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September 13, 2020

How to Study A Levels from Home

Written by Adam Looker
SAC - How to Study A Levels from Home - Header

A Levels are an internationally recognised qualification favoured by universities and employers alike. By gaining an A Level qualification you’re setting yourself up for better academic and professional opportunities.

A Levels are the UK standard school-leavers qualification in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Although it’s never too late to gain qualifications to help achieve your goals.

Especially as online learning providers enable you the flexibility to study around your existing commitments.

A Levels must be regulated by Ofqual no matter who provides them, so you’ll receive the same qualification no matter who you enrol with.

Whether your goal is to get qualified to progress your career or gain entry to university you’re able to achieve this from home.

Learn how studying an A Level from home works and how to improve your learning experience.

How A Levels work

SAC - How to Study A Levels from Home - How they work

The way A Levels from home are structured are not dissimilar from those completed through a physical college. The main difference being the independence you have to study at a pace and place that suits your needs.

Your course will be divided into modules covering different aspects of your subject. A lot of online A Levels display the learning material across different mediums such as text documents, images and video. This makes for a more engaging learning experience and will help you retain the information.

There will then be an assignment at the end of each module to demonstrate your understanding. Your assignment will then be marked by an experienced tutor who will provide constructive feedback.

Once all your assignments are completed, you’ll be ready for your exam which is mandatory to complete your A Level qualification.

Exams are usually in May/June so it’s important to keep that goal in mind when structuring your learning. Your exam can be taken at an exam centre online with a remote invigilator.

Organising your study sessions

The most successful online students plan their study sessions in advance.

Take full advantage of the flexibility that distance learning gives by considering your other commitments. This should include family-time, work, holidays and any other special event you don’t want to miss.

By planning in advance you’ll be able to see how long it will realistically take you to complete your studies. Creating a schedule also means you’re more likely to do the work.

You should also consider when you’re planning to take your exam.

As the exam season is usually in May/June it’s important to be realistic with your goals. Don’t overwork yourself trying to cram everything into a short amount of time. Or take too long to get through the modules and not be ready for your exam.

We understand that life doesn’t always go to plan so if it doesn’t work out exactly how you planned, that’s okay. Distance education enables you to rearrange things to suit your circumstances whatever they are, even when they change.

Setting up your workspace

With online learning you’re able to study from the comfort of your own home. You won’t have to worry about getting to class, rearranging your schedule or missing out on any special events. You’re able to learn whenever and wherever suits you best.

However, there are some things you should consider when choosing a location to study.

When studying you’ll want to arrange your space in a way that benefits your learning. This means avoiding any distractions, such as mobile phones.

Phones are too distracting, and you’ll likely end up scrolling more than studying. As the saying goes: “out of sight, out of mind.” You’ll be more likely to stay focused without it nearby.

Another thing to consider is having a space large enough to lay out everything you need clearly.

This should include:

  • Laptop
  • Notebook & Stationary
  • Water bottle
  • Any additional reading

The space you choose should be free of clutter so you can remain focused on the task at hand.

We also advise not to study from your bed as you associate it with sleep. This not only makes it hard to focus but can also cause issues when trying to sleep later.

Notetaking

SAC - How to Study A Levels from Home - Notetaking

Effective notetaking can help improve your understanding of concepts, theory and over-all knowledge of the subject you’re studying.

It has nothing to do with the neatness of your handwriting and is more about the structure your notetaking has.

The ‘Cornell’ method of notetaking is a well-known method that can help you organise your notes easily in digestible summaries.

This method is effective because the page is divided up into sections where the main points, details, study cues and summary can all be seen on just one page.

The main body of the page will be for any notes you take throughout your study session. The next section is where you write down things you need to remember and a prompt for each. And lastly, a section to summarise your notes highlighting the main points.

This makes it easier to grasp concepts as you won’t be flicking through countless pages of notes trying to find the one you’re looking for.

There are various methods of notetaking to suit different learning styles. So, if the one we outline here doesn’t seem the right fit for you then there are many others. A quick Google search will offer up some alternatives.

Revising your A Levels

In preparation for your exams, you’ll need to refresh your mind on all you’ve learnt throughout the course. Revising effectively can help you retain the knowledge gained and better prepare you for your exams.

Give yourself plenty of time to revisit each module. Be realistic with your revision, it’s not going to be possible to pack everything into a Sunday evening before your test. It’s important to give yourself the breathing room to properly go through everything and digest the information.

When revising it’s a good idea to try different methods to help you learn.

You should try to include:

  • Notetaking
  • Flashcards
  • Sticky notes
  • Videos
  • Dictation/Voice Recordings
  • Further reading
  • Mock exams

By utilising all these different methods you’ll be more actively engaged with your revision. Therefore, you’ll retain the knowledge far greater.

You’re in control of your online learning experience so if something isn’t working for you, change it.

If you’re a visual learner, then use diagrams and colour coding. Or if you need to relate it to something, try creating scenarios you can apply your knowledge too. You’re able to alter your learning in a way that suits you.

If you’re struggling for ideas or methods then reach out to your tutor who will assist you further. They’ll be able to provide valuable insight and assistance when needed.

Whatever your plans are for the future, A Levels are a good place to start. With a variety of different subjects to choose from, there’s almost something for everyone.

Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the UK’s leading online learning providers. We offer a broad range of GCSE and A Level courses to suit your needs.

With an expert tutor to guide you through your studies and flexible payment terms available to help you spread the cost.

For more tips on how to prepare for your distance learning journey visit our blog here.

If you’re ready to get back into education, then contact a member of our sales team or enrol online today.

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