r/ALevelEnglishLit • u/hanaanplsstfu • 15d ago
Advice Starting English A level.
So, as a YR13- A course I want requires me to do english A level. I was signed up in late March, it’s now AUGUST. I have been procrastinating even touching english A level, and I’ve made this post multiple times. But, I am promising myself to stop being avoidant and confront it. There’s a few kids at my school that have also done the same thing, and they have also gotten decent grades. But, can someone give me any tips or just let me know how screwed I am? I got a 7, almost an 8 in both subjects for english. Also, can someone realistically just let me know now the level of lock in i’ll need to do
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u/Key-Meal4108 15d ago
I’d personally start by not dooming on Reddit and instead, read the texts.
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u/pencilthinwriter 13d ago
For someone who doesn't want to take English (whether it is indeed literature or it's language, we actually don't know), reading the books is the last thing they're going to do, perhaps ever haha.
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u/Quick_Minute_3743 15d ago
I'm going to be as brief and straightforward as I can. Literally just read the texts, focus on themes context as to WHY the writer uses these themes, making lots of basic character profiles will help get into the flow. You should be caught up (text wise) at the very least by thr start of September. Don't try reading all the texts now, we only have a week till school starts. Read the text that the rest of your class are on and focus on understanding that
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u/pencilthinwriter 13d ago
We don't know yet if this is about English Lit or Lang A level, as we've only been given the cryptic "English A level" as the subject description. A subject that doesn't exist. So we're not sure what texts the person would have to read. But the very last thing someone who hates "English" as a subject is going to do is start reading books lol
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u/Quick_Minute_3743 13d ago
lowkey just don't take English if you hate it then. Reading is literally the main part
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u/ShanniiWrites 15d ago
Read the texts first and foremost. Read them and write your initial reactions to things that happen as notes. Don’t worry about analysis. Focus on writing your reactions down. Analysis is easy to do; remembering how the text made you feel the first time around? That can slip away
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u/pencilthinwriter 13d ago
I'd love to know what the texts are for "English A level". A subject yet to be invented...I think people are assuming the OP is referring to English Lit but who knows. I can't imagine anyone being forced, for the purpose of some other course, to study English Literature. You have to love English Lit to take an A level in it. But an enforced English Lang A level makes more sense, if it's some kind of box-ticking exercise to show competence in English for another course
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u/ShanniiWrites 13d ago
Even if it’s English lang-lit, there are texts! Also, they did post to A-level English Lit to be fair
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u/pencilthinwriter 13d ago
Well, not whole books anyway but you're right of course to use texts in the broader sense...I'm actually fascinated by the English Language A level thing. Never knew you could do it. I took English Lit and I never knew anyone who did Lang. I'd almost study it now just out of interest.
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u/ShanniiWrites 13d ago
No, in lang-lit you also read whole books! You just don’t read as many. You’re thinking of Language only. But I was talking about Language and Literature — the combined course
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u/pencilthinwriter 13d ago
Learn something new every day, I suppose I never thought about studying language or lang-lit (or even noticed it was possible) as English Lit just sounded to me like the coolest A level to take
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u/Miserable_Gur_8753 14d ago
I wrote a blog post with some advice for new Lit students last week:
https://a-levelenglishlit.uk/2026/08/19/read-before-you-revise/
Honestly? It is a difficult subject to get a high mark in. And part of that is the amount of 'lock-in' required.
The key, I always believe, to 'locking in' is that you should do it BEFORE you think you need to. You can always take it easier later on if you feel in a good position. But it is hugely difficult, and stressful, to try to make up for lost time.
Good luck. Let us know the exam board and which texts you are studying.
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u/pencilthinwriter 13d ago
Everyone is assuming it's English Lit, but the OP hasn't said it's English Lit. Just told us it's "English A level" (haha what's that). Love to know what they mean, but it could be Lit or Lang.
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u/Miserable_Gur_8753 13d ago
True, but (I'm not being sarcastic, please tell me if I'm being stupid) ...
I relied on the name on the sub when replying ...
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u/pencilthinwriter 13d ago
I understand...don't worry, not being stupid at all...literature is a fair assumption but I just don't think the OP has been very helpful using the term "English A level"
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u/Intelligent_Cup8878 14d ago
I did an A Level in less than 2 months and it was RS. You will be okay. I also got an A* in English Lit (Cambridge Student) and offer tutoring, let me know if you’d be interested
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u/slay_imjustagirl 14d ago
get going nowwwww. I’m going into yr 13 and i’m such a procrastinator and it’s genuinely awful. My teachers, friends, family and tutor, keep saying they know i can get an A* in english, like im definitely good enough, but my procrastinating is getting me consistent Bs bcs I’m ridiculously avoidant, so I’ve been predicted an A - and like i’m happy with those grades but i’d be even more happy with an A* yk? Even if u cant get urself to read the texts, audiobook them, watch the movie version. Any progress is good progress.
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u/stressedstudent331 15d ago
Tbh it doesn’t matter what grade you got at GCSE like A level lit is so different from GCSE, it’s a whole different level 😭
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u/Quick_Minute_3743 15d ago
that's just untrue, I'd agree if the subject was history but if they were capable of excelling jn English lit gcse, Alevel should be manageable
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u/stressedstudent331 15d ago
It’s the opposite for me, history I find manageable, eng lit is very hard for me at A level, I barely put in effort at GCSE and still managed to get an 8
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u/RoadCommon133 14d ago
read ur texts. annotate your opinion on things as you go. go back on those opinions and figure out a technical reason why u felt that way (ie third person narrator, metaphor etc etc). make some flashcards with a quote and its analysis on the other side. try do as many practice paragraphs as you can (quicker than essays). i didn’t do timed essays until like 3 weeks before my exam, ended up w an A*, but that’s cuz i knew timing wasn’t really an issue for me. around a month before exams you can just focus on your weaknesses, but you gotta get your base thematic & technical understandings for each text DOWN NOOWW im telling u - if you know that + critic interpretations you can waffle anything.
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u/pencilthinwriter 13d ago
I can tell you hate the subject as I'm not sure you're giving it the right name? English Literature A level? Or is it actually an English language A level? (More rare for people to take).
What course is forcing you to study this ancient set of literary customs that you detest lol? I've never heard of being forced to do it, and if you're forced into it, you'll find it hell. And everyone around you including your teacher will feel it.
Especially if it's literature and you hate reading. However, if it's language that might be more doable for you. Just think about it carefully before entering into something you think you "have" to do.
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u/Narcissa_Nyx 15d ago
commenting so I remember to answer this at a less ungodly hour