I want to drop out of year 12 half way through

I have a problem. I’m in year 12 for sixth form taking my A levels for maths, psychology and criminology but my grades haven’t been good (getting Cs and bellow). Maths is a big issue as it is the hardest to understand and makes me feel tight in my chest when I think of it on a regular basis (it has caused many days without sleep).
It is hard to revise for me because I am autistic and possibly have adhd, but I feel like a douchebag for blaming it all on disorders that I’m not even properly diagnosed for.
The school I go to says that if we don’t pass the up coming mocks this year we can’t do next year, it’s obviously stressing me out. I am not enjoying sixth form it makes me feel miserable and am considering dropping out. I hate school but I only took this route because I felt like there were no other options for me and I feel stressed about big changes in my life. I have no future plans currently as I lost all motivation for my future during my gcse in year 10. If there are any options available for me rn I am willing to fight the autism and come out of my comfort zone (keeping in mind that even ordering a coffee makes me cry). I heard virtual experience is good (like springpod) but I have no idea how it works. Any advice for my situation is extremely appreciated!

Reply 1

idkhelpme

8

Original post by Octipus278

I have a problem. I’m in year 12 for sixth form taking my A levels for maths, psychology and criminology but my grades haven’t been good (getting Cs and bellow). Maths is a big issue as it is the hardest to understand and makes me feel tight in my chest when I think of it on a regular basis (it has caused many days without sleep).
It is hard to revise for me because I am autistic and possibly have adhd, but I feel like a douchebag for blaming it all on disorders that I’m not even properly diagnosed for.
The school I go to says that if we don’t pass the up coming mocks this year we can’t do next year, it’s obviously stressing me out. I am not enjoying sixth form it makes me feel miserable and am considering dropping out. I hate school but I only took this route because I felt like there were no other options for me and I feel stressed about big changes in my life. I have no future plans currently as I lost all motivation for my future during my gcse in year 10. If there are any options available for me rn I am willing to fight the autism and come out of my comfort zone (keeping in mind that even ordering a coffee makes me cry). I heard virtual experience is good (like springpod) but I have no idea how it works. Any advice for my situation is extremely appreciated!

watch bicen maths for A level maths, he's amazing.

Reply 2

aop07

7

Original post by Octipus278

I have a problem. I’m in year 12 for sixth form taking my A levels for maths, psychology and criminology but my grades haven’t been good (getting Cs and bellow). Maths is a big issue as it is the hardest to understand and makes me feel tight in my chest when I think of it on a regular basis (it has caused many days without sleep).
It is hard to revise for me because I am autistic and possibly have adhd, but I feel like a douchebag for blaming it all on disorders that I’m not even properly diagnosed for.
The school I go to says that if we don’t pass the up coming mocks this year we can’t do next year, it’s obviously stressing me out. I am not enjoying sixth form it makes me feel miserable and am considering dropping out. I hate school but I only took this route because I felt like there were no other options for me and I feel stressed about big changes in my life. I have no future plans currently as I lost all motivation for my future during my gcse in year 10. If there are any options available for me rn I am willing to fight the autism and come out of my comfort zone (keeping in mind that even ordering a coffee makes me cry). I heard virtual experience is good (like springpod) but I have no idea how it works. Any advice for my situation is extremely appreciated!

I think you need to take a step back from everything, the current half term would’ve been the best time to do so, and just think how yu plan to go further with your education life, I’m not saying or suggesting that College is the best for you, but I can say it is most definitely the easier academic route, for you and everyone else. Coming into Sixth Form, stress should have been top3 things to expect during the two-year period, but if you know that stress is very hard to handle overcome, especially with the fact the year is coming to an end, and Year13 is more time round the corner, I’d suggest talking to people about other routes of education, but if you’re still going to carry on Sixth Form with the same subjects, you better revolve your summer around the books 📚 because if not, 😮*💨. Also the “undiagnosed” adhd is an understanding problem, but it kinda seems like you’re tryna cover the fact it’s highly taking over your ability and potential to achieve the best grades yu can, but correct me if i’m wrong ofc (it’s only an assumption, and i wouldn’t know bcuz i don’t have it, apologies if offended)

Reply 3

Peanut_Butter

15

Original post by Octipus278

I have a problem. I’m in year 12 for sixth form taking my A levels for maths, psychology and criminology but my grades haven’t been good (getting Cs and bellow). Maths is a big issue as it is the hardest to understand and makes me feel tight in my chest when I think of it on a regular basis (it has caused many days without sleep).
It is hard to revise for me because I am autistic and possibly have adhd, but I feel like a douchebag for blaming it all on disorders that I’m not even properly diagnosed for.
The school I go to says that if we don’t pass the up coming mocks this year we can’t do next year, it’s obviously stressing me out. I am not enjoying sixth form it makes me feel miserable and am considering dropping out. I hate school but I only took this route because I felt like there were no other options for me and I feel stressed about big changes in my life. I have no future plans currently as I lost all motivation for my future during my gcse in year 10. If there are any options available for me rn I am willing to fight the autism and come out of my comfort zone (keeping in mind that even ordering a coffee makes me cry). I heard virtual experience is good (like springpod) but I have no idea how it works. Any advice for my situation is extremely appreciated!

Hey don't worry, Y12 is about finding your feet and getting used to the change from school to college. I have recently finished my Psychology A level and this is what i did.

For the topics
Psychboost YT
SM Cartledge YT
Practice papers
Mind maps
Revision grids for studies and evaluation
Blurting method

For Research methods
Flashcards
Practice Qs from physics and maths tutor

Try and revise certain topics for 10-30 mins everyday bc cramming it all in 5 hours isn't going to work.

Have you spoken to a teacher about your conditions or about your subjects?

Hope it goes well!

Reply 4

baccylaureat

11

Original post by Octipus278

I have a problem. I’m in year 12 for sixth form taking my A levels for maths, psychology and criminology but my grades haven’t been good (getting Cs and bellow). Maths is a big issue as it is the hardest to understand and makes me feel tight in my chest when I think of it on a regular basis (it has caused many days without sleep).
It is hard to revise for me because I am autistic and possibly have adhd, but I feel like a douchebag for blaming it all on disorders that I’m not even properly diagnosed for.
The school I go to says that if we don’t pass the up coming mocks this year we can’t do next year, it’s obviously stressing me out. I am not enjoying sixth form it makes me feel miserable and am considering dropping out. I hate school but I only took this route because I felt like there were no other options for me and I feel stressed about big changes in my life. I have no future plans currently as I lost all motivation for my future during my gcse in year 10. If there are any options available for me rn I am willing to fight the autism and come out of my comfort zone (keeping in mind that even ordering a coffee makes me cry). I heard virtual experience is good (like springpod) but I have no idea how it works. Any advice for my situation is extremely appreciated!

First of all, it's OK if you finish your A-level course & get Cs and Ds. If you're not enjoying academia and aren't thinking about uni then don't stress yourself out about grades. Try not to compare yourself to other people. Any qualifications are better than none. I think perfectionism can feel like a big pressure in neurodivergent people but remember you've worked hard already & you don't have to feel guilty about not getting "great" grades.

I think it's also important to mention that autistic people can suffer a lot worse from burnout in general. Year 12 can be really intense and you are at the end of the year so it's no wonder you're feeling exhausted. Remember that you've done half the course already (well, kind of more than half, seeing as year 13 goes in a flash generally and if you have study leave then you'll finish school way earlier, plus obviously early finish after exams). It might be another big stress if you have to suddenly switch plans; at this point it's maybe easier to carry on. Definitely take as much of a break as you can over the summer and see how you feel after that.

The ADHD/autism combo can be a bit of a nightmare with revision so I completely get your stress. Don't stack up massive revision days right ahead of your exams - try to triage your worst bits of subjects and revise those, but try not to overwhelm yourself. For me I struggle with task switching a lot and I can just sit there worrying because I'm not revising but I feel like I can't get started. But autistic people really benefit from routine. What's worked from me is going for a little and often approach. I made an effort to set aside scheduled time every week (it's easier to get started when I have a clear time block rather than "when I feel like it") to do classwork, consolidate, work on any topics you're struggling with. Once you get nearer exams, convert that time to revision time instead.

Good luck. Hope you feel better soon. Remember summer is just round the corner

Reply 5

JDINCINERATOR

21

If you're not enjoying what you're doing then drop out of college if you feel that's the right decision. You need to feel comfortable where you feel you belong. I've got Hydrocephalus and might be autistic myself, and I loved and thrived in the school environment. I didn't do that great in college (B,C and D for my core subjects), but I managed to get into university and obtain a degree doing what I love doing. If you're struggling on your course I think you should try to seek advice and guidance from teachers and friends/confidantes, or you should find a job and move on with your life. I think the stress you're enduring comes from feeling trapped, I've been in that predicament before-but life will move forward and you should make the choice that's right for you. Don't feel the pressure and try to gain control of how you feel-I know it's hard when you're young to feel in control of much, but if you know what you want and you go towards that then you'll find the direction you need and happiness should await you.

I want to drop out of year 12 half way through

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