New Year, New You? How to Ace Going Back to School in January
Want to level up in the new year ready for the exam season? Here are our top tips for getting the most out of school:
1. Set goals
Whether you want an A in Maths or you want to achieve the grades that will get you into your dream university or job, it’s important to set yourself goals to work towards. Don’t just choose goals everyone else is choosing, but really think about what you want and which subjects you want to focus on. Set goals that are important to you.
2. Build your own action plan
Now, you need to think about how you will reach those goals. Do you need to start scheduling in some extra revision time (see point 6) or joining an extra class or club to help you improve? You may also find RAG sheets a useful resource on which modules and topics you need to focus on. Why not subscribe to our mailing list for your FREE 2025 Student Success Strategy coming soon! (Includes free goal trackers, tips, and resources to help you reach your goals in 2025.)
3. Participate in class
This can be scary, but putting your hand up and answering questions in class is a great way to build confidence and improve your knowledge. You’ll find it gets easier the more you do it and it also means you get more personalised feedback from the teacher on where you went wrong. Don’t worry about what others will think of you – they’re often too caught up in themselves to notice (plus, they won’t be reaping the rewards you will!).
4. Complete your homework on time
Completing your homework on time doesn’t just mean avoiding detention. It helps you improve your time management skills, apply your knowledge to questions and scenarios, and gain valuable feedback from your teacher. Endeavour to get your homework done the night it’s set, but if that’s not possible, always aim to complete a couple of hours of homework each night to stay on top of it. Keeping a planner or a diary can help you manage your assignments and time after school.
5. Keep healthy
Make sure you’re getting enough water, sleep, exercise, and nutrition to keep you as focused as possible. Opt for healthy snacks and keep a water bottle with you to stay hydrated. Getting in an hour of exercise each day is important, and movement also helps to improve your concentration, circulation, and memory. Getting between 8-10 hours of sleep a night is also valuable, so make sure to leave your phone in another room if you struggle with getting distracted late at night!
6. Start scheduling in revision time
It’s only 4 months or so until exam season, so start scheduling in revision time where possible. You don’t need to be spending hours on it, but an extra half an hour or so after your homework to go over some key terms, try a few extra questions, or watch an educational video on YouTube will help you immensely by the time April/May rolls around. Making it a habit to revise now will also mean less cramming later on!
7. Become a detective in your own learning
Not sure about something? Figure it out! Whether that means asking a teacher, looking it up online or in a book, or asking another student or friend. Don’t suffer in silence if you’re not understanding something. Teachers don’t mind you asking questions and, if you’re worried about what other people will think, try asking the teacher in private at the end of the lesson. The more you understand about a topic, the better!
8. Build your transferrable skills
Don’t overlook skills such as writing, critical reading, confidence, communication, arithmetic, and emotional intelligence. All of these skills are vital throughout your student career and beyond. Make sure to keep an eye out on our website for free skills classes or have a look online as to how you can develop and improve transferrable skills.
You might also like:
9. Schedule time to rest
Working hard is important if you want to achieve your academic goals, but it’s just as important to schedule time for rest and leisure activities, such as clubs and sports, socialising with friends, exploring your hobbies and interests, or just catching up with the latest Netflix series. Whatever it is, plan your downtime to ensure you give your mind and body a chance to relax and reset; it can improve your cognitive abilities, health, and stress levels!
10. Make up to 5 months of additional progress with tutoring sessions
Work through tricky concepts, get regular feedback from an expert tutor, and lessons that are personalised to your learning style and needs with our 1:1 tutoring sessions. Book our Success Start Package now to help you meet your goals for 2025 even sooner than you hoped!
Which of these tips will you be trying this year? Let us know in the comments!
