The Study Sessions: from The Study Buddy

We’ve all done that thing of saying or doing something to our children we promised our younger selves we would never say or do. It’s the gradual but undeniable transformation into our own parents. But is that such a bad thing? After all, doesn’t it come from a place of good intention and concern and brought to life with the benefit of our own experiences?

This week our special guest is TV's Sanjeev Bhaskar.  As well as being instantly recognisable for his many roles on TV (Unforgotten, Kumars), in film (Paddington 2, Yesterday), and stage (Spamalot), he is also a writer, presenter and the Chancellor at Sussex University. Critically, Sanjeev is also the dad to a GCSE facing teen boy.

In this episode, Sanjeev shares his own teenage experiences, studying subjects he didn't enjoy, and how that shapes his outlook and approach with his own son. In a wide-ranging chat, Sanjeev talks about finding his own path and giving and seeking parental approval. We also talk about how life can get in the way of our calm responses as well as how, as parents, we look for ways to support.

It's an open and strikingly honest look back at his younger days right through to his parenting role today.

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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 revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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 been quite a while since many of us have taken an exam, so it’s understandable that we might have forgotten some of the best practices. To be honest I suspect a significant number of us may not have been especially au fait with those best practices at the time either! That can make it tricky when we’re trying to nudge our own teens along. Especially if along the way we start to focus more on the results than the habits and behaviours they need along the way – and beyond!

This week's guest is Kim Constable. Kim has been teaching for over 15 years in both the UK and Europe. She shares a phenomenal number of resources on her website around study skills, useful for parents and teachers alike – hecticteachersite.wordpress.com

The episode looks at the difficult situation that exam-facing teens find themselves in. Kim explains that it isn't just knowledge and skills that will help students in the approach to GCSEs and A levels, but also their approach, attitude and behaviours. A really useful and upbeat episode full of great advice!

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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 revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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.

Parenting can be a thankless task at times. Sure there are great bits to it, and on balance we wouldn’t be without them. Well, not all of us, and not all of the time. But there are aspects of the role that can be unwelcomed. The disciplinarian or enforcer role. The “have you done your homework” moments and the “put your phone away” times. So how would it feel to 'delegate' those aspects to someone else?

This week's guest is Katie. She's mum to two teens who are at boarding school. Her daughter is taking her GCSEs in 2022. This is an especially thought-provoking episode - particularly for those parents who don't have a child in boarding school. Katie talks about how she never imagined she'd send her children off; but how her children benefit from the structure.

While their school might not be the old fashioned stereotype of gowns and mortarboards, it is undoubtedly stricter and with less freedom than in your average home. But: is that a bad thing?

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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 revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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.Update Description

Our guest this week is Darren. He's dad to two teens - a girl who is in the first year of A Levels and a boy sitting GCSEs in 2022. Darren talks about his experiences of supporting teens when they live half the time with him, half the time with his ex-wife share.

We cover the difficulties of ensuring the children are on track and of being conscious not to be the "naggy house". Darren talks about the additional pressure on the teens to take even more control of their studies. We also cover preparing for mocks - and mock-mocks!

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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 revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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.

Update Description

Jenny is mum to two teen girls. One is taking her GCSEs in 2022 and the other the following year. Both are incredibly sporty and keep Jenny and her husband busy with matches and practices in addition to the usual teen activities.

We talk about how to manage hectic schedules and hope to keep on top of everything. We also learn that Jenny's girls are very different in their approach to study and revision. One is very organised and a perfectionist while the other is more chaotic and more self-confident. Jenny talks about learning to approach things differently. We also think about the importance of family support and also of self-sufficiency.

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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 revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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.

This week listen to Head of Sixth Form, Gillian Walmsley talk about life beyond GCSEs. Gill reflects on her daughter's A Level decisions a couple of years ago as well as providing expert advice for parents and students. We talk about choosing an institution to go to, things to consider when selecting subjects and also the IB qualification.

Gill is clearly passionate about her role and about making sure that young people make good choices at this stage in their educational careers. It's a really interesting episode and essential listening for all parents of GCSE aged teens!

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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 revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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.

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Meet Carol, mum to GCSE-taking teen Poppy. This is a truly honest take on the position our teens find themselves in. And also the toll that it takes on us, their parents. Carol has an elder daughter too and reflects on the very different experiences her girls have had in the run-up to the exams.

We also think about half term and how best to use it. Should we be encouraging our teens to recharge their social batteries or is now the time to get their head down in preparation for mocks?

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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 revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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.

In this episode, you'll hear from Kate. Kate is in the unenviable position of having both her children sitting exams in 2022. Tabitha taking her A Levels and Jude his GCSEs.

Tabitha, like all other A Level students, was the first year of cancelled GCSE exams. Kate tells about the impact that has in addition to the disrupted start to Tabitha's courses. Similarly, Kate shares how her son, who was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago, is managing in the run-up to his first public exams.

Kate is very open and lively in sharing her perspective - which is formed not just as a mum but also teacher, safeguarding lead and governor (amongst other hats). It's great to hear her thoughts on, as she puts it, a "conspiracy of Olympic-grade parenting". She also considers the importance of having a parent-peer you can relate to. Someone who'll act as a sounding board and perhaps a sanity checker!

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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.

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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.

In this episode, you'll hear from Barbara and her experiences with her teen daughter, Laura.  Barbara and her family moved to England from Portugal in 2013.

While you might think that cultural and language issues feature among Barbara's concerns for her GCSE facing teen, you - and I - would be wrong! The issues that we talk about in this conversation are common themes - including focus and concentration, the impact of online learning and lost learning, and comparisons to an older sibling. Importantly we also talk about how, as parents, we can try to encourage and persuade when it comes to revision, without being overbearing.

In this third season of the podcast, Nathan - founder of The Study Buddy - will be talking to parents, students and teachers. 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.

The Study Buddy is an innovative method for managing revision in the run-up to GCSE and A-Level 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.

This season of The Study Sessions will focus on the real experiences of parents, students and teachers. In this first episode, Nathan McGurl - founder of The Study Buddy - gets the ball rolling by talking about his daughter, Emily. Approaching her GCSEs in 2022, Emily has always been a conscientious student but lacks the drive to really push herself. Nathan shares some of the tactics and approaches to encourage his teen daughter to get into good habits while being careful not to create undue pressure.

The Study Buddy helps GCSE and A Level students and parents to manage their time in the approach to exams. However, these episodes will cover a variety of topics and ideas based on the experience and the wisdom of our previous seasons' guests.