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What should I do when I leave school?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Work & Study
Well, as I'm from the UK, I obviously leave school at 16 and I'm suck at what to do afterwards and leaving is coming pretty close. Currently, I'm not in school but going to a board school in 2 months and leave there at 16.
So, really, my options are:
1). Do A levels - if I do well with these, this will gear me up to get on a degree course the easy way (it's possible without A levels).
2). I have the option to do the equivilent of A levels in Calgary, Canada (a High School deploma which is regarded the equavilent of A levels in the UK) - if I took this option I'd have somewhat of a "new start" in a new place (I'm known by a lot of people round here, and not in the nicest way :P). I'd leave when I'm 18, same as A levels so it would be 2 years, homestay in Calgary, it would probably be pretty fun.
3). Join the army - if I joined the army I'd go in slelecting a trade so I'd come out with a lot of traning and I'd know a trade pretty well.
I may only be 14 now, but it's only just dawned on me how fast this shit is coming around.
What would you choose?
So, really, my options are:
1). Do A levels - if I do well with these, this will gear me up to get on a degree course the easy way (it's possible without A levels).
2). I have the option to do the equivilent of A levels in Calgary, Canada (a High School deploma which is regarded the equavilent of A levels in the UK) - if I took this option I'd have somewhat of a "new start" in a new place (I'm known by a lot of people round here, and not in the nicest way :P). I'd leave when I'm 18, same as A levels so it would be 2 years, homestay in Calgary, it would probably be pretty fun.
3). Join the army - if I joined the army I'd go in slelecting a trade so I'd come out with a lot of traning and I'd know a trade pretty well.
I may only be 14 now, but it's only just dawned on me how fast this shit is coming around.
What would you choose?
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Comments
in terms of leaving school, i wouldn't choose the army unless you're certain, the navy or RAF would be a better bet
personally id go to 6th form college like i did, i didnt have to be there 9-4, and i was treated like an adult and was made responsible for my education to a larger extent
its your choice anyway
Have you spoken to your careers advisor? My personal opinion that only do A'levels if you're going to University, otherwise your prob better to leave at 16 and pick up a skill.
also, i saw your thread about not having a gf, going to canada will give you a chance to meet some girls and it'll be easier in canada because people are generaly more open.
Failing that, I'd say do your A-Levels, but as NQA said it would be well worth speaking to a Careers Advisor.
Yeah, I think I do intend to go to university actually. I'm currently not in school (will be back in, in 2 months), but I spoke to the careers advisor in my old school and his emphasis was on if you're academic and are obviously going to get good GCSE results, do your A levels and go to university, if you're not overly academic, choose a trade like plumbing.
But aren't there some jobs that require A Levels but not a degree?
A-levels and university's the way to go though, imo. Keep your options open then you can choose later on or fall back on your qualifications and start again.
There are some jobs that require post-16 qualifications (but not a degree) but these are generally vocational qualifications such as GNVQs and BTECs etc.
Skills are useful but these days employers seem to want the qualifications too to prove what you claim you are good at. Just read NeoNero's thread.
My english and science were both double award, which meant with maths, i had the 5 GCSE's needed, and so technically (If the school had have allowed it) wouldn't have had to do French, electronics, business and all that other rubbish.
I'd say A-Levels at a sixth form college. Not sixth form. Like someone said, you're not there 9-4, it's way more relaxed and self guided, so you should only really go there to do courses you know you want to do.
It's sort of a bit difficult to explain, but basically after GCSE's you can do an apprenticeship in plumbing or whatever, but after A-Levels you could also do plumbing, but you'd have more options to go onto further courses.
Neither are going to get you that far past the supermarket by themselves unless you take up an apprenticeship,uni, or have additional skills. (like someone said, comouter networking or whatever)
Edit: Don't take this as that you don't need A-Levels because they're not worth that much more than GCSE's to employers though. They are.
You're more mature than i was at 14, having a spectrum of definite ideas for your future is something even to this day i lack.
I'd suggest definitely doing your A-levels - whether abroad or in the UK. Don't know your exact situation with the locals exactly but i can empathise
If you join the army, do University first then go to Sandhurt and become an officer. Wouldn't suggest the army to anyone but a few of my friends are either in the forces or studying with the intention of joining, some people are naturally suited to it.