by David Quinney | Dec 5, 2023 | News
Mock exams can be highly important for several reasons:
Assessment of Knowledge: Mock exams provide an opportunity to assess your understanding of the subject matter. They mimic the actual exam conditions, allowing you to gauge your knowledge and identify areas that require further study.
Familiarity with Exam Format: Mock exams help you become familiar with the format and structure of the actual exam. This includes understanding the types of questions, time constraints, and overall exam environment. This familiarity can reduce anxiety and improve your performance on the real exam day.
Time Management Skills: Practicing with mock exams helps you develop effective time management skills. You can learn to allocate your time wisely among different sections or questions, ensuring that you have sufficient time to answer all parts of the exam.
Identifying Weaknesses: By reviewing your performance in mock exams, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses. This information is crucial for refining your study strategy and focusing on areas that need improvement.
Building Confidence: Completing mock exams can boost your confidence. It allows you to validate your preparation efforts and build a positive mindset going into the actual exam. Confidence is a key factor in performing well under pressure.
Adapting Strategies: Mock exams provide an opportunity to experiment with different answering strategies. You can try out various techniques to find what works best for you in terms of question prioritisation, answer formulation, and problem-solving.
Feedback and Review: Many mock exams come with detailed feedback or answer keys. Analysing this feedback can help you understand why certain answers are correct or incorrect. This process enhances your comprehension and retention of the subject matter.
Stress Reduction: Familiarity with exam conditions through mock exams can help reduce stress and anxiety. The more you practice under conditions like the real exam, the more comfortable and composed you are likely to be during the actual test.
In summary, mock exams are valuable tools for preparing for actual exams. They provide a comprehensive means of self-assessment, and will help you to refine your study strategies, and contribute to overall readiness for the challenges of the real exam.
Good luck, You’ve got this!
by David Quinney | Oct 10, 2023 | News
A Parent’s Guide to Open Evenings
As parents, it’s natural to seek the best educational path for our children, and attending Open Evenings is a crucial step in this journey. To help you make the most of these events, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to assist you in asking the right questions and gaining valuable insights.
1. Unlocking Academic Opportunities:
- Subject Diversity: Dive into the curriculum and explore the range of subjects available in the Sixth Form.
- Specialist Subjects: Discover if the Sixth Form offers unique or specialised subjects not found elsewhere.
- University Pathways: Ensure that the curriculum aligns with your child’s chosen university course.
- Specialisms: Investigate if the Sixth Form has a distinctive focus or specialism in any specific area.
2. Navigating UCAS and Personal Statements:
- University Research: Understand how the Sixth Form supports students in researching suitable universities and courses.
- Oxbridge Support: Inquire about additional support provided for Oxbridge applicants.
- Admissions Tests: Learn about preparations for specialized admissions tests like BMAT or UCAT.
- Interview Preparation: Explore how the Sixth Form helps students prepare for Oxbridge and medical/dental school interviews.
- Work Experience: Find out if the Sixth Form assists in organising essential work experience for medical applications.
3. Shaping Careers and Work Experience:
- Designated Adviser: Check if there’s a dedicated Careers Adviser to guide students in career exploration.
- Work Experience: Understand how the Sixth Form aids in securing relevant work experience.
- CV and Cover Letter Workshops: Explore whether the Sixth Form provides support for crafting effective CVs and cover letters.
4. Embracing Enrichment and Extra-Curricular Opportunities:
- Holistic Development: Discover opportunities for extra-curricular involvement and personal growth.
- Clubs and Societies: Learn about the diverse clubs and societies that align with your child’s interests.
5. Class Sizes, School Day, and Uniform:
- Atmosphere: Gain insights into the learning environment—whether it’s formal or informal.
- Uniform/Dress Code: Understand the policy regarding school uniform or dress code.
- Class Sizes: Explore the impact of class sizes on individual attention.
- School Day Structure: Inquire about morning registrations and flexibility in the daily schedule.
As you embark on this educational exploration, remember that the key is aligning your child’s journey with their aspirations. Ask questions, gather information, and make an informed decision. We hope this guide enriches your Open Evening experience and empowers you to navigate the Sixth Form offerings confidently.
by David Quinney | Sep 13, 2023 | News
- Move. Run, swim, dance (whatever you enjoy – the aim is NOT to train for the Olympics!). The Nagoskis note that movement is ‘your first line of attack in the battle against burnout’. 20-30 minutes a day is ideal, but anything is better than nothing!
- Social Interaction. Talking can help boost our mood and reassure us that the world is a safe place to live. Laughing together—and even just reminiscing about the times you’ve laughed together — increases relationship satisfaction.
- Connect with others. A twenty-second hug with someone you love has been shown to lower stress levels as much as exercise. And it doesn’t have to be physical affection – simply speaking to someone with whom you share a special connection can make a huge difference to how you feel.
- Breathe. Deep, slow breaths can help regulate the stress response. For a simple, practical exercise you can try this: Breathe in for a slow count of four. Hold that breath for seven. Exhale for a slow count of eight. Pause for another count of four. Repeat this process till you feel calm.
- Sleep. It can be difficult to sleep when we are feeling stressed. But getting a full, uninterrupted night’s sleep wherever possible can be a great tool in the fight against stress.
- Cry. There is no shame in crying, it’s a positive way of allowing your feelings to come to the surface. Crying may not change the situation that caused the stress, but allowing yourself to cry after a stressful event is proven to help by releasing feel-good hormones. It can help you relieve physical as well as emotional difficulties.
- Engage in something creative. Engaging in a creative activity you enjoy today – whether it be music, art or sport has been shown to lead to more energy, excitement, and enthusiasm tomorrow.
Useful questions to ask yourself are:
Am I checking in with myself to see how I feel on a scale of 1-10?
Do I have easy access to the coping strategies listed above?
Am I making use of these tactics?
by David Quinney | Jan 9, 2023 | News, Uncategorised
The start of a new calendar year is a natural time to re-evaluate what you wish to achieve in the remainder of the academic year. Achieving success in school can be enhanced with one important step: setting clear, achievable, and measurable goals. Goal setting can be a significant step for your child to meet his or her full potential, boosting motivation and self-confidence in school, and building self-esteem overall. 💯 👍
Goal setting isn’t always an easy thing to do, where do you start? You need to create a plan. To help, below is a goal-setting template that you and your child can use to set clear, achievable, and measurable goals for the academic months ahead. Good luck!✔️
https://theacademic-coach.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ac-TheAcademicCoach-My-2024-GOALS-IN-2023-I-WILL-DO-MY-VERY-BEST-TO-STICK-TO-THESE-GOALS.pdf
The start of a new calendar year is a natural time to re-evaluate what you wish to achieve in the remainder of the academic year. Achieving success in school can be enhanced with one important step: setting clear, achievable, and measurable goals. Goal setting can be a significant step for your child to meet his or her full potential, boosting motivation and self-confidence in school, and building self-esteem overall. 💯 👍
Goal setting isn’t always an easy thing to do, where do you start? You need to create a plan. To help, below is a goal-setting template that you and your child can use to set clear, achievable, and measurable goals for the academic months ahead. Good luck!✔️
https://theacademic-coach.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ac-TheAcademicCoach-My-2024-GOALS-IN-2023-I-WILL-DO-MY-VERY-BEST-TO-STICK-TO-THESE-GOALS.pdf
