Published on 02/10/17
How to make the most out of your last year at school
Year 13 is a very important time in your academic life. Most students buckle down to work, and make plans for the future. In this post, we’ve put together 7 things that will help you make the most of your last year of school - and prepare you for university.
1. Start the year with the right attitude. We are only a few weeks into the new school year, but this final year is unlike any that have come before. It is important to switch from summer holiday mode to productive work mode. This is the time for refocusing and planning. If you go into the new term with the right frame of mind you will achieve more and feel positive about the future.
2. It’s important to look after yourself, eat well and get plenty of sleep. If you become run down you are more likely to pick up colds and viruses. Staying healthy makes studying a great deal easier.
3. Stay focused and keep your cool. The workload can feel overwhelming at times, especially as multiple deadlines approach. At this point, take a deep breath and remember that this is only for a year. Contemplate your end goals - all of your hard work is going to pay off in the end.
4. Plan, plan, plan! Organise your week, either in a diary or on a calendar. Write down all important dates and deadlines. The final year is a rush of UCAS applications, University open days, student loan applications, UCAS fairs, exam dates and revision sessions. Staying organised will save you a lot of unnecessary stress.
5. Being self-disciplined can be difficult, but you will never regret it! Be strict with yourself, don’t procrastinate. It is easy to put off revision and tell yourself that you will do it later, but it’s a slippery slope. You’ll run out of time, then stress out or panic. It’s not worth putting it off.
6. Use your free time wisely by taking advantage of your weekends and holidays to plan your career and research universities. Get some experience in the sector you are interested in as it will boost your CV. Now is a good time to start ordering university prospectuses (these are free and you can order them from university websites). Look into internships and apprenticeships.
7. Remember to have fun! Your final year is going to be tough, and will require you to work tremendously hard, but you must remember that you have a life to live too. This is going to be your last year in a place you find familiar with close friends around you, so make the most of it. Every now and then, it’s okay to forget homework and revision. Let your hair down for a while and make the most of the opportunities that may come your way.