Essentials for Academic Success

We aim to support all pupils in fulfilling their learning potential and we feel that the following advice will help you achieve your target grades.

We aim to support all pupils in fulfilling their learning potential and we feel that the following advice will help you achieve your target grades.

The key characteristics of a successful learner: • Humility • Reflectiveness • Independent learning • Healthiness • Attendance • Organisation

The following are our recommendations for how you can build upon these key characteristics and enjoy great success:

1. Start with prayer:

“Make prayer the first step in anything worthwhile you attempt. ” (RSB: Prologue)

2. Determine your own learning outcomes: • Know your target grades – they are ambitious, yet realistic, so avoid causing yourself undue stress by aiming for a grade you are unlikely to achieve. • Assess your own learning experience within lessons – are you participating positively?What do you do if you don ’t understand? • Engage in mature conversations with teachers and tutors about what you can do to achieve your target grade. • Assess your own performance – know the marking criteria. • Prepare yourself to achieve your full potential in examinations. 3. Learn how to revise: • Plan a schedule and stick to it! • Everybody is more attentive in the mornings; decide when you will get up. • Set yourself learning outcomes for each revision session. • If you are reading through your notes, ask yourself

‘ why?’ . Is it to check you can remember key facts and/or understand key concepts, or is it because you cannot think of anything else to do? • Learn the marking criteria. • Train yourself to pass examinations eg complete timed questions with a partner and mark each other ’ s work.

4. Cramming is stressful so avoid it! • The best learners are always learning. • If you have been consolidating your learning throughout the academic year, revision leading up to examinations can be an invigorating, positive experience. • Staying up all night before an examination is not the best way to succeed. • Reduce stress by being organised and planning your time effectively. • Olympic athletes train for years to win the gold medal – nothing comes easily.

5. Stay healthy: • You are an academic athlete - your examinations are your Olympics!

6. If you are not in lessons, you are not learning: • Statistically, the most significant factor affecting examination results is attendance.