The post GCSE summer – getting a start on IB courses/A-level Economics

Many students view the post-GCSE summer is as opportunity for an extended and well-deserved period of rest and relaxation before they remount the academic treadmill for the commencement of A-level or IB courses in September – they are not wrong to do so.

Yet forward-looking, ambitious students will be thinking more strategically: they know that a revitalising summer vacation will include – rather than inhibit – intellectual stimulation, enlightening discussion, and a focus on personal growth.

A bespoke programme of private tuition with an experienced tutor enables them not only to gain a head start in their A-level/IB courses – particularly advantageous in a new subject such as Economics – but also to sow the seeds of success in their university applications further down the line. 

Economics and the mastery of new, complex concepts

Economics is a subject in which students encounter a raft of new theories, models and technical terminology at a very early stage. Such ideas can be difficult to grasp, particularly in a classroom environment where teachers are under pressure to progress through a syllabus and individual students are reluctant to demonstrate any weaknesses.

Private economics tuition over summer allows for more thorough coverage of these key concepts, enables students to find their footing more effectively, and provides an environment in which questions can be posed freely and confidently. Subsequent in-school lessons then serve to cement the student’s understanding. 

Improved university prospects for Economics

Success in a university application for Economics relies not only on excellent predicted grades but also on a favourable school reference (Writing a UCAS reference for undergraduate applicants | Undergraduate Study). Both are likely to be enhanced significantly through private tuition with an experienced economics tutor during the post-GCSE summer holiday.

Something that is often overlooked by both students and parents is that teachers’ opinions of their students at the point at which university references are written will inevitably be influenced, at least in part, by their first impressions at the beginning of the A-level/IB course. A student who is already familiar with the fundamental concepts and confident in utilising key terminology is likely to distinguish themselves favourably at the outset. 

Genuine love of the Economics subject

There can be no better way to develop a true fascination for a subject than to engage in regular one-on-one interaction with a subject expert. The luxury of the summer holiday is that it affords the time to do just that.

An experienced, professional tutor can inspire a love of Economics that lasts a lifetime. Aspects of the subject can be unlocked and new ways of thinking introduced that are simply not possible to explore in a classroom setting. And when genuine enthusiasm for the subject is a key criterion for success in Oxbridge interviews (Interviews | University of Oxford), generating this spark at the earliest possible stage can only be beneficial.

Our Mission to provide the best economics education

At Economasters, our mission is to provide the best Economics education available anywhere. This includes during the summer holiday! If you want to get a head start with your A-level/IB Economics course, simply contact us and we will be happy to start you on your journey.