How to Tackle Hard Subjects at GCSE & A-Level: Expert Study Tips from a Science Tutor

Are your children struggling with tough GCSE or A-Level subjects like maths, physics, or chemistry? In this episode of Wisdom Whispers, hosted by the charismatic Wolfy Lloyds, we sit down with expert science tutor Naami to uncover practical strategies for mastering difficult topics.

Naami shares how mindset, active revision methods, and free learning tools like BBC Bitesize and Seneca Learning can transform fear into confidence. Whether you're a student, parent, or adult learner, this episode is packed with simple steps to build confidence, boost retention, and conquer even the most dreaded subjects.

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Hello, and welcome to another episode of Wisdom Whispers. I'm your host, the one and only Wolfy Lloyda. And today, we're diving into a topic that so many students, so many parents have been yearning, have been asking us, and we're talking all the time, how do we deal with hard subjects like GCSEs and A level? Joining me today is a brilliant science tutor, Naami, who has helped countless students not only to improve their understanding, boost their confidence exponentially, just like in mathematics science, and, even more in all those feared spooky subjects. Okay.

So, Naomi, honestly, welcome on board, and welcome to the show. Hi, Wolfy. Thank you so much for having me. I'm really looking forward to today's chat and seeing how we can actually contribute to helping students and getting rid of their fears with the heart subjects. Okay.

We're getting there. The pleasure is all ours, Naami, and, let's just jump right in. Okay. So now that you mentioned something really insightful.

And, about those hard subjects. Are they really hard in nature or, but just often feel like the beginning's hard and challenging? I mean, could you please elaborate exactly what does that mean by hard subjects? Because I don't understand. I mean, just in layman's terms.

Absolutely. So, you know, what I've noticed is that every student has different strengths. A subject like chemistry or history might be a breeze for one student, but might feel very overwhelming for, like, another student. So often, it is not really the content of the subject itself, but it's the unfamiliarity with the subject. So once student grasp the basics, those hard subjects, they can start feel a lot more manageable and even actually enjoyable.

So once you know what is really the content of the subject that you fear the most, you are good to go and, like, diving into your fear and getting rid of the fear of the heart subject. Okay. That that's a bit of a epiphany, I would say, a bit of a eureka moment over there now. I mean, that's a great perspective. So, okay, let's say, get towards the need to create components and an element.

What are some, let's say, practical tips that you would give your students to make those, I would say, difficult subjects easy to digest and have them more under control, as I'm still trying to digest. But okay. Let's not change subjects. Let's get back to the original one, Naami. Over to you...

The first thing I always say is do not panic. That emotional response really can block your learning. So you start with, like, bite sized goals, small goals. For example, instead of saying, I need to learn all of physics, try I'll understand Newton's law today. So that is just one aspect of instead of all of physics.

Right? And, also, double down on your strong subjects efficiently. This way, it gives you more time and mental space to really focus on the subjects you find hard. So then you have enough time, and you're not really scared of, scared of really going forward with those hard subjects. Interesting.

Really, really interesting. So okay, Naim. So you are saying, basically, students can manage their time smarter by breezing through their strong subjects or their stronger elements, trying to free some energy for the tricky ones. Are we getting there, or or anywhere near? Yes.

So if you're great at English, then do not spend hours over revising English. Use that time, for example, let's say, maths or biology if those are your weaker spots. But remember, you have to use active revision methods for harder topics. So by active revision methods, I mean, like, practice questions, have flashcards, or, like, for example, teach someone else. That's, like, one of the best way way of understanding if you really grasp the concept of a subject or not.

Okay. I quite love that tip, and I really hope that all these tips are gonna be a rich one one day, just teaching someone else. It really encourages you to, I don't know, understand and sort of, like, simplify exactly the way that you know things. Now how about the the mental side of the things? I mean, sometimes the challenge is not purely academic.

Now I mean, it could be as well the the emotional side because different students, different individuals are dealing with different subject or difficulties in different manner. So what would you suggest on that one or that topic? Right. So, students often tell themselves, I'm not just a science person, or they tell themselves that math is too hard for me. But, you know, that mindset, that itself becomes a barrier.

It is so important to replace those thoughts with, I haven't yet mastered this, but I can get there. You know, such confidence really builds small wins, and it really helps you get going. Okay. Okay. I think we're getting there.

We're getting towards the right direction somehow. Or it could be 'one direction' if you listen to this type of British music. So what do you think is the one of the most, I would say, common mistakes that students can make approaching those difficult subjects from your experience? I think one big mistake is trying to memorise without understanding. So if you understand the concept deeply, it's going to stay with you.

But just blatantly memorising without the context makes it very easy to forget, especially during the exam when your stress levels are really high. So this is why you need to always, like, aim to understand the why behind your learning. Like, why is, why is a certain law the way it is and all of those otherwise. Like, why do we do, multiplication in a certain way and so on? Okie dokes.

That's  really great advice. Keep on, like, questioning and raise the why, what, and how, and just trying to figure out things and but other resources. Now are there any particular tools or golden tips that you can actually embrace or any particular platforms that you would recommend, Naami, from your professional tutoring experience? Definitely. There is a lot of resources and platforms out there that students can leverage to improve, their sub hard subjects.

So platforms like BBC Bite Size, then you have Seneca Learning, even YouTube channels like Primrose Kitten Academy. They're excellent for GCSEs and a levels. And another there's an app called flat for a flashcard app, like an Anki, which is really great if you want to, go for, like, active, recollection of your memory, if you just want to go through something that you've learned and you quickly want to revise that. So those are really, like, resourceful, places to look into and to start somewhere. Mhmm.

I completely understand, Naami. And, I think if people don't wish to break the bank, they can easily just use the free resources like you mentioned, the BBC Bite Size or the YouTube channels and whatnot. So much success is available, but, you know, it's sometimes really important to have someone who knows exactly how to pave you towards the right path, and skip to the right mindset. Now before we wrap this up, are there any final words, Naami, for students listening at the moment who are really much feeling hyped or they will be able to drive or any adults would like to get some mini kind of, like, guidelines or a guide as such, who are struggling right now, and how would they be able to cope and get result as such? I think one advice that I would like to share with every student is every subject is hard before it transitions to easy.

So you just got to stick with it. If you're struggling, then you find support online everywhere. Use resources, like videos or tutors if needed. And most of all, give yourself permission to make mistakes while learning, and that is why it's called learning. You're allowed to make mistakes.

Wow. That's, that's honestly you know.. such beautiful sights, and, thanks so much for for the wisdom you have managed to convey to all of our audiences. And, honestly, there is so much love in the air, but, you know, from from my humble perspective, what I definitely smell is the wisdom's scent. I'm sure this conversation been quite informative, insightful, and it is trying to encourage students to feel better and not stay stuck over and feel overwhelmed.

Surely. Thank you so much, Wolfy. It's been a pleasure, and, I really hope our advice really helps some students struggling there with some hard subjects. Understood, Naami, you havwe been a pleasure, and we're feeling so much happy and privileged to have you on board. And would like to also say thank you to all great listeners over there.

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