As A-level exams are drawing ever closer, my life outside of school work is rapidly decreasing, whist the piles of homework and revision to be kept on top of are increasing. It is very easy to fall into the trap of leaving homework to the very last minute and ending up staying awake until the early hours to finish it, and whilst people sometimes think that this is unavoidable - trust me it is not.

 


Teachers are always telling their students to keep on top of their work, but as we all know this is easier said than done. I have learnt from experience that brushing my work to the side, waiting  until there is time to deal with it, just ends up with me being so tired in class I can’t concentrate. It  also ends up causing every teenager’s nightmare:  a face full of spots from the stress and lack of sleep.

 


This is why whilst everyone was making New Year’s resolutions to use the gym or eat more healthily; I decided to promise myself to not fall behind with my work. Since then I have had most, if not all, of my work done by ten o’clock at the latest each evening.  And I’ve been a lot more calm and collected in general.  So I thought I would share my top five tips for finding a work and social life balance...

 


1. Start working as soon as you get home. Don’t be tempted to switch on the TV because you will end up on the sofa for most of the night. Once all the work you can do is done then the rest of the evening is yours to relax and spend how you wish.


2. Make sure to revise for each test. Writing notes throughout the year can be so helpful when it comes to the big exams at the end of the year.


3. Make sure you take at least a day off at the weekend and regular breaks whilst revising. If you feel yourself becoming fascinated with an object like a hole-puncher, then you have probably spent too long doing work, and should take some time out to refresh your mind. This could involve meeting friends for a meal or doing some shopping, whatever will put you in a good mood to start work again.


4. As hard as it is, put your phone and laptop in another room. Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites can become your biggest enemy when it comes to work, and if you do not have enough will power, deactivate your account. It will always be there once exams are over.


5. Be outspoken and make your teachers aware if you are struggling or falling behind with work. You never know how they may be able to help you.

 


Obviously my tips will not work for everyone, but they can be adapted for most situations. They have proven to me that I do not need to spend every waking hour with my head in my books. I can maintain a social life whilst still achieving well at school. If I can stick to them then so can anyone.