Getting ready to start college | Key essentials

You have enrolled onto your courses and now you have the final day’s of your summer to enjoy before the hard work starts again! It is really important at A level that you hit the ground running with your studies.

One way to ensure you keep on top of things in the early days is to be as organised as possible!

Top 5 tips for being organised:

'#1 Get a diary

It doesn’t matter if its a physical diary, online or an app just get one! You will find after just one week that if you do not have something in place to record your work you will fall behind in your A level subjects due to missing key deadlines!

#2 Keep your timetable easily accessible

This may sound like a given but having a clear understanding of the expectations around contact time in your college or sixth form will help you to balance your studies and social life.

#3 Purchase some folders and key stationary

Get at least one folder per subject, for most subjects we would recommend one folder per paper, but your teachers can advise you on this.

For every folder you have include a set of subject dividers this will help you distinguish between the different topics/units you cover and help you when revising.

Download the specification for each subject and place this at the front of each folder. This will enable you to highlight when you have covered a topic and give you a better picture of where you are in the specification.

#4 Prior learning

Get ahead! There are so may excellent resources out there which can help you to brush up on the basics and prepare you for starting the subject at A level. CPG produce some excellent guides helping students transition between GCSE and A level. There are also lots of You Tube channels such as ASFC Chemistry which have excellent videos reinforcing the key fundamentals needed to start such courses. There is so much out there, just google it!

#5 Support

If you are eligible for any kind of support such as a Bursary or SEND assistance then ensure your college or sixth form are aware, especially if moving to a new establishment.

You may need to sit a new eligibility test or complete a new series of entitlement forms to ensure you can access the support or funding to help you with your post 16 studies.

By being prepared you will be able to focus on the important aspects of college such as building a good friendship group and settling into the demands of your new A level subjects.

Good luck and enjoy the next two years!

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