Should I switch to online a levels?

8

I’m in year 12. I do AQA biology, chemistry and English lit (route B.) I’m aiming for Oxbridge in the future for biomedical sciences or an English degree, which makes this decision more difficult. If I’m gonna be honest my time at colllege so far has been the most depressing time of my life. My commute is very long and tiring; when I get home all I do is homework which I feel is pointless because the tasks are not the way I study and just take time away from actual revision. I do enjoy my subjects but not as much as I thought I would. I did a sport outside of school which I was considering for a professional career but since it’s highly competitive I opted to do a levels with the aims of doing the sport outside of school to keep up with it just Incase. But honestly my a levels have took up so much time I’ve had to stop my sport and it’s left me heartbroken. I don’t have any friends at this college, honestly I’ve tried everything to make some but everyone already has their “cliques”. With my mental health being so bad, I just know it’s gonna get worse staying here for another 2 years. I wanna switch to online, I can teach myself things good, in fact I did for GCSEs for quite a lot of stuff, but obviously this is a levels. However, I know there is so many good resources online now, it’s just I know the guidance of a teacher would help massively still. Also things like career guidance and applying to uni, my college is amazing for, which I would also miss out on. I just feel like doing it online would be a perfect way to improve my mental health and everything before I start uni. Does anyone have any advice on what would be best?

Reply 1

Muttley79

20

Original post

by Emilia Brown

I’m in year 12. I do AQA biology, chemistry and English lit (route B.) I’m aiming for Oxbridge in the future for biomedical sciences or an English degree, which makes this decision more difficult. If I’m gonna be honest my time at colllege so far has been the most depressing time of my life. My commute is very long and tiring; when I get home all I do is homework which I feel is pointless because the tasks are not the way I study and just take time away from actual revision. I do enjoy my subjects but not as much as I thought I would. I did a sport outside of school which I was considering for a professional career but since it’s highly competitive I opted to do a levels with the aims of doing the sport outside of school to keep up with it just Incase. But honestly my a levels have took up so much time I’ve had to stop my sport and it’s left me heartbroken. I don’t have any friends at this college, honestly I’ve tried everything to make some but everyone already has their “cliques”. With my mental health being so bad, I just know it’s gonna get worse staying here for another 2 years. I wanna switch to online, I can teach myself things good, in fact I did for GCSEs for quite a lot of stuff, but obviously this is a levels. However, I know there is so many good resources online now, it’s just I know the guidance of a teacher would help massively still. Also things like career guidance and applying to uni, my college is amazing for, which I would also miss out on. I just feel like doing it online would be a perfect way to improve my mental health and everything before I start uni. Does anyone have any advice on what would be best?

Isn't there a school somewhere nearer home you could attend?

Reply 2

Emilia Brown

OP

8

Original post

by Muttley79

Isn't there a school somewhere nearer home you could attend?

Nope unfortunately. I’m one of the few from my school doing a levels and so going to this college

Reply 3

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Emilia Brown

I’m in year 12. I do AQA biology, chemistry and English lit (route B.) I’m aiming for Oxbridge in the future for biomedical sciences or an English degree, which makes this decision more difficult. If I’m gonna be honest my time at colllege so far has been the most depressing time of my life. My commute is very long and tiring; when I get home all I do is homework which I feel is pointless because the tasks are not the way I study and just take time away from actual revision. I do enjoy my subjects but not as much as I thought I would. I did a sport outside of school which I was considering for a professional career but since it’s highly competitive I opted to do a levels with the aims of doing the sport outside of school to keep up with it just Incase. But honestly my a levels have took up so much time I’ve had to stop my sport and it’s left me heartbroken. I don’t have any friends at this college, honestly I’ve tried everything to make some but everyone already has their “cliques”. With my mental health being so bad, I just know it’s gonna get worse staying here for another 2 years. I wanna switch to online, I can teach myself things good, in fact I did for GCSEs for quite a lot of stuff, but obviously this is a levels. However, I know there is so many good resources online now, it’s just I know the guidance of a teacher would help massively still. Also things like career guidance and applying to uni, my college is amazing for, which I would also miss out on. I just feel like doing it online would be a perfect way to improve my mental health and everything before I start uni. Does anyone have any advice on what would be best?

That sounds like a really tough situation, im sorry to hear youre having a bad time :console:

My advice would be to speak to your school about what support they could put in place to help you. They may be able to speak to teachers about homework and giving options or lenience on how it is completed. They may also be able to suggest opportunities relating to socialising with peers or sports to help you feel more included.
If you choose to switch to online learning, two things i would point out are that a levels are much much harder to self-teach than GCSEs! I self-taught a lot of gcse content due to personal issues and this just wasn’t possible for me to do at a level despite having fewer lessons in a day! Also for science courses you will need to pay to complete the practical endorsements which is expensive on top of paying for exams and tutoring.

Reply 4

username7820507

10

I talk from a parent perspective here - The long commute is a deal breaker here. My son is doing 4 A-levels via online learning and has been predicted 2 A*'s and 2 A's. He recently sent off his UCAS and is awaiting his offers. He does not need to worry about commuting - saving much-needed precious time - instead, he can have more time to rest which helps his focus. He also gets to complete topics well in advance compared to school pace.

Regarding friends - it can be lonely, but he volunteered in a carbon literacy workshop and met a few really nice people and he enjoyed the interaction with local people. He had time to get fit, learn to cook and go shopping when he wants and has an employment coach helping him with career choices. Online learning is for anyone but I think you need to be mature-minded and a few compromises may be made. Other then that - my son has done much better because online learning was convenient and peaceful for him.

I hope you find the right choice that makes you happy! 😊

Reply 5

Emilia Brown

OP

8

Hi, may I ask where he does the online learning?

Reply 6

Emilia Brown

OP

8

I was thinking about open study college and learn direct. Would u say the support from tutors is good and their career advice, because that’s the only thing I’ve heard mixed reviews about :smile:

Reply 7

username7820507

10

Original post

by Emilia Brown

I was thinking about open study college and learn direct. Would u say the support from tutors is good and their career advice, because that’s the only thing I’ve heard mixed reviews about :smile:

I would say tutors are responsive on Open Study College and Learn Now. I’ve never tried Learn Direct but their website is just a little messy.

Regarding career advice, they offer general guidance on career paths but no one to one careers advice as such. However, you can always call them and ask if they know where you can get advice.

Should I switch to online a levels?

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