[Dancin'Queen]

Hi everyone,

So I have just sat my AS levels in biology, economics, psychology and maths. However I feel that they went really bad and I have possibly got Us in some due to been depressed upto and including the summer exam period. In January I got CDD in psychology, maths and biology. I am now debating wether to carry on with my A levels, dropping maths at A2 or to drop out of sixth form and go to business college to do a one year course where I will get a level 3 diploma at the end.
However I am not 'dumb' by any means, I got all A* and As at Gcse and was predicted all As at A level. I feel that by dropping out of sixth form I am giving up but scared that next exam period when it really matters I will become depressed again!
I do loads of dancing outside of school and work for a drama academy teaching dance and love it! I will not give this up as I really want to dance when I'm older, but if this doesn't happen I will need good qualifications! Please help!
Thank you!

[tallen90]

I have been in your exact position. The key thing to do right now is to NOT WORRY!

You know you've messed up, and in a way that's a good thing - it means you know what you need to do to not mess up.

Starting RIGHT NOW, you need to work your ass off! You got good GCSE grades which demonstrates that you have potential to do well - don't let the potential go to waste. You've got two years to show what you're made of, so just get it done!

Arrange to do your re-sits (but make sure you don't prioritise them over your new units), and keep believing in yourself - if you work hard and you've got the ability, you CAN do it!

Last year I got BCC in my January units. I've wanted to do Medicine for the past few years, so I was pretty gutted with those grades. I worked hard, got AAAB for my AS year, and I now have three offers to study Medicine and am on course to get AAA at the end of this year.

Good luck!

[Dancin'Queen]

(Original post by tallen90)
I have been in your exact position. The key thing to do right now is to NOT WORRY!

You know you've messed up, and in a way that's a good thing - it means you know what you need to do to not mess up.

Starting RIGHT NOW, you need to work your ass off! You got good GCSE grades which demonstrates that you have potential to do well - don't let the potential go to waste. You've got two years to show what you're made of, so just get it done!

Arrange to do your re-sits (but make sure you don't prioritise them over your new units), and keep believing in yourself - if you work hard and you've got the ability, you CAN do it!

Last year I got BCC in my January units. I've wanted to do Medicine for the past few years, so I was pretty gutted with those grades. I worked hard, got AAAB for my AS year, and I now have three offers to study Medicine and am on course to get AAA at the end of this year.

Good luck!

Thank you! And congrats well done, incredible results! So if I want to go to uni, A levels will give me a better chance than a diploma right?

[tallen90]

Definitely!

Although diplomas are normally considered as "equivalent" to one or more A-Levels, they're not normally regarded as highly and you'll probably find it more difficult to get into a decent university with a diploma.

If I were you, I'd take my advice and just work really hard! I know I'm just some guy on the Internet, but I've been in your position myself and I really wish I'd had someone to tell me I was doing the right thing at that time - and trust me, if you really, really commit yourself to your studies you can (and will!) succeed.

[Dancin'Queen]

I am considering your advise so much! I'm just scared I'll freak out in the exam next year again:/ if I do the diploma I know I can get a high grade. So is a C grade in A level still better than a really high diploma grade? Sorry for all the questions haha just stressing out!

[tallen90]

Hmm...it really depends on what you want to do. I'm not saying diplomas are worthless, but an A-Level is generally more highly regarded. Then again, diplomas can be way more useful for certain vocational careers.

That said, don't make any decisions until results day! You've probably done a lot better than you think

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[Dancin'Queen]

I hope so! Thank you :-)

[Clare~Bear]

The jump from gcse to a-level is big and straight A students who got those grades without much revision tend to struggle, not to mention your depression. As long as you enjoyed your subjects and it is something you would want a career out of, then don't give up. You can retake. That's what I'm doing.

At gcse my average grade was a high B/ low A. But at AS I got DEEE. I could have coontinued to A2, but knew that if I wanted to get to a half decent uni, having those ASes would mean I had low A2 predictions so wouldn't get many offers if at all. so I carried the D onto A2 as retsarting would mean a new exam board, so I only redid one exam. I redid two of the Es and dropped another for a different. More interesting subject. This year I'm doing tonnes better.

don't give up.

[Blind Sniper]

(Original post by tallen90)
Last year I got BCC in my January units. I've wanted to do Medicine for the past few years, so I was pretty gutted with those grades. I worked hard, got AAAB for my AS year, and I now have three offers to study Medicine and am on course to get AAA at the end of this year.

Which universities gave you an offer?

[16dan2life]

Carry on with A levels
Resit year 12 if you want(many uni's don't mind this except LSE/Oxbridge) or just continue on to A2 and retake most of your AS modules along with A2 modules.

you've definitely got the potential to get good A level grades.

[tallen90]

(Original post by Blind Sniper)
Which universities gave you an offer?

I was offered AAA for Medicine from East Anglia and Manchester, and BCC from Southampton for BM6 Medicine. Firmed Manchester, Insuranced Southampton.

[Mr Inquisitive]

January is always the worst period for exams, don't worry!