Tommy T's tips to help make Year 11 a success

If you've just started Year 11, then you will soon be doing your mock exams ahead of your GCSE exams in the summer, but did you know that it's never too early to start revising and prepare for your exams?

We've asked TikTok teacher Tommy T to give us his top tips to make the most of Year 11 from day one. Watch the video then scroll down for tips to avoid those panicked cramming sessions in May!

1. Lock in from the word go

Tommy recommends taking Year 11 seriously from as early as you can. He says: "this doesn't mean four hours of revision every evening", instead, Tommy suggests building revision habits you can actually keep. You can find some more tips to help build a revision timetable that works for you here.

2. Revise in small bursts

Tommy says: "Little and often is much easier to stick to, (rather) than waiting for a massive revision session that never happens." Learning expert Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel told us that you should: "Try breaking your studying up into manageable chunks. One way to get started and to stay focused is to plan shorter, more focused study sessions – concentrated studying for 20-25 minutes – and then 5-10 minutes to do whatever you want: check your phone, message your friends, stand up and stretch. After your distraction time, knuckle back down and re-focus your attention with another round of focused studying." You can find more study tips from Dr Carolina here.

3. Test yourself

Tommy told us that you should use: "Flashcards, quick quizzes or practice questions. The goal is to see what you can actually remember, not just what looks familiar." This method of testing is called 'retrieval practice'. It takes more effort than just rereading, but it's exactly this effort that makes it a more effective way to learn in the long run. If you want to learn more about how to give this method of revision ago, then we have some advice on how to use flash cards more effectively here.

4. Ask your teacher for help

Tommy stresses that you shouldn't wait until you're completely stuck. "Ask questions, get feedback, and find out what you actually need to improve on." Asking teachers for help can sometimes feel a bit scary, but it's usually much easier to ask for help early-on rather than waiting until the last minute. If you are struggling to ask your teacher for help face-to-face, you might be able to message them via your school's online platform to ask questions. We have lots more tips for how to ask for help here.

5. Check what's working

Tommy says that: "If your revision routine isn't working for you, then change it." He suggests: "A good plan isn't one you make once, it's one you keep improving." Revision during Year 11 can be tough, but we have lots of tips from experts, teachers and students to help you get through your GCSEs – don't worry, we've got you!

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.