Transition

'To live is to change, to be perfect is to have changed often'

St John Henry Newman


Moving from Year 11 into 12

Please click the image or the link below to view pages that we have created to aid and assist your transition from Year 11 into Year 12. You will find information about the courses on offer, along with optional extras such as EPQ and Sports Leadership.

Beyond Year 11

Year 12 Top tips to Year 11

  1. Make sure you choose options you will enjoy, you will have about two weeks or so to swap subjects if you're not enjoying it so make the most of that!

  1. Make notes/revision material as often as you can - it will make your lives so much easier

  1. Read around your subject to get a good grip and understanding of it properly

  1. You will probably get a couple of D's at the beginning, especially for essay based subjects, you don’t know what you’re doing yet and that’s okay - please don’t cry

  1. Try getting into super-curricular activities like attending free lectures (Gresham college), summer schools and essay competitions.

  1. Signing up for a TheStudentRoom account is pretty useful, you can talk to people around the same age as you about life after sixth form and your options as well!

  1. Revise in your frees as often as you can! - cramming for a test doesn't work at ALevel/BTEC

  1. Be mindful of entrance exams for universities, especially for anyone interested in medicine/dentistry/veterinary - you might be required to sit a UCAT test

  1. Make sure not to overwork yourself, having a balance is key (please go out with friends, have fun, enjoy life)

Moving from Year 12 into 13

TOP TEN TIPS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE ENTERING YEAR 12!

  1. Find the balance between your work and social life!

  1. Be organised. Prepare your folders within the summer holidays

TOP TIP = a good idea to stay organised is to have a ‘day folder’, this folder would be divided into the subjects that you are studying, in each section it would contain the topic you are currently studying in each class. Once you are finished with that particular topic you can then transfer those notes into your individual subject folders. This is useful because those subject folders do indeed get heavy!!

  1. Revise your notes every week. This will reduce any large workload and stress by the end of the year.

  2. Be prepared to struggle. This may seem slightly harsh however the jump between GCSE and A levels is far greater than you know. However, the harder you work the better you will do!

  1. Use your free periods wisely, there will always be work to do whether that is homework, independent study, wider reading, the list never stops! Make sure you start this from day one as it can become a difficult habit to pick up. Move away from your friends in order to stay concentrated!

  1. Engage with your teachers! If you don't understand something, talk to them. You must be proactive and ask them for help!

  1. Do the summer homework. This may seem pretty tedious however this will give you a true insight on what your chosen A levels will be like!

  1. Be aware and look out for university programmes such as the ‘K+ scheme’ or ‘UCL target medicine.’ These schemes are designed by universities which provide careers advice, work experience opportunities and can support you when applying to university. Be prepared to sign up to them as early as possible as these schemes are guaranteed to be useful when applying to universities in Year 13.

  1. Start early! Consistently make your revision notes after every lesson.

  1. Finally be positive and enjoy one of your last years at St Philomenas!


Moving from Year 13 to Post 18

Top Ten Tips to Year 13 from former students:


  1. Do your research. Find out as much as you can about your company/ university.

  2. Avoid wasting money on new things for university: chances are if you house share you can wait until you are there and split the costs.

  3. Prepare youself: find out what pre-reading the university or company has suggested and complete this over the summer.

  4. Network! See if you can network with fellow students who will be with you next year.

  5. Challenge yourself: set some goals for the first few weeks and months of university/ apprenticeship.

  6. Gather your people: if you are anxious or nervous, ensure you know who your 'go to' people are ahead of starting university or your apprenticeship.

  7. Talk! Discuss your worries, anxities and what you are looking forward to with people around you.

  8. Budget! Work out how much things will cost, perhaps even begin to research part times jobs to earn as you learn!

  9. Stay hopeful! The next steps after school although daunting, will be very exciting.

  10. Stay in touch! We love to hear from former students and your success.

For more information and help making the transition to life beyond St. Philomena's please see the follwoing booklet: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/uploads/3/7/8/4/3784584/180813_transitions_interactive.pdf