A levels

10

Hey, I need help deciding where to go after year 11. I thought I would be going college but I’m not sure right now. If I stay for sixth form, I’ll be with all my friends doing chem, bio and physics whereas if I go college I’ll go to a better school, do 4 a levels and an EPQ, but without my friends. I need help choosing. Because I can’t choose

Reply 1

sunflowers!

17

I think you should go to college. Not to downplay your friends or relationships, but your grades are more important than your social life at your stage. You can make plenty of new friends at college while still keeping the friendships you have :smile:

Reply 2

Idk23323_school

OP

10

Original post

by EdwinDeRozarieux

I think you should go to college. Not to downplay your friends or relationships, but your grades are more important than your social life at your stage. You can make plenty of new friends at college while still keeping the friendships you have :smile:

Thanks, I definitely needed to hear a response like this from someone who doesn’t know me. Much appreciated

Reply 3

sunflowers!

17

Original post

by Idk23323_school

Thanks, I definitely needed to hear a response like this from someone who doesn’t know me. Much appreciated

You're very welcome :smile:

Reply 4

Iklot

10

Original post

by Idk23323_school

Hey, I need help deciding where to go after year 11. I thought I would be going college but I’m not sure right now. If I stay for sixth form, I’ll be with all my friends doing chem, bio and physics whereas if I go college I’ll go to a better school, do 4 a levels and an EPQ, but without my friends. I need help choosing. Because I can’t choose

Hii

I’m not sure which city you’re in, but you need to make sure the college / school you choose has good teaching standards.

Sixth forms tend to provide better support for A-level students compared to colleges(in my opinion). In colleges, the level of support can vary a lot depends on whether they have strict rules or if they leave students to manage on their own

Make sure to research the college’s teaching quality by checking reviews and feedback from other students if applicable

Secondly, reconsider taking four A-levels. It’s a lot of work (especially for science a levels )unless you’re highly committed also check the entry requirements for the universities you’re interested in some don’t require an extra subject so 3 will be enough

So write down your goals and priorities, be mindful of how you manage your time. Right now, your focus should be on your studies rather than social life. Your future depends on the choices you make now, so stay committed.

Good luck 🤞

Reply 5

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

17

Original post

by Idk23323_school

Hey, I need help deciding where to go after year 11. I thought I would be going college but I’m not sure right now. If I stay for sixth form, I’ll be with all my friends doing chem, bio and physics whereas if I go college I’ll go to a better school, do 4 a levels and an EPQ, but without my friends. I need help choosing. Because I can’t choose

Hi there,

I hope you are doing well and are having a wonderful day! When deciding where to go it is important to think about a lot of factors such as teaching standards, resources available to you, freedom outside of lessons and if you actually enjoy the school/college. Either way, you should make the decision for you.

Hope this helps! 🙂
Rachel (UoS Student Rep)

Reply 6

bluegray

14

Original post

by Idk23323_school

Hey, I need help deciding where to go after year 11. I thought I would be going college but I’m not sure right now. If I stay for sixth form, I’ll be with all my friends doing chem, bio and physics whereas if I go college I’ll go to a better school, do 4 a levels and an EPQ, but without my friends. I need help choosing. Because I can’t choose

Most unis don't require 4 a levels and tend to only look at your top 3 grades so think about if you actually need 4. Secondly would you not be able to do the 4th A Level or EPQ at the sixth form? Might be worth talking to them about it if it's something you want to do.

Go to open days for both if you can. Would be good to find out the teaching style of the college to see if it is something for you as you are familiar with the sixth form at your school.

Reply 7

stefranie

3

Original post

by Idk23323_school

Hey, I need help deciding where to go after year 11. I thought I would be going college but I’m not sure right now. If I stay for sixth form, I’ll be with all my friends doing chem, bio and physics whereas if I go college I’ll go to a better school, do 4 a levels and an EPQ, but without my friends. I need help choosing. Because I can’t choose

I was in a similar situation to you at the end of Year 11. I had moved schools for Year 7 and joined a school that was not academically renowned, but I was in a really difficult time of my life and I really wasn't doing well in school, socially or academically. It ended up being very good for me and at the end of Year 11 I had some fab predicted grades and felt motivated to apply somewhere better.

When met with the decision of going to a prestigious school compared to the school I was at currently, I chose to stay. I chose this because, I knew I had teachers that were there to support me, whom I felt comfortable around and who knew me meticulously. I also had a group of peers with which I was familiar. But in all honest that didn't factor into my decision as none of us were marvellously close at the time. In fact, I found that we only became so close at Sixth Form, and I didn't really have close close friends till A-levels, because this is the time where people plan their futures and 'lock-in' for lack of a better term, and you can spot those who are like-minded and will uplift you in the pursuit of your goals. For that reason I think wherever you choose to go friendships will follow, I think in Sixth Form you form the closest relationships of your childhood regardless of whether you are starting a fresh or staying at your school's Sixth Form. So I wouldn't recommend that form the basis of your decision.

Now, personally, my decision didn't effect what A-levels or how many I was able to do. I assume that yours does. Now, even though I stayed at my 'less academic' school, I did four A-levels and an EPQ, managed to achieve amazing predicted grades and was fortunate to get an offer from Oxford. Which is very rare at my school. And, I really owe that to feeling comfortable in my environment, and feelings that I could go to my teachers and ask for the support that I needed. Now they weren't familiar with how to support me, but they were willing to try anything, because they knew me. That's what I think is truly important, being in a place where people are *willing* to support you, not in a place where they claim to *know* how to support you (everyone is different) and know a "magic theorem." Obviously, if your decision affects what A-levels you are able to take, that should fall at the top of your list. Being able to pursue your interests will mean you work towards something you are interested in as well.

I'd say priorities are as follows:

•

Am able to pursue what I want to pursue.

•

Teachers are friendly and willing to support me, and my goals, are willing to learn about me as an individual.

•

Being surrounded by like-minded people (whether those are your friends currently, or new friends that you will most certainly make).

Reply 8

UoL Students

Official Rep

16

Original post

by Idk23323_school

Hey, I need help deciding where to go after year 11. I thought I would be going college but I’m not sure right now. If I stay for sixth form, I’ll be with all my friends doing chem, bio and physics whereas if I go college I’ll go to a better school, do 4 a levels and an EPQ, but without my friends. I need help choosing. Because I can’t choose

Hi @Idk23323_school !

I was in the same situation when trying to decide where to study after Year 11. In the end, I decided to go to a sixth form college where I did not know anyone but I believed I would get better grades and enjoy studying there more. I definitely do not regret this decision and believe it was the right decision for me.

I managed to make a whole new group of friends at this sixth form as well as staying in touch with my friends from secondary school. This was also during COVID where it was even harder to stay in contact with people, so if you were meant to stay in contact with your friends then you will. Additionally, the way in which we were taught at the sixth form college (e.g. less formal, only come in for your lessons) was more suited to me that my secondary school's sixth form (e.g. 9-3 everyday, very structured learning). I am glad that I went with the option that suited me better as an individual as it meant that I got good grades and enjoyed studying.

Overall, as this decision significantly affects you, I think choose the school that is most suited to you (e.g. how formal the teaching is, distance to the school, the subjects they offer).

Claire
Law LLB Student

A levels

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