[la-penseur]

University isn't everything. Can you not go to tech or something? They do all sorts of courses like photography, animal care, art, travel and tourism etc. You don't have to join the army just because you aren't doing A Levels haha.

[Cazzaline1]

(Original post by johnharris19944)

I dont think any of my grades would increase since doesnt it just get harder the next year?

That's what I'm saying, you'd think they would get harder...and they probably do...but once you've done the AS and any resits..it's a lot less intense.
As I say, got awful results the first time round..but aced them in my Jan resits. The sooner you drop Chemistry, the better. I was like that with Biology. Really wasn't my thing!
But ofc, if you think you just cant do it..dont! But I'm just saying, I took the risk..and it paid off

[M4LLY]

(Original post by johnharris19944)
Also how could i go abouts telling my parents. I think they might freak and say how Uni is the only route to a successful life.

Tell them to go and stuff it. You could do an aprenticeship or you could join the forces. Some of my old primary school mates have done all of the options with varying success. The ones who didn't go uni and did an apprenticeship are now making ridiculous amounts of money and doing something they enjoy whilst the ones who went to Uni are still wading in student debt and are still working stacking shelves at Tesco's.One guy i know joined the Navy and in 3 short years he has travelled all over the world and has earned a decent amount doing it.

I'm either going after an appreticeship in construction or going after an engineering career in the forces. I personally regret doing A Levels because there didn't seem like there was anything better to do. Yet i now realise i am sick of the educational environment. I'm certainly not going uni because i worked hard to get everything i had today and uni will just take that all away from me.

[Alpha :)]

(Original post by johnharris19944)
Hi guys i dont know where to put this so i decided to ask my questions here. At my sixth form here I'm really miserable and doing pretty badly. I dont think higher education is for me and I only went to do it because i dont know what else you can do. Is it true what my parents say that you need to go to University if you want to be successful. Im thinking if im struggling with A levels now then why waste so much money on University which is just going to be harder.

Should i resit the year? should i do an apprenticeship or find a Job?

What else can i do besides Sixth form? Im really lost as to what i can do and any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.

I've had an extremely hard time with sixth form, as a lot of people do. I didn't mind GCSE's and thought that I could do sixth form but then when I got my AS results I didn't do as well as I should have. I resat two and I got a much better mark in one subject and the same in another - this was after tonnes of revision too! I was always quite a pleasant person until I got to sixth form, where like anything someone did I would get annoyed and stressed out. It isn't true that your parents said you have to go to university to be successful, as I'm sure there are many people out there that haven't gone to uni and have their own businesses etc. I think you should have a look at your options (apprenticeship, a course at college, a job, or resit them). I personally would do a college course in something you know you enjoy, as if you find this easier you can find you can still go to uni from this. At the end of the day, only you can decide for what you want. Don't try to impress your parents or make them feel better by sticking in at sixth form being miserable, because in the long run you'll regret this. Have a look online at college courses that are on offer. Also a lot of colleges have apprenticeships run through them and you get paid too. Hope this has helped you in some way!

[marianne93]

We're all different! Some people on here will find A Levels a breeze, while some will struggle and have a really bad time of it. Like everything in life, we aren't all good at the same things.

I wouldn't recommend trying to find a job right now, the economy is pretty poor and although you may find a job, it will probably be one with few prospects.

However, there are loads of other options. You can go to college and take a vocational course in something like carpentry or plumbing or electronics which will equip you with the specialist skills required for those fields. I know plenty of people that do those courses and I don't doubt that they'll have steady careers in the future. You can even go onto university after one of these courses, so you needn't rule out a degree yet.

Alternatively you could search for apprenticeships - they will probably be in similar, vocational fields.

Don't let anyone pressure you into staying on at sixth form. If you don't enjoy it, you won't do well, and it will be a waste of your time. Higher education is not for everyone, and not everybody finds A Levels easy - I know many people who regret wasting one or two years of their life at sixth form when they could have gone out and done something much more suited to them.

Good luck!

[Malevolent]

(Original post by marianne93)
We're all different! Some people on here will find A Levels a breeze, while some will struggle and have a really bad time of it. Like everything in life, we aren't all good at the same things.

I wouldn't recommend trying to find a job right now, the economy is pretty poor and although you may find a job, it will probably be one with few prospects.

However, there are loads of other options. You can go to college and take a vocational course in something like carpentry or plumbing or electronics which will equip you with the specialist skills required for those fields. I know plenty of people that do those courses and I don't doubt that they'll have steady careers in the future. You can even go onto university after one of these courses, so you needn't rule out a degree yet.

Alternatively you could search for apprenticeships - they will probably be in similar, vocational fields.

Don't let anyone pressure you into staying on at sixth form. If you don't enjoy it, you won't do well, and it will be a waste of your time. Higher education is not for everyone, and not everybody finds A Levels easy - I know many people who regret wasting one or two years of their life at sixth form when they could have gone out and done something much more suited to them.

Good luck!

Im kinda confused really what jobs you can do with an apprenticeship i thought apprenticeships were like plumbing and electrician do you mind sort of explaining them? I regret it because my parents chose it and not me :/

[Malevolent]

(Original post by Alpha :))
I've had an extremely hard time with sixth form, as a lot of people do. I didn't mind GCSE's and thought that I could do sixth form but then when I got my AS results I didn't do as well as I should have. I resat two and I got a much better mark in one subject and the same in another - this was after tonnes of revision too! I was always quite a pleasant person until I got to sixth form, where like anything someone did I would get annoyed and stressed out. It isn't true that your parents said you have to go to university to be successful, as I'm sure there are many people out there that haven't gone to uni and have their own businesses etc. I think you should have a look at your options (apprenticeship, a course at college, a job, or resit them). I personally would do a college course in something you know you enjoy, as if you find this easier you can find you can still go to uni from this. At the end of the day, only you can decide for what you want. Don't try to impress your parents or make them feel better by sticking in at sixth form being miserable, because in the long run you'll regret this. Have a look online at college courses that are on offer. Also a lot of colleges have apprenticeships run through them and you get paid too. Hope this has helped you in some way!

ive always been worried that college was seen as the not as you know smart route for education and that sixth form is the one for the kids going to university. If you go to colleges do you get the same opportunities as someone who goes to sixth form like ones not valued more then the other?

[ClawlessRaver]

I'd stick it out mate. Sixth form were two of the best years of my life, and having A-Levels I think really give you a step up. Besides if it doesn't all go to plan at AS, there's always retakes in the second year. Don't worry, keep your chin up and stick it out You could do an apprenticeship after sixth form if it doesnt go to plan. Better to try and fail than not try at all Best of luck with whatever decision you make mate.

[pink pineapple]

(Original post by johnharris19944)
I know people will say rubbish but i genuinely am struggling with A levels and i do try hard to cope. I just dont think its for me.

, tbh I wouldn't worry about what he said, there's no doubt that A-levels are difficult and most people will struggle at some point with them. However, my best advice would be to continue with sixth and work hard as you can you never know, you might suprise yourself with your results! Best of luck

[Malevolent]

(Original post by pink pineapple)
, tbh I wouldn't worry about what he said, there's no doubt that A-levels are difficult and most people will struggle at some point with them. However, my best advice would be to continue with sixth and work hard as you can you never know, you might suprise yourself with your results! Best of luck

Still havent mustered up the courage to tell my parents how i feel. hate being so timid and shy.

[Jim_Metrin]

There are plenty of things you can do besides going to sixth form man dont listen too your parents. Uni is good but its not the only way to go okay.

[Alpha :)]

(Original post by johnharris19944)
ive always been worried that college was seen as the not as you know smart route for education and that sixth form is the one for the kids going to university. If you go to colleges do you get the same opportunities as someone who goes to sixth form like ones not valued more then the other?

That's exactly how I felt so I went to sixth form with all my friends where I felt comfortable and tbh I had no idea that people that were going to college could go to university, so when I found out I was slightly annoyed at myself. 1) because I didn't look further into the college near me and 2) because I was being ignorant and wanted to stay with my friends. I think some universities would prefer A-levels to a BTEC course, but NOT all of them! I know loads of people that are at college and are going to university in September. The thing is, you would need to know what it is you're interested in when applying as a lot of courses at college are like: Health and Social, Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Art etc. Like they are set things, not like sixth form where you have about 4 subjects. My friend has just finished his Art course at college and is going to study Fine Art at Huddersfield in September so y'ano

[marianne93]

(Original post by johnharris19944)
Im kinda confused really what jobs you can do with an apprenticeship i thought apprenticeships were like plumbing and electrician do you mind sort of explaining them? I regret it because my parents chose it and not me :/

apprenticeships are like 'on the job' training. For some, you will be paid. For some, you will not. It depends on who is giving you the apprenticeship. You're right, they will generally be for jobs like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics... although some financial firms might take you, if you're good.

[Malevolent]

(Original post by marianne93)
apprenticeships are like 'on the job' training. For some, you will be paid. For some, you will not. It depends on who is giving you the apprenticeship. You're right, they will generally be for jobs like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics... although some financial firms might take you, if you're good.

Are they extremely hard to find because i really want to tell my parents now that i want to leave but i dont want to leave and have nothing to do if you get me?

(Original post by Alpha :))
That's exactly how I felt so I went to sixth form with all my friends where I felt comfortable and tbh I had no idea that people that were going to college could go to university, so when I found out I was slightly annoyed at myself. 1) because I didn't look further into the college near me and 2) because I was being ignorant and wanted to stay with my friends. I think some universities would prefer A-levels to a BTEC course, but NOT all of them! I know loads of people that are at college and are going to university in September. The thing is, you would need to know what it is you're interested in when applying as a lot of courses at college are like: Health and Social, Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Art etc. Like they are set things, not like sixth form where you have about 4 subjects. My friend has just finished his Art course at college and is going to study Fine Art at Huddersfield in September so y'ano

Hmm i dont really know what i would do at college would want to do something to do with history perhaps or economics but do they do those subjects there or is it more practical sorta subjects?

[Robert A]

Think about checking out the Not Going To Uni website, has all the apprenticeship information I use... Pretty good