Exam season is right around the corner is every GCSE candidate is hitting the books hard. Considering that the average student sits between eight and 10 GCSEs, they have a lot of books to hit. Stay focused and study hard, mates! Let us know how you got on, will you?

Right now, students in their last Key Stage might not have the time, inclination or brain power to think beyond their exams. But at some point, everyone will start thinking about what comes next. As the summer stretches like taffy and results day seems like forever away, students will start to wonder:

  • how to embark on this new phase of life
  • how to function in a new environment
  • how to manage new responsibilities
  • how to prepare for what lies beyond Sixth Form

You might not start thinking about these matters immediately after you’ve finished your GCSE but at some point, you'll start asking what next? In this post, we give you pointers to answer all your questions. We'll also give you some life-changing tips to make Sixth Form as great and as beneficial as it can be.

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What Happens After GCSEs?

The moment I marched out of my final GCSE exam was somewhat of a relief, to say the least. After all that studying and the prospect of a ten-week summer holiday seemed like a fair reward for enduring two years of GCSEs. But, slow down, what about the results? If you finished your GCSEs in the summer, you'll certainly have a few butterflies on in the lead-up to the 20th of August - results day.

A greyscale image of an exam centre room, with tables and chairs lined up in rows on a carpeted floor but no students yet present.
Were you nervous on exam day? Photo credit: ToGa Wanderings on Visualhunt / CC BY

It may feel like a huge weight is lifted after you finish that last exam. You can throw out all the revision cards and exam timetables but you still have a few weeks until you find out if your efforts were all worth it. If you worked hard, you may not need to worry. It's normal for most people to feel nervous before the big day.

During your 2-year GCSE programme, you likely chose your subjects for A-level studies. Most pupils take 4 or 5 courses at AS Level, then drop one or two going into Year 13 and end up with 3 A Levels. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is another option for 16-year-olds.

A-Levels used to have a top grade of A, but now you can get an A* which is equivalent of 56 UCAS points. It also used to be compulsory for people to be in education only until the age of 16 in England. But now you must be in education or training until you turn 18. That means more people in your generation will have A-levels or some similar qualification than pre-2013.

For your entire student life, you heard about those all-consuming GCSEs and now, they're over. You have your eyes set on the whole new world of A-levels, something that you need to be prepared for. So long as you achieved the expected grades, you'll be heading off to college or sixth form!

10 Tips for Sixth-Form Success

There's a persistent myth about some A-Levels being harder than others. But what you find difficult might be easy for someone with a  different learning process. We can debate the hard-easy question another time but, for now, we want to arm you with ideas to get started on the right foot in college.

1. Hit the ground running

The beginning of every academic year doesn't generally call for much study time. The School gives students time to settle into a new year with new teachers and new classes. But in Sixth Form you haven’t the time for this because you need far study time.

Taking it easy the first month of college is the biggest mistake thousands of Year 12’s made. The sooner you start getting to grips with the coursework and start revising the less stressed you'll be later. Remember that you'll have AS-Level exams in just a few months.

People don't talk about their AS Levels when they talk about their student life. But it's these initial grades from Year 1 of the course that defines whether you pass and gets to enter Year 2. They help your teachers predict your grades; predictions you need when applying to universities.

IB courses usually count coursework completed from Day One towards your final grade. So spread your effort equally across the study programme, and don't leave it too late!

A person in an orange and white checked shirt reclines against a dark sofa to write in a red hard-bound notebook.
Get organised the moment you start sixth form, and don't let that organisation slip! Photo on VisualHunt

2. Get organised

Make a study timetable in your first week. Plan your study time so that you cover the subjects you did that day on the same day. That's when the information you learned in class will be at its freshest. Revising just-learned material will kick your learning process into high gear.

Make a realistic timetable because let's face it, nobody is going to be able to study five hours a night every weekday. My Sixth Form recommended a minimum of 4 hours per subject per week. If you are doing four AS-Levels that’s 16 hours a week, or 2 hours each weekday and 3 hours per weekend. Try to get 3 to 4 hours of study/revision on a weekday, and about five hours at a weekend.

3. Use your free lessons wisely

Whether or not you believe A-Levels should be scrapped, you should still make the most of them. You get free lessons so you can get on with your private study. In Sixth Form you are treated like an adult, so you must act like one, too.

Make a To-Do List for your free lessons on a post-it note and stick it at the front of your school diary. You will know what needs to be done and how long it will take. But like I said about your study timetable – make sure your goals are realistic.

Allow yourself to take a five or ten-minute break after the first hour so you won’t take in as much. Do allow yourself to take some time out if you are having a rough day. If you don’t feel like you can commit yourself to any revision, it's best to not try to force things.

4. Stay in control of your new independence

In Sixth Form you are responsible for your education. This is both good and bad. If it’s not possible to study one evening you will have to catch up another time. You don’t want your teachers or parents nagging you because you are falling behind.

Remember that you will have more independence so your teachers won't be calling your parents if you haven't done your homework. Throughout GCSEs, your teacher is there to hold your hand up until the exams. Now that you have a bit of experience with exams under your belt, you are expected to study for them independently.

5. Do not accept unsatisfactory teaching

During my A-levels, all but one of my teachers were very good. There were lots of problems, including having to wait months before my coursework was marked. This hurt my final grade.

If you are not happy with a particular teacher, ask your classmates if they feel the same and tell your tutor. Raise your concerns together as a unit and see if you can resolve the problems together. If this doesn’t work, turn to a senior member of staff e.g. head of the department. If this is unsuccessful then get your parents to write a letter to your Head of Sixth Form.

The qualifications you are working on are for you, you don’t want to risk them through no fault of your own. You must get things sorted out fast if you do find yourself in this situation.

6. Don't fall prey to peer pressure

You might be close to being treated like an adult by your teachers but that doesn't mean your peers will be mature. Some of your mates may start smoking, bunking off or just not being particularly friendly. When you transition from school to college, it can be hard to see those around you change in this way. Just stay focused on learning and your close circle of friends.

Try to ignore any negativity. It may seem like the end of the world right now if you aren't fitting in with the crowd. But in a few years, you could be at uni and making new friends with no car about those who made your life miserable at college. They aren't worth it but you need to know your worth.

7. Be kind

Things could just as easily go the other way around. Your kindness could change someone's whole experience of senior school. For instance, you might show a student with special educational needs (SEN) a few apps to make their learning experience more comfortable.

My sixth form had lots of boarders who were far from home. They didn't know any of their fellow students and there was a huge divide between day pupils and those living on site. So, rather than turn a blind eye, I made the effort to talk to those sitting alone.

I didn't know if they wanted to be my friend but when I look back, I realise that they probably appreciated the gesture more than I realised. It takes nothing to show a little kindness - a small gesture can have a big impact. Plus, surrounding yourself with positive vibes will rub off on your studies too as you won't have stress or distractions on your mind.

8. Get work experience

Your course is your main priority but you are also actively encouraged to get work experience before you complete your studies. You will probably be assigned a week during your programme where you must find a work experience placement. But that doesn't mean you can't try to find another volunteer position for a week during the summer or Christmas holidays too.

You'll find that even with a degree under your belt, you'll still have to compete for jobs with others who are as qualified as you. So any extra experience you can get in could benefit you going forward. Universities may also like your initiative.

If you are studying the IB, you'll be required to complete 150 CAS hours - Creativity, Action, and Service. This means dedicating your time to several activities across the terms that will give you a good grounding in a variety of roles.

A woman sits at a wooden table in front of an open laptop, working the touchpad while writing in a spiral-bound notebook.
Don't underestimate the value of work experience on your resume. Photo credit: shixart1985 on VisualHunt.com / CC BY

9. Think about your future

As we've just touched on, you may still be in education but you do have to think seriously about your future now. You can't shy away from it forever - you are nearly an adult after all! So, keep reminding yourself how important it is to do your best, and how your attitude now could influence your future.

10. Enjoy it!

Late teens aren't typically the easiest time to live through. You're on the threshold of your adult life but still have firm ties to childhood. You might want to break free but this is the time to relax and enjoy yourself a bit. Read on to find out why.

Your Last Ever Years at Home

Sixth Form is great as you will (finally) be treated as an adult by the teachers, and have the opportunity to learn more about subjects you like. My best advice is to make the most of it, as soon enough your exams will be over and it will be off to the world of work or University when everything changes again.

Cherish the time you get to spend with your family and childhood friends. All too soon, the kids from the block will be scattered across the country and growing apart in different ways. Everyone will be at work, university or travelling, and you too could soon face long periods of separation from your parents.

Appreciate that you don't have to pay your bills. Enjoy having your clothes washed and being fed a nice roast dinner on Sundays. These are things you will miss once you move out.

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Imogen

I'm an active energetic person. I enjoy long-distance running and have taken part in many organised events including the 2016 Prague Marathon. I'm a keen skier and love open-water swimming, when the weather is right!