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A-level exams in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been cancelled, along with Highers in Scotland. It\u2019s not yet clear what the replacement for these exams will look like, and many students may be feeling anxious or despondent about their prospects.<\/p>\n
However,\u00a0some kind of assessment<\/a>\u00a0will take place \u2013 so now is not the time to give up on studies and revision. One way for students to take control is to adopt\u00a0university-style<\/a>\u00a0ways of working.<\/p>\n This can help A-level and Highers students prepare for the potentially varied forms of assessment ahead, and will provide them with a head start if and when they make the transition to university. These tips will also help to maximise the skills that employers value.<\/p>\n University students \u2013 and lecturers \u2013 often work together, using online platforms such as\u00a0Trello<\/a>,\u00a0Slack<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Zoom<\/a>. A-level students can use their tech skills to set up a peer group on one of these platforms and arrange for each person to take it in turns to give a short overview of a topic they feel confident about. Asking questions means that knowledge on that topic will increase, both individually and collectively.<\/p>\n The chances are that someone will cover the area another person in the group lacks confidence in, so everyone benefits. This is exactly what happens in seminars and conferences, and is how people learn collectively and advance ideas.<\/p>\n Making small changes can lead to better grades. Students\u00a0should reflect<\/a>\u00a0on occasions when they got good marks, and review feedback from teachers to identify recurring weak points. Asking teachers for help in tackling these points can lead to quick wins.<\/p>\n While the exact form of the upcoming assessments are unknown, they are likely to involve writing, such as essays and reports, and verbal communication techniques such as presentations. Communicating clearly when writing and speaking is vital to all of these assessments.<\/p>\n A good way to increase confidence in communication is to identify no more than three key points on a topic and present them in clear, simple language. Practice explaining why things happen and why they matter. Communication doesn\u2019t have to be in essay form. It can be as a blog, on video, as a slidedeck with pictures \u2013 the point is to convey a message clearly.<\/p>\n We learn and take in information in different ways. Some people like reading a newspaper, others watch the news on TV. Personally I prefer the radio. Recognising our\u00a0learning preferences<\/a>\u00a0can be helpful in identifying why we find learning some things easier than others.<\/p>\n Those who take in visual information most easily could make use of coloured pens and try creating a\u00a0mind map<\/a>\u00a0as a revision tool or study plan. Others who prefer creative writing could use a reflective log or diary to note key points, phrases and how they feel about them.<\/p>\n Great display of science, art, storytelling, creativity and baking skills at today's @UoSDocCollege<\/a> 'Bake your PhD' competition. Well done to everyone! #PGRfest<\/a> #phdlife<\/a> #baking<\/a> #storytelling<\/a>???????????????? pic.twitter.com\/MZEVhjgu4y<\/a><\/p>\n — UoS Public Engagement (@UoS_Engagement) May 7, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Collaborate<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Be proactive<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Communicate<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Play to your strengths<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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