Last year I completed my A level exams and I feel like those two years were probably the most intense years of my life. IT WAS TOUGH and now reflecting on my experience I feel like I have something to share with those entering this gruelling two year process. Although difficult, the toughest thing about A-levels was realising that there is no more room for slacking (if you want to do well that is). You've probably heard this before but I'll say it again, your GCSEs are nothing compared to A-levels. I learnt that the hard way. Like most other students I ignored all the warnings and waited until the last minute to do any serious preparation. Two months later when results day arrived I realised the mistake I had made. I ended up having to retake my AS exams which turned out well in the end but it was not a pleasant process. I'm sure my story is not unique but what I really wanted to share was self studying. Because I had made a mess of my A-levels, I had taken it upon myself to turn my 18 month program into a two year program. So when everyone was sitting for their A2s, I was retaking my AS exams. And when everyone had graduated, I was taking my A2s. I spent the next six months finding tutors, and studying at home by myself. The schooling environment has always been a comfortable one for me, you see your friends everyday and study together and share stories about how much you hate studying but when you self-study that isn;t part of the experience anymore. Those six months, I found myself feeling left behind. As your friends go out into the world, entering University or finding jobs, I felt stuck. But what I had to keep reminding myself is that I was working towards something and that i din't have to follow everybody else's time table. If I moved slower it was fine because at the end of the day i was going to get my results and go into a good University. I was told by my teachers that I wouldn't have the self discipline to study alone and that this process was not going to end well for me but as we know I like to learn things the hard way (insert eye roll). I did it anyways and in the end I had moved from BBB to A*AA. The reason I wanted to share this was because I had a lot of friends who were in the same predicament as me but were too afraid to go out and study on their own so the took their exams even when they were not prepared and later regretted it. I just wanted those of you who are struggling and may need that extra time to know that this is an option. It isn't for everyone but I would consider it because i know that those six months made a huge difference to my results and my University opportunities and choices. |
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