Tips Overall!

Remember...
-Choose the subjects you're most confident in (You choose up to 5 subjects maximum)


-Be yourself and be confidence at all time (Talk to other people and get to know them!)


-When you're in interviews, be yourself and act confident. But don't waffle!


-Remember first impressions too! Don't act like somebody you're not. If people can't accept you for who you are, then for get them! They aren't you friends.


-Remember your bag and pen for your first day! (But also bring them everyday)

Apprenticeship

What's an apprenticeship?

This is a fellow class mate (Claire) that is taking an apprenticeship.

An apprenticeship is a course you do for a year with a certain person, company, shop or others. There are two levels of Apprenticeship: Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships. You can take apprenticeships at the age of 16 and above. Apprenticeships last at least 15 months, while Advanced Apprenticeships last at least 2 years.

Still confused?

An apprenticeship is basically...Say you want to work in a hospital. You have to apply for it and if you get accepted, you'll be able to study there for about a year (Or even more). What you do there is watch your teacher (Trainer or who ever is guiding you) and of course listen to them. It's basically school but instead it's just you and your teacher. You could take notes and stuff like record what's happening so when it's your turn you can do it successfully. 

So it's really just an offer to young people giving them the opportunity to learn on the job with an employer, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money at the same time.
To apply for an apprenticeship, you go to the place you want to work at. You could also apply online as well. For more information, check on the sites. Or go seek help at 'connextions'

This is my cousin Lucy that's taking an apprenticeship.

I suggest you take an apprenticeship because it gives you a better chance to get your dream job. Also it would be better for your studies. But you have to decide whether you can work under the required job conditions which can sometimes be hazardous, dirty, uncomfortable, or otherwise unpleasant. Also apply to an apprenticeship program that suits you best (you may apply to more than one).

So my tip for this one is, take it if your desperate. But it's really important that you're a clever student. You need atleast grades A-A* GCSE grades in maths and english, or if you don't, you'll be most likely to be asked to take a test on these two subjects.
Plus this means you don't really need a job, like me!

Money?

You might have heard of EMA, but if you haven't that's OK. It basically stands for Education Maintenance Allowance. I get EMA money once a week (I get £30). Too bad the government is cutting it off in March. Oh, I won't get money after March...So I've started looking for a job (My parents don't give me money). It's quite hard working and studying at the same time. It's very stressful, but if you think you can handle all the pressure then go for it!
I think it's best if you just study, because then you could focus and put all your concentration on your studies. On the other hand, if you work and study you get money so you wouldn't have to always ask your parents. Say if you want to go out two nights in a row, you could use your parents money on one night, then your own the next night.


At the moment I work in a shoe shop up London. I only work on weekends though so that helps decrease the stress for me. I normally do all my work on Friday then work my socks off on the weekends. I don't really get free time to hang out with my friends though. That's what sucks about it! Although, after work sometimes I meet up with some for a movie or something around 7 o'clock (That's the time I finish). 

College is scary?! Ah! Choices?!

Is college scary? Is it fun? What's better, secondary or college?!

Answers: College is not scary, college is fun (Only if you make it fun!), secondary or college? Hahaha, college is, trust me! Also depends on what subjects you choose!

College is very similar to secondary. You basically have a normal timetable & normal lessons (But the lessons that you chose). Normal lunch, but in college you can eat outside school as well as eating in school. Also you could get long lunch breaks depending on your lessons.

Picture of my ICT class.

College is much more strict than secondary. For example, if your late to a lesson the teacher would LOCK you out. Trust me, they aren't soft people.

In college you don't really work in groups or pairs much. It's all about independence. Also you must always hand your work in on time! If you pass the deadline then...Well you know. Your teacher would most likely to give you no marks at all! So give in your work or else.

My Choices. Your choices
Also are you stuck on what subjects to choose? Oh no worries. Just put what you feel comfortable doing...Maths? ICT? Art?
Choose what you're good at; choose what you enjoy. But most importantly try choosing something related to your dream job, so that it'll be easier to achieve that job!

TOP Tips:
-Hand work in on time
-Come in school on time
-Choose your subjects wisely (Something you enjoy; something you're great at; something related to your dream job!)
-Most importantly, have fun!

My First Day...Your First Day

A college (I'm not telling you if its mine or not hehehe)

This must be the second scariest stage in this process! What happens is, you'll get into your form groups and stay with them for the whole day. I don't know what will happen on your first day. But my first day went like this... I entered the school and just followed the crowd (I didn't know where to go!) and they lead me to the main hall (Where I was meant to be anyways! Hehehe) So i went in and there were students scattered everywhere on chairs in different groups of 3-6. They were talking whilst waiting for the teachers (They were at the front of the hall). We students were then commanded to sit and wait for our names to be projected on the big board, depending on what form we were in. Finally when my name was there, I followed my tutor along with my fellow class mates to our room. On this day, I was given information about the school and things such as, where my classes where; how to use my student car; my lunch breaks; my timetable and when I start.


TOP Tips:
-Be confidence! No need to be shy. To be honest everyone is on their first day. Trust me!
-Talk to others even if your shy. This way you'll make lots of friends in no time!
-Bring a bag and a pen!
-Bring a bag and a pen!
-Bring a bag and a pen!       You have to bring them!!!

Step one: Top Fear

I think the scariest thing is going to the interviews. That might be your top fear too... But I don't know. Basically what happens is, your first interview would be with 'connextions' (Connextions is a service which supports young people in education and other things such as jobs. They also give advice when needed about these topic). This would be happening around when you're doing your GCSE (In year 11).
In the interview, the person interviewing you will ask you a range of questions about your interests and what you would like to be when you grow up. This interview will help you choose your subjects. OK, at this point you'll properly already wet your pants! But don't fear, just let out everything. When you've told then your interests and your dream job. Your interviewer will tell you, what subjects you have to aim for & what grades you need for it.



This is a picture of my cousin Lucy in her first interview!



For example, you say you want to be an accountants. Your interviewer will say, 'You would have to study English and maths because they would be very useful, but you would also need ICT skills & knowledge. The grades you need must be between A*-C for all subjects (English, maths and ICT. Also this is your GCSE grades)'. So, just stay with the flow and you'll be fine. This is what basically happened in my interview. Yours might be a bit different.
There are more interviews. In total, I had two. This one and another one with a teacher from the college I was going to go to. What happened was, the teacher asked me what subjects I want to study. Then she asked me a range of questions why I wanted to study them.




 TOP Tips:
-Be confident!
-Don't waffle on, cut your speech short.


That's it really. Good luck!

Starting college

Here I am with my friends. Leon, Linda, Beckie (Me) and Billy!

Hi there! My name is Beckie. I'm just an ordinary person, I'm 18 and I just want to help you guys that need help with college. You must be really nervous right? Oh how time fly! You're 16 now, so time for college. I'm going to be giving you advice and information about college, to help you through your college adventure! Things like, what could happen and what kind of problems you can get yourself into. But don't worry! Everyone feels that way on their first day, trust me!

Also about choices. which subjects do you want to study & what goes on in the lessons. Not only that, also about interviews. That must be one of the top most scariest things to do. because if you say anything wrong...It's all over! But don't worry! I have a secret weapon! For those type of problems.