REALLY scared for Sixth Form

1.

A-Level is not at all like another version of the GCSE. part of the reason people keep telling you it's a lot harder is because yes, the content is more difficult and there is more of it- but you will have matured (and will mature further) since GCSE, so you will be able to manage it. remember, your brain has developed since the start of y10, and so have you as a person. i personally think another reason people say it's so much harder is because it's truly a two-year thing. YR12 IS NOT YR10. you can't coast one year, in fact, most schools give predicted grades which go to universities based on your yr12 work. this is not to stress you out even further- i actually think it's a lot better than having to do tons in y13 and none the year before. so, be prepared with the mentality that A-level is a two-year course- you can't put your foot on the gas later rather than sooner.

2.

start early. i kind of said this in my last point, but please, please start early. i don't know which subjects you're taking and whether you have NEAs, nor when your school provides deadlines for these, but once you're settled into sixth form (give yourself at least two months to adjust) START. i'm a little bit like you; i'm prone to panic attacks if i have very near deadlines, and i personally cannot do things the night before as i just have a meltdown. rely on discipline, not motivation. start off with an hour of studying/ project completion a day, whether or not you're motivated to. if you've done half the work two months before the deadline, you are going to feel over the moon and so relaxed. also, in yr13 when you have to start doing more, it'll be nicer to already be used to doing some work, and you can gradually increase the number of hours. so really, it's about taking away from your own stress. be kind to your future self. this being said, don't put too much pressure on yourself, or you will burn out. it's about finding the right balance. as i said earlier, one- three hours a day is more than enough in the first two terms of yr12. go outside, socialise, draw, paint, whatever, all of these are further stress-relievers.

3.

be organised. my school uses computers so it's a lot easier, but from what i remember most schools in the uk use paper. so buy pretty ring-binders or whatever, but make sure you have all your notes, because they will help so much in the future, and you will be so much less stressed if you have everything nicely compiled ready to be revised. also websites can help a lot, because A-Level for a lot subjects requires you to read around.

4.

use your free periods. use them wisely. it's pretty much impossible to be productive in all of them- sometimes you just really want to unwind, or chat with your mates, and that's totally fine. but for the most part, these are lifesavers- i don't think i've ever done my homework at home. i have 3 NEAs to do, plus an EPQ, so i've always finished my homework during my frees so that i'm not working till like 2 at night (i need 8 hours of sleep. also that's another thing; GET 8-9 HOURS OF SLEEP. teenagers need more than adults, and not getting enough can lead to distraught, stress, or wanting to cry).