Exams are over and the sun is out! What else could you want for the end of your school days and the start of your summer holidays? After all the excitement, however, it is important to remember the summer won’t last forever (we only wish!) and that a bit of planning is needed for what comes next. There are many different options for school leavers and the right option is different for different people so do your research and see which path you want to take.
Further or Higher Education
If you decide that you want to continue your education then this doesn’t have to just involve staying on at school to study for your A Levels. A Levels can be studied at further education college as an alternative to school, which would give you the opportunity to study in a different learning environment. Colleges often have the advantage of excellent specialist facilities to make your study even more exciting and act as a great step between school and the work place.
If A Levels aren’t for you, perhaps an apprenticeship might be the right choice. Apprenticeships help students develop specific skills for the trade of their choice, whilst earning a bit of money too – winner! These can also be studied at colleges in conjunction with employers.
Those of you who are applying to university this year will already be a fair way through this process so will have already made that decision of what to do next. If you didn’t decide in time this year, university will still be there as an option for you next year so don’t think you’ve missed the boat.
Employment
Some of you might be itching to get straight into employment and earning those pennies. That’s great if that’s the right thing for you – perhaps you have done an apprenticeship and hope to take this into a full time job. Or are you considering university but need to save some money by working before hand? Whatever your reasons for wanting to work, it is advisable to apply as early as possible – either when you finish your exams or if you are about to jet off on holiday then when you return. Our helpful job and CV section is here to help you make sure your application stands out from the crowd!
Gap Year
Oh yes, there is a third option – take a gap year! For comprehensive advice and some interesting tips, head to our Gap Year section.
When you’re deciding which of these options are for you, remember to talk to lots of different people about what might be best – colleges about courses they offer, gap year companies about different trips or employers about the sort of vacancies on offer. And with that, we wish you a happy and safe summer and the best of luck on your next step!