[liliesandroses]

I'm starting Sixth Form in September and I'm really nervous. I'm going to a new school that no one I know is attending, but I'm mostly scared about my A-Levels. I'm doing OCR Salters Chemistry, AQA Biology, AQA Physics and OCR History. I'm already worried about failing my A-Levels... I'm predicted A's and A*'s in GCSE, but I've heard A-Levels are 10 times harder. Although I loved Physics in GCSE, I'm also worried I'm not going to be able to cope with the Maths required, although I achieved an A in Maths GCSE when I sat it early... does anyone feel the same way/did feel the same way? And how do you cope with the GCSE to A-Level jump? Help!


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/

[MrMann]

I feel the same way! Im starting in september and am really nervous, but I am just revising a little bit of each A levels I'm doing so I wont be as stuck.

[Hello53]

(Original post by liliesandroses)
I'm starting Sixth Form in September and I'm really nervous. I'm going to a new school that no one I know is attending, but I'm mostly scared about my A-Levels. I'm doing OCR Salters Chemistry, AQA Biology, AQA Physics and OCR History. I'm already worried about failing my A-Levels... I'm predicted A's and A*'s in GCSE, but I've heard A-Levels are 10 times harder. Although I loved Physics in GCSE, I'm also worried I'm not going to be able to cope with the Maths required, although I achieved an A in Maths GCSE when I sat it early... does anyone feel the same way/did feel the same way? And how do you cope with the GCSE to A-Level jump? Help!


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/

Of course it's normal to be scared!

I've just finished my AS year, and was equally as terrified this time 12 months ago haha! I can't really comment on how hard your subjects are, or the work load - the only one I do the same as you is history, but with a different exam board.

As for not knowing anyone, I found that people change dramatically over those first few months - although over 1/2 my year applied and started at the college I go to, a lot of them quit and went elsewhere/stopped speaking to their old friends/generally lost touch anyway, from being in separate classes/ or just work so hard that they don't spend breaks and lunch and frees with their friends. Sometimes, I think the people who didn't know anyone and had to find friends from Day 1 are better off than those who went, and stayed with, almost their whole school. Not knowing anyone will only matter for the first few days.

& yes, it is a LOT harder than GCSE. For me personally, I found the first few months (like, September to December) really hard to cope with. You jump from GCSE to A Level, and for some subjects, you may cover up to 60% of your AS course within those first months. But, honestly, just stick at it. After my January exams, I literally felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, because I had a much better understanding of my subjects, my tutor's teaching style, and of college life in general, and felt much more settled in. And, it was (mostly!) worth it when I got my results in March.

The best bit of advice I could give you is to ALWAYS ask for help if/when you need it! Because your tutors don't know you well enough at that stage, you can't expect them to notice when you're struggling, so speak up and ask for help, instead of waiting for them to ask if you're okay. I made this mistake and struggled for months, when I could have just had the odd tutorial here and there to make things easier earlier on - I made sure I asked for help with my summer modules, and it boosted my confidence a lot ( although it probably didn't boost my grades )!

I know it's difficult to do, but getting a part time job can help too, by giving you something else to focus on, and helping you meet new people - although, it can be difficult at exam and/or deadline time.

Sorry for writing such a long answer, I hope some of it was useful ! If you need to chat, PM me

Good luck with your GCSE results, and let us know how college goes!

[placebo24]

Not so sure about the academic side, but fairly sure that most are about the social. The first term can be hard, trying to settle down and all, but just remember after is the best

[M4LLY]

The academic side will be fine so long as you put in the right amount of work, as for the social side; you should make plenty of friends so long as you make the effort to get to know people

[crc290]

Yes it is perfectly normal to be scared!

I went to sixth form at the secondary school I was attending prior to A-levels, so I didn't have the pressure of making new friends but I was still scared (well, anxious) about the courses etc. It must be 10x more nerve-racking for you!

I think when it comes to the difficulty of A-levels it varies wildly from student to student. A girl I know got all A*'s and A's at GCSE, but got B's and C's at AS level. I know B's and C's aren't necessarily "bad", but it shows how a very good student can find A-levels hard. On the other hand, I was an average GCSE student, ending up with 1 A*, 4 A's, 5 B's and a C, yet got straight A's at AS level.

All I will say is you really have to apply yourself at A-level because it is a big step up from GCSE. Luckily, I noticed this early on, and after putting very little effort in at GCSE's, realised I needed to step it up at A-level, and did. A lot of students assume A-levels will be just as "easy" as GCSE's and are shocked on results day when they end up with D's, E's and U's. Don't just "go with the flow", push yourself. It will pay off.