I am writing to express my opinion of both the pros and cons for college and sixth form life. As a pupil of Queen Elizabeth High School, I value my experience of Years 7-11 greatly. Achieving high grades along with my peers, I felt that to continue in Q.E High school was the best option for me. I am so secure here and feel welcomed and able to excel.
Pros of school - Keeping close contact with your friends, who you have spent excellent years with. They are the people who know us best. I think it is a lot easier to settle in if you are already familiar with people.
- Being able to choose subjects suited for your career path.
- Familiarity with teachers, they know us well and also understand our abilities. When in sixth form the maturity we gain and are treated with is immense.
- Buses from door to door, lets face it which teenager really wants to walk any distance?
- Extra curricular activities, Duke of Edinburgh, peer mentoring, county music, school orchestra, county sports.
- EMA system which encourages pupils to further their education into the sixth form.
- School dinners! School uniform, you needn't worry what to wear in the morning!
Cons of school- No chance of starting completely fresh, meeting lots of new people.
- Limited subject choices.
- No sense of extreme independence, working alone with assignments etc...
- No college parties!
Pros of college- A sense of complete independence
- A new group of friends and teachers who you can try to make a new impression on.
- Wide range of courses.
- Often better resources e.g. science blocks, sports facilities.
- BTEC, GNVQ courses.
- Specialised areas of learning, agricultural blocks, maths areas, drama studios.
Cons of college
- Buses are from central areas only, some people may have to walk or get a lift into town.
- Completely different surroundings.
- Different friends and teachers.
- You have to keep yourself motivated with work and keep yourself up to date with deadlines. There is not usually much pressure from teachers.
- What to wear in the morning!
After weighing up both points, I feel strongly that sixth form was the best option for me. Making a choice can be difficult; however, if you feel you can work independently then college may be right for you. The two main reasons as to why I went back to school were because I knew my teachers, and the courses were fantastic. Whatever choice you make, take into consideration what the pros and cons are. Most of all be happy with your decision and try your best.
Anja
your comments
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Isobelle of Cornwall
I really want to go to sixth form now! The article made me make my decision. Well done and thanks!
Sun Jan 18 11:31:26 2009
K ays from Shoreditch
Nice article but imagine you weren't going to a sixth form but a different school - people you don't know. What would you say then? Plus u should become more independent because after college/sixth form you are a fully-grown adult and in college you get treated like an adult.
Tue Dec 4 10:28:27 2007
A of Sheffield
Thanks - this has been really useful, I'm currently trying to choose between college and sixth form, for me it's the other way arround, the sixth form is on the other side of the city so I'll know no-one at all - college has exactly the courses I want to do, but the sixth form gets better results - I really want to go to sixth form but i think that if everyone knows each other there I'm going to be quite isolated, whereas college where I would know a few people at least.
Thu Oct 18 11:46:37 2007
Kate Carms
Good article! Although I prefer college. As with school I felt so pressured by teachers in school which put me under alot of pressure with my GCSE's and now I'm in college I have no exams (all coursework) which is hard but my end grade should be three distinctions (top grades) so I'm pleased with going to college. Meeting different ethnic groups and all new people is also brilliant. I advise anyone who is making the choice between college and sixth form to focus on what you believe would suit you and you're personality better, as I dont think college is as disciplined as school, and for most this may be an advantage!
Tue Jun 12 16:09:45 2007
anon
I'm really getting fed up of sixth form now, and feel it may have been the wrong choice. oh well
Tue Oct 17 15:42:25 2006
Mark Weston from Trimsaran
I am about to go to 6th form in Q.E High with a bunch of friends, mainly for the music department. My friends and i think that the music in Q.E High is better than in Coleg Sir Gar and we all want good education. Thankz Anja you have boosted my motivation to go to 6th form even more now...
Wed Sep 20 16:03:32 2006
Emily
I chose to go back to sixth form not because i wanted too but i knew that was howw i was going to get my education in college you dont get pushed and i need to be pushed to succeed in anything!
I may hate sixth form now but i would'nt change anything!
In school if you put in you get back theres always someone to help you spewcially in QEhigh wich has the best teachers that you can find anywhere!
If you want a friendly and fun environment sixthforms where you should go!
Wed Jan 4 11:01:16 2006
Anja Conti
in reply to Jonathan, I am so happy that i have helped in some way. When you make decisions, it can seem extremely hard sometimes to know exactly what to do. I hope i have helped. It may be a good idea to write down all of the pros and cons of school sixth form that you can think of, that way you can know exactly what you want and expect. Thanks for writing.
Sat Dec 10 13:45:49 2005
Anonymous Man, Carmarthen
I'm in college, and found that it is much better than 6th form. I found that I had much more freedom, and was allowed to have the chance of a higher independance level than if I was in 6th form. I feel that it is much more easier to get along with the staff, addressing them by their first name as opposed to 'sir' or 'miss' makes them almost like a friend. It is also good to meet a whole new group of people, its interesting to get a different insight to what other people do, other than your friends from school.
I found the facilities in the college were much more superior to the ones back in school, and feel that I will acheive a better grade knowing that the large range of facilities provided are specifically for the students and their courses, as opposed to school where the equipment provided being used for all the years.
Everyone seems to motivate each other, and help out each other when in a moment of difficulty or confusion. There is a low amount of bullying in the college, as it is treated as an adult environment, whereas in school, the 6th form are treated similaly to the lower school years.
Not wearing uniform is also a bonus, so theres no need to stick to strict policies of wearing shoes and shirts, making sure you have a tie, tucking your shirt in, college allows a freedom of dress code, obviously it has its limits.
Overall, I have found college to be the better option for me, perhaps it isn't for others, but if you wish to learn in an adult environment, meet new people, and have a freedom of expression and view, then college is most definately the place for you!
Fri Dec 9 05:16:53 2005
Jonathan Anon, Carmarthen
Excellent article Anja, I know now what I am going to do. You have reaally helped me with my vital life decisions. Thanks! Really well written!
Wed Dec 7 13:50:52 2005
Sara - Carmarthenshire
It's coming up to my gcse's and I'm scared.
I will revise I always do. The only thing that was bothering me was what would I do after year 11? But now I definatly want to come back to school. Thanks you have given me a lot to think about. Great article xx
Mon Nov 28 18:44:48 2005
Hamzah
I like the article Anja. Being in 6th form myself I find it's a great social life...forget the college parties and have your own. Also you might notice that at 6th form you're usually surrounded by like minded people which can be seen as a bonus. Hope to be reading another one of your articles soon. xx
Tue Nov 15 17:12:39 2005
Lewis Buckley, LLandyfaelog
Really well written, I think that this site is great. Don't worry though Anja, we don't get it too easy, theres plenty of pressure from teachers in college too!
Sun Nov 13 21:05:01 2005
Kayleigh Morgan From Llanelli
Yay! No college bashing! good for you! I went to college instead of staying on in sixth form in QEC...or whatever it's called these days... and although I miss QEC a lot, I'm glad I left.
Sixth Form is good for some I will agree, we all work differently, I'm glad the options are there!
Tue Nov 8 19:43:33 2005
Beth, carmarthen
nice one- well done you... given me things to thnk about! xx
Tue Nov 8 18:49:48 2005
Patrick
I was undecisive as to whether to go to college or sixth form but now i've seen the light and know exactly where i want to go, thanks Anja! Where would I be without you??
Tue Nov 8 17:01:10 2005
Katy Phillips, Brisol
Good article anja! Could be really useful for those trying to decide whether or not to carry on at school, provides some useful insights, good job!
Tue Nov 8 16:53:22 2005
Do you agree with Anja? What do you think's better college or sixth form? Send in your comments here.
