Advanced level is another chapter that you have just opened in your life and it is the final stage of your high school education which is supposed to prepare you for university education. You are now within reach of your career dream. There is need for you to adjust to the demands of this level right from the outset in order to excel.

You are now an advanced learner who should handle studies with a high level of maturity. You are expected to develop analytical skills at this level such that by the time you join the university you will be able to fit in and pursue your dream course with ease. The subject combination that you have selected points in the direction of the career of your choice. So, it is important for you to have passion for it and aim for excellence. 

It is in Senior Four where you are expected to set a firm foundation as you prepare for the national examinations that will come in the near future. In the field of construction, a builder cannot build a strong house on a shaky foundation. He has to put emphasis on the foundation. In Senior Four, you are expected to make yourself stronger in your pursuit for a good advanced level certificate.

Whatever you do in and out of class should portray you as an advanced learner who is moving towards self-reliance. You should be self-directed by doing the right thing, at the right time and from the right place. You should be in charge of your academic programmes.

 Consult the teachers regularly to be able to master all the concepts and by the time you do the examinations, you will be in position to perform well. Make sure that you respect the teachers when they come to teach you because when you offend them, you will create a big gap between you and them and you will feel shy to consult. This calls for cooperation with all your teachers in order to benefit from their services.

I advise you to form discussion groups that are manageable. They should neither be too big nor too small. The ideal number should be between three and four members. The group must have a clearly set agenda which every member follows. You should always approach your subject teachers to give you questions for discussion and before the discussions are held, each member should first do research on all the questions that are to be discussed. This will help you to improve on question approach and develop analytical skills that are much needed at advanced level. You will be able to approach the examinations with confidence. Group discussions are so good that they will compel you to read from time to time.

Prep time is there for you to do assignments, research and prepare for discussions, tests and examinations. Do not get tempted to chat when you are supposed to be doing serious work. It is better for you to draft a prep timetable to ensure that you benefit from prep time. The timetable has to cater for all the subjects that you are doing such that you perform well in all the areas of your subject combination.

Look for information regarding your career dream from the internet. You should be able to know the connection between your subject combination and the course that you intend to do at the university. You also ought to find out about the entry requirements for your dream course. This will help you to focus more on your studies in order to turn your dream into reality.

Otherwise, your conduct in senior four will have a bearing on your destiny. You should direct yourself to do what will help you achieve your career goals.

The writer is a teacher at Riviera High School