Michael Balmer
You've made it to high school, but now comes the probationary period. These months will determine whether you are allowed to stay. Many people underestimate this phase, but with the right tips you can master it.
Why is the trial period so important?
The probationary period at grammar school usually lasts one semester. During this time, the school checks whether you are really up to the requirements. So it's not just about individual exams, but about showing over several months that you can cope with the pace, the amount of material and the way of working at grammar school.
Important: Not only your knowledge is assessed, but also your attitude to learning. Organization, initiative and perseverance play a major role. This is precisely why the trial period is considered a key phase. It decides whether you are allowed to stay at the grammar school permanently.
Common mistakes - and how to avoid them
Many students fail during the probationary period not because they are not intelligent enough, but because they make typical mistakes. If you are aware of the following pitfalls, you can consciously avoid them and significantly increase your chances.
Poor time management
Many students underestimate how much more material they will have to deal with at secondary school. What was easily manageable in elementary school suddenly seems overwhelming here. Homework, exams and projects pile up. If you don't have a plan, you quickly end up stressed or put everything off until the last minute. This not only leads to a hectic rush before exams, but also to poorer results.
Tips for avoidance:
- Create a study plan: Divide up your week and plan fixed study times for different subjects.
- Prioritize: Focus first on important exams or subjects in which you are unsure.
- Use small units: Learn regularly in shorter blocks rather than in hour-long sessions.
Just memorizing instead of understanding
In elementary school, it is often enough to simply memorize material. This no longer works at grammar school: exams are structured in such a way that you have to apply and link your knowledge. If you only "cram" formulas, definitions or vocabulary, you will quickly reach your limits.
Tips for avoidance:
- Really understand the material: For each topic, ask yourself: "Why is this so?" instead of just "What is the answer?"
- Practice with examples: Calculate additional tasks, use grammar in your own sentences or explain contexts yourself.
- Use visualizations: Mind maps, sketches or diagrams help you to see connections between topics.
Don't ask questions out of fear
Many students are afraid to ask questions in class or after the lesson because they think they might seem "stupid". This leads to ambiguities remaining and small gaps in knowledge accumulating, which can lead to poorer performance or frustration later on.
Tips for avoidance:
- Courage to ask questions: Any question is allowed - even the "easy" ones. Teachers expect you to think actively.
- Prepare notes: Write down everything that is unclear during the lesson and clarify it afterwards.
- Use small groups: Sometimes it is easier to ask questions in a learning group first before speaking to the whole class.
Too much perfectionism
Sometimes you want to be perfect in all subjects and tasks. Every homework assignment has to be flawless, every exam has to be solved in the best possible way. This can lead to you spending too long on details, checking tasks several times or putting yourself under pressure, even for small things. Perfectionism inhibits productivity and can lead to important tasks being completed too late or not at all.
Tips for avoidance:
- Set realistic goals: Accept that not everything has to be perfect. The important thing is that you make progress.
- Prioritize tasks: Concentrate on what is really important instead of putting energy into unimportant details.
- Accept mistakes as a learning opportunity: Mistakes are normal and help you to improve.
Underestimation of languages
While many high school students focus primarily on math, science or other favorite subjects, they neglect languages such as German, English or French. Language performance counts heavily towards the overall grade, and comprehension problems in texts can have an impact on many subjects. Those who do not practice languages enough only realize late on that there are gaps, whether in reading, writing or understanding more complex content.
Tips for avoidance:
- Practice regularly: Daily reading, vocabulary training or short writing exercises keep the level stable.
- Practical learning: attempts to use language in everyday life, e.g. summarizing texts or practicing dialogues.
- Recognize gaps early on: Ask questions or use tools to clarify comprehension problems.
Fighting alone instead of getting help
Sometimes you try to tackle all tasks and problems on your own, out of pride or because you think you have to do everything yourself. This can lead to small gaps in knowledge remaining, insecurities growing and progress slowing down.
Tips for avoidance:
- Get support: Teachers, parents or older classmates can help quickly.
- Use learning groups: Learning together facilitates understanding and motivates.
- External aids: Learning platforms such as studypeak or targeted tutoring help to close gaps.
How to successfully master the trial period
The probationary period at grammar school can be challenging, but it is by no means insurmountable. If you understand the material, organize yourself well and seek targeted support when needed, you have a very good chance of successfully mastering this phase.
This is exactly where studypeak comes in: With the online probationary period course for short and long grammar schools, you can study flexibly from home, work on exercises and use learning videos - ideal for closing specific gaps and setting your own pace. For those who prefer direct exchange, the on-site course in Zurich offers the opportunity to discuss difficult topics with teachers and classmates and receive immediate feedback. Both courses are designed to give you a more structured and confident approach to the trial period.
With the combination of continuous learning and targeted support from studypeak, you can start the probationary period with confidence and significantly improve your chances at the Gymi.
Conclusion
The probationary period at grammar school determines your future path, but it is not an insurmountable obstacle. If you recognize and avoid typical mistakes, you will stay calm and focused. With a clear learning structure and support, for example through studypeak's online or face-to-face courses, you can master the probationary period with confidence and show what you're made of.
