Ready for freedom, choice, and new experiences? Learn some of the best ways to make the most of starting Sixth Form. Set yourself up for success.
Starting the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13, or the highest level of secondary education) is an exciting time. You have more freedom, more choice, and the opportunity to pursue your dreams. In many ways, it’s the first major step in your new adult life!
Get organised early
One of the great things about being a Sixth Former is that you’ll be treated more like an adult. This means you’ll have more autonomy, but it also means that you’ll have more responsibility. Studying at this level is a lot of work, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t get organised as early as possible.
What tools help you to stay organised? For some people, paper planners work best. Others prefer digital tools, such as Google Calendar, Trello, or Asana. And some people like to keep things simple with a good old fashioned to-do list. The key is to find the organisational tricks and tools that work for you, and commit to using them every day.
Choose the right subjects for the right reasons
Sixth Form is the first time you’ll have complete freedom to study whatever subjects interest you most. There are no set subjects at this level. One of the biggest keys to success is making sure you’ve chosen the right subjects for the right reasons.
Choose subjects you enjoy and find interesting, subjects that you’re good at, and/or subjects that directly relate to what you want to study at university or do in your future career (speak to your careers guidance service or look at the entry requirements for your preferred universities if you’re not sure.) Do not choose subjects that don’t excite you just because your parents or teachers expect you to, because your friends are doing them, or because you think you “should.”
Remember that it’s sometimes possible to change subjects in the first few weeks of the year. So if you start studying something and realise it isn’t for you, speak up quickly and see if you can change to something that’ll be a better fit.
Make the most of your free periods
Sixth Form will probably be the first time you’ve had free periods during the school day. Make the most of them! There’s nothing wrong with spending some of your free periods enjoying time with your friends or hanging out in the common room, but if you use them all this way, you might fall behind in your studies.
Here are some other great ways to use your free periods:
- Spend them in the computer lab or library for some quiet, focused study time
- Get ahead with your homework or required reading
- Team up with a friend to study together or test one another
- Attend supervised independent study sessions if your school or college has them
- Visit the careers guidance service or research universities
- Make an appointment to see one of your tutors if you need a little extra help or advice with your work
- Go for a walk (either alone or with friends.) Fresh air and sunlight are great for your physical health, mental wellbeing, and concentration.
Enjoy your extracurricular activities (but don’t overcommit yourself)
Whether it’s theatre, music, sports, volunteering, or a part-time job, extracurricular activities are important. They help you grow as a person, give you new skills, and look great on your CV. Find things you enjoy and throw yourself into them. All work and no play, as the saying goes!
But be careful not to overcommit. Can you really keep up with your schoolwork, have a personal life, AND do extracurriculars six days a week? Probably not. Instead of trying to do everything, narrow down what is most important to you and focus on those things. It’s better to do two things really well than to do ten things half-heartedly.
Use the resources available to you
During the Sixth Form, you might find that your relationship with your teachers changes. They will treat you more like adults, and the relationship might become slightly more friendly and less formal. Remember that these teachers are incredible resources – they know their subjects inside out and they want you to succeed. So ask for extra help when you need it, speak up in class, and take their feedback on board.
Your school is also likely to have a wealth of other resources available for you, too. From the library and access to computer equipment, through to pastoral staff who can support you with everything from career advice to mental health concerns, all these things are there to help you. So use them!
Look after yourself
Sixth Form is amazing, but it can also be tough. Prioritise self-care and remember to look after your physical and mental health. Eat as well as you can, get regular exercise, make sure you get enough sleep, and do something that brings you joy every day.
If you start to feel stressed or burned out, get help as soon as you notice it. Talk to a family member, a teacher or other staff member you trust, or your GP. They will be able to signpost you towards support systems and services that can help you.
Stay open-minded
Sixth Form is a time of discovery. During their Sixth Form years, many people find an unexpected passion for a subject, discover a hobby they love, take up a cause they’re passionate about, or become close friends with people they never spent much time with before.
Keep your mind open and allow experiences to happen. Expect the unexpected, and embrace change and surprise. You never know what you might learn about yourself if you do.
Have fun and make memories
Sixth Form will go by in a flash, and you might look back on it as one of the most exciting times of your life. Remember to pause, look around, and enjoy it. Work hard and play hard, too. Make friends, make memories, and have fun.
Good luck! We know you’ll smash it!
