Sixth Form experience

If you're reading my blog and preparing to go to sixth form in September, here is a short run through of my experience there and some advice that I think is a little helpful.
First off, this is about sixth form, not college. Sixth forms are very different environments as they usually have a much smaller student count and have different atmospheres. So yes, this is about sixth form.
I started sixth form in Durham in September 2010 and I studied English Language, French and Media, all of which I had previously studied at school. I went with four of my friends and then by the end of this year there was only 3 of us. Sixth form is not for everybody, it's very hard and a huge jump from GCSE. However, one thing that's wrong is when teachers at school warn you that you wont receive help from your teachers at a level, and it's all very independent, because yes, you are treat like an adult and given a lot of independent work but do not be afraid to ask for help, you're still only sixteen year old and you may be studying something that's brand new, don't be afraid to be totally clueless about something, as it's likely that around 10 other people in the class are feeling the same.
There will be times when you pretty much break down, you will feel as though you are in far too deep and that you just cannot do it any-more and that you aren't clever enough, but don't quit because quitting is lame. Actually having survived the two years, me Laura and Elliot felt we had achieved something.
I'm not going to say everything will be okay and sixth form is all nice and happy and yey, because it's not. It's hard work, lack of sleep, bus rides at 7.30am on winter mornings, heavy file carrying, meeting a lot of people you wont get on with, and sometimes feeling unhappy. However, you will benefit so much from the experience, you're independence develops and your ability improves massively, in anything you do. As  long as you are prepared to be devoted then you will succeed I guess. You will meet lovely new people, and at the same time learn to tolerate and work with those who perhaps you would have just ignored in school. You will grow up a lot, and you will change and it may cause clashes between old friends, as they may be developing in different manners and ways, or as I found with some of my old friends; not developing at all.


When you start you can study 4 A levels, or my sixth form offered a few B-tec courses. I only studied three as there was nothing in the fourth option column which I even wanted to study. Most people drop down to 3 throughout the year then most definitely in year 13. In year 13 you actually realise how easy year 12 was and you are really pushed to your limits. My subjects fell together quite nicely as media was relevant in english language, and you need developed writing skills for media, then I was able to tie my French studies in with my media A2 coursework. It is a good idea to pick subjects that have even just a slight correlation in my opinion.


A levels are not easy going, and those two years will change you so much, but it's probably one of the best choices you could make. I'm (hoping) to go to uni this september to study French and Spanish at either Northumbria or Leeds (I havent quite decided yet, although Leeds is my first choice) so wish me luck xox