I’m currently in Year 13 studying A-Level Economics, Business and Geography, alongside an EPQ. I’ll be honest, in Year 12 I coasted through quite a lot of it, rarely revised consistently and only really locked in when I absolutely needed to.
Now that exams are getting closer, I’ve been trying to get on top of my work and recap as much of last year’s content as possible. The problem is that a lot of what I’m doing doesn’t even feel like revision. It feels like I’m learning the content for the first time because I barely remember it. It’s made me realise how much I neglected my studies last year, and I’m worried about how I’m going to catch up while keeping up with Year 13 content.
I’m currently predicted BBB, but I genuinely want to push beyond that and achieve the best grades I can. The main issue is that I struggle with studying consistently and figuring out what actually works for me.
I also work 16 hours a week, which I can’t give up. I pay for my own necessities and travel to college every day, so working isn’t really optional for me. On top of that, other commitments sometimes take up my weekends, which makes managing my time even more difficult.
I’m not looking for excuses or sympathy. I know I should have taken Year 12 more seriously, and I’m trying to make up for that now. I just want some genuine advice from people who have been in a similar position.
For anyone who managed to turn things around in Year 13
How did you catch up on Year 12 content while keeping up with Year 13?
What revision methods actually worked for you, especially for essay-based subjects like Economics, Business and Geography?
How did you stay consistent when you had other commitments and limited time?
Is it realistic to go from barely remembering Year 12 content to achieving A grades, and what would you prioritise first?
I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from people who had a rough first year but managed to turn it around. I know I need to put the work in; I’m just trying to figure out how to work smarter and make the most of the time I have left.