Things I wish I knew when I did A/Ls...

Yesterday it was the new year in my country so, Happy new year everyone!!! I'm here today with the wisdom of people who did A/Ls. Last year I did a survey about A/Ls and 40 people from different universities participated. It's gonna be a long post but hope it will help you to excel your exam. Read till the end coz last question is the most important question and it contains things I wish I knew when I was doing A/Ls.

01.The year in which you faced A/Ls?

The students participated did their exam in 2013- 2019 and most of the students did it in 2016 and 2014. 

02. What was your stream?

03. Number of attempts?

04. The university currently enrolled in?

The students were from various faculties of the University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, University of Peradeniya, University of Kelaniya, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, General Sir John Kothelawala Defence University, SLIIT, University College of Rathmalana, University of Plymouth and the University of London.

05. Employment status?

06. Are you satisfied with your A/L result?

07. If you are not what are the reasons that did not allow you to reach your target result?

08. When did you start studying for A/Ls?

09. At what time did you used to study?                                

10. How many hours per day did you study?

Well for this question there were answers ranging from 2 to 12 hours per day. Actually it depends because if you prepared early enough (like you finish the days work on the same day unlike most of us) 2 hours is enough and if you are someone like me who started studying like 9 months prior to the exam you will have to study for long hours.

11. How about the school attendance?

Well school attendance was very important to me because I learned from school. School was usually ahead of all the classes I went and my teachers were so good. So I ended up with an attendance of 92.5%. As you can see here all the students who took this survey are students currently enrolled in a university and 82.5% have more than 75% attendance. So go to school kids!!

12. For how many tuition classes did you participate?

So the students participated to 2 to 5 classes and most of them went for one class per subject. It's actually what I did too because A/L is 20% teachers effort and 80% your effort. So no matter to how many tuition classes you go to, it will only create that 20%. To get the other 80% you have to work on your own. 

13. What advice do you like to give to the students who are studying for GCE A/L examination?

There were so many responses and I will publish each of those below since I believe every one of them will be important. 

• Medicine is not the only reputed profession at Sri Lanka Select medicine only if you’re confident enough to commit yourself to study much harder. A/L is nothing compared to university stuff. Passing A/l won’t make you a doctor. Being a scientist is much worthy. So do not ruin your life with what teachers say. Follow what you would really enjoy in future.
• I dont know other streams. But he technology stream, Its easiest way to select to the university in sri lanka. In my vision students must focus their matamatics very much. Mathamatics is very important to this stream.
• Advanced level examination is the best opportunity you get to create a great future by yourself. Try hard and do the best out of your abilities. Its worth it.
• If you're doing something then give your best. Try not to procrastinate. Choose the field you like, not what your parents want you to do.
• You should understand the theories well . Do so many exercises which are related to your subjects.
• Enjoy, it's not the end of your life, but make sure that you have no regrets at the end.
• Complete daily work at that day itself. Question everything and understand.
• Do what you love and love what you are doing. And follow your dreams.
• Avoid procrastination and manage the time according to the work load.
• Start studying at the beginning ,A/L completely different more than O/L.
• Do more past papers and never procrastinate ur works.
• Don't depend on tuition classes. Always self study.
• Study for the exam from the beginning of grade 12.
• Do the studies at the beginning and do past papers.
• Start at very beginning no time for other things.
• Work hard as possible as you can on last months.
• Give your attention to work and study daily.
• Should do more past papers for each subject.
• Try to achieve your goals, not others.
• school attendance are very important.
• do ur study everyday and understand.
• Study hard and gain your own future.
• Practice past papers several times.
• Don't wait until the last minute.
• Have a plan and study in order.
• Work for your satisfaction!!
• Work hard with good guidance.
• Study hard and have a goal.
• Practice make you perfect.
• Study begin of grade 12
• Don't waste your time..
• Work hard.
• Be happy

If you read each and every above response few things repeat over and over again. Do not procrastinate, self study, start prepping early, have a goal, past papers. Guys these are the things people who successfully completed are telling and most of us regret not doing. I wish to tell you about how to avoid procrastination, self studying methods, how to do past papers etc in upcoming posts. So stay tuned.And of all the responses last one is a must. Be happy. After all we are doing everything to have a happy life right? And for non A/L readers don't be disappointed, I have an interesting article for you guys as well. Have a nice day !!!

You can read all of my articles about GCE A/Ls by clicking HERE.

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