What I've Learnt During Sixth Form

I'm going to second what you've said on Chemistry - so many people in year 12 took it thinking it's going to be exactly as it was in GCSE. It's not. It's really really not. We had a class of 20 and a class of 10. We're down to a single class of 10 by the very end of year 13. The other 20 either failed or scraped a pass (E's with maybe one D)

Memorisation with being able to adapt your knowledge with calculations with crappy how science works does NOT even begin to describe it. But it's my favourite subject by far despite it being a PITA.

That's a lot of failing! Yeah not a lot of Chemistry students are prepared and I definitely wasn't. I remember crying during some classes. I laugh about it now but back then, I couldn't believe what I'd gotten myself into.

What's a PITA?

Nice post OP, I could have used this when I was in sixth form

Specially agree with dealing with your teachers, you'll find that dealing with them in sixth form (especially during ucas apps) is like being a freaking diplomat and you somehow have to push them in getting what you want from them.

Pain in the a***

Yeah, a lot of people gave up after the first January, but our school had a stupid policy of not letting anyone drop anything.

i love the advice you've given but the only thing i'd critique is "only take it if you took Triple Science" for chemistry. i didnt do triple science and i got on just fine. chemistry is my favourite subject and although its been hard constantly throughout the year, i just took my AS and am hoping for at least a B in august.

Thanks very much, that was very helpful

I see, but only just finishing my History GCSE in a fortnight still makes 50 marks seem ridiculous! But I guess we will be prepared so no worries. I was just worrying myself because I've heard rumours about the difficulty of History A-Level and thought I'd ask.

But thanks anyways for the tips and info, I'll be sure to keep that in mind for September (as well as the idea of behaving well and joining clubs, etc in the last terms ).

Don't worry. I was never taught in primary school or secondary school. My private tutors were never really that much help either.

Lol! subjects are always more interesting when the exams are out of the way!

I'm not the only one at least .
They really are . I'm even loving History atm even though a few months back i was sure i'd drop it next year.

Thanks! Same! I still am in sixth form but if I could go back with this blog post, I so would!

Most of my teachers were nice but I did worry about a couple of them writing unfavourable references.

I would say it was after UCAS applications were sent off, coursework handed in and UCAS offers coming in that dealing with my Englit teacher became difficult. He turned up to less than 60% of our classes, and when he did come, would disappear for half an hour, come back and pretend nothing had happened. And then when something went wrong, it was all our fault.

Problems with our teachers usually were the result of over-relaxed students, especially during History. But the Englit teacher just took the piss.

Well anyway it's definitely something to show my younger siblings

When looking back, I dealt with teachers in sixth form more than I ever did before or even now at uni. From changing subjects (a lot), to references and to predicted grades (I had to go to the principal for that). I got to a point where once when I was asked by my friend about getting kicked out by a teacher, I knew exactly what to say

Wow, your college sounds different to mine :O

I think it's just a very dynamic time. You don't spend that long in college but have to do a lot. You grow up a lot although I'm assuming you grow up some more in uni.

LOL! Sixth form is definitely eventful! Stressful at the time but when you look back, I guess it's easier to laugh at everything.

Why did you have to go to the principal? The only time I ever spoke to mine was during my interview.

Which one? First or second?

I went to 2 colleges. My second one was a lot more relaxed than my first. Relaxed in a good way and a bad way.