Getting through school and higher education can often appear as a bit of a challenge. We are met with many different obstacles, some of which knock us back. Being a student is no easy feat, and the pressures that we can often feel to do well are monumental at times.
None more so than in recent times. Students have had to completely adapt and change how they learn and adapt to the online teaching world as much as their teachers. It has undoubtedly been a challenging time for many and could well have left some students questioning not only their academic achievements but what it could mean moving forward.
With the recent news that exams in England have once again been cancelled due to the impacts of COVID-19 and that grades will be made from in-class assessments and coursework, there may well be some students who are wondering what their grades will be and how they can continue to improve and build on their current performance.
That is where we come in. We have created a helpful guide below, detailing some of the things that students could implement into their lives when wanting to thrive in school and beyond. We are confident that there will be something of value here and that you will go forward knowing what you may need to change to thrive through school and university.
Read on for more.
Thriving Academically
Naturally, when in the educational environment, you want nothing more than to thrive academically and do well in all subjects. While this is very well the case, it is challenging to be good at everything, and most of the time, it isn’t easy to attain. We can recognise the desire to thrive and excel in everything that we put our hand in. Believe us; we have been there ourselves!
That being said, there are things that you can do to help you thrive academically. Some of these include the following:
Knowing Your Strengths and Weaknesses:
To improve on something, you need to be aware of what needs improving. It would now be proactive to have a stab in the dark. Ensuring that you make a list of what you are good at and what you do not effectively identify what areas you need to focus on moving forward. After all, improving sooner rather than later gives you the best possible chance to thrive and excel in your further education. This could be identified at a young age, for there are resources and services available to help in these situations. This leads us to the following point.
Getting a Tutor When Needed
Suppose you are in a position where you have identified your strengths and weaknesses; you may well have decided that you would like some extra help or tutoring with certain aspects of your education. There are various organisations and resources available for students of varying abilities, from those who need help with the 11 plus exam to those studying at university who need an IB Physics Tutor.
Naturally, like other aspects of the educational world, these services have transitioned to the online world and offer in-person services. 11 plus online learning is provided by the likes of Test Teach and can help in tutoring and improving skills required for sitting the 11 plus exam. Services such as these can help you thrive in the primary educational environment and beyond, and there is nothing wrong with asking for a bit of help when needed. It is what the services are there for, after all.
Practice Makes Perfect
This a saying we are confident that many people reading this and beyond have come across and implemented in various aspects of our lives. Bearing that in mind, it is also true; to improve on something, practising is an ideal way of going about that. Nobody enjoys revision, but there are plenty of ways to make it more palatable. Create a mind map for every topic. Write cue cards to test yourself on facts and figures. Watch YouTube tutorials and listen to revision podcasts. Whether it be getting to grips with a mathematical equation or understanding particular techniques used in art class, practising regularly and not rushing yourself is an effective method of thriving.
Remaining patient with yourself and not comparing yourself to others – while that can be challenging – will set you up for success moving forward. Not to mention, remembering not to compare yourself to others is a valuable skill to have, not just for the educational setting but for the wider world as well.
Looking After Your Well Being
While the central concept of wanting to thrive in the academic setting is by getting good grades and doing well in your subjects, this is not the be-all and end-all of doing well.
An essential aspect of thriving in education that should be remembered is your well-being.
Ensuring that you are looking after yourself while striving for success is essential; pushing yourself to the extreme and ignoring your body’s needs while striving for success will most probably lead to a burning out or some injury. While it is essential to do well in school and beyond, it is also crucial that you take the time to look after yourself and your needs.
Much like asking for help and assistance within your education, there are also resources and services provided by various organisations which can positively contribute to your well-being and guide you through any challenging periods that you might be experiencing. Not to mention, possessing the skills necessary to look after your well-being is a crucial life skill and can be implemented and used in various settings, not just educational ones.
One thing that could also be done, which can contribute to your education and look after your well-being, is implementing and sticking to a routine. Setting aside a specific time to study and times in your day to look after your well-being can ensure that you are in tip-top condition.
What’s more, there are also other resources that you could use when further contributing to your ability to thrive in the education setting, which leads us to our next and final point.
Utilising Resources Provided by Your Institution
While there are many outside resources on offer for students like yourself, an ideal place to begin looking for assistance would be within the institution that you are studying at itself. Whether this is asking for a tutor within your institution or access to other resources that could further contribute to your education, the resources are there for a reason, and we are confident that your teachers and lecturers would be more than willing to help you. All you need to do is ask.
We understand that asking and reaching out for help can be a bit daunting for some people. While that is the case, it is indeed the most challenging part of the process. Building up the courage and being brave enough to ask for help and assistance when you need it will positively contribute towards your overall progress and set you up for the future.
By implementing these suggestions and more, we are confident that you will be able to go forward with the skills you need to attain your dream job. We believe in you!
