Is university work different to A-Level?

I've seen a lot of students ask if university work is the same as A-Level studies; and wanted to outline some key differences to quell any worries.

Teachers at A-Level are on top of your work almost on your behalf, if you remember GCSE's though, you'll remember that high school teachers were even more on top of your work; so think of it as a sliding scale. At university undergrad, it is nearly entirely up to you whether you attend lectures and classes, or complete coursework. There may be some checking in but realistically it is all in your control, so if you're used to doing your work because of administrative pressure, that's something to know!

Most subjects at Edge Hill university that I attend is split into lectures; a teacher delivering a presentation of information to a large group, (i.e. the whole module), and seminars; a more familiar structured classroom, with part delivering information, group tasks, individual tasks, and smaller groups which enable you to ask questions about the subject matter!

Living away from home is very different too, there's noone to make sure you're up and have everything you need, you're in charge of cooking for yourself and cleaning after yourself, choosing what to wear (if you had a uniform at a level that's a big change!) and more.

The great part about all of this is that it's giving you true freedom and independence! It's a big change, and that can be scary, but being able to choose what to eat, how to work, when to have fun, it's all part of growing into a truly independent person and realising who you are, which you can only discover when you aren't told what to do!

Everyone gets homesick, and it's hard going from being told what to do to true freedom, but it's wonderful once you've settled in.

Feel free to ask anything you like as a reply!

Charlie
2nd year history student at Edge Hill