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As year 12 approaches, so does a new chapter of education in your child’s life. A levels mark the end of your child’s final years in education and can come along with their own stresses and difficulties. There is no doubt that these next two years will be demanding for both you and your child, but that’s all part of the journey!
This period in your child’s life will set in stone which direction they can move in, which universities they can choose from and what their potential career could be. Below is a parent’s guide to A levels, as advised by this international sixth form.
What are A levels?
A Levels are similar to GCSEs in some aspects; they are theory-based with exams taken at the end of the course. However, one of the main differences is that A levels go much deeper into a subject than GCSEs.
This is the reason that the majority of year 12 students study only 3 subjects. Your child will be required to spend a lot of time outside of lessons in independent study, in order to keep up with the heavy content provided. A Levels will also be a lot more difficult, given that teachers are less involved.
How to choose A levels
The majority of students that choose to study A levels have a clear idea of the subjects that they would like to study beforehand. This is due to them having an end goal of a particular career, which usually requires a degree. Given that A levels are a direct line to university, your child should choose the subjects that most universities will ask for. You can find out more information about entry requirements online.
Support your child through this journey. It won’t be easy and there may be times when they want to give up. Keep reminding them that with hard work, will come success.
