Sixth form - how tough is it? Opinions welcome

Watching with interest. DS is in year 10 and is planning to stay at his school (independent selective) for 6th form. They've just announced that they are dropping AS2s completely, so that pupils will do 3 subjects to A level, or 4 if they are exceptionally able. There will be no exams at the end of year 11.

Apparently universities are saying they are more interested in 3 good A Levels, than to look at AS2 grades. I think this will be helpful for DS, as he is sure of the subjects he wants to do, and doesn't need to have a 4th to choose to drop. I'm hoping it will help to reduce the pressure of the transition to the A level syllabus.

Okay, I have a DD in year 12 (Maths, FM, Physics, Chemistry). Her take is this:

A levels are very different from GCSE - A levels are about comprehension they are not a memory test in the way GCSEs are.

Your DD needs to learn independent study techniques:

• go through the text book(s) make notes from the text book and use these as the primary learning source and the teachers as an additional source.
• prepare for lessons in advance, find out which scheme the teachers are using (whose powerpoints they are using) and research that in advance of each lesson - not in depth but have got a heads up in advance
• past papers - read the mark schemes, know what examiners are looking for. Dont take the teachers word as gospel!
• make study friends - use facebook group chat etc. DD has separate study groups for Physics and Chemistry
• dont do too many subjects. Do not put any effort into things like General Studies or EPQ. Put no effort into any filler subjects done because the school was pushing 5 A levels (DD's school was trying to push 5 or even 6 A levels)
• tests: your teacher is trying to find out the best way to keep you on the course (by finding the gaps) not looking to push you off the course - unless you arent putting the effort in/attending
• be selfish, these 2 years are about getting where you want to be (apprenticeship/uni/work)
• set aside free time to do something different. This will help to make study more effective.
• do some exercise (DD is the least sporty person in the world but this was her own suggestion)

My younger brother really struggled with his A Levels, he's a bright and committed lad but just couldn't handled it and ended up dropping out just after Christmas of his first year with severe anxiety and mild depression. He took the rest of the year off, worked a little once he felt up to it and then started again the following September and did much better. Sometimes they just aren't ready for the step up in the demanding nature of A Levels, just like some people aren't ready right away for the step- up involved in going to university. My brother started at UCL in September and is absolutely thriving.

A lot of teens struggle through A Levels though without taking a break and then find their stride at university or work beyond.

Which other subjects is she doing? There are some that are a particularly big jump from GCSE. The sciences have just had a syllabus overhaul and there's a lot more maths in biology. Did she do double or triple science GCSE? There's a bit of catch up initially for double award students.

I'd encourage her to keep going-it will get easier as she gets used to the workload and learning more independently than at GCSE. She should talk to her tutor about feeling overwhelmed. They may be able to suggest some helpful things to do. Good luck to her.

DS2 is in Yr11 this year but I have had another son through sixth form and it seems that things are getting more difficult. Most students struggle a bit with the step up in work at the beginning but both open evenings which have attended for DS2 have emphasised that the breadth and depth of the subjects at A level are getting more difficult and that the workload is going to be bigger. I feel we have to be a lot more strategic with choices for DS2 and look more closely at BTECHs, more practical A levels etc.

Lots of kids find sixth form tough. Each subject is a big step up from GCSE, but of course you have fewer subjects.

How many subjects is she doing? All A levels, or BTECH ? Is there any way she could drop a subject? That's more of a possibility if she's doing 4A levels. How much extra curricular/socialising does she do? Could she cut down on some of that to fit more study in?