Students will compare amongst themselves – it is human nature to look at others and think of how you square up when compared to them. However, comparisons (especially when made by parents and teachers) can cause a lot of negative feelings in students. Peer pressure and stress during the A Level period can be a major factor of emotional stress and overwhelming dread about a student’s performance at the actual A Level exams, especially when the student feels as though their self-worth and confidence are tied to their academic performance in school.
Key Reminders About Peer Pressure During A-Level Season
1. Remember to do YOUR best, not be THE best.
Too many students are preoccupied with being THE best instead of doing THEIR best. Sometimes, these two things may be entirely different – a student could show dramatic improvement in the subject and still not be as good as someone who is naturally good at the subject. However, this does not mean that the first student is lousy – it means that they have worked hard and their method of improving their results is working. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is the person you were yesterday. Getting caught up in the toxic cycle of comparing with others will not do wonders for your own performance and mental health.
Instead, students should strive to do their best and be better than their performance before. Through consistent effort, time, and simply being pointed in the right direction, students will be able to achieve better results than they could have when they first started A Levels. Consistent practice and learning from one’s mistakes are necessary to get better at doing something. Students should not view milestones such as Common Tests or Promos as a chance to “get ahead” and compare their results with others, but instead as their own performance benchmark.
1. Everyone is born with different skills, and it all comes out in the wash in the end.
People are not created equal. Some people are far better than others at certain skills without even trying, as they may be more academically inclined. It is important for a student to recognise different strengths and weaknesses they have to make the best out of their situation. Students should try as best as possible to improve their weaknesses by learning from their mistakes and thinking of ways to avoid repeating their mistakes again in future, and hone their strengths.
2. This A Level exam is not the end of your journey in life.
All roads lead to Rome – there are many ways a student can have success in life, and a good A Level results slip is just one of them. Think of A Levels as a passport to further your education in university – there is still a long way to go ahead. Finding a good job does not only require good results – it depends on the skills you develop, the opportunities you gain, the people you meet along the way, and a healthy dose of luck. Students should try to keep an open mind and a positive attitude towards the rest of their life instead of being crushed by peer pressure in JC.
Students who want to feel more prepared should seek help from their teachers, seniors, or tuition teachers to improve their performance in time for the final A Level exam. A little can go a long way in terms of seeking help for subjects which students are weak in. Tutors can help point out weaknesses of students when they practice with past year papers and fill in any gaps in content knowledge they may have missed out on. As an added benefit, students will be able to feel more confident in time for their final exams, putting them in a better mental headspace to excel.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
a) Should I take H2 chemistry?
You could take H2 Chemistry only if you have done well for O Level or IP Chemistry during your secondary school days.
b) How to do well for H2 chemistry?
Firstly, the student should understand what the syllabus and style of exam questions are like for H2 Chemistry. Next, the student should practice doing the questions to do well and fix knowledge gaps and their lack of conceptual understanding.
c) Is H2 chemistry difficult?
H2 Chemistry requires an understanding of Organic Chemistry concepts, which could be challenging for some students as it requires a high level of understanding.
d) Which university courses require H2 chemistry?
Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, environmental engineering, chemical engineering and chemistry require H2 Chemistry as an admission requirement.
e) What is the hardest chemistry class ever?
Physical Chemistry is the most difficult branch of Chemistry as it requires students to study physical properties and the constitution of matter, the laws of chemical combinations, and theories about chemical reactions.
f) How many students fail Chemistry?
On average, around 25% of students fail Chemistry, although the rates depend on the sample size and location of people studied.