it’s time to go back to school (unfortunately)

Hi, it’s Sarah from ethnoSTEMM!

Summer has been great, but now it’s time to go back to school. Whether you’re entering a new year, preparing for exams or starting fresh at a new school, we’ve got you covered to make this year your best one yet.

Back-to-School Tips

As the new school year kicks off, I want to give you some of my advice as someone who has just finished their A-Levels and is currently on a gap year.

Here are my top tips for this academic year:

1. Stay organised - Whether it’s a Notion Workspace, Google Calendar or cute notebook, keeping track of deadlines, exams and events is crucial. It might feel overwhelming at first, but once you get into the habit, it makes life so much easier.

2. Prioritise selfcare - Throughout college, I slowly started abandoning my many hobbies, like skateboarding, music and art for revision and studying. Balance is key. Make sure you’re taking plenty of time for friends, hobbies and relaxation.

3. Make the most of your teachers - Your teachers are there to help you succeed both academically and career-wise. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek extra help when you need it. I was able to get work experience in a research lab with the help of my bio teacher’s awesome reference.

4. Seek out help - If you’re struggling with something, please reach out to others. It can be a friend, a teacher or a counsellor at school. I struggled a lot with exam anxiety and with the help of my college’s support team, I was able to get exam accommodations that I never knew about.

5. Plan ahead for the future - Start thinking about your options now. Research universities, apprenticeships, careers, entrepreneurship or even gap years. It’s never too early to start taking action and planning your future.

6. Learn to keep private - With the point above, make sure to keep your ambitions private. You don't need to let everyone know what is going on with your life, or what you hope to do.

7. Focus on your exams - Those final exams or mocks feel like ages away. But trust me, time flies! Plus, the results from all your assessments will probably determine your applications, so aim high and surround yourself with likeminded people.

Looking for extracurricular activities?

Check out our Ultimate STEM Resource Bank, a comprehensive list full of stuff like books, podcasts, online courses, access programmes, volunteering and more. Whether you’re aiming to enhance your university application or simply learn more about your subject interest, this bank is the perfect place to start.

Join our free A-Level revision sessions!

Need a little extra help with your A-Levels? We’ve got you covered! Starting this week, Journey to Healthcare and ethnoSTEMM are offering free A-Level revision sessions in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Psychology to help you get ahead of your studies.

Well, here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!

Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Throughout the year, we will make sure to keep you posted with new opportunities and resources to make this year your best one yet!

If you have any questions or just want to have a chat, email us or send us a DM on Instagram or TikTok.

Kind regards,

Sarah ( ˘ ³˘)♥