Is doing A-levels always better than other options?
An academic route (A-levels, Highers and university) is only one route to success in life. A vocational qualification can often be the best of both worlds, offering practical experience as well as a sound theoretical foundation. Some of our coaches decided to make the switch: this is what they have to say.
In this short film, our coaches talk about their experiences of switching from classroom-based learning to a more practical route
"I put a lot of work into getting the grades that I did at GCSE in order for me to be able to do the A-levels. But when I got to A-levels, I realised it wasn鈥檛 really for me. I, kind of, didn鈥檛 wanna be sitting in a classroom."
"It just wasn鈥檛 a place for me. It was, again, sat in front of that teacher being told what to read and what to do, and it鈥檚 just not for me. And if it doesn鈥檛 work for you, why should you do it? Why can鈥檛 you go and find your own route? Which, mine was an apprenticeship. And I can tell you now, it was the most amazing experience I鈥檝e ever had."
"I was really surprised after going to my careers advisor, finding out what different opportunities are out there for different people. There鈥檚 different sectors you can go into with an apprenticeship, it鈥檚 not just one."
"I was working at my mum鈥檚 shop in the period between finishing my A-levels and starting my degree, and I鈥檇 already been accepted at my first choice of university for accounting and finance, which is what I chose to do at the time. And there was a road closure, due to a leak that had happened, so there was a massive burst and there was loads of water all over the road. So, the water company came into the shop to tell us they were gonna be closing off the road. He mentioned an apprentice that was actually working with them at the time and from that, it was literally that night, I went and looked online at the apprenticeship scheme that they offer, and within two weeks, I knew I鈥檇 got it."
If you鈥檙e thinking of switching:
- Make sure you鈥檙e switching for the right reasons: are you really looking for a change in pathways, or is it more just about 鈥榥eeding a change鈥?
- Consider the timing of the switch: do you want to have something (e.g. an apprenticeship) lined up before you switch, and keep doing what you鈥檙e doing until then?
- Have you spoken to a teacher or career advisor to discuss your options? You may be able to make a partial switch and mix your qualifications
- Time is of the essence! The longer you stay in something you don鈥檛 like, the longer until you can start your new dream course, so do your research, make an informed decision and go for it!
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