The Inkling Volume 1

Year 11 survival
Handbook
So what is a Year 11 Handbook? Surely Year 11 cannot be that different to other years in school? You
may find yourself asking these questions. The truth is that no, it is not that different. You still come to
school for an eight-thirty start and rush to the buses as the clock strikes three, but what happens in
between? I’m here to help you on that journey, telling you the ins and outs of the rocky and treacherous
road that is Year 11. So...what do you need?
1) A Trusty Pen
No student should come to school without a pen, but in Year 11 it is even more important. As a person
who has just transitioned into Year 11, trust me when I say that you write so many notes, that you
basically make your own full revision guides. I have already been through two English books, three
German books and countless Maths books- there is a lot to write! Therefore, your pen will become your
best friend in this year - in fact, you could say it’ll be your pen-pal.
I’ll show myself out.
2) A Growth Mindset
Yep, here we go again. I know that this has been drilled into your brain since day one of Soham but
honestly, it is important. If you come to school each and every day expecting to be bored by the same
lessons and the same topics, then you’ll be in for a shock. Not only is the teaching different, but the
environment of the classroom is as well. You have now progressed to young adulthood and are expected
to take control of what you do and do not do. If you are going to succeed, you will have to face some
challenges.
3) A Watch
Okay, so you don’t actually need a watch for Year 11, but timekeeping (which is what the watch
represents) is crucial. As a Year 11 student, you’ll find that as the homework piles grow, free time
declines - unless, you manage your time effectively. You are not expected to give up your entire social
life in Year 11 - if anything you are encouraged to grow it - but as a KS4 student, the school does expect
you to be able to keep track of your workload.
4) Revision Books...and lots of them!
Your GCSEs are some of the most important tests you will ever take in your life, if not the most important.
Therefore, making sure that they show the best of your abilities is the obvious thing to do.. For that to be
possible, though, you need to revise thoroughly throughout the year, and know exactly what you need to
know. I’m not a fan of sitting there and reading from a book, so active revision is the way for me. Using
your knowledge and putting it to the test with practice exams and challenges is how I revise best, but
any way you want will work - just as long as you revise.
5) A Holiday
At the end of the painful stresses of exam season, you have upwards of three months to kick back and
relax. School will be over for you and you’ll be able to spend the rest of your days sleeping in late,
watching TV, playing games and going to bed in the early hours of the morning. The best way to take
advantage of this time is to go on a nice vacation, so you can truly experience the world outside of
school, . After sitting at a desk for hours on end, you deserve to spread your wings and fly to wherever
you’d like.
The school however will not fund any holidays. I have to say that or they can sue me.
So there we go. he list may not be long, but it is important. Anyway, we can’t have a long list to read as
there are other things to do in Year 11. such as your GCSEs.
Don’t panic.