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Samuel Whitbread Academy

How to study independently

Independent Study Resources

All of our students have access to a range of online learning platforms that will help to develop and support their knowledge, understanding and skills. These platforms may also be used by departments to set homework throughout the year to support students to keep on-top of their independent study.

How to Build your Independent Study Schedule 

Be specific as to the topic and task that you are going to be completing. This will help to stop procrastination. Always end the period of study with consolidating – what have I learnt?

  • Step 1: Get a list of all your subjects topics and sub-topics. These can be found on the school website here.
  • Step 2: Create a schedule (plan as far ahead as you can reasonably do), blocking out all your non-negotiables (these are commitments where other people rely on you or you have paid to do something: sporting events/ clubs, part-time jobs, etc.)
  • Step 3: Populate your schedule ticking off your topics against your subject knowledge check lists
  • Step 4: Display it somewhere visible: the fridge, noticeboard, bedroom door (hall side), etc.
  • Step 5: At the end of each day of independent study RAG rate your learning. (Green – got it, confident, revisit once of twice before finals. Amber – a bit shakey, some re-learning needed, revisit more frequently. Red – need to relearn, get help, speak to teacher, revisit frequently).

Sample: (KN: knowledge * SK: skill * PR: practice * CW: coursework)