Since it got voted for on the poll (and xoxofearlessgirl suggested I post more A Level advice), I opened a forum on TSR to gather a few questions you guys had about Year 12 and my experience of it. If you want to contribute to any more posts I do like this, drop a follow on my TSR account or follow the blog so you get notified when I start gathering info!
Here are the questions you guys sent, and my answers:
1. What A Levels are you doing?
I currently study AQA Chemistry, AQA Biology and Edexcel Mathematics. I originally studied English Literature as well but dropped it after a few months because it took up too much of my time and would've forced me to drop Maths, which is actually very useful for the course I'm applying for at uni. I still maintain that dropping Literature was the best move I've made this year. I'm also planning on starting my EPQ as soon as my Sixth Form allows it.
2. What did you enjoy most when studying for your Mathematics AS Level?
The first 75/75 I got felt pretty nice! But in terms of topics, I'm not sure. Factorising was the hardest thing for me at GCSE, so being able to do that almost easily now is something I really like. With Maths it's much easier to look at what I didn't enjoy because most of the course I found quite nice. The thing I love most about Maths is that it's really easy to revise, and when you're stressed just getting your head into a past paper can be quite therapeutic, I find.
3. What is this Open University course you're doing?
I'm currently studying a Histology MOOC which I found on this website. It's 4 weeks, 3 hours a week and, since it relates to the course I want to do at uni, it's something I can put in my personal statement and talk about in interviews. I'd really recommend doing a MOOC in your chosen field early (probably earlier than I am), once you've settled into Year 12. It's super useful for university applications and you'll hopefully find it gives an insight to your potential future career.
4. How many hours of work should you aim to do a week, not including classwork?
I feel like this depends very much on the subjects you're studying, and how your college/sixth form run things. Where I am, I get 3 hours of lessons per day and 2 free periods - this means I end up working for at least 3 or 4 hours a day excluding lesson time. In my experience, the essay-based subjects take up a lot of time (that's partly why I dropped Literature) and Maths took me almost no time at all! I'd recommend you try and do all your homework, and try and squeeze in at least an hour a day on top of that. You'll probably need more than that at the start, and you'll not manage it if you've got a lot of homework, but as long as you understand everything you've been taught and revise constantly through the year it should be fine. You'll always know if you've not done enough when a progress test comes up and you freak out about failing it!
5. How many free periods did you have on most days?
At my sixth form, we have five hour-long lessons a day, and last year we had each subject once a day. So I had an hour of Biology, an hour of Chemistry, an hour of Maths and two free periods every day. A few days I would only have the one free because I'd help out in science lessons for younger kids (as our Sixth Form is still part of the school) or attend the General Studies lectures even though I wasn't doing the exams, but most of the time it was two a day for me. Although I think somehow we're meant to get more this year?
6. What did you do to cope with the step up from GCSEs?
If I'm honest, I didn't find the step up that terrible. More than anything it's difficult because you need to be self-motivated to go over things and revise as you go. I know a lot of my friends went to 'supported study' classes after school, where they could ask teachers about the stuff they didn't understand, but I mostly just tried to keep a running log of new words and definitions and made revision resources from the get-go.
7. When did you start revising, and how much did you do?
I suppose I technically started revising right from the start, but because of progress tests after every topic, I felt the need to revise consistently. If it weren't for the fact that I went on a big holiday at Easter I'd have probably started the hardcore revision then, but my advice would be to revise as you go (taking notes efficiently, making cue card booklets, summarising topics on mind maps etc.), in frees or at home, because the more you do early on the less you'll have to do later. Don't stress if you can't fit it in, though, the most important thing is making sure you understand everything because you won't be able to revise if you can't make sense of the material!
8. What grades were you hoping for and what did you get?
My AS Levels didn't feel that important because nobody seems to take them into account anymore, so all I really cared about getting was good enough Maths results that I wouldn't need to resit (as they count for half of my A Level). That said, I did want 3 As, and I got them! It was nice to open the envelope and see that, but most of all I was just glad my UMS scores were good enough that I never have to sit those papers again.
9. How was the experience of moving to a new college and meeting new people?
I didn't actually move anywhere because my school has a Sixth Form attached and I went there, but two of my closest friends did and so I had to make friendships with people I didn't really know well. I was super worried about it, having just me and my friend at lunch together, but now we have this huge family of people to sit with! I've gotten close with people I only ever considered to be friends of friends, which has been lovely. The thing to remember is that if you're going somewhere new, you definitely won't be the only one, and when you meet someone else then you already have something in common! The people who moved to our Sixth Form have all been lovely and integrated into the school so quickly, and they all seem happy here.
10. Do you prefer the atmosphere more in school or college?
College, 100%. It's a lot freer, you're more independent and your relationships with teachers and staff are so much better. I imagine this year will be very different, but for me, Year 12 didn't feel as high-pressure as GCSEs and I've been so much happier as a result. Being able to be in control of my own time, how I work and when has given me a lot of confidence, and I feel really grown up, sitting down in the library to research in my free time. Maybe being able to wear my own clothes has helped too - it's strange but people seeing me every day dressed how I want has sort of helped me to be myself more comfortably. I'm not sure if you'll like it as much if you're not very motivated, but I'm a procrastinator and as long as I kept myself doing what felt like 'enough', I really enjoyed Year 12. Roll on Year 13!
11. What is the best piece of advice you have for someone starting A Levels?
Don't panic. It can be overwhelming at first, and strange, and you'll feel like you have too much work and not enough time, but all you can do is try things out until you work out a technique to manage it all. It took me months to figure out how I wanted to take notes, and even longer to realise how to keep myself motivated once I got home. The work starts to feel easier in time, and the teachers all know that it can be a big step. Talk to them if you're really worried. Just try things, look for advice online if you need it, and do your best.
To everyone who started college today, I really hope it went well, and for everyone starting later this week, good luck! Don't let these first few weeks scare you. I hope my answers have helped you guys somewhat and if you have any more questions then drop them in the comments. Also, don't forget to have a quick look at my poll (on the side or down the bottom of the site) and drop a vote on what post sounds the most interesting!
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