Research means 'systematic study and investigation'. Although you will have a great deal of academic contact time during your Sixth Form, there will also be periods of time where you are expected to do independent research, whether this is for coursework, or to extend your knowledge and understanding of topics you have been taught in class. Knowing how to do research effectively is therefore an essential study skill for a successful Sixth Form.
Unlike lower down in the School, you won't necessarily be told what to write down in your classes once you get to Sixth Form. Knowing and understanding how to take notes will be essential, not only for Sixth Form study, but also in preparing you for university.
Summarising
The ability to summarise text is invaluable, especially if you are studying for an arts or humanities degree.
This one-hour course gives you essential skills in summarising material, which will be invaluable not only for Sixth Form study, but beyond:
www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/english-language/summarising-text/content-section-0
Want to do more...?
This harder course teaches you how to paraphrase material:
www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/english-language/paraphrasing-text/content-section-0
Doing effective research
Use the following videos to understand what it means to do effective research.
If you want to read about how to do research effectively, this is a good link to use: www.cife.org.uk/article/how-to-do-research/
How do I take notes?
Taking notes is not the same as 'write everything down'. Have a look at the following page for information about how to take notes effectively: www.cife.org.uk/article/make-good-notes/