Advice for year 12: First Year of College

Studying what you want to

Many teens look forward anxiously to their first year of college. Being in the sixth-form offers the chance to be far more independent; to study only what you want to; and, if you're moving to a new sixth-form college, a big shake-up in your life and your friendships. No wonder that together with jubilation, many new sixth-formers are also nervous about this new path in their lives.

But college can be incredibly rewarding. The challenge for most sixth-formers is to be able to discipline themselves without teachers hovering over their shoulders; to manage and give equal time to subjects which are studied in more detail than ever before. If you can manage that, the new subjects will represent a whole new way of studying, free to choose your own focuses and to put forward your own ideas.

Many students will also be researching and applying to university courses at the same time, attending open days and working on their personal
statements. Luckily, the vast majority of sixth-formers have access to teachers or special staff who will support them, and brochures from different universities available.

Just remember: the right course is the course you like. If you already have a specific career goal in mind - whether it's pilot, nurse or financier - it makes sense to find out which course will get you there. But most sixth-formers don't have such clear ideas for themselves; and though your parents or teachers may have very strong opinions, it's important for you to choose a course you'll be happy with.