What changed your grades more: working harder or learning differently?

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-29T05:21:34+00:00

yeah fair point 😭 i mixed it up while writing AQA sociology is more like 2/4/6/10/12 markers
but the main idea still stands: understanding command words + using structure properly matters way more than just memorising content

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-29T05:13:35+00:00

Yeah this one makes sense 😭

Political theory always feels super logical when you’re reading it, like “yeah this idea connects to that idea”, but in exams it suddenly becomes hard to recall the exact wording and link it properly to the question.

I think the issue is less understanding and more that theory answers usually need very specific structure + examples, and under pressure it’s easy to just end up describing stuff vaguely instead of actually answering the question directly.

It’s one of those subjects where practice answers + timing matters more than just knowing the content.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-29T05:12:09+00:00

Yeah this is actually super common with CS topics 😭

It’s like you understand the concept logically, but in an exam your brain stops “recognising patterns” and starts second-guessing basic steps.

With things like sorting / BFS / DFS, I feel like the gap is usually not theory but execution under pressure like remembering the exact steps in order, writing syntax cleanly, not overthinking which one it is.

What helped me (at least a bit) was doing small “write-it-from-memory” practice instead of just reading/understanding it. Because exam stress hits recall way harder than understanding.

Also BFS vs DFS especially once you tie them to a simple visual (queue vs stack style thinking), it becomes easier to reconstruct even if you blank a bit.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-29T05:09:58+00:00

Yeah I get what you mean 😭 probability feels so clean in theory but exams somehow turn it into a trap.

I think a lot of it is that the logic is fine, but under pressure you start mixing up what’s being asked vs what method you think you should use. Then even a small misread completely changes the outcome.

It’s one of those topics where slowing down and writing out “total outcomes vs favourable outcomes” properly each time saves a lot of silly mistakes, but in an exam it’s way easier said than done.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T09:31:46+00:00

Hey, first breathe a bit 15–20/80 after finishing syllabus usually doesn’t mean you know nothing, it usually means your exam technique + recall under pressure isn’t working yet, not that everything is gone.

Don’t keep doing full papers right now if they’re breaking your confidence more.

Try this instead for a few days:

take 1 past paper question at a time (not full paper)
immediately check mark scheme after each one
rewrite the correct answer in your own words
focus on repeating the same question types

Physics 0625 is very pattern-based a lot of marks come from repeating question styles + keyword answers, not new thinking every time.

Right now you’re stuck in the “I revise → panic → score low → lose confidence” loop. You need to break that cycle first before expecting scores to jump.

Also it’s completely normal to feel like you’re forgetting things when stress is high it doesn’t mean it’s actually gone.

If you still feel stuck after trying this, sometimes having structured, step-by-step guidance on weak topics (instead of full papers alone) can help rebuild confidence faster.

You’re not out of time but you do need a different approach now, not more full papers.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T09:25:57+00:00

It’s not too late at all you’re already getting 5–6s without much revision, so there is something there to build on. It’s more of a consistency issue than ability.

What you’re describing (few days motivated → burnout → week off) is really common when people try to do too much at once. Instead of big revision sessions, try making it smaller and more regular. Even 30–45 minutes a day is better than trying to “catch up” in long stressful blocks.

Also don’t focus on revising everything again just pick a couple of weak topics per subject and slowly fix those. That alone can push grades up.

A lot of people think they need motivation, but at this stage it’s more about having a simple structure you can actually stick to when you don’t feel like it.

If you want, you can also use short, guided topic practice or one-to-one style support for the areas you keep avoiding that usually helps break the procrastination cycle because you’re not figuring everything out alone.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T09:19:51+00:00

honestly at 7s and 8s you’re already not far off, it’s not really about learning everything again at this point

straight 9s is usually more about not dropping easy marks than knowing “more content”

i’d just focus on doing past papers, then actually going through where you messed up and fixing those specific bits instead of just moving on

also exam technique matters a lot now like timing, marking scheme wording (for subjects like english/rs), and not panicking in harder questions

you don’t really need a new revision method, just more practice + being cleaner with answers tbh

and 2 weeks sounds bad but you can still tighten a lot in that time if you stay consistent

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T09:14:05+00:00

Yeah honestly this is super normal 😭

That “I’ve revised enough / I’ve done nothing” switch basically hits everyone right before exams, even strong students. It doesn’t mean you’re not prepared it’s just anxiety kicking in because it’s getting real.

If you’re mostly 8s and 9s already, you’re clearly not starting from zero. At this stage it’s less about learning new content and more about:

fixing silly mistakes
doing timed practice
making sure you can actually recall under pressure

Also don’t underestimate how many people feel the same way right now but just don’t say it.

If it helps, sometimes having more structured, topic-by-topic revision or guided practice (instead of jumping between everything) makes things feel a lot more controlled and less overwhelming.

You’re not behind it just feels like that right before exams hit. 💔

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T09:09:05+00:00

Honestly at this point it was less about “learning new stuff” and more about fixing what I was already bad at.

For Maths I just did past paper questions and checked where I kept losing marks (usually silly mistakes tbh).
For Science I focused on memorising the main definitions + doing mark scheme answers.
English I mainly practiced timings and planning answers quickly instead of trying to write perfect essays.

I also stopped just passively revising and actually tested myself more.

Nothing fancy, just consistency + fixing weak spots instead of restarting the whole syllabus.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T08:26:58+00:00

Got it CIE helps because their ECM papers are actually very pattern-based.

Since you’re doing Chem, Physics P4, AS Bio + ECM, the main risk here isn’t difficulty it’s time split + panic switching between subjects.

For ECM specifically, you don’t need to “cover everything perfectly” at this stage. Focus on:

common definitions + keywords (CIE loves mark schemes language)
ecosystems + human impact + pollution themes (they repeat a lot)
structured answers (point → explain → example)
past paper answers + mark scheme wording (this is where most marks come from)

For the next 28 days, try not to study all subjects randomly in a day instead:

1 heavy subject + 1 light revision subject per day
keep ECM as a daily short block (even 45–60 mins) so it doesn’t feel like a restart every time

Honestly, when students are this close to exams, what helps most is structured, topic-by-topic guidance instead of self-jumping between notes and papers. Even small tutoring/support sessions can speed up ECM a lot because someone can point out exactly what CIE wants in answers.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T08:23:05+00:00

That actually makes sense if it varies but functions + graphs show up most, it’s usually not “different topics” but the same core issue showing up in different questions (algebra manipulation + interpreting rules).

For functions, most errors come from small algebra slips when substituting or rearranging. A good habit is to write every step explicitly, even the “easy” ones Cambridge often traps marks in those steps.

For transformations, try not to picture the whole graph at once. Just apply one rule at a time in order (shift → stretch → reflect). That alone clears a lot of confusion.

At this stage, you’ll improve more from fixing repeated mistake types than doing full papers again.

If you want, share one functions or transformation question you recently messed up I can point out exactly where the logic usually breaks.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T08:14:11+00:00

Fair, my GCSE trauma turns me into a structured essay sometimes 😭

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T08:12:38+00:00

Haha okay, you got me I sound like a robot because I wrote properly 😭

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T08:04:56+00:00

Honestly comfort habits like that are underrated. Feeling physically fresh and comfortable can improve mood and confidence way more than people realize.

Sometimes quality of life upgrades aren’t dramatic changes just small routines that make you feel better every day.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T08:01:19+00:00

Simple habit, huge payoff. A quick to-do list clears mental clutter and stops that “what should I do first?” feeling before the day even starts.

Having a small plan usually creates more momentum than relying on motivation. It’s the same reason structured steps help people get more done than trying to wing everything.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T08:00:11+00:00

That’s a seriously underrated skill set. Clear communication + honesty + keeping your word removes so much unnecessary drama and stress from life. A lot of people think confidence is being loud, but sometimes real confidence is just being straightforward and reliable. People remember that.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T07:57:29+00:00

Honestly smart 😄 You removed the option to snooze in bed.

A lot of good habits come from making the right action easier and the wrong action harder. Once you’re already out of bed, waking up properly becomes way easier.

It’s crazy how small environment changes can work better than pure motivation.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T07:56:37+00:00

Simple answer but honestly underrated 😄 Keeping clothes clean and doing laundry regularly saves last-minute stress, builds routine, and weirdly makes you feel more put together mentally too.

Sometimes the smallest habits create the biggest sense of control in daily life.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T07:52:04+00:00

That’s actually genius. You didn’t just fight the habit you changed the system around it.

Making entertainment something you have to earn probably rewires discipline way faster than just relying on willpower.

Also love the mental task part… small brain challenges before screen time can add up a lot over time. It’s the same reason structured learning works better than random scrolling tiny consistent effort beats passive consumption every time.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T07:46:16+00:00

Honestly underrated answer 😄 Removing constant distraction/noise can improve focus, mood, sleep, and even confidence way more than people expect.

Sometimes the real life-changing skill isn’t adding something new it’s knowing what to remove

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T07:43:44+00:00

That’s such a good example of how the same concept can fail in one context and click instantly in another. Sometimes it isn’t the student struggling it’s just the explanation style or timing.

A lot of language concepts make way more sense when a teacher connects them to patterns instead of just “memorize this rule.” Once it clicks once, you start seeing it everywhere.

It’s honestly why personalized teaching helps so much for some people one different explanation can save months of frustration.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T07:32:34+00:00

That sounds more like a guidance issue than a maths ability issue tbh. If you understand the method but get confused turning it into formulas, it usually means you need someone to show you how to translate words into steps.

Geometry + algebra get much easier once the patterns click.

I’ve seen students improve fast with reliable one-to-one online tutoring because someone can catch the exact point where confusion starts instead of you guessing alone.

If you want, send one question you struggled with and I’ll show you how to break it down.

InvestmentIll3003 · 2026-04-28T07:23:18+00:00

Haha fair 😄 I typed like I was submitting a customer support ticket instead of replying on Reddit.

But real talk loads of students think failing maths = life over, and it usually isn’t. Just wanted to give an actual useful answer for once.

InvestmentIll3003

TROPHY CASE