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Any mature students on here who have gone back to study A-levels??

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Original post by Philip-flop
I don't think I understand what you just said! :frown:


Hey again, how's the self teaching going? How do you plan your time and fit everything around your work? I'm struggling to fit everything in and I'm wondering if you have a timetable or anything you could share.
Original post by brainzistheword
Hey again, how's the self teaching going? How do you plan your time and fit everything around your work? I'm struggling to fit everything in and I'm wondering if you have a timetable or anything you could share.


I'm not going to lie... This year has been very difficult to stay motivated. I spend my two days off each week waking up at 7am and do intensive studying for 8-12 hours (with regular breaks!!) and during my working week I tend to study before work for an hour and study again after work for at least 2 hours. The study sessions during my "work-weeks" are mainly revision and recapping whereas the two days I have off each week are for learning new content. As for my social life I try to only sacrifice my study time during my "work-week" in the evening so that I only waste a few hours of study time instead of giving up a whole day of revision on my days off.

As for a timetable... I don't have one!! haha. But I am aiming to have most of the content covered for my two A2-levels by January or early February so that I can concentrate on areas that I need to improve such as exam technique and so I have enough time to revise everything a few times before the actual exams. But even if I don't start revising until March/April at least I'll still have a bit of time (hopefully).

How's the self-studying going on your end? What A-level subjects are you doing again?
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by AmeliaLost
as opposed to the mad flight over the syllabus Access seems to be!


You're not wrong. I'm doing the Access at the moment, and by the end of this month I will have already handed in 6 assignments, in 2 subjects that i've never studied before now, and 2 that I haven't done since GCSE. It's challenging for sure. Especially when every assignment grade throughout the year counts equally. There's no room for slip ups when universities are asking you for 30 distinctions and 15 merits.

Personally, I don't mind the fast pace. As none of the subjects that I do are subjects that I will be studying at university, moving through the syllabus quickly keeps me focused.

As well as the Access, i'm taking 1 A-level in the subject that I want to study at university. I'm self-studying for that. The Access course fits around my work schedule and the 1 year duration suited me, which is why I opted for it. Knowing how much work my 1 A-level requires, I have a lot of respect for anybody who returns to education after some time out and does 3 or 4 of them!
Original post by Philip-flop
I'm not going to lie... This year has been very difficult to stay motivated. I spend my two days off each week waking up at 7am and do intensive studying for 8-12 hours (with regular breaks!!) and during my working week I tend to study before work for an hour and study again after work for at least 2 hours. The study sessions during my "work-weeks" are mainly revision and recapping whereas the two days I have off each week are for learning new content. As for my social life I try to only sacrifice my study time during my "work-week" in the evening so that I only waste a few hours of study time instead of giving up a whole day of revision on my days off.

As for a timetable... I don't have one!! haha. But I am aiming to have most of the content covered for my two A2-levels by January or early February so that I can concentrate on areas that I need to improve such as exam technique and so I have enough time to revise everything a few times before the actual exams. But even if I don't start revising until March/April at least I'll still have a bit of time (hopefully).

How's the self-studying going on your end? What A-level subjects are you doing again?


Amazing!! I have no idea how you fit everything in!! But it definitely sounds like you know what you are doing.

I'm probably (definitely) not a mature student as such, so probably shouldn't be on this thread (tut tut) as I chose to do an apprenticeship instead of college but I want to do A-levels too, in the hope of going to university at a Russel Group and most want some sort of A-level with a BTEC for most of the courses I'm looking at. Plus, I like a challenge :smile:

I'd like to do Maths, FM, Physics and Chemistry A-levels although I don't think I could do them all at once. I'm concentrating on Maths and possibly FM at the minute, and then I'll look into the content of Chemistry and Physics whilst I try to find somewhere to sit the practicals.
Original post by Philip-flop
I'm not going to lie... This year has been very difficult to stay motivated. I spend my two days off each week waking up at 7am and do intensive studying for 8-12 hours (with regular breaks!!) and during my working week I tend to study before work for an hour and study again after work for at least 2 hours. The study sessions during my "work-weeks" are mainly revision and recapping whereas the two days I have off each week are for learning new content. As for my social life I try to only sacrifice my study time during my "work-week" in the evening so that I only waste a few hours of study time instead of giving up a whole day of revision on my days off.

As for a timetable... I don't have one!! haha. But I am aiming to have most of the content covered for my two A2-levels by January or early February so that I can concentrate on areas that I need to improve such as exam technique and so I have enough time to revise everything a few times before the actual exams. But even if I don't start revising until March/April at least I'll still have a bit of time (hopefully).

How's the self-studying going on your end? What A-level subjects are you doing again?


If it makes you feel any better, I've never found study timetables helpful!

I've worked better by organising my work/topic load into lists.

So I lost all the topics I have to cover, revise and refine. I then work backwards from two weeks before the exam date to see how much time I have. I then allocate the work based on the weeks left etc. This gives me a weekly list to cover.
This might include a mix of subjects, with some topics needing serious work and other just needing a refresh so I don't forget them.

I found this easier than just revising, plus I found I actually made better use of my time. I wasn't spending hours and hours everyday revising. It also meant I could juggle a bit of fun or socialising in too. As the rule is as long as I cover it all it doesn't matter when.
if I got a topic that I was stuck on still, I would add it to the next weeks list, to go over again. Rather than drive myself mad!
Original post by brainzistheword
Amazing!! I have no idea how you fit everything in!! But it definitely sounds like you know what you are doing.

I'm probably (definitely) not a mature student as such, so probably shouldn't be on this thread (tut tut) as I chose to do an apprenticeship instead of college but I want to do A-levels too, in the hope of going to university at a Russel Group and most want some sort of A-level with a BTEC for most of the courses I'm looking at. Plus, I like a challenge :smile:

I'd like to do Maths, FM, Physics and Chemistry A-levels although I don't think I could do them all at once. I'm concentrating on Maths and possibly FM at the minute, and then I'll look into the content of Chemistry and Physics whilst I try to find somewhere to sit the practicals.

Yeah it would be a lot of work to do that many A-levels at once around a full-time job, especially if you have to do exams for your apprenticeship as well!!

Also, there's no harm in working through some Maths A-level textbooks now. That way you can test the water and will be much more prepared for when you actually decide to sit the exams for real!
Original post by Cowie315
If it makes you feel any better, I've never found study timetables helpful!

I've worked better by organising my work/topic load into lists.

So I lost all the topics I have to cover, revise and refine. I then work backwards from two weeks before the exam date to see how much time I have. I then allocate the work based on the weeks left etc. This gives me a weekly list to cover.
This might include a mix of subjects, with some topics needing serious work and other just needing a refresh so I don't forget them.

I found this easier than just revising, plus I found I actually made better use of my time. I wasn't spending hours and hours everyday revising. It also meant I could juggle a bit of fun or socialising in too. As the rule is as long as I cover it all it doesn't matter when.
if I got a topic that I was stuck on still, I would add it to the next weeks list, to go over again. Rather than drive myself mad!

Yeah that's true. I need to make sure I'm covering all the content before the actual exams. The only thing is, I feel like I start to forget things I've learned if I don't revise them regularly (especially for Maths) :frown: But I will try to get a healthy balance so I'm not wasting too much time and sacrificing too much of my social life!!
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by Philip-flop
Yeah it would be a lot of work to do that many A-levels at once around a full-time job, especially if you have to do exams for your apprenticeship as well!!

Also, there's no harm in working through some Maths A-level textbooks now. That way you can test the water and will be much more prepared for when you actually decide to sit the exams for real!


Luckily, I don't think there are any exams, just coursework as we go along, and there are occasions where some of the topics overlap with A-level content (seen as it is an engineering apprenticeship) so it just means going into a bit more detail for some of it.

Yes thanks for the tip, I'm going to invest in some textbooks and just have a go at some of the questions every now and again and hopefully build up the amount I'm doing each day.
Original post by Philip-flop
Yeah that's true. I need to make sure I'm covering all the content before the actual exams. The only thing is, I feel like I start to forget things I've learned if I don't revise them regularly (especially for Maths) :frown: But I will try to get a healthy balance so I'm not wasting too much time and sacrificing too much of my social life!!


I repeat things into it, so I look over things a couple of Days later, then a week later, then two weeks later and then monthly. Each time doing different things to increase memory pathways!
Original post by Cowie315
I repeat things into it, so I look over things a couple of Days later, then a week later, then two weeks later and then monthly. Each time doing different things to increase memory pathways!


Yes that's exactly what I need to be doing tbh!! That way if there is anything that I keep forgetting I need to carry on reminding myself more, and the things that I get right every time I need to remind myself less. Thanks a lot @Cowie315 :smile:
Original post by Philip-flop
Yes that's exactly what I need to be doing tbh!! That way if there is anything that I keep forgetting I need to carry on reminding myself more, and the things that I get right every time I need to remind myself less. Thanks a lot @Cowie315 :smile:


That's it, this is where I find the lists help. As they can change as you go along. I keep at least two weeks, usually 4 before the exams. This is when I start past papers and focus on anything I'm really stuck on. I also analyse and work through all the essays (biology here) and mind map the essays and topics.

Glad I can be of help, this technique made my life so much easier last year! But what works for me might not work for you the same, you just have to keep tweeting and trying things!
Original post by Cowie315
That's it, this is where I find the lists help. As they can change as you go along. I keep at least two weeks, usually 4 before the exams. This is when I start past papers and focus on anything I'm really stuck on. I also analyse and work through all the essays (biology here) and mind map the essays and topics.

Glad I can be of help, this technique made my life so much easier last year! But what works for me might not work for you the same, you just have to keep tweeting and trying things!

Amazing advice @Cowie315!! I definitely need to incorporate a lot of the stuff you mentioned into my own studies!! I know you did a different exam board for Biology to me but is there any chance you could email me the kind of notes, mind maps, and priority lists that you made? I'm trying to learn from the master!! hehe :tongue:
Original post by Philip-flop
Amazing advice @Cowie315!! I definitely need to incorporate a lot of the stuff you mentioned into my own studies!! I know you did a different exam board for Biology to me but is there any chance you could email me the kind of notes, mind maps, and priority lists that you made? I'm trying to learn from the master!! hehe :tongue:


Haha I wouldn't quite go that far. If you pm me your email, I will try and help as much as possible!
Original post by Kefte
I'll be 30 after Christmas (gosh, don't say 27 is too old). Anyway, I've been at one college doing A-levels for 2-years and now I'm at another doing other A-levels - the first college had a great mix of age ranges, the one I'm at now almost purely caters for 16-18 year olds and I have no mature students in any of my classes. But - the students are fantastic, doing A-levels they're motivated and smart (smarter and more interesting than most adults I know) and I am really enjoying it.

Admittedly, I haven't told them my age (they haven't asked) - so they may just think I'm 17 (brilliant).


Already there, mate. I guess for me I like saying how I am and see there face. Mind you being disabled with a cane and requiring support. I get looks. I guess when you got to FE colleges post school or that they have to pay for their studies they seem to have more drive to succeed, I'm hopeful now since going to one uni and they said I have enough UCAS points to go straight to BA course.

Original post by Philip-flop
I don't think I understand what you just said! :frown:


"My fear of going to college to study, and the teachers being younger/same age would be my logic of reservation to go back to FE not Uni to study..haha! Cringe. But I think I might of found a way around my dilema, discuss with uni about doing something in the interim as a sandwich of sorts before the year study of study if needed."

I think what I was trying to say that i fear that I'd be no doubt the same age or older than the teachers and obs feel I'd be too old for the class..a level of pride. Regardless the latter still stands, is that I think I've found a course of uni without the need for a levels. Sorry if I'm still not quite making sense. V tired of late,


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Reply 255
Reading two books are you, son? Impressive.
Original post by Wisefire
I am doing an Access to HE Diploma in Business Studies.

I shall be applying for:

Information Management for Business at UCL (AAB at A-Level or 18 Distinctions on an Access course)
Business and Management at Durham (AAB or 30 Distinctions)
International Management at Nottingham (AAB or 30 Distinctions)
International Management at Manchester (AAB or 30 Distinctions)

I will also be applying for an Arts and Humanities Foundation Year at Nottingham (BCC at A-Level, Access courses are dealt with on a case-by-case basis) as what is a slight insurance choice.

I am 19 years old. In a boy's private school doing A-Levels nearing two years ago I had offers from Manchester and Nottingham for Accounting & Finance degrees. I have a rather too complex past of distress which has meant I couldn't complete those A-Levels. Now, at my age, I do not have access to new taught A-Levels for free.

I am ****ing terrified of not receiving offers for any of these courses at these specific universities even with a rich and articulate personal statement which includes words on how I am presently much more enthusiastic on academic goals than career-oriented goals, an insight day at an investment bank, a job shadow, reading two books, visiting a lecture, volunteering and societies I had been a part of in the past. I would also have a good reference from my college, and a good additional, second reference from my previous school.

I have 1A* 4As 5Bs and 1C at IGCSE/GCSE, and ABDE at AS-Level.

I want peoples' thoughts on how likely I am to receive offers to do these four mentioned degrees above with my Access course. I will be miserable if I get no offers from universities I had offers from (Manchester and Nottingham) when halfheartedly doing A-Levels.
Now I am applying myself on this Access course, but I fear the reality is it is an inferior qualification, which it clearly is, but surely not so inferior that it cannot get me onto any of these undergraduate degrees?

These universities claim they will accept Access students. I massively, staggeringly fear the reality is the majority of Access to HE students cannot grab the attention of only these universities I would be happy to go to.

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Whilst we can provide insight into other things young can do to aid you application, the most realistic answer you will get in regards to your chosen courses accepting you is from speaking to the universities themselves.
Even anther mature students trying to gain a place on the same courses will have an entirely different background and life experience to you. These are all things the universities take into consideration. It is one of the benefits to applying as a mature student but also one of the downsides when looking for a hopfull case! I had the same problem when applying to veterinary, I do understand how frustrating this is. I was also petrified!

Whilst Rustins comment wasn't exactly helpful, I would personally leave the two books out of my personal statement, but if appropriate talking about things from these in your interviews might be useful. The only students I know who specifically mention reading certain books in their applicantions are students wanting to study English... these books are named and spoken about in depth.

I'm sorry I can't fully answer your question, have you spoken to the universities about your situation and your access course?
I'm 22 and I'm back at college studying a-levels in an intensive class! The age spans from mostly 19 to 23 and I'm having a great time doing history, politics and maths in one year. Would thoroughly recommend it, don't worry about being older, people are generally very accepting. Especially if you can find an intensives class because everyone has a story about why it didn't happen the first time!
I have an interview at Cambridge for law so they can't think too badly of going back ☺️

Edit: actually we also have some thirty odd year olds in maths who are great
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by epsilondelta
I'm 22 and I'm back at college studying a-levels in an intensive class! The age spans from mostly 19 to 23 and I'm having a great time doing history, politics and maths in one year. Would thoroughly recommend it, don't worry about being older, people are generally very accepting. Especially if you can find an intensives class because everyone has a story about why it didn't happen the first time!
I have an interview at Cambridge for law so they can't think too badly of going back ☺️

Edit: actually we also have some thirty odd year olds in maths who are great


Nice one!! So much respect! Are you working a job whilst studying these A-levels?

I'm doing Maths A2 (Edexcel) this year so would be cool to keep in contact with you :smile:

Also, what college are you doing your intensive A-levels at?
(edited 7 years ago)
[QUOTE=Philip-flop;68633768]Nice one!! So much respect! Are you working a job whilst studying these A-levels?

I'm doing Maths A2 (Edexcel) this year so would be cool to keep in contact with you :smile:

Also, what college are you doing your intensive A-levels at?

Hey thanks! Yeah I am unfortunately I work nights 🙄 are you?

Oh awesome! Yeah definitely, just starting to do C3 papers now. Are you studying independently?

Westminster Kingsway - I highly recommend :biggrin:

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