More Able Learners is a category in our School which have been identified as being in the top stream of results and as a results could benefit from a richer and wider experience...... PSYCHOLOGY A LEVEL – MR SMITH There are no quick gimmicks to learn a subject at A Level and Psychology is a challenging subject with so many sub-topics that learners have to be aware how they approach the subject for success. I would like to recommend some tips though to make your life easier from my pupils over the last 15+ years from what they have found to be the best mechanisms for success....
DO'S.....
Do - Prepare revision cards (I call them grids) very early on. Basically have a word document with subheadings setting out the A01, A03 of each topic and try to cover all of the content in each section. Approx time 20 hours for each Unit.
Do - Review your work constantly, keep going over sections covered weeks or months ago, pupils' generally say that a topic is forgotten within a few weeks!
Do - Review exam papers and try to complete exam questions as early as possible, even if you fail the process of getting to know all the types of questions is a great advantage.
Do - Take Research Methods seriously! This accounts for about 25-30% of the course and is a major factor in pupils success.
Do - Practice writing out your A01 AND A03, otherwise your recall is not fully tested, even recording your voice and hearing yourself back is a good technique.
Do - Start early, most current Year 13's leaving the course suggest revising at the start of Year 13..sounds harsh...ask them yourselves!!
Do - Complete all the Can You Questions in your text book and Revision book, this is an absolute way to guarantee success.
Do - Finally, keep your folders organised, your life when you begin revising seems much less complicated knowing you have all the materials..
Do - Work positively with your teachers, we all share the same desire, simply to get you the highest possible grade!
Don'ts - Do not ignore the above, keep to the above basics and life will be predictable and before you know it you will be in University!