Our Experts’ Tips for a Productive Easter Holidays

For Year 12 Students

You're at the threshold of your university journey, and the Easter holidays present a prime opportunity to lay a solid foundation for your future. Here's how to make the most of it:

• Academic Review: As with all students, we recommend that you use the break to review and reinforce key concepts from your A-level or IB subjects. Schedule regular study sessions to prevent knowledge decay and ensure you're well-prepared for upcoming assessments or mock exams. 

• University Research: Begin researching potential universities and courses that align with your interests and career aspirations. Look beyond rankings and consider factors such as course structure, facilities, and student support services. Use online resources, university open days, and alumni networks to gather insights and make informed decisions. Our blog on why it pays to begin your university applications early gives a more detailed overview of all the different ways you can begin bolstering your application at this early stage! Additionally, our blog on navigating university choices is a good tool for narrowing down university and course options.

• Personal Statement Preparation: Start brainstorming ideas and gathering material for your personal statement. Reflect on how various extracurricular activities, work experiences, or more general subject research would relate to your chosen subject, your personal strengths, and your goals for the future. Begin planning materials you’d like to read, watch, or listen to, and consider beginning the administrative work for any potential activities (including work experience) you’d like to undertake over the summer. Our blog on building a strong personal statement gives a more detailed overview of the steps you can take at this stage to make yours stand out!

For Year 11 Students

As you approach the culmination of your GCSE journey, the Easter holidays offer a vital opportunity to consolidate your learning and prepare for the challenges ahead (if you’re not convinced on how important GCSEs might be to your academic future, check out our blog on the impact of GCSEs on university applications!). Here's how to use the holidays to your advantage ahead of your exams:

• Effective Revision Techniques: Adopt proven revision techniques such as spaced repetition, active recall, and summarisation to optimise your study sessions. Create a structured revision timetable, allocate time for each subject, and vary your study methods to keep things engaging and effective. Our Oxbridge-graduate experts have each given their top revision tips on our blog; check it out to see if they can help you maximise your study time!

• Exam Strategies: Familiarise yourself with exam formats, mark schemes, and timing constraints for each subject. Practise past papers under timed conditions to build confidence and improve your exam technique. Pay attention to feedback and areas for improvement to refine your approach.

• Prioritise Self-Care: Amidst the academic pressure, don't neglect your well-being. Make sure to get adequate sleep, eat healthily, and engage in stress-relieving activities such as exercise or mindfulness. Remember, a rested mind and body are essential for peak performance during exams. 

Regardless of your year group or plans for the future, the Easter holidays present a valuable opportunity to reflect, recharge, and prepare for the academic challenges ahead. By implementing these tips and strategies, you can make the most of this break and set yourself up for success in your academic endeavours.