My First Week of Year 13

"We can't choose where we come from, but we can choose where we go from there."

- Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Going back to college in Year 13 is quite a strange experience, and it's something that I didn't think about until going into college this week. From going through it, I feel like there's some important points that often get forgotten because everyone is so focused on making sure the new Year 12's are settling in, and the problems of going into a new year, even at the same college, aren't acknowledged as much in Year 13 compared to Year 12.

Even if you are going to the same college on the same campus, where you know your way around, it is okay to be anxious about going to the right classrooms. Getting used to a new timetable for the year can be nerve wracking, and just because you've been to the college the previous year, that doesn't mean you should be worried about asking people for help finding rooms. Often people spend their time in college in their specific classrooms and don't venture out of these, so I know that I always have to ask people if they know where a room is if my classrooms change, even if it's next door to one that I'm usually in.

Following on from that, it can take some getting used to new timetables, but alongside this, if you have different teachers, getting to grips with a new teaching style can be a further challenge. But as a new teacher takes a while to learn the names of new students, there is a transitional period when you first start college that not only mean you have some time to get to know your teachers, but they have some time to get to know you and your class.

Another thing that I found is that it's okay to come into the year being very upfront and apparent about what you want. The first few days of college, the week before the proper 'first week', I met with my Year 12 teachers in order to discuss predicted days. I had to argue one of my grades into being predicted as what I need for university on these days, and I know multiple people who also did this. But I, like many others, feared being seen as too pushy. The fact of the matter is, nobody knows how hard you are willing to work or the level of your ability better than you do. If you believe you deserve to be predicted a higher grade, then it is perfectly within your right to ask for a higher grade.

On top of everything, it's okay to be overwhelmed. With the amount of talk about predicted grades, personal statements, UCAS, apprenticeships, work experience, what your future looks like and everything in between, it can get a bit much. Furthermore, getting used to being in classes with all new people can be added stress that you really wish wasn't there.

I'm not saying that I have all of the answers or am an all seeing, all hearing miracle worker. There's going to be so many people who have different experiences to me, some better and some worse. But this is just to express some of the things that I don't hear talked about very much, and I hope this has helped some people feel better about their experience.

You're stage is waiting.

Hollie x

#college #sixthform #ALevels #mentalhealth #university #applyingtouniversity