Last Updated on March 5, 2024
Studying for A Levels can be a challenging time for even the brightest of young minds. For 16 to 18-year-olds taking on these big public examinations, the stakes have never been higher: a good grade can be the lifeline they need to secure their dream job, apprenticeship, or place at university.
So, how can you support your teen’s studies when the pressure is building and they lose the motivation to work? In this article, we’ll discuss four ways that you can set them up to best fulfill their academic potential. Let’s jump in.
Make revision a team effort
Though it might not be your idea of quality family time, working alongside your son or daughter could provide their revision with a much-needed change of pace. Studying alone can be a lonely and unstimulating pursuit, so having a parent around to bounce ideas off of, test their knowledge and even explain subject concepts could make it a more productive use of time.
In fact, getting your child to teach you the exam content can massively improve their chances of memorizing it. Learning by teaching is a recognized revision technique dubbed the Protégé effect — explained as the “psychological phenomenon where teaching, pretending to teach, or preparing to teach information to others helps a person learn that information”. Going beyond rote learning and getting to grips with the particulars of exam content so that they can teach it to you will therefore provide a deeper understanding of the material.
Enroll them in external classes
For the parents that don’t fancy their chances at playing the pupil, there are also out-of-school classes available to bolster your child’s learning. Recent years have seen a massive increase in the number of pupils receiving private tuition, thanks to pandemic-related school closures in the UK. With these formative years in education disturbed, many parents have chosen to supplement class time with external sessions tailored to exam board specifications.
For instance, PMT Courses offers online AQA and OCR courses designed to refresh content knowledge between years 12 and 13, as well as Easter and Christmas mock preparation classes. These complementary sessions can build confidence and understanding at key moments throughout the academic year so that your child will be ready when it comes time for the final stretch.
Create a revision timetable
Working with your teen to put together an effective study schedule can help them manage their time and minimize procrastination. Allotting windows for work and break time provides the discipline necessary to succeed — while also allowing you as a parent to keep on top of whether they’re under-working or over-working.
One popular time management method is the Pomodoro Technique. Designed by productivity expert Francesco Cirillo, this method advises 25 minutes of uninterrupted work paired with a five-minute break to relax — followed by a longer break of 25-30 minutes every four ‘pomodoros’. Trialing different schedules can help your child discover what works best for them, an invaluable tool that will serve them throughout life — but more importantly, it will give them time to refresh their focus.
Minimise distractions
Speaking of procrastination, any parent that’s had to work remotely will know that home comforts can be a big drain on productivity. Research has shown that up to twice as many students get distracted when doing computer-based work at home rather than in the equivalent school setting. Inevitably, this can cause problems when it comes time for study leave and pupils are expected to work independently.
To mitigate potential distractions, discuss some smartphone-free time as part of your child’s revision schedule, minimize their chores and other home responsibilities, and crucially, try not to interrupt them during study time. Frequent interruptions are all too common in a busy household and have been associated with lower rates of productivity and higher error rates during tasks.
By putting measures in place to make studying as painless as possible, you can ensure that your child has the tools and support they need to succeed. And now that you’ve done your part, it’s over to them — all that’s left to do is wish them good luck!