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How much does the college you choose matter?

I'm starting Year 12 in September and currently choosing between colleges since sixth forms aren't that common in my area, most of my friends are also preparing for college. I live in a really small town and most of my friends are going to college in the town about an hour away. The college they're going to is a lot more respected, bigger and offers a better variety of A Levels, but the fact it's a better college also means it's harder to get into. I also might struggle with the distance, it's only an hour away on the bus (shorter journey on the train and I'd definitely be able to make the commute but I struggle with burnout and travelling to school and back everyday might be difficult.

My local college (about a 20 min walk from my house) is a lot less academic and is very small, around the size of a secondary school. They offer less subjects and don't specialise in academic/creative subjects like the bigger college does, but their pass rates for A Levels are nearly the same meaning I'd get a good education no matter which college I choose. It's also a lot easier to get into.

I really want to go to the bigger college, I'd really enjoy the experience of it and the community along with the fact that most of my friends are going there. My A Level options for this school are also things I'd prefer to study over my choices at the local school, it's just a much more desirable choice. But I feel like the more local one might be easier - I've had a really terrible experience with school and am just excited to get it over with and move on to college, I want to get good grades ofc but don't want to push myself too hard this year and put myself under pressure.

I know it's silly and getting into a good college or sixth form isn't really a big deal like uni is, but the thought of going to a different school (a school my friends don't really like/respect too) to everybody I know makes me so anxious and I really don't know what to do

Reply 1

Fr28

Original post by ameliagracee

I'm starting Year 12 in September and currently choosing between colleges since sixth forms aren't that common in my area, most of my friends are also preparing for college. I live in a really small town and most of my friends are going to college in the town about an hour away. The college they're going to is a lot more respected, bigger and offers a better variety of A Levels, but the fact it's a better college also means it's harder to get into. I also might struggle with the distance, it's only an hour away on the bus (shorter journey on the train and I'd definitely be able to make the commute but I struggle with burnout and travelling to school and back everyday might be difficult.
My local college (about a 20 min walk from my house) is a lot less academic and is very small, around the size of a secondary school. They offer less subjects and don't specialise in academic/creative subjects like the bigger college does, but their pass rates for A Levels are nearly the same meaning I'd get a good education no matter which college I choose. It's also a lot easier to get into.
I really want to go to the bigger college, I'd really enjoy the experience of it and the community along with the fact that most of my friends are going there. My A Level options for this school are also things I'd prefer to study over my choices at the local school, it's just a much more desirable choice. But I feel like the more local one might be easier - I've had a really terrible experience with school and am just excited to get it over with and move on to college, I want to get good grades ofc but don't want to push myself too hard this year and put myself under pressure.
I know it's silly and getting into a good college or sixth form isn't really a big deal like uni is, but the thought of going to a different school (a school my friends don't really like/respect too) to everybody I know makes me so anxious and I really don't know what to do

imo its about which option you would regret the most. would you regret going to this smaller school as you'd be separated from your friends + you'd have less choices OR would you regret going to the bigger school and finding it hard? personally i would aim to get into the bigger school for three reasons:

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your friends are going. not nessearily the reason you should go but this makes social life easier.

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commute doesn't matter. if the school is worth it, you will get used to a longer commute.

•

if you regret it and find it hard you can always get help from your teachers. if you choose the smaller school and you realised you wanted to do a course thats only offered in the other school, it might be too late.

Anyways, do what you think is right.

Reply 2

Divinebandit

I chose a smaller sixth form (just 140 altogether), it doesn't have a huge range of subjects like bigger colleges do but they do the subjects I want to do and I really like it. It's a lot closer to me than bigger colleges, which is great. My class sizes are smaller so I get a bit more teacher support than I would in a class of 30.

When it comes to A Levels the average grade of the college doesn't matter that much, if you are hardworking, resilient and determined, you will do well.

When it comes to friends, I didn’t go to same college as my friends from secondary and in a way, it allowed me to be open to meet new people, but I can understand why you may want to same college as them. If your friends disrespect the college you are considering attending, they being very immature. They need to realise that going to the college that is 'harder to get into' doesn't matter much at all and you're mature enough to know that, do what is best for you.

A levels are tough and demanding, and you don’t want extra stresses that can make your experience harder. I wish I could walk to sixth form rather take the bus especially with how unreliable public transport is, but it is too far.

Please pick the college, which is best for you. Ignore what anyone else says (maybe your parents/carers if going to the college further away would be a financial issue for them). At the end of the day, you're going to be the one attending so their opinions on your college aren't particularly relevant.

Good luck.