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We are in uncertain times at the moment and many of you will feel constrained while in lockdown for the next few weeks. So, we thought it would be best to provide some useful advice and tips from our own experiences to help you spend your time more productively.

We understand the struggles of sticking to the school timetable and maintaining that discipline at home, believe me, I have been there. The most important thing to remember is that the work set now is preparation for more important exams, and the effort and hard work you put in now will be rewarded in the future.

As learning is a cumulative process, my advice is to perfect this academic year. Ensure you have solid foundations in all your subjects because this will be vital for excelling when the work gets tougher. I can speak from experience; it's much harder to understand GCSE concepts when you never really understood year 9 work. Go back through past topic tests and homework and find areas where you struggled and make a list. Then ask your teachers if they can go back over those lessons because I can assure you, you are not the only one that didn't understand it.

The temptation of Netflix or your Xbox will always be there, but you will enjoy your downtime a lot more with the satisfaction that you earnt it!

Abhishek Viswanath, Head Boy

Yes, you have probably heard this before but whilst completing all the class and homework you have been set, you can dedicate some time in the day for catching up on notes from previous topics. You could also practice and test your knowledge with a few topic or past papers! We’re sure teachers will be happy to provide some feedback to any extra essays, worksheets or exercises you have completed by yourself.

As well as this, you can use this time to try something new! You could start anything from picking up a sibling’s instrument, learning to code or trying to bake a cake. (Just make sure not to annoy your sibling, download a virus or burn the house down.) New skills such as these can count towards your DofE, 360 Profile or your future CVs making yourself stand out!

Lastly, you could also try some spring cleaning. This could involve simply tidying your room, sorting your floor, wardrobe or organising you school folders and notes. You’ll feel much better at the end of a productive day, using time to your advantage rather than just cycling through Netflix shows!

Drew Padfield, Deputy Head Boy

How to Relax:

The most crucial thing to remember during this 'remote learning experience' is to stay calm and happy, yet focused. Effective and efficient work does not mean constant work; breaks are just as important as the actual study sessions themselves, because they will allow you to regain focus and reduce your stress levels, as well as allow you to sustain a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Long breaks should be avoided, as it can be very difficult to focus straight after a 6-hour Netflix session, when you only have two episodes of the series left. Short, regular breaks are far more effective, and will not feel as counterproductive as an excessively long one. 15-20- minute breaks will give you enough time to refresh your mind, stretch and get a snack or drink. Obviously, you will deserve a longer break for lunch, but try and restrict that time to about an hour (same as in school), or else it will be difficult to then go back into work, with a focused, driven mindset.

Finally, what you choose to do in your free time could end up giving you additional skills, not taught or obtained in school, that will help you in future situations. During your shorter breaks: rather than going on social media, try reading a book and rather than putting on the Xbox, as annoying as you might find them having been confined in your home with them for days / weeks, have a conversation with a family member. Obviously, you can relax in whatever way you want to once your workday is done, but whatever you choose to do in your free time, I urge you to use that time productively.

Toby Burton, Deputy Head Boy

We hope these tips are useful and will help make these tough times more manageable. However, most importantly, stay safe and avoid going out unless it is absolutely necessary. Good luck and stay positive!