Timewarp's top ten sixth form/college worries

alternatively, "will I look stupid if I wear the same jeans all week?!!"

We found only PJs pushed the boundaries of looking stupid

When do you actually make all your new friends? Are the people you met in your first week the only people you'll properly talk to?

... well nine Any questions just ask, there's a fair few of us who have been through it all now

Year 12

1. ''I hate or am finding one of my options too hard, I want to change''

You can do, from personal experience if you want to change you need to do it within the first two weeks as that is feesible to catch up on. However, make sure you really do want to drop the subject and do the other subject instead. It may just be the inital shock scaring you.

2. ''How do I organise myself?''

With some lined paper, dividers, highlighters, a lever arch for each subject and a smaller folder to save your back. That was how I organised myself during sixth form, not everyone organised themselves this way though. When it comes down to organisation you need a place to keep (and not lose!) handouts and often folders are the easiest. However if you prefer you can use pukka pads or any other system. Trial and experiment but A) Keep everything in order B) Don't lose those sheets!

3. ''Will the work stay this hard?''

Most likely, yes, however you will get used to it. Once you start to settle down it won't seem that bad at all so don't panic just yet! Just keep on top, don't leave things too late and stay calm and you'll survive

4. ''When should I start revising?''

Ideally 1-2 months in advance for A levels, however we all know this doesn't really happen! As soon as you need to but not the night before the exam

5. ''Can I have a job and study for A levels?''

Yes! Just don't over do it... 12 hours a week is ideal and book time off for your exams, that was the biggest mistake I made for AS and I certainly regretted it! Again it's just getting used to balancing your time but don't let A levels stop you getting a job.

Year 13

6. 'I didn't do very well for AS, what can I do?''

Work hard, resit and work out what went wrong. Year 12 is often a major wake up call for 6th formers, I finished with CCCB at the end of mine! However, with a lot of hard work you can improve, I finished with AAC Don't panic just yet, just start working early this year and work out what you need to do from the start

7. ''What sort of predictions should I receive?''

Typically you should receive the same as what you got at AS or one grade higher unless you particularly flunked unexpectedly or are very persuasive. Just in remember these predictions are vital for university so don't make teachers predict you something completely unrealistic.

8. ''How many resits should I do?''

I would advice no more than 3 or 4 in one sitting, especially if you are doing A2 exams at the same time. If you need to do more than that then you'll be incredibly stressed as you'll have a lot of work to do alongside them. Try and split them between Jan and June to keep a balance and remember that if you need to do a ridiculous amount you may be better off resitting the year instead.

9. ''What is the work load like?''

It's hard and in many subjects very different to AS in terms of what you are expected to do. If you survived AS you'll survive A2 once you settle down again!


Other...


Current Year 12 thread
Current Year 13 thread
Revision chat and help thread

Oh, actually WORK during your free periods and not laze around (or drive to McDonalds *guilty*).
.

Will everyone seem more concerned about what you're wearing? If so, when will it stop?