The Study Sessions Podcast
In each episode listen to an expert, teacher, parent or student talk about an important aspect of the run up to exams. From sleep to revision techniques, we cover topics that will help you to support your teen.
Listen online, or through your favourite podcast player.

Just a routine operation
The Importance of a Routine for School Children Routines are essential for everyone, but they are especially important for school children and teens. A straightforward, consistent routine can help them feel more organised, prepared, and in control of their lives. It...
Picnics and post-its: should teenagers study over the summer holidays?
The summer holidays are a time for relaxation and fun, but they're also a long time to go without reviewing school works, especially if they have exams at the end of next year. So, is summer study a necessity or a human rights infringement? As parents, we tend to look...
How to schedule time for your revision
We take time – and filling it – for granted. But using it well isn’t something that happens by accident and it isn’t always something that comes naturally. Follow our three simple steps to planning time effectively
Managing stress levels when it comes to GCSE revision
Exams are a well known source of of stress. But it's not just the immediate run up to them that causes anxiety. Revision can be a daunting prospects for our teens too. It is not a surprise that GCSEs, A Level and degree final exams can cause a considerable amount of...
I’m starting to panic about Year 11 and GCSEs
It's not uncommon for some students to feel anxious about the start of their final GCSE year. In fact, most will start to feel the pressure of the exams in one form or another. Here's what we advise. First things first, you've got this. And there's no end of people...
What if your child didn’t get the 2022 GCSE grades they wanted?
Today (25/08/2022) is GCSE results' day in England and Wales. Hundreds of thousands of students have been anxiously waiting to find out what they got. Many will be over the moon and their grades exceeded their expectations. I don't just mean all 9s. These things are...
Preparing for the GCSE Journey
You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from those of us who’ve now come to the end of the exam period road. Now, all we have to do is wait for the results. But amongst us there are year 10 parents, the next cohort of GCSE studying families, considering the...
On what happens after the GCSE exams
The end of exams brings with it an almost palpable lifting of a weight. The hard work has been done – or not – and now all you have to do is wait. And I say “all” like it’s easy in itself. For some this waiting period can be a little fraught too. So what are the best...
On apprenticeships as an alternative to university- “Get The Jump”
There’s a broad presumption that after school there’s A levels and then onto university for a degree. A lot of young people just seem to get swept along on this fast-flowing river of higher education. But with increasing options and alternatives, are we doing enough...
On answering common questions in the run up to GCSE exams
It’s not long now until the exams. It’s a time when nerves can get frayed, and tensions run high. This is the stage of revision that is most marked by the rhetorical questions like my personal favourite: Shouldn’t you be revising? Wouldn’t it be great if there were...
On revision techniques that work with Kate Jones
“I’ve been revising for ages” is often something that battle weary parents will have heard when asking how it’s going. As if lapsed time, spent near an open book or with a YouTube video playing a good use of time. But to be fair, it’s not just the procrastinators and...
On finding a sense of normality – when things are anything but
Keeping up with the Jones’ was always used as an expression about consumerism, upgrading the washing machine, getting a fancier car, holidaying to the Costa Del Sol – if my Essex childhood was ever in any doubt, this is proof positive! At some point it seemed that...
On supporting anxious and overworking teens with Dr Dominique Thompson
The run-up to exams is an anxious time for all teens – and their parents. A certain amount of stress is not only normal, it can also be a good thing. It shows that the outcome is important. However, some young people feel that pressure to perform much more than...
Let us help you get going quickly with our range of revision planning tools
Subscribe
Sign Up for Study Tips
Would you like to receive our all new newsletter? Filled with hints, tips and advice for parents who are looking for ways to support their exam-facing teen. Simply sign up below.