With the Easter Break quickly approaching, it is an ideal time for students to start their exam preparations.
We are now at time of writing only 52 days away from the first GCSE exams, and 56 days before A Level students begin their own examination period. Strong, structured preparation is the key to success for any project, but for some students this can be particularly challenging. The brain does not mature until around 25 years of age, and yet we ask students to undertake exams that will impact the rest of their lives.
The US’ National Institute for Mental Health noted that one of the last parts of the brain to mature is the prefrontal cortex – which is responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and making good decisions (USNIMH – The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know). Meanwhile studies that the NIH consulted indicated that this issue is compounded by the development of the teenage brain which often results in prioritising peer relationships and social experiences over informed decision making. This makes students more likely to take risks, ignore other tasks, and focus on hanging out with their friends than doing exam preparation.
This is where tutoring can make a significant difference. Accountability is known to improve outcomes, and a tutor can ensure that students keep themselves on track outside of the classroom. Furthermore, teaching is based on the lowest common denominator – with a one-size-fits-all approach due to the number of students in the class. For many students, this fails to engage them and their interests and only encourages that underdeveloped prefrontal cortex to subsume itself to less productive impulses. Tutoring allows for a personalised response intended to engage the student, to make learning an enjoyable experience, and to set realistic goals and targets that the student can achieve. As noted in a previous blog, there is a clear consensus that tutoring is one of the genuine game changers of education, and now is the time to take up sessions to maximise exam preparation.
With our expert tutors having maximum flexibility, half-terms allow for multiple sessions to cram in that targeted revision. We are experts at exam preparation, so the half-term becomes an excellent way to set targeted essays and mocks to boost student confidence and preparation. For students struggling with class content, the break provides an excellent time to go back to basics, or to deep dive into a misunderstood topic. Regardless, we here at Cardiff & Vale Tutoring can provide a range of tutors to cover the curriculum and deliver that targeted support that has consistently been proven to make all the difference at this crucial time.
Blog written and researched by Dr Daniel Chesse.
Do take a look at earlier blogs
https://cardiffvaletutors.co.uk/news/summer-2024-gcse-exam-preparation-tips/
https://cardiffvaletutors.co.uk/news/establishing-a-routine-to-help-with-exam-pressure/
We are living in unprecedented times. Now is the time to seek alternative solutions to ensure life continues as normally as possible. With this in mind, we are proud to continue to offer our online learning environment; remote tution delivered by professional tutors to individuals and groups, at an affordable price.
Please feel free to arrange this with your existing tutor or note this on our Find a Tutor form. Please feel free to give us a call on 07817 322 741 to discuss further.
We are not qualified to offer advice on Covid-19 Coronavirus safety issues. We are relying on Welsh & UK Government advice.
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