Preparing for College: Supporting Your Transition

Confidence in yourself and learning is important. Go to your new subjects with an open mind and be willing to learn. 

A genuine interest and passion for the subjects you have chosen and a want to learn more about them.

To have an open mind and not be afraid to try new things. 

A willingness to learn. If you go in with a negative attitude you won’t get anything done. Make the most of everything and enjoy it! 

Be adaptable so that you can easily transition to the differences between GCSE and A Level.

Be ready for a challenge, be confident and have positivity! 

You have a lot of freedom which you won’t be used to from secondary school. You won’t have anyone making you do the independent work. Don’t abuse this. It seems like a blessing but the work will need to be done! 

Friendship groups will change in the Sixth Form. Also, teachers treat you very differently and treat you as an adult. 

Don’t suffer in silence. There is a big step up in workload and the teachers and pastoral managers are happy to take the time to talk through work and help. Therefore, ask! 

Focus on making sure you are prepared and organised within the first few weeks and start to create a healthy routine to keep you motivated to do the workload. 

Not having books to keep your work in. Having to maintain folders to a high standard is difficult. Don’t get in the habit of shoving random bits of paper in your bag! 

There is a big step up in the amount of work required. You really have to focus on your time management otherwise things will pile up. 

Assessments and tests are more challenging. It is harder to get the marks so having a depth of knowledge and a good level of writing is important. 

You don’t go over all topic’s multiple times in lessons. You have to make sure you ask for help if you don’t get it or revise, recap and research in your own time.