10 things I wish I’d known before starting sixth form

The transition from GCSEs to A Levels is an exciting time that will present both new opportunities and challenges.

Life in sixth form/college is very different from school. You will grow intellectually and emotionally, develop new ways of thinking and learning, cultivate novel and existing interests, and gain a new sense of independence. It may initially feel quite daunting and overwhelming, and it can be difficult to navigate this new chapter of your life.

As a student who has successfully survived the transition, here are 10 things I wish I’d known before starting sixth form.

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1.  You may initially receive lower grades

It’s completely normal to receive lower grades when you first start A Levels or other post-16 qualifications. Courses generally have a settling-in period, so you won’t be thrown in at the deep end. However, the shift in course difficulty, workload, and responsibility is significant, nonetheless.

You might therefore find that at first you aren’t achieving your usual grades − but don’t worry! You won’t be the only one, and your teachers will understand that A Levels can take some adjusting to. Trust me, although initially challenging, your hard work will be rewarded, and you will soon settle into the new regime.

2.  Be prepared for more independent study

A Levels place a much greater emphasis on independent study. In KS4, you typically spend around 25 hours per week in lessons. In comparison, if you take three A Levels, you’ll have around 13.5 hours of contact time with your teachers each week. You’re then expected to spend roughly the same amount of time studying independently.

Your learning during this time will be mostly self-directed. You won’t be restricted to specific activities and can take control of your own learning; for example, focusing on the topics you find most challenging.

Independent study should take place continuously throughout your two years at sixth form/college and shouldn’t be restricted to the run-up to exams. You’ll be responsible for managing your time and establishing your priorities. You won’t be able to rely on your teacher’s nagging or reminders!

Independent study might include:

• Preparing for upcoming lessons by reading ahead
• Reviewing the content taught in previous lessons
• Reading around your subject e.g. reading books and articles, listening to podcasts, and watching documentaries
• Revising and improving previously assessed work

Even in your independent study, remember to ask your teacher for help if you’re struggling.

Learning how to study independently is very important, particularly if you’re planning to attend university, where students are expected to undertake significantly more self-directed learning. Figuring out what works best for you now will certainly ease the transition to higher education.

3. Make the most of your free periods

One of the best parts of starting sixth form or college is not having a jam-packed timetable. You will generally have ‘free periods’ between some of your lessons each day. Your free periods are the perfect time to catch up on some homework, do some extra reading, get help from your teachers, or even begin researching your options for after sixth form/college.

A few hours a week may not seem like much, but over time, they add up. Try not to fall into the trap of wasting free periods by chatting and messing around with your friends in the common room. Yes, it can be good to take a short break, but free periods should (for the most part) be classed as ‘independent study time’ rather than time for socialising with friends.

If you’re easily distracted, be proactive and find yourself a quiet and secluded study spot – perhaps your sixth form/college library or an empty classroom – where you won’t be disturbed.

4. Start as you mean to go on

The start of sixth form/college is the perfect time to establish good study habits and routines. It’s very easy for work to pile up rapidly, so ensure that you keep on top of class notes and deadlines from the very beginning − Future You will thank you later!

Another good piece of advice is to revise as you go along. Rather than leaving revision until the end of the term or a few weeks before mock exams, make revision resources, such as notes and flashcards, after each lesson or topic. Test your knowledge and recall frequently. Doing small chunks of revision regularly will help to consolidate your learning, and will significantly reduce your revision workload by the time exams come around. For more advice, check out our article: How to revise effectively: 10 tips for exam success.

5. Organisation is key

Organisation of your class notes, revision resources, and assessments is crucial to your success in sixth form/college and essential for effective exam preparation. At the end of Year 13, all of the content covered over the last two years will be examinable. Just before exams, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend hours searching for notes you made in the first term of Year 12.

Organisation may come easily to some students more than others, but it’s a skill that is vital for all students to master, especially those considering higher education.

There are plenty of small things you can do to stay organised and ensure that work doesn’t get misplaced:

• Maintain separate subject and day folders; subject folders remain at home and contain the bulk of your notes, whilst a day folder is used to carry the work necessary for lessons that day.

• Take photographs of or scan your notes and upload them to a computer, tablet, or online storage drive. This will ensure you have a back-up of your work and can be useful to enable revision on the go!

• Use a physical day planner or a planner app to keep on top of your homework tasks and revision. There are plenty of revision apps available to help you organise your workload and make the most of your study time – check out our article on student revision apps for some ideas.

• Keep a copy of your timetable in your day folder, daily planner, and on your phone.

• Colour code your subject folders, notes, and revision resources.

• Pack your bag the night before school to ensure that you don’t forget anything during the morning rush!

6. It’s okay to switch or drop subjects

In the first few weeks of sixth form, don’t be afraid to request a change of subject if you know an A Level is not right for you.

Likewise, if you’re taking more than three A Levels and feel that you have bitten off more than you can chew, don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with a member of staff. Universities generally only require three A Levels when making offers, and it’s better to do extremely well in three A Levels than average in four.

A Levels are studied across two years so it’s best to identify problems early on, rather than struggle and potentially end up with lower grades overall as a result.

Of course, whether or not you are allowed to switch or drop subjects will be at the discretion of your sixth form/college, so be sure to enquire before selecting your subjects.

7. Make the most of your teachers

Although independent learning is a crucial part of A Levels, remember that teachers are still there for you.

Most teachers will be available for additional support before or after school, or during your free periods. They will be happy to answer any questions, talk you through difficult concepts, provide feedback on work, or recommend additional reading or resources.

Many teachers are experts in their field and know the syllabus inside out, so make the most of their knowledge and experience!

8. Don’t underestimate the power of past papers

If you haven’t already figured this out from GCSEs, past papers are your best friend! Not only are they a useful way of gauging your understanding of a topic, but they prepare you for the type of questions that regularly come up in exams.

Don’t be tempted to leave past papers until you have completed the entire syllabus. Start practising exam questions early on, for example, at the end of each topic. You can use the Questions by Topic resources on Physics & Maths Tutor to assess your understanding of particular topics and identify where you need to improve. Be sure to practise under time pressure, especially for long answer questions and essays.

You can also use predicted papers to practise questions based on the topics and question styles you may encounter in your exams.

9. Explore your interests beyond the classroom

It might seem like university and life after sixth form are a long way off, but it’s never too early to start exploring your options and developing your interests outside of your A Level studies.

If you already have an idea of what you might want to study at university, supercurricular activities are a great way to explore your academic interests beyond the A Level syllabus. They can include reading books and articles, listening to podcasts, watching lectures or documentaries, attending events, or taking part in academic competitions.

You can also use your time in sixth form to develop interests and skills outside your academic studies. For example, you could:

• Start a new hobby or take an existing one to the next level
• Gain relevant work experience in your chosen field
• Consider getting a part-time job
• Volunteer
• Join a sports club or team
• Participate in a programme such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Take an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

These experiences can help you build valuable skills and give you plenty to draw on when writing your personal statement.

10. Take care of your mental health

A Levels are a marathon, not a sprint! Taking time out of revision to relax and socialise with friends and family is imperative for your mental wellbeing. Eat well, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep − yes, Mum knows best!

Your time is valuable − don’t let your studies claim too much of it. If you’re expected to spend two hours on an assignment but after four you still haven’t finished, then it’s totally fine to put it to one side. You’ve put the time and effort in. Similarly, if it’s 9 pm and you’re still working, you can call it a day. Your work will still be there in the morning, whereas your mental capacity will quickly diminish without sleep.

I know it’s easier said than done, but keep things in perspective and try not to let the pressure get to you.

And finally, don’t compare yourself to others. You can only do your best, and nothing positive will be gained by comparing your grades or the amount of time you have spent studying to other students in your class.

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Yes, navigating sixth form/college will be a challenge, but having made it through your GCSEs, there’s no reason why A Levels should be any different.

I hope these tips for starting sixth form go some way to easing your anxieties! Remember, if you do find the transition between KS4 and sixth form particularly difficult, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

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