Why working harder isn’t always the answer to better grades
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It breaks my heart when I see students pushing themselves to breaking point to do their revision. Life shouldn’t be like that for anyone, let alone our young people. Two particular examples stand out. Firstly, a young man emailed me in desperation saying he was studying for twelve hours per day. Secondly, someone who was […]
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Study Habits for GCSE and A-Level Success
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At the start of every year many people are making new year’s resolutions. However, there’s a very long history of resolutions failing. In The Extraordinaries Club we have a different approach to achieving our goals. This approach focuses around changing behaviours by creating better study habits. Study Habits for Success On our coaching calls in […]
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How to ace GCSE RE
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It’s always been important for GCSE Religious Studies students to understand the specification. But the exam boards have made changes to GCSE RE courses in recent years, making it even more vital to get to know the new specification thoroughly. In the lead up to the How to Revise GCSE RE Masterclass with Chris Eyre, […]
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How to stay motivated to study
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So many parents tell me that their teenagers struggle with how to stay motivated to study. Motivation tactics like using biscuits as a reward can incentivise your teen to revise in the short term, but is it the best way to encourage your teen to achieve? I talked to motivation expert Sharath Jeevan to get […]
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Introducing Academic Coach, David Rendle
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David Rendle is the latest coach to join the academic coaching team at Life More Extraordinary and brings with him a wealth of experience working with students and as a parent. David considers himself a life-long learner with a passion for conveying the love of learning to others, which can be seen in his long […]
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Revision not working? This might be why…
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Very few GCSE and A-Level students are taught how to revise by their schools. And, judging by the responses to a recent question on our Facebook page, those who are given some information about how to revise are confused. They’re getting seemingly conflicting advice and it grinds them to a halt because without certainty about […]
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Coursework help: Advice for success
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With teachers not being allowed to give you much help with coursework, you might feel a little lost and alone. This week, Helen Chaplain, the lead coach in The Extraordinaries Club, and I, Lucy Parsons, are on hand to give you some coursework advice so that you can make the absolute most of the coursework […]
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How to talk to your teen about revision
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Your teen walks downstairs from their room and you ask, “How’s the revision going?”. 60 seconds later, they’re so wound up that they’ve turned around and stormed straight back to their room. The house is shuddering with the vibration of slammed doors and shouted retorts (both yours and theirs). Does that sound familiar? So many […]
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A-Level Geography: 5 things successful students do
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Studying A-Level Geography is truly fascinating. However, it’s a very content-heavy subject with a lot of case study material to remember, which can overwhelm some students. I interviewed David Rendle, a former Geography teacher with 25 years of experience and an A-Level examiner, to get some insight into how A-Level Geography students can set […]
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Frankenstein Exams: Why you shouldn’t fall apart because of a botched exam paper
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Has your child fallen victim to a Frankenstein exam? If so, they might need help putting themselves, and their exams mindset, back together. In this article you’ll find out: What a Frankenstein exam is What’s the problem with Frankenstein exams? Why students get disappointing grades in Frankenstein exams How to put your child’s study and […]
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