honestly I expected to fail in geography so getting a 7 was a massive win!). Regarding how you said there's not much else to put your worth on if you don't get the grades you want, as long as you've done absolutely everything in your power to get the grades you want then you will be happy either way.
It's not stupid because I had the same fear as well and so do a lot of people. Even during the exam period and just before results day (this was the same even for A Levels) I was anxious about my exams and whether I'd get the grades I want but I always tell myself that I've done the best that I can and I can't control the past. Generally we make more mistakes when we're stressed or worried so I always try to calm myself down before an important exam. Most of the time we don't even ask each other about the paper. We just tell each other "good luck!", "All the best!" and all that to take our mind off the stress and to focus on the task at hand.
I did end up getting what I wanted in most of my subjects. The only subjects where I didn't get what I was predicted were English Lit, Religious studies and Geography but I got a 7 in them and I wasn't taking them for A Levels anyways so it was fine with me (tbf geography was completely out of my control due to a family emergency. Honestly I expected to fail in geography so getting a 7 was a massive win!). Regarding how you said there's not much else to put your worth on if you don't get the grades you want, as long as you've done absolutely everything in your power to get the grades you want then you will be happy either way.
It's not stupid because I had the same fear as well and so do a lot of people. Even during the exam period and just before results day (this was the same even for A Levels) I was anxious about my exams and whether I'd get the grades I want but I always tell myself that I've done the best that I can and I can't control the past. Generally we make more mistakes when we're stressed or worried so I always try to calm myself down before an important exam. Most of the time we don't even ask each other about the paper. We just tell each other "good luck!", "All the best!" and all that to take our mind off the stress and to focus on the task at hand.
Reply 4
18
Original post
by leisurely-expertHi 👋. I'm really glad you found that helpful and I hope you're doing well.
I did end up getting what I wanted in most of my subjects. The only subjects where I didn't get what I was predicted were English Lit, Religious studies and Geography but I got a 7 in them and I wasn't taking them for A Levels anyways so it was fine with me (tbf geography was completely out of my control due to a family emergency. Honestly I expected to fail in geography so getting a 7 was a massive win!). Regarding how you said there's not much else to put your worth on if you don't get the grades you want, as long as you've done absolutely everything in your power to get the grades you want then you will be happy either way.
It's not stupid because I had the same fear as well and so do a lot of people. Even during the exam period and just before results day (this was the same even for A Levels) I was anxious about my exams and whether I'd get the grades I want but I always tell myself that I've done the best that I can and I can't control the past. Generally we make more mistakes when we're stressed or worried so I always try to calm myself down before an important exam. Most of the time we don't even ask each other about the paper. We just tell each other "good luck!", "All the best!" and all that to take our mind off the stress and to focus on the task at hand.
I did end up getting what I wanted in most of my subjects. The only subjects where I didn't get what I was predicted were English Lit, Religious studies and Geography but I got a 7 in them and I wasn't taking them for A Levels anyways so it was fine with me (tbf geography was completely out of my control due to a family emergency. Honestly I expected to fail in geography so getting a 7 was a massive win!). Regarding how you said there's not much else to put your worth on if you don't get the grades you want, as long as you've done absolutely everything in your power to get the grades you want then you will be happy either way.
It's not stupid because I had the same fear as well and so do a lot of people. Even during the exam period and just before results day (this was the same even for A Levels) I was anxious about my exams and whether I'd get the grades I want but I always tell myself that I've done the best that I can and I can't control the past. Generally we make more mistakes when we're stressed or worried so I always try to calm myself down before an important exam. Most of the time we don't even ask each other about the paper. We just tell each other "good luck!", "All the best!" and all that to take our mind off the stress and to focus on the task at hand.
Hello! I thought I replied to this and sorry for the late response. That was really helpful- that's some good advice there! Thanks! What do you do now- do you study at uni or have a career? Just curious 🙂 Thanks again!
Reply 5
Original post
by 𝕸𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖊𝖍𝖆𝖍I just started Y11 and I find GCSEs really stressful. I feel like I have forgotten everything I have known before- that there is too much content to revise and not enough time. I am predicted all 9s and this just feels so incredibly overwhelming to have to achieve them. This is just a vent but if anyone has any advice or can relate, please reply.
Hi! I was exactly like this too in Year 11, especially when it came to English Language, Chemistry, and Physics, yet I was predicted and achieved 9s in everything. I hope that soothes your worries a little bit.
I, too, put lots of pressure on myself to get all 9s and it was absolutely overwhelming, just like how you describe. My personal revision schedule in year 11 was 2 hours every day, but 1 hour on a Friday. I went through the specification for each of my subjects, and red/amber/green ranked each bullet point, and started at the red for each subject. I found (as I’m sure you will) that I actually knew a lot more than I thought; it was just the lack of confidence within myself that was overshadowing my ability.
You absolutely can do this, break each part down bit by bit for each subject and hopefully it will become less overwhelming for you (:
Reply 6
18
Original post
by quantumcookieHi! I was exactly like this too in Year 11, especially when it came to English Language, Chemistry, and Physics, yet I was predicted and achieved 9s in everything. I hope that soothes your worries a little bit.
I, too, put lots of pressure on myself to get all 9s and it was absolutely overwhelming, just like how you describe. My personal revision schedule in year 11 was 2 hours every day, but 1 hour on a Friday. I went through the specification for each of my subjects, and red/amber/green ranked each bullet point, and started at the red for each subject. I found (as I’m sure you will) that I actually knew a lot more than I thought; it was just the lack of confidence within myself that was overshadowing my ability.
You absolutely can do this, break each part down bit by bit for each subject and hopefully it will become less overwhelming for you (:
I, too, put lots of pressure on myself to get all 9s and it was absolutely overwhelming, just like how you describe. My personal revision schedule in year 11 was 2 hours every day, but 1 hour on a Friday. I went through the specification for each of my subjects, and red/amber/green ranked each bullet point, and started at the red for each subject. I found (as I’m sure you will) that I actually knew a lot more than I thought; it was just the lack of confidence within myself that was overshadowing my ability.
You absolutely can do this, break each part down bit by bit for each subject and hopefully it will become less overwhelming for you (:
thank you! it's nice to know other people can relate
Reply 7
Original post
by 𝕸𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖊𝖍𝖆𝖍I just started Y11 and I find GCSEs really stressful. I feel like I have forgotten everything I have known before- that there is too much content to revise and not enough time. I am predicted all 9s and this just feels so incredibly overwhelming to have to achieve them. This is just a vent but if anyone has any advice or can relate, please reply.
I completely understand how you feel because I went through the same stresses in year 11. I think the most important thing to remember is that different things work for different people, and therefore you need to work out the timetabling and revision methods that work best for you. After school each day I was exhausted so I would take a nap, eat some dinner, and then do my work afterwards. This seemed to help with the stress that came with all the overwhelming talk about the impending exam period, whereas others would say it's best to work straight after school to get it over with. I also found that re-reading notes was effective, which is a practice that lots of teachers seem to dismiss. I achieved eight 9s and a 7 at GCSE despite missing lots of school and suffering greatly from anxiety. You will not have forgotten everything, it can just feel that way when you're experienced heightened amounts of stress. Your teachers predicting you 9s shouldn't add pressure, they have many many students they think about and just want the best for you, so it is a mere vote of confidence instead of an added expectation. You can only do your best, and try to remind yourself that GCSEs aren't everything despite feeling so at times.
Reply 8
Original post
by 𝕸𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖊𝖍𝖆𝖍Hello! I thought I replied to this and sorry for the late response. That was really helpful- that's some good advice there! Thanks! What do you do now- do you study at uni or have a career? Just curious 🙂 Thanks again!
Hey sorry for the late reply. I'm actually moving into uni halls on Saturday. I'm going to be studying medicine at Southampton so I'm excited to see how it turns out. Although the thought of me living alone is daunting.
Reply 9
18
Original post
by leisurely-expertHey sorry for the late reply. I'm actually moving into uni halls on Saturday. I'm going to be studying medicine at Southampton so I'm excited to see how it turns out. Although the thought of me living alone is daunting.
Reply 10
Original post
by 𝕸𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖊𝖍𝖆𝖍I just started Y11 and I find GCSEs really stressful. I feel like I have forgotten everything I have known before- that there is too much content to revise and not enough time. I am predicted all 9s and this just feels so incredibly overwhelming to have to achieve them. This is just a vent but if anyone has any advice or can relate, please reply.
Hi there 👋
My name is Siobhan and I’m a recent graduate from the University of Lancashire 🎓 I want to start by saying that you’re definitely not alone in this and it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at this stage, I know I was! It’s great that you’re asking for help now as it shows your initiative which is something you should be very proud of ☺️ Here’s some things that I would recommend doing going forwards:
Realistic timetable 🗓️
•
It’s very easy to spiral when you think about the workload but try and think about one topic at a time
•
You can create a weekly revision timetable with 1 or two subjects a day that you plan to go over
•
Remember to be realistic with this so only set around 30 minutes a day to start with to help avoid burnout. You can then build this up as you go along! This will help create a habit and make you feel a lot more productive.
•
Also make sure to put dedicated break and relax time in that timetable!
•
Instead of reading over the same material again and again, try and start making flash cards or memory games after you learn a new topic so you can get ahead of the game
•
If you are struggling with time then you can use online resources such as Quizlet where you can find ready made flash cards (make sure it’s the same exam board and topics
•
I remember around 6 months before my exams, my teachers got us doing 1 or 2 past papers a week for homework which helped SO much to get used to the marking scheme and the conditions you will be in
•
I would recommend asking your teacher for some or finding some past papers online and practicing these in exam conditions!
•
This is where you get a piece of paper and write down everything you can on a specific topic to test your memory
•
I always like to write or highlight things I remember in green, then use my study books for reminders and then write or highlight this in orange/yellow, then finally anything I couldn’t remember at all goes in red! Really helps you visualise that you remember
I hope this has helped and please let me know if you have any more questions 🙂
Siobhan (University of Lancashire Rep)
(edited 5 months ago)
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