From Panic to Plan: The 10-Minute Reset Every GCSE Student Needs

Three-Step Reset (for when you're panicking about exams)

Firstly, that is totally normal. You care about it, so of course you're going to panic, right?

1. Step 1: Write down everything you're panicking about.

   And when I say everything, I mean literally everything -- even "question five on my maths homework." Get it all out of your head. Most of the time, when you see it on paper, you already feel better. That's why they say a problem shared is a problem halved. If you don't have someone to say it to, just write it down.

2. Step 2: Move.

   And I know -- you're thinking, "Okay, Leah, that's really simple." But don't stay in one place. Staying still keeps you mentally in one place.

   • Move rooms. Go outside. Walk to the shop.
   • If you can sweat, even better -- endorphins make everything feel lighter.
   • Just move.
3. Step 3: Circle one big thing to tackle and list five steps to do it.

   If your list looks overwhelming, choose one thing that, if solved, would calm your biggest worry. Usually, it's two or three things making you spiral -- not twenty.

   Example:

   • I might be panicking that I don't know my English quotes, I haven't done my maths homework, and I'm behind on Macbeth. I'd write all that down.
   • Then I'd move -- maybe walk to the corner shop, get a chocolate bar, reset.
   • Then I'd ask: what's the one thing that would make the biggest difference? For me, it's that I don't know my English quotes.

   So that's my one big thing. Now I'll break it into five steps:

   1. Find five key Macbeth quotes that link to each theme.
   2. Do a quiz on the Hub to test my understanding.
   3. Write flashcards for each quote.
   4. Read the flashcards five times.
   5. Blur (write from memory) what I've learned.

   That's it -- I've turned one big, messy worry into a tactical plan. Suddenly, it's manageable.

10-Minute English Language Task List

Super simple, super effective.

1. Know the MELT for every question.

   MELT = Marks, Explain the question, Lines, Techniques. You want to know MELT for every question.

   Examples:

   • Language Paper 1, Question 2 → Marks: 8 | Explain: How does the writer use language to describe X? | Lines: Given extract | Techniques: Language
   • Language Paper 2, Question 5 → Marks: 40 | Explain: Persuasive writing | Lines: None (own writing) | Techniques: Persuasive methods (e.g. our "Reads My Fish" or "Prom Dress" acronyms)
2. Have a structure that ticks off the mark scheme.

   Once you know your MELT, make sure you've got a structure for each question that guarantees you're hitting the marks.

   Example: Paper 1, Q2 → PETAZ (Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis, Zoom). You can use the Hub's versions or your own teacher's -- just make sure it meets every criterion.

3. Create a mini-checklist for each part of your structure.

   If your structure is PETAZ, ask yourself:

   • What makes a good point? (Use a word from the question + your own idea)
   • What makes good analysis? (Zoom into a key word, link to effect, use subject terminology)

   Example: "How does the writer use language to describe the T-Rex?"

   • Word from the question: "T-Rex"
   • My own point: "terrifying"

   That's a strong start to your Point.

   Have that kind of mini-checklist for each part of your structure. It's easy to put it all on one big A3 sheet -- one per question. Revise it, and you'll know exactly how to approach every single one.