Having gone through the otherworldly joys that are GCSEs (I’m hoping at least a couple of you would have maybe heard of those) last year, I have proudly begun the next phase of my higher education – Sixth Form. And as the first term of Year 12 comes to a festive halt, I wanted to relay the raw, the angsty and the honest first-hand experiences of what it’s like to be one of those elusive people lurking at the top of the STEAM tower.
In light of the Nine Lessons and Carols repeat being a little postponed, I’ve structured my wisdoms into Eleven Lessons and no Carols. Otherwise, please do enjoy.
Lesson 1: How your first week will probably go:
Monday: You wake up an hour early to iron your best trousers and your lucky shirt, because you want to start off fresh and proper.
Tuesday: OK, they are actually checking the summer work.
Wednesday: Why do I already have a test?
Thursday: Coffee subscription bought.
Friday: Growth mindset coming in useful.
Lesson 2: Your bank account will deplete at lighting speed.
There is a reason why the phrase “broke student” is a stereotype. The novelty of being able to go out for lunch will make you appreciate just how expensive everything in Wimbledon is, forcing you to resort and to hail the Tesco meal deal.
Lesson 3: Are 24-hour days a thing of the past?
This one I asked myself a lot when I became gradually familiar with the expectations of the structure of our days. Homework, preparation, consolidation, reading, work experience, talks and lectures, clubs and assemblies, and solving world hunger, all whilst also keeping up hobbies and, of course, a sound eight-hour sleep cycle. Well. At least it’s all for the subjects we love.
Lesson 4: Life is unfair.
My friend has more free periods in one Friday than I do in two weeks.
Lesson 5: Being an example to other years:
I know Sixth Formers look effortless as they saunter around the corridors, discussing the nucleophilic substitution reactions of halogenoalkanes. I know. I understand if you can’t help being starstruck. But, I’ll let you in to a secret – it’s all a façade.
Lesson 6: A very common conversation:
“Do we have a test tomorrow?”
“When don’t we have a test tomorrow?”
Lesson 7: Mrs McIlroy secretly runs the Sixth Form.
She has everything. She knows everything. She is everything.
Lesson 8: Teachers’ nicknames for you.
Dr Roper calling you a cookie or a chicken really is the highlight of the day.
Lesson 9: The STEAM tower has too many stairs.
Why do Sixth Fit when we have to trot up and down an entire TOWER every day?
Lesson 10: Games in the common room.
One of the greatest perks of Sixth Form life is very much the puzzles and board games, that we use to indulge our inner child as we gather in the common room at various points of the day. It is a true Christmas Miracle to forget about university applications whilst beating someone at Jenga. Next step – massive IKEA stuffed bear.
Lesson 11: Use you voice.
Complain, complain, complain. It’s an expert-recommended coping mechanism. Have you got a test? Complain about it to your friends (who will laugh at you for making that subject choice). Have you got a detention because you forgot to sign in or out? Voice that pain, bestie. Or, perhaps, you have a cover lesson BUT you have to sit in your assigned classroom and not in the air-conditioned study area? Spend the lesson sulking. It’s OK.
And on that note, I will remind you that I am not even in Year 13 yet, but will make sure to update you on that next year.
