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Journey to Higher Education – Year 12

In Year 12/Year 1 of college you will be adapting to your new courses, new environment, and new learning styles, but once you have settled in it’s also a good time to start thinking about what you might like to do next and what your future looks like. 

Settling In

During your first few weeks of your Level 3 studies, you may find it takes time to adjust to the new subject content, style of working, and if you have moved to a new place of study making friends and getting used to college or sixth form life. Your education provider will provide a whole host of support to help you settle in, and please remember that everyone is in the same boat so talking to others can really help! 

Extra-Curricular Activities

When applying to higher education it is important to have a well-rounded application, with a balance between your academic studies and outside interests. This is also an ideal time to get involved in some volunteering- as well as helping others you will gain skills that can be transferred to higher education or the workplace.

Thinking of the Future

Towards the end of the year, you may wish to start thinking about what comes after sixth form or college. If you have a particular course in mind, it can be an ideal time to start looking for university and college open days or browsing apprenticeship opportunities to see what employers are looking for. 

If you’re not sure what you want to do, try using your summer break to find part-time work, work experience and volunteering opportunities to help you try different areas. Many universities and colleges also offer summer schools and experiences to help you explore what might come next.