Our Top 5 Tips on successfully transitioning to Sixth Form

At Queen Ethelburga’s, one of North Yorkshire’s leading independent schools, we offer a bespoke learning journey from 3 months all the way through to 19 years. For those making the transition from senior years up to Sixth Form this September, here’s our advice for preparing for A Level study.

1. Be Prepared: A Level Study is a Big Step Up

Studying for your A Levels will be much harder than GCSEs. The course content you need to cover, the quantity of work you need to submit, the depth of research and the amount of independent study may come as a surprise to you in September. Ideally, you need to prepare yourself to embrace the challenge of A Level study and take steps where you can.

2. Get Organised: There Will Be a Lot to Do

Buy your stationery and kit over the summer. If you are going to need business wear or uniform, make sure to buy it in plenty of time. But above all, think about how you are going to organise all your deadlines. Is this in a planner, diary or using an online productivity tool and app like Trello or Asana. Research clubs you can join for your metal wellbeing, source work experience opportunities and look up extra-curricular clubs that might enhance your studies.

3. Build An Effective Study Routine

Do you already have regular commitments like extra-curricular activities, volunteering or work? If so, create a timetable for your week and identify blocks of time suitable for study.

At Queen Ethelburga's, we offer a lot of support and seminars around this area and on balancing academics with extra-curriculars and a social life. We train students how to study effectively from Year 6 right through to Year 13.

4. Study in Small Blocks, Often

With one- and two-year courses, it is important not fall behind. Try not to put off those big deadlines until later in the year. It is never too early to chunk up your workload and tick off smaller tasks throughout the year, particularly if you are susceptible to tiredness, loss of focus, procrastination or loss of motivation. Consider a pomodoro app like Flocus to time 25-minute study periods with breaks.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help

Just because Sixth Form becomes more about independent learning does not mean that you can’t ask questions or seek advice from subject teachers, form tutors, academic mentors, fellow pupils and careers advisors. If you need help with anything, be bold and ask for the help you need.

Contact us

For more information on Queen Ethelburga's, visit www.qe.org