From GCSE to A-levels: helping your teen step up

Children across the UK return to their school desks today, preparing themselves to get back into work mode after their long months off in the summer. This year might feel like a huge jump for some students as they make the transition up from GCSE to A-level, involving more course reading, more homework, and more independence. Making such a huge transition can prove to be difficult, but with the right routine and support, they can get off to the best start. MyTutor provides a five-point checklist for parents to help their teen make the adjustment from GCSEs to A-Levels.

1. Help them get organised early on.
First thing’s first– encourage them to clear out the things they don’t need from their workspace. If they want to keep their notes from last year, have them file them away in folders and binders. Stationary is not only a lifesaver when it comes to organising, but it can get them excited about the new school year – and motivated to do well from the start.

At A-level, they’ll have lots to keep track of– deadlines, reading, revision–so a planner is a must. If they’re glued to their phone, a school diary app might be a better way for them to stay on top of things. And a corkboard above their desk can also be a handy place to pin reminders and their study goals.

2. Let them know it’s OK to make mistakes.
Part of the learning process is making mistakes. But teens can be hard on themselves – especially with such a large transition to a more difficult curriculum. There’ll be lots of new material for them to digest in their A-level courses, and all of it may not stick right away. With all these changes, it’s normal for them to run into some bumps along the way. Helping them feel OK about mistakes before the academic year kicks off can give them tougher skin and make them feel more confident to raise their hand and try their best in and out of the classroom.

You can help them make friends with setbacks by telling them about your own. Share stories about the times you fell short– like when you failed your driving exam or forgot a deadline at school or work. It’ll help take the pressure off while they’re trying to work out how to become more independent at school.

3. Help them get ahead (and stay ahead).
MyTutor’s team of tutors, who are university students themselves, know what it takes to step up from GCSE to A-level. They’ve helped lots of teens over the years get through this change too. They can take your child through their course syllabus, help them get ahead in their reading and coursework, break down tricky topics, and prep them for mocks–all without breaking the bank. And a huge bonus is that teens who get this 1-1 support feel more confident about themselves.

4. Share helpful resources with them.
Learning how to learn is key to doing well at school– and beyond. From note-taking to putting together a revision timetable, good study hacks can save them time and help them digest all the info. Over on MyTutor’s Instagram account, they can find loads of useful study resources and tips on keeping well through the school year. Their free MyTutor Revision Toolkit also covers lots of study techniques like making mind maps and using the Pomodoro technique for getting the right balance between work and study. And over on MyTutor’s TikTok account, tutors are there to give teens advice on how to stay on top of their studies. They even break down tricky A-level topics and run live events where teens can ask their study questions.

5. Let them lead the way.
With independent projects and free study periods– your teen will have lots of decisions to make on how they spend their time. You can help them become more independent at school by letting them lead the way at home. Dr Louise Egan who’s a clinical psychologist, says it’s a good idea for parents to put the ball in their child’s court. Ask them what they want and need. It isn’t always easy to give them more of a say, especially when you might have a different idea of what’s best for them. But giving them space (when they need it), listening to their opinions and staying open will help them gain confidence–which is key to becoming a strong independent learner.

They’re growing up fast– it’s hard to believe they’re already in their last 2 years of school! And though the changes ahead might seem like a lot at first, with the right support, they can take this step up with confidence. If you’d like help finding an online tutor to support your teen’s step up to A-Level, book a call with one of MyTutor’s team of Tutor Experts