Doing A levels during a full time job??

Original post by bluemadhatter

I'll be doing 37 hours a week at a hospital. I'm not going to sixth form/college so will be doing the exams as an external student and will be doing all the studying on my own? I'll be doing A2 maths (I got B in AS), A2 Psychology (Got a C in AS) and AS and A2 Religious Studies (Cause I need a third option). I'm not sure if this is unrealistic but I really want to apply for Nursing in the coming year and if I have the grades then it will be so much easier and I can spend a year working/relaxing if I get offers. Idk am I setting myself up for failure?

I did the same, I worked as waiter whilst studying and came out with AAC (Maths, chem and Geography), I'm retaking a few units this year. Just revise and you will be fine.

Reply 2

NotNotBatman

Original post by bluemadhatter

I'll be doing 37 hours a week at a hospital. I'm not going to sixth form/college so will be doing the exams as an external student and will be doing all the studying on my own? I'll be doing A2 maths (I got B in AS), A2 Psychology (Got a C in AS) and AS and A2 Religious Studies (Cause I need a third option). I'm not sure if this is unrealistic but I really want to apply for Nursing in the coming year and if I have the grades then it will be so much easier and I can spend a year working/relaxing if I get offers. Idk am I setting myself up for failure?

Should be fine as long as you prioritise. There are a few mature students who do this. I've known one guy who worked 40 hrs (5pm -1am) a week, went to school everyday and got good grades, so it's definitely possible. You're paying for the exams with your hard earned money should be enough incentive to do well. There's no need to take AS Religious studies exams though, as it's linear, just take the A level exams.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 3

username1884577

19

It will be incredibly difficult. If you're not very intelligent, avoid

Reply 4

OP

Original post by Raizelcadres

I did the same, I worked as waiter whilst studying and came out with AAC (Maths, chem and Geography), I'm retaking a few units this year. Just revise and you will be fine.

Oh wow those results are amazing :hugs:

Did you work full time as well?

Original post by NotNotBatman

Should be fine as long as you prioritise. There are a few mature students who do this. I've known one guy who worked 40 hrs (5pm -1am) a week, went to school everyday and got good grades, so it's definitely possible. You paying for the exams with your hard earned money should be enough incentive to do well. There's no need to take AS Religious studies exams though, as it's linear, just take the A level exams.

Thanks

That's true, I wont want to give up easily knowing I'm spending a lot on it :lol:

That's true :h:

Original post by A-LJLB

It will be incredibly difficult. If you're not very intelligent, avoid

How do I know if I'm intelligent?

Reply 5

loveleest

21

I think it's extremely difficult but if you are motivated you should be okay.

Reply 6

templerun2

Thanks for your sharing. Your article is very useful, it gives me more understanding.

Reply 7

OP

Original post by loveleest

I think it's extremely difficult but if you are motivated you should be okay.

Okay

Reply 8

Original post by bluemadhatter

Oh wow those results are amazing :hugs:

Did you work full time as well?

Thanks :smile:

That's true, I wont want to give up easily knowing I'm spending a lot on it :lol:

That's true :h:

How do I know if I'm intelligent?

I worked 40-45 hours a week. Usually worked from 9- 5 and I payed for my exams like in late november. I stopped working around late march and focused entirely on doing past papers and going over stuff I would get wrong. Btw at the start I was so tired when I came home from work but I slowly got used to it.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 9

OP

Original post by Raizelcadres

I worked 40-45 hours a week. Usually worked from 9- 6 and I payed for my exams like in late november. I stopped working around late march and focused entirely on doing past papers and going over stuff I would get wrong. Btw at the start I was so tired when I came home from work but I slowly got used to it.

How did your organise your time? Did you still get 8 hours sleep? I don't think I would be able to stop working until at least a month before exams...

Reply 10

Original post by bluemadhatter

How did your organise your time? Did you still get 8 hours sleep? I don't think I would be able to stop working until at least a month before exams...

I would wake up at 5:30 and eat breakfast than revise ( 20 min revision with 5 min break) until 8 o'clock than leave for work. During work in my break I would go over each of my subjects definitions (which are just boring). I would leave work at 5:00 and get home at around 6 (sorry I accidentally wrote 9-6 on my other post), I would eat, drink some tea whilst watching a show, at around 7 I would begin revision (same 20 min with 5 min break) and do this until 9:30 than I would read a book and do some exercise to tire myself out, I would go to sleep at 10:00. I worked Mon-Fri so on weekends I studied around 4-5 hours and do past papers and would just watch a movie every sunday. I learnt that I only required a little bit of motivation and the rest was disciplining myself and not to be stressed. You have plenty of time until your exams start so get cracking ( lol I haven't even started my revision). Hope this is of some advice.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 11

Original post by bluemadhatter

How did your organise your time? Did you still get 8 hours sleep? I don't think I would be able to stop working until at least a month before exams...

Why can't you stop working at least a month before?

Reply 12

OP

Original post by Raizelcadres

Why can't you stop working at least a month before?

My contract is 18 months and I only have a 28 day annual leave

Reply 13

Original post by bluemadhatter

My contract is 18 months and I only have a 28 day annual leave

Ah crap, what happens if you quit earlier than that?

Reply 14

OP

Original post by Raizelcadres

Ah crap, what happens if you quit earlier than that?

i wont have a job for the rest of the time (a year and a half)?? and I work for NHS so I'm lucky enough to have got this job in the first place

Reply 15

Original post by bluemadhatter

i wont have a job for the rest of the time (a year and a half)?? and I work for NHS so I'm lucky enough to have got this job in the first place

Try talking to them to see if you can sort something out. But if nothing can be done and you slip up in a few exams (God forbid) just retake them next year.

OP

bump

Original post by bluemadhatter

I'll be doing 37 hours a week at a hospital. I'm not going to sixth form/college so will be doing the exams as an external student and will be doing all the studying on my own? I'll be doing A2 maths (I got B in AS), A2 Psychology (Got a C in AS) and AS and A2 Religious Studies (Cause I need a third option). I'm not sure if this is unrealistic but I really want to apply for Nursing in the coming year and if I have the grades then it will be so much easier and I can spend a year working/relaxing if I get offers. Idk am I setting myself up for failure?

I can't really talk much from personal experience but my mum studied RS, English Language and some kind of sports thing whilst working two jobs and me on top of it all and she got into Manchester University so if she can do it you can

Reply 18

ChemicalChance

4

Original post by bluemadhatter

I'll be doing 37 hours a week at a hospital. I'm not going to sixth form/college so will be doing the exams as an external student and will be doing all the studying on my own? I'll be doing A2 maths (I got B in AS), A2 Psychology (Got a C in AS) and AS and A2 Religious Studies (Cause I need a third option). I'm not sure if this is unrealistic but I really want to apply for Nursing in the coming year and if I have the grades then it will be so much easier and I can spend a year working/relaxing if I get offers. Idk am I setting myself up for failure?

HI madhatter, I am really digging this discussion and I was wondering if you could give us an update on how its going with you.What has been the biggest challenges of doing 3 A-levels whilst working full time?I am considering following in your footsteps, but I am a little hesitant.

Reply 19

OP