Now, I know there are a lot of perks of being in sixth form, like, for example, getting to wear your own clothes and getting free periods, however it is quite difficult!
This blog post isn't supposed to scare or put you off the idea of attending sixth form at all. In fact, I would probably recommend it. But, there is a major step-up from GCSE level that many people struggle with (including myself). However, don't worry as there are so many people who are in the same position as you.
For me, I knew I was always going to sixth form. Once I got my GCSE results, I was so excited to be starting sixth form life, as one of the oldest students in the school, and getting to wear my own smart attire, instead of the horrible school uniform. However, after my first couple of weeks at sixth form, I knew that it wasn't going to be that simple...
Firstly, I didn't pick the most easiest subjects. I chose my options based on what I liked and enjoyed, but also my results played a massive part as well. I ended up picking Philosophy & Ethics, History and English Literature, and although, they are all essay-based subjects, I still really enjoy them.
My first tips before even entering sixth form are to:
- Pick subjects you are interested in or passionate about. At AS Level, you only have to pick 4 subjects, but make sure to pick the ones you are going to enjoy. You will have to stick with these subjects for at least a year, unless you choose to drop one.
- Make sure to check out the required grades you need in your GCSE's in order to study that subject. For example, I had to get at least a B in English to do it for A-Level.
- Get all your equipment like pens, coloured fineliners and lots and lots of paper. These are necessities at sixth form. The amount of paper and notebooks I have got through this year are ridiculous.
- Make sure to get all your sixth form clothes before the term begins!
My first week at sixth form was good, although I did get incredibly tired. So, make sure to get an early night as you will need it!
After you have got into the swing of things, regarding homework, studying etc. All of a sudden, the dreaded exam period appears, and you wonder how it got around so quickly! Plus, there is even more pressure as you need good grades to maybe carry on the subject you want/need to do, or to get grades in order to go to university or a job etc.
I hate exam season, as I get incredibly stressed and this is normally the time when I eat way to much food, which is mostly junk, and break out in spots, which makes you stress even more. However, I have put together some top tips in staying calm through exam stress:
- Start your revision early. This may sound boring and pointless in a way, but I think it will help you in the long run. I started revising for my AS exams about 2 months before the exam, and I was still stressing about it, even the night before.
- Make cue cards, notes, spider diagrams, tables, diagrams etc, basically whatever helps you learn. Or just use the techniques when revising for your GCSE's for your A-Levels, it all works the same.
- Make sure you are aware of the mark schemes and grade boundaries, this way you are aware of what the examiner is looking for in order to gain marks.
- Stay calm! This is my number one piece of advice for anybody going through exams. Try not to get stressed. You might feel that you are not ready for a particular exam the day before, trust me, I know the feeling, but you are ready! Remember you have been preparing for this exam for about a year, and everything will come flooding back to you when you enter the exam room.
- Try to have some days off from revision. I know you might feel guilty for taking a day off, but you do need a break once in a while. Maybe go out for a shopping trip, meet up with friends and have a coffee, or even just having a face mask and relaxing bath! As well as having a break through going out, make sure to take regular 15-20 minutes breaks while revising as the information will not go in if you keep revising all day with no break.
- Finally, I know your exams are important, but it isn't the end of the world, if you don't get the grade you wanted. Life will still go on, and you are still alive! Remember, exams are just a way of showing off what you know!
I seem to be painting sixth form as a bad idea and terrible place, but the truth is, it is such a good experience. Personally, I have enjoyed this year so much. Firstly, you make friends with people that you might have never spoken to before (even for 5 years!) due to having your own common room, this enables you to have conversations with others that are not in your social circle. At our sixth form, we had termly parties, this meant that at the end of a big term, like Christmas or Easter, we throw a party which was so much fun and was a way for us to blow off steam, especially before exam season.
We also went on a range of trips and we most recently went to Brighton on Tuesday, as an end of the year treat. Everybody had so much fun and as it was a really hot day, it meant we could relax on the beach or go to the pier which was so lovely.
Another good thing about sixth form is you are treated like adults. This has enabled me to grow and mature as a person, but also gain more confidence in myself as well.
I hope this blog post has helped some of you one are entering sixth form this year or thinking about it. I hope I haven't put any of you off as it is a brilliant experience, and I cannot wait until next year!
I hope this blog post has helped some of you one are entering sixth form this year or thinking about it. I hope I haven't put any of you off as it is a brilliant experience, and I cannot wait until next year!
All images on this blog post are from Google Images
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