A guide by students from Brentford School for Girls.

Being a 6th form student can feel pretty overwhelming, especially with exams just around the corner. With only three months to go, it’s time to get serious about prep—not just to do well, but to ease some of that exam stress too. In this article, we’ll share some tips that worked for us and hopefully they’ll help you as well!

For us, moving into 6th form was a huge leap from KS4 to KS5—not just academically, but in terms of how things worked overall. Back in lower school, we were juggling 6-9 smaller GCSEs over three years, with plenty of support from teachers. But in 6th Form, you’re focusing on just three A-levels or BTECs in under two years. There’s way more independent study to handle, and the workload feels like it’s tripled overnight. No wonder it can feel a bit overwhelming, right?
 

It’s totally normal to feel stressed or anxious, especially when time seems to fly by. For us, staying on top of things from the start of Year 12 made all the difference. After every lesson, we’d make flashcards or mind maps to break it down. By the time revision season rolled around, most of our resources were ready to go. It saved us so much time and energy later!

So, here are some tips we picked up from our experience that might help with revision:

· Creating and sticking to a timetable:

It can be challenging, but making it realistic can help. Limit yourself to focusing on no more than two subjects per day and set small rewards to stay motivated. By structuring your day thoughtfully and building in breaks, you can make revision more manageable and stay productive without burning out.

For example, Pranjal shares her approach: ‘‘On Tuesdays after school, I plan to study sociology from 5pm to 5:45pm. Afterwards, I take a 15-minute break to either get some fresh air or do a bit of exercise. Then, I move on to my second subject, film studies, from 6pm to 6:45pm. I like to start with the easier material first, gradually working my way up to the more challenging topics. This helps me ease into the session without feeling overwhelmed. It's natural to lose focus at times, but when I do, I glance at the clock to remind myself how close I am to completing my set goals."

· Studying smarter, not harder:

Using time wisely is something that everyone finds difficult to adhere to. So, make a list of topics that you struggle with the most. Start revising with the topic that you struggle the most at and slowly work your way down the list. As you complete each topic, tick the list. This helps you feel accomplished and helps you stay optimistic.

‘‘Some people like me would find it easier to start with the easy part first and then slowly make my way to the harder topics. This not only helps me brainstorm ideas but also motivates me to complete work. For example, in business studies I start by answering 4-mark questions and slowly make my way to the difficult ones. Challenge yourself to try the harder questions as well - do not avoid it!’’ shared Pranjal.

· How to ace past paper questions:

Take your time to really read the question carefully. Trust me, it’ll save you from panicking later when you're unsure what to include. Those tricky command words like ‘explain,’ ‘evaluate,’ ‘discuss,’ and ‘identify’ can throw anyone off.

Mabli, shared her top tip: “I spent time learning what those words actually mean and used the mark scheme to figure out what the examiner wants to see. Then, I started using keywords in my answers to grab the most marks with fewer words.” It saves time and makes you look like you know your stuff.

After revising a topic, try a past paper question on it without timing yourself. Check your answers with the mark scheme and learn from your mistakes. Do this a few times until you feel confident. Once you’re done with revision, challenge yourself by doing a full past paper under timed conditions. It’s a great way to see how well you’re doing!

· Organisation

Being organised is key when it comes to revising. Think about what you’re going to study and how you plan to do it. Research shows that studying at a desk in a more professional setting can help you succeed more than revising on a bed or sofa. That said, everyone’s different. Mabli shared, “I disagree with this because I find working in a comfortable environment better.” The truth is, what works for one person might not work for someone else. So, try out different methods and stick with what feels right for you!

· Stick with people who help you grow:

It’s easy to get distracted by friends or peers when working in a group. A lot of the time, we shift from a focused vibe to a totally unproductive one just because of distractions. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with people who motivate you, help you revise, and bring out your best. And remember—it’s okay to take a step back from others if you need to. Your success is in your hands!

Remove distractions such as mobile phones by keeping it in a different room whilst you work. Any messages will wait!

· Don’t leave it till the last minute:

Revision might feel manageable at first, so you might put it off—but trust me, it can pile up fast and stop you from doing your best. Start early! It gives you extra time later and keeps you on track to hit your goals. Stop procrastinating and focus on that end goal!

If you’re struggling with creative work, like art, it can be hard to think of ideas quickly. Here’s a tip: use platforms like YouTube and Pinterest to get inspired. “I watch others doing art and use that as motivation to keep going,” says Pranjal.

· Healthy living

Staying healthy during revision is so important! To keep our brains working at their best, we need to give them the right fuel. A healthy mind comes from a healthy body, and this is especially true when you're deep into revision.

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean just studying non-stop—it’s about finding a balance. Take time to do the things you love! Mabli says, “To reward myself after all the stress of revision and exams, I treat myself with something small. I go out with friends for a movie, have lunch with my family, or even plan a fun trip to a theme park.” Taking breaks like this can really boost your mental wellbeing.

Some simple ways to stay healthy include exercising, spending time with loved ones, eating well, and keeping a regular sleep schedule. Speaking of sleep—don’t underestimate how important it is. A proper sleep routine doesn’t just help you feel energised, it also helps your brain hold onto information. So, if you want to ace those exams, make sleep a priority! Experts recommend getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night (source: https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-requirements).

Bottom line: don’t skimp on self-care during revision—it’s just as important as studying!

· Taking care of your mental health during revision time

Let’s face it—revision can feel overwhelming and really take a toll on your mental health. Ever find yourself worrying too much, pulling away from loved ones, or feeling overly emotional? You’re not alone.

Here’s what Mabli shared: ‘‘I didn’t realise how overwhelmed I was feeling until it hit me. Talking to my family and friends helped so much. We opened up about how we were all feeling, and it made me feel less alone—it really lightens the load.’’ The key takeaway? Don’t be afraid to reach out when you need support.

Brentford is dedicated to creating a supportive and uplifting environment for its students. Student wellbeing is high on the agenda - especially at difficult times. Passionate staff are always available to guide and encourage, while engaging assemblies and workshops build confidence and prepare students to face any challenge. At Brentford, every student knows they have the support they need every step of the way.

This article was authored by Mabli and Pranjal, members of the BSfG 6th Form Press Team.