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Jim
Adkins knew the first time he took his A-levels that he would fare
badly: "I wasn’t really surprised at how badly I’d done because
I hadn’t really done any work due to the fact that I didn’t know
what I wanted to do with my life and so the exams seemed pointless."
The
former pupil of Sandringham School in St Albans got two E grades
in Theatre Studies and General Studies and two Fs (failures) in
Physics and English Literature in 2000.
But
two years later he went off to London’s Kingston College to study
film – and said he would not have changed those two years for anything.
Worthwhile
Jim spent the summer after his A-levels temping – earning good money
and enjoying life.
Then
he decided to go to college and take three completely different
A-levels – and this time in a year.
He
said: "I found it easier to do in a year as I felt a lot of stuff
that I was taught over the two years wasn’t worthwhile and with
just a year I was really focussed and devoted a lot of concentrated
time to work."
Pressure
After a year at Oaklands College in St Albans, he gained a B grade
in Psychology, a D in Photography and a D in English Language.
But
still he was unsure where his future lay.
"So
much pressure is put on going to college – particularly in St Albans
where it’s so middle class.
"Although
I always knew that I wanted to go to university – even if just for
the experience - what I wanted to do eluded me."
Time
to think
Jim spent the year before university working full-time in a camera
shop. "Working has been great as it’s given me the chance to think
about what I want to do in the future.
"I’ve
been doing lots of filming with friends of friends and worked as
an extra in a film and so on. It’s also given me the chance to earn
some money."
He
said that he thought the extra time had helped him finalise what
he really wanted to study – and is excited about the prospect of
taking up his course this autumn.
Alternatives
And he added: "I don’t think pupils in schools are always aware
that you don’t have to follow the academic life.
"I
think only about a third of the population have degrees so there
are alternatives and you should do whatever is right for you."
| James
Akins, tring |
Wednesday,
17-Aug-2005 12:32:15 BST |
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| Just
like Jim my initial a-level results weren’t that great . I
had partied too much and rarely turned up to my course’s at
West Herts college. With an E and two fails there wasn’t much
to celebrate in 2002 . However I wouldn’t change a thing .
I moved to a flat on my own in Watford and supported Myself
through full time work . During this time I went back to college
to resat my exams . I ended up with two B grades and a D and
went to university in Nottingham . The year out gave me confidence
to deal with the initial pressures of University life and
to gain the most out of the experience . So if you’re results
aren’t what you need don’t worry ,it won’t mean the end of
civilisation ! |
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