Believe in yourself

So you want to succeed in your exams? Ok, you need to start with this.

#FlyDontWalk
 How do you want to feel on results day?

How do you want to feel on 14th or 21st of August 2014?

No, really think about. Think about each individual emotion. 

It's these emotions that are going to help bring you success.

We are driven by emotion not logic

If we were driven by logic, everyone would revise, work really hard and achieve top marks. But that's not the case. We are driven by emotion. Think about when you are in an argument with someone in your family. Is it solved by:

1.) Both of you explaining your point in varying degrees of loudness?

Or 

2.) By both of you not wanting to feel angry at the other any more and are prepared to make peace because you Love each other?

I doubt very much it's the first one. 

How can this help decide our results? 

Take the 'Start at the end' approach. When you come to revise, before you open your books, think about how you want to feel on results day. We are sure that all of you are going to want to feel like this: 

The dance you do...

If you tweet to us how you want to feel on results day, we will periodically remind you of it to help keep you motivated and focussed on the end game:

Just click to Tweet: I want to feel like this on results day 2014 #FlyDontWalk

Follow us to get the most out of your study with our revision tips and help.

We don't walk you through your exams. We'll fly you through.

Everyone wants to be the student that finds it easy and just flies through their exams. Well, we're determined to help you. That is why today we're launching:

#FlyDontWalk

There'll be all sorts of free support for students revising over the Christmas period. From twitter chats to revision planning guides. 

So get involved with Swot this Christmas and find your wings.

What we can learn from Joey Essex

What we can learn from Joey Essex

@Swot's twitter feed went mad last night with comments about Joey Essex. It started me thinking about his problems with telling the time and actually what an clever student he was. 

Be honest about what you don't know

One of the things that is capturing a lot of people's hearts about him is his honesty. We can all learn from this. Everyone has not asked a question in class for fear of looking stupid. So be honest with what you don't know. Actually it can result in people respecting/ liking you more. 

Don't be afraid to get it wrong

He tries and tries and tries. He doesn't care if he doesn't get it right. He just keeps going until he succeeds. Learn from this.

 Trust the right people

So if you needed someone to explain something to you, would you choose Miss Universe? Probably not, but the reason this was an inspired choice is because he chose someone who treated him with respect. Who knew that he just needed help. Amy did not embarrass him. She taught him in an non-threatening manner. She protected him from others who were overloading him with information.  She also recognised the need that it would need to be reinforced. Not such a bad selection then Joey. 

Happy with his achievements

It is clear in the clip that he is ecstatic in his achievements. Every student I meet always spends to much time kicking themselves for what they don't know. Celebrate what you do know. If you struggled to learn something, focus not on the struggle, but that you got in the end!

So I encourage you all, learn from Joey Essex ;)

Great, the UCAS form is in, but make sure they apply for this as well'

'Great, the UCAS form is in, but look at this as well'

The usual path towards increased employability and 'getting on' in life has been to take A-Levels and then on to University. A-Levels are still very important, but the next step now needs more careful planning as there are now two routes. University or higher level apprenticeships. 

You probably won't be expecting this...

Copyright © 2013 BAE Systems. All rights reserved.
Thanks to BAE

It is likely that you don't know the man in the picture.  But he is the Group Managing Director for BAE Systems and he started his career as an apprentice. 

The stereotype built up in the 1990's of the bumbling sixteen year old apprentice who just about manages to work the photocopier, needs to be thrown out. Higher level apprenticeships should be considered seriously by anyone looking at a career in IT, intelligence and engineering. 


Many have scoffed at apprenticeships in the past for a lack of academic rigour. But just to attain a place on a good program, you will need at least good passes (A-C Grades) at A Level.

 "For far too long academic subjects have been elevated above practical learning and these rigorous, well-respected qualifications - equivalent to a traditional degree - are going to help end that imbalance."                                                                                                                      Prime Minster David Cameron

For years a degree meant increased employability. All the way through the education system this idea has been reinforced. But there are some really exciting opportunities with higher level apprenticeships that don't leave your children with c.£40,000 worth of student loan debt and they can be working for some of the most exciting companies in the UK. 
Just imagine for a second you are an employer. You have two CV's in front of you: 

Candidate 1.)  Good A-Levels and a degree. 

Candidate 2.) Has good A-Levels and has spent the last three years in an apprenticeship program working with GCHQ and MI6. They have been working on qualifications that are of degree level. 

Furthermore, they plan on studying for an additional year to gain a full degree in their spare time. 

Who would you choose?

I recently attended an event in which both Heads' of Human Resources for Siemens and BAE who were speaking about employability. It was clear they much preferred apprentices than graduates. Adding that they tend to rise much more quickly towards management positions.

I am not denigrating the necessity to study at degree level, but in today's job market candidates need to stand out. Every teenager needs to be aware that they are going to need something special on their CV and not just a degree to ensure they stand out. 

So I encourage you and your children to look into apprenticeship programmes as well as applying to uni. 

You never know, this alternative path could lead to becoming Managing Director at BAE or perhaps the best football manager in history.

Another former Apprentice...

By Alex_Ferguson.jpg: photo with zoomderivative work: 

Alex_Ferguson_02.jpg (Alex_Ferguson.jpg) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

They forgot to tell you one crucial thing on parents' evening

They forgot to tell you one crucial thing on parents' evening. 

Parents' evening is perhaps one of the most frightening/ stressful nights of year. But not just for students. Parents and teachers approach it with trepidation as well. 

Regardless of how well or not so well the evening went

I bet you heard this....

'They need to remain focussed'

This is absolutely correct. 

BUT, it is completely unrealistic to expect a student to be able to remain 'focussed' throughout the school year. 

  What we really need to do is to ensure that they know when to focus and help and support them. The video shows a brilliant example of someone remaining focussed. With a support team that knows they can't do it for him, but helps keep him on track!

Our Top Ten Results Day Excuses 2013

Swot's 2013 Top Five Results Day Excuses 2013:

It is important to remember to laugh at times. 

 Whilst tomorrow is very important and

 we will be supporting students 
all through tonight and tomorrow. 

We thought a little light heartedness to pass the time would be welcome by all.

# 5: 'The Invigilators put me off'

#4 'I can't help it if the past 5 years wasn't enough time to 

prepare...'


#3 'The examination room didn't have wifi...'


#2 'The examiner who marked my economics paper was

obviously a lover of George Osborne.'


#1 'I just picked up a cheese burger for 99p'


Click to Tweet yours!