The Study Sessions: from The Study Buddy

You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from those of us who’ve now come to the end of the exam period road. Now, all we have to do is wait for the results. But amongst us there are year 10 parents, the next cohort of GCSE studying families, considering the trek ahead as they leave the relative comfort of year 10 to the adventure that is exam year. So just what is the best foot forward on this journey?

To end season 3 of The Study Sessions Podcast we're thinking about the next cohort and how to prepare for success. Nathan McGurl, founder of The Study Buddy, is joined by Rachel Stuart - academic coach and founder of The Mindset Lab. 

 

In this episode we'll be covering: 

·        Is the summer a good time to think about academic goals?

·        How do you go about setting academic goals?

·        How much should students/parents think about mock previous exams in preparing for 2023 GCSEs?

·        Are there coaching ‘tricks’ that parents can use to help motivate their children?

·        What should students (and parents) have in place to start the next academic year on the right foot?

This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents and students about studying, with practical tips on surviving and thriving in revision and exams. Why not take a look back over the last three seasons' episodes for a wealth of tips and advice?

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production. 

The end of exams brings with it an almost palpable lifting of a weight. The hard work has been done – or not – and now all you have to do is wait. And I say “all” like it’s easy in itself. For some this waiting period can be a little fraught too. So what are the best ways to approach this hinterland between exams, results and our little darling’s next steps?

This week I’m delighted to be joined by Andy Scott-Evans. And is the Head Teacher of Becket Keys Church of England School in Essex where he has been head for nearly 10 years.

In this episode we ask:

If there’s one thing more stressful than revision for students – and us parents – then it’s the actual exam period. Many of us will feel like life is on a knife edge not knowing what to do for the best. Just how can we move past the fluctuating moods and bouts of anxiety, to try and make this a productive period? 

The exam season has started in earnest – or should that be in anger?!  It’s an important and tricky time to navigate. All three seasons of our podcast have been hopefully building to this moment. With episodes ranging from coping with stress, through to the importance of a good diet. In response to some of the common questions The Study Buddy gets asked, I've cherry-picked a few gems from the last 87 episodes to help.

 In this episode we cover: 

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers about GCSE and A Level exams in 2022. Sharing these real-life experiences will confirm we're not alone and should also provide plenty of advice and tips when it comes to supporting our own teens.

If you would like to take part in a future episode please drop us a line: [email protected]

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing GCSE and A-Level revision in the run-up to exams. For more information about The Study Buddy's approach to organising study, time management and revision skills visit thestudybuddy.com

Produced by Pineapple Audio Productions.

There’s a broad presumption that after school there’s A levels and then onto university for a degree. A lot of young people just seem to get swept along on this fast-flowing river of higher education. But with increasing options and alternatives, are we doing enough to make sure that our teens know what else is out there for them?

This week Nathan, founder of The Study Buddy, is chatting with Faith. Faith has taken the decision not to go off to university and instead has taken up an apprenticeship. In fact a financial crime apprentice at Lloyds Bank. Faith is also featured in the Government’s ‘Get the Jump’ Skills for Life campaign. 

In this episode, we hear Faith explain her reasoning for following the apprenticeship route, despite an expectation that Uni is the next step for teens after college. Faith talks openly and enthusiastically about her chosen path - and it's really refreshing to listen to!

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers about GCSE and A Level exams in 2022. Sharing these real-life experiences will confirm we're not alone and should also provide plenty of advice and tips when it comes to supporting our own teens.

If you would like to take part in a future episode please drop us a line: [email protected]

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing GCSE and A-Level revision in the run-up to exams. For more information about The Study Buddy's approach to organising study, time management and revision skills visit thestudybuddy.com

Produced by Pineapple Audio Productions.

It’s not long now until the exams. It’s a time when nerves can get frayed, and tensions run high. This is the stage of revision that is most marked by the rhetorical questions like my personal favourite: Shouldn’t you be revising? Wouldn’t it be great if there were answers out there for the issues that plague us…

In this week's episode, The Study Buddy founder, Nathan McGurl, is answering some of the most common questions we get asked about revision and the run-up to exams. He is joined by his GCSE-facing daughter, Emily, who shares the student perspective too.

We cover: 

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers about GCSE and A Level exams in 2022. Sharing these real-life experiences will confirm we're not alone and should also provide plenty of advice and tips when it comes to supporting our own teens.

If you would like to take part in a future episode please drop us a line: [email protected]

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing GCSE and A-Level revision in the run-up to exams. For more information about The Study Buddy's approach to organising study, time management and revision skills visit thestudybuddy.com 

Produced by Pineapple Audio Productions.

“I’ve been revising for ages” is often something that battle weary parents will have heard when asking how it’s going. As if lapsed time, spent near an open book or with a YouTube video playing a good use of time. But to be fair, it’s not just the procrastinators and the avoiders that struggle with the actual how of revising, even conscientious students can get lured into spending hours prettifying notes or highlighting textbooks, without knowing what value it does or doesn’t add. So, just what are the dos and don’ts when it comes to making the most of that precious revision time?

In this episode Nathan is joined by Kate Jones - in her second Study Sessions appearance. A History teacher by trade, Kate is the author of several education books, with a focus on cognitive science and in particular retrieval practice.

This week we are taking a practical look at some of the revision techniques that will help your teen's performance in the exams. Including flashcards, blurting and brain dumps, elaboration and past papers.

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers about GCSE and A Level exams in 2022. Sharing these real-life experiences will confirm we're not alone and should also provide plenty of advice and tips when it comes to supporting our own teens.

If you would like to take part in a future episode please drop us a line: [email protected]

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing GCSE and A-Level revision in the run-up to exams. For more information about The Study Buddy's approach to organising study, time management and revision skills visit thestudybuddy.com 

Produced by Pineapple Audio Productions.

Keeping up with the Jones’ was always used as an expression about consumerism, upgrading the washing machine, getting a fancier car, holidaying to the Costa Del Sol – if my Essex childhood was ever in any doubt, this is proof positive! At some point it seemed that parenting fell into this way of thinking, peering over the fence to compare grades or revision effort. But that’s not what it’s about – is it?

In this episode hear from mum of two Zoe talk about how things are going. Her eldest is in his first year at college while her daughter is preparing for GCSEs this summer. As a general rule, these episodes tend to focus on helping to improve something, or fixing something. Here though we refreshingly hear about a sense of calm. That's not to say there's any smugness or even insta-whitewashing, just normal life! And very refreshing it is too!

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers about GCSE and A Level exams in 2022. Sharing these real-life experiences will confirm we're not alone and should also provide plenty of advice and tips when it comes to supporting our own teens.

If you would like to take part in a future episode please drop us a line: [email protected]

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing GCSE and A-Level revision in the run-up to exams. For more information about The Study Buddy's approach to organising study, time management and revision skills visit thestudybuddy.com 

Produced by Pineapple Audio Productions.

The run-up to exams is an anxious time for all teens – and their parents. A certain amount of stress is not only normal, it can also be a good thing. It shows that the outcome is important. However, some young people feel that pressure to perform much more than others. Sometimes to a worrying extent. But just what can parents do if their child finds themselves struggling under the weight of it all?

This week sees the return of Dr Dominique Thompson to the show. Dom is a former University GP, TEDx speaker and author of the utterly indispensable “How To Grow A Grown Up”.

In this episode, Dom explains the dangers of perfectionism and setting unsustainable targets. We explore how to alleviate the pressure that many teens face with some great practical tips.

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers about GCSE and A Level exams in 2022. Sharing these real-life experiences will confirm we're not alone and should also provide plenty of advice and tips when it comes to supporting our own teens.

If you would like to take part in a future episode please drop us a line: [email protected]

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing GCSE and A-Level revision in the run-up to exams. For more information about The Study Buddy's approach to organising study, time management and revision skills visit thestudybuddy.com 

Produced by Pineapple Audio Productions.

There’s a widely recognised link between how well teens do in their exams – and in school generally – and the kind of interest and support they get at home over around their education. At least that’s how I justify any fleeting moments of overbearing nagging to my children – and to be honest, to myself. But not all support is created equal, so just how can we be more deliberate a focused in our attempts to help our young people prepare for their exams?

This week Nathan is chatting with Helen Howell. Helen is the Director of English in a Greater Manchester secondary school. Helen has recently authored the fantastic – The Revision Revolution – How to build a culture of effective study in your school.

In this episode Helen explains why school's approach to revision needs to change. We also explore how parents can support their exam facing teens, with practical tips and advice.

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers about GCSE and A Level exams in 2022. Sharing these real-life experiences will confirm we're not alone and should also provide plenty of advice and tips when it comes to supporting our own teens.

If you would like to take part in a future episode please drop us a line: [email protected]

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing GCSE and A-Level revision in the run-up to exams. For more information about The Study Buddy's approach to organising study, time management and revision skills visit thestudybuddy.com 

Produced by Pineapple Audio Productions.

If you ask any exam facing student whether they want to fail, they will tell you they don’t. Of course. And invariably they’ll know that to not fail (but especially to do well) they have to revise a bit. But strangely this acceptance doesn’t always translate into action. So just what is it that causes the “does not compute” error that’s preventing our teens from getting on with revision?

This week Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - is taking you step by step through the process of creating a winning revision schedule. From how to approach that awkward initial conversation with your teen, through to celebrating the successes this episode will have you up and running in no time!

For those wanting to take advantage of the free product that Nathan mentions in the episode, the code is PODCAST

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers about GCSE and A Level exams in 2022. Sharing these real-life experiences will confirm we're not alone and should also provide plenty of advice and tips when it comes to supporting our own teens.

If you would like to take part in a future episode please drop us a line: [email protected]

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing GCSE and A-Level revision in the run-up to exams. For more information about The Study Buddy's approach to organising study, time management and revision skills visit thestudybuddy.com 

Produced by Pineapple Audio Productions.