First-year of Sixth Form – AS-Levels
We spoke to Chloe Hughes about her first year in Sixth Form and her plans to go to university so she can fulfil her childhood dream job as an English Teacher.
Chloe has just finished her AS-Levels and will be coming back in September to complete her A-Levels. She now has a summer off to relax, perfect her personal statement and start looking around at universities for 2022/23.
Chloe explains, “Adam, the academic progress leader has been incredibly helpful with personal statements and giving guidance on what our next steps are after college”.
Have you been looking around at universities?
After an initial look at university options, Chloe explains, “A couple let you go to look around physically, I am going to look around the University of Nottingham and Sheffield Hallam this week. Most of the universities are still doing virtual open days but it’s nice to go in person and get a feel for the place, have a good look around as you can make your mind up about a university more easily. It’s also great to hear from current students about their experiences as it gives me a better understanding of what to expect”.
Before you came to the Sixth Form did you know what career steps you would like to take?
Chloe explains, “I want to be an English teacher or lecturer, I haven’t decided yet. I am currently studying English Literature but I would like to do both English Language and Literature as a joint degree at university. I’ve always wanted to teach and always had an interest in writing. A teacher at school inspired me to want to be a teacher. I want to be that inspiration for someone else one day and be a role model for the teaching profession like my teacher was for me”.
What has it been like studying at the college’s Sixth Form?
When initially looking at her post-16 options Chloe explains, “I applied for a few college sixth forms, but Chesterfield was the one that felt best suited to me. I’ve got involved with groups, joining the Derbyshire Voluntary Action group and the Sixth Form Creative Writing Group. I want to continue getting involved in more next year.
I really enjoy exams and assessments which is odd as most people my age hate the idea. I think it’s really good because you get to see exactly where you are and where you are going. I enjoyed the mock exams this year as they made me feel prepared and I could see how I was performing.”
College in lockdown
“The Sixth Form Creative Writing Group started online so I’m looking forward to joining in person next year. It’s been difficult as in September masks and rules were really strict and everyone was worried but College did everything they could to help us engage with everyone and get to know people. I made friends by talking to people in lessons, it’s something the college has been really quite good with.”
Support from my tutors
Chloe has valued the support on offer during lockdown, saying, “If you need more help than what is already offered, ask and you’ll get it. I really get on with the tutors; they treat you like you are going to be there forever rather than it being a stop-gap between school and university.
I think it was important for students and tutors to get involved with trying to adapt. The tutors treated their roles as more than just a job, they’d ask how you are in general and about what’s going on outside of college. You get to know them and they get to know your interests and you as a person too. It allowed us to get to know everyone even in a big class.”
Do you have any advice for students starting in September?
“Get stuck in and try and be as confident as possible. If you do need help ask for it, all staff are super helpful. Things have been different because of covid but it doesn’t have to be a big terrible thing, try and make it as normal as possible and make what is on offer suit you as best as possible.”
