Advice – Olivia Preston

6 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Had Started My A Levels

June 16, 2018January 31, 2019Olivia PrestonAdviceLeave a comment

After completing two years of non-stop study, I have some advice for those who currently are or are considering undertaking A Levels.

It’s constant

2 years may seem like a short time but with what seems like never-ending note taking, revision and exams, it can feel like a lifetime.

Although the final A Level exams take place in the last term of sixth form, working hard in your first year of study is essential. After all, with the new linear A Levels, first year content will make up half of your overall A Level. So, making comprehensive notes for ‘AS’ is very, very helpful. This will take the pressure off slightly as you will understand the first year learning, which is likely to be built upon during your second year, making everything a little bit easier. Along with this, constant revision is needed, in order to keep year-old information fresh in your mind, ready for your exams.

Having a goal in mind makes it easier

I have always known what I wanted to do at university and beyond, and this was the driving force for me during my two years of intense study. Knowing that I was working towards my dream job made me keep on pushing myself when A Levels become hard.

If you aren’t as lucky as I was and don’t know what you want to do after college then the summer before you start a two year study course is the perfect opportunity for you to explore possible options for you after you finish. You may not get a definite answer but you may have some idea of where you may be headed once your A Levels are done. Having some ideas in mind will be helpful as you start studying as your school or college will be able to help you explore what you could venture into.

Remember that you may change your mind during your studying as you may enjoy some subjects more than others, taking you into a different direction, but as long as you are focussing on what your future may hold – it makes the two years more bearable.

Organisation is key

Knowing what you need to do and in what order is crucial, especially when mock and real exams are around the corner. Most A Level subjects have lots of content and making sure everything is in order makes you less stressed when it comes to compiling notes and posters.

Whether you use colour to code your notes, make gigantic information-filled posters or produce helpful flashcards, ensuring that you have a revision method that works for you makes it so much easier to revise in advance for any tests coming up. This organisation helps long term too, as you will have all your revision ready for the all important exams at the end of your two years.

They aren’t for everyone and that’s okay

Yes, A Levels are hard and what may be seen as a unceasing slog but they aren’t supposed to be completely unbearable. They simply are not for everyone and realising this after taking your final exams and not getting the grades you wanted or needed may be too late as you may have wasted two years. My advice would be that after a year, if your grades do not reflect the hard work you are putting in then other options should then be considered in order to help you find a path more suited to your needs and ability.

Apprenticeships or alternative courses may be better for you and shouldn’t be disregarded. Many people change their minds and take a different path of study which more often than not is the best thing for them. Nevertheless, work hard even if you find A Levels tough, you are likely to get good grades with using lots of effort and having a strong work ethic.

Pick subjects what you like and ones that you are good at

Subject choice is vital when undertaking A Levels. Having a passion for a subject will make you likely to do better in it as you will enjoy it due to you having an interest in the area. Taking a subject that you have done well in at GSCE level may give you some indication as to if you will succeed in it at A Level, this is just an indication however as some people may not do as well in their chosen area due to the academic ‘step up’ that A Levels are.

Sacrifices will have to be made

Juggling a vibrant social life, a part-time job and ensuring you are studying hard is so hard during those two years of study. So, naturally sacrifices need to be made to make sure that you achieve the absolute most you can at A Level.

You have lots of time during university and beyond when you can go out and party so during your two years at A Level try to limit your attendance at social events

My last piece of advice: Bear in mind that although they may feel like the hardest thing that you’ve ever done but working hard throughout both of your years will make you a lot more likely to get the grades you want, rather than cramming in all of the content in a month or two. You can get through your exams, don’t worry.

Why I Picked English, Sociology And Media At A Level

June 17, 2017January 31, 2019Olivia PrestonAdviceLeave a comment

From the age of around 12, I had the idea of becoming of journalist in my head. After working hard at GSCE, I knew that I needed to pick the right subjects in order for me to obtain the necessary skills needed for me to progress to university and pursue my dream.

I chose English at A Level after achieving two A’s in the subject at GSCE. After enjoying it prior to post 16 study, I knew that choosing it would mean that it would be a whole lot harder than before. I chose the Language course instead of Literature or combined as I knew that Language would prove more beneficial in regards to my career path in the future. Every journalist needs a good foundation of English and there was no better course than this, to equip me with the expertise needed for me to succeed in the field. My course actually includes a coursework piece that is to be written in a journalistic style – ideal for me! I am finding the course very enjoyable especially with the textual analysis and specialist terms that I have learned this year. After completing my first year mocks, I am on track for getting an A grade overall.

I decided to take Art, Craft and Design as I loved the subject before I started my A Levels, however in the first two weeks of starting the course I did not find it in anyway similar to how it was at GSCE. I was not doing well in it, due to lack of interest and motivation I had. Sociology had always intrigued me so naturally, I knew I needed to change to that. In the second half of the Autumn term of my first year, I swapped to Sociology which proved to be a great choice for me to have made as after taking my mock in the subject I obtained a B grade – which I am more than pleased with. I think that Sociology is more appropriate for me to study as every journalist needs to a good level of understanding of wider societies to ensure that they can see other sides to stories concerning other cultures. A sociologist Peter Berger once said that “the fascination of sociology lies in the fact that its perspective makes us see in a new light the very world in which we have lived all of our lives.”, this is very true of journalism too.

Media Studies has always been a definite choice at A Level for me as it would help me to get a deep understanding of the media industries including film, social media and television. The coursework in this course is especially useful for my future profession as I produced and edited my own CD cover, which helps me to build on my IT skills which are vital. This knowledge is essential the becoming a journalist as after all the profession is media and digitally based. I have found Media to be the most interesting subject by far, as it has relevance in many parts of not only many studying but day to day life. I took my real exam for this and I am hoping for a B in this subject.