bring an extra layer. it might sound stupid, but in my sixth form the air con was broken and on full blast all the time and i was so cold i couldn’t concentrate and wished i’d brought a jacket or sweatshirt with me.
use your frees wisely, but it’s ok if you don’t. i think this depends on the a-levels you take, how many and the workload you’re given. know your workload and routine, and use your study periods accordingly, but if you feel you don’t need them, don’t feel bad for going home or just browsing your phone for an hour. (they can also be a good opportunity for further reading and revision !)
take whatever students discounts and resources you can find and get as much use out of them as possible. check unidays for any updated student discounts. check your school emails for opportunities, especially for the subjects you take or are hoping to study in further education.
don’t overwork yourself. a-level courses can be intense, and wanting seven notoriously hard subjects and do 1267 epq’s isn’t going to be sustainable or healthy. quality over quantity is important, and it’s ok if you feel overwhelmed by taking four subjects and choose to drop one. take the time to engage with and enjoy what you learn, you’re not a machine !
get involved. join a society or a few societies, apply for student union, find out about any volunteering opportunities. it’ll give you something to do for yourself and something to write about on your personal statement, and you might even find a new hobby ! being chief editor of the school magazine made me realise how much i loved design and writing, and that i was capable of leadership.
enjoy yourself. the most challenging thing for me this year was dealing with independence, confidence and mental health. with as levels being phased out, there wasn’t the stress of exams, just the stress of becoming independent and finding a purpose. being in a smaller environment can be more isolating and it’s easier to compare yourself to others with fewer people, especially with driving, jobs, relationships and going out. just know that where you’re at in life is ok.
research your post-18 options. if you want to go to uni, start looking into courses and book open days. unis also offer open lectures, workshops, taster days, summer schools etc. if your school does trips to uni fairs or ucas exhibitions, take advantage of them and pick up prospectuses and ask questions. if you’re looking into apprenticeships, uni fairs also have booths for them! search apprenticeship opportunities and find out when you’d need to apply for them as the dates are often different. start thinking about your personal statement, you need one for apprenticeships too.
don’t be intimidated. in secondary school i was constantly being told how much of a huge challenge a-levels are and that they’re a massive jump from gcse. i know a lot of people who found their first year really difficult and had a big workload, and others who found it ok. they’re not always easy, but nowhere near as harsh as i’d been led to believe.
convenience is key. you will get tired, and your attitude will change, so make life easier for yourself while you’re there. you probably don’t need to bring that gargantuan hydroflask with you when you’re there for two hours and it’s filling up so much space in your bag. bring those fun pens for when you have a double (or god forbid, triple) period so you don’t want to lose the will to live. bring headphones and snacks always. if the school food is disgusting and your school has kitchen stuff, bring your own food to microwave; it’s probably cheaper that way too. if you’re there all day, wear something comfy.
ask for help, always. the sooner you understand something the better. your teachers are there for a reason and your peers can sometimes be your best resource when you’ve forgotten what that homework task was or you can’t remember that one date.
