Lessons for A-level students

I would like to provide a few wise words to those students that are starting their A-levels, and why you should work hard.

At the same time, I would like to thank Terry Lill and Sue Harris, who attempted to give me a good education, for being such good lecturers. Unfortunately in those days I was a lazy student. I didn’t work hard, and even though I passed. I didn’t get good marks. But I did get to university. I use the word “attempted” as apart from both being lovely people, two of the nicest people who you could meet, both Terry Lill and Sue Harris were also excellent lecturers.

In fact, you would find it difficult to find better lecturers. If I had worked much harder I would have done much better. So, some students may be saying: “well you got to uni, so what’s the problem?”. Although I didn’t do a placement year, I know friends on other courses that did. When you are applying in your second year for a third year placement it isn’t just your degree’s first year results that a possible

placement employer looks at, according to an experienced placement instructor: “they do often look at to see what you got in you’re A-levels if they have to decide between two candidates.” When I got to university I turned over a completely new leaf, and worked really hard, in all three years. In the first year, we had to do the equivalent of an A-level module of what Sue Harris taught at the regional college, and I got one of the top marks. I’m sure that Sue would have been proud. People can change!

In the covid era, teachers were having to give students predicted grades and I am highly embarrassed to say that if that was the case back then, I am sure that both Terry Lill and Sue Harris, could not have been able to give me a good predicted grade. And let’s face it, how could they have done! Whenever I hear the era in which I studied at Peterborough Regional College, featured on Pick of the Pops, I have flashbacks, wishing that I had worked harder, one of my biggest regrets in life. I am not looking for any sympathy at all, because quite frankly, I don’t deserve any.

So, work hard A-level students, but, you can only try your best.

Onto another matter. I have heard of students that have stayed at home during their holidays and not got a holiday job (even claiming the dole). “Oh, it doesn’t matter, my parents are loaded”. Let me let you into a little secret, that is not the issue. The issue is that it is a good idea to get a type of qualification called work experience. When you apply for jobs, either an industrial placement, or after university, you need to show skills like teamwork, punctuality, tidiness, customer service skills, communication skills (oral and written) in the workplace, and this is where the odd evening job, or Saturday job would also come in useful. Even the Beckham’s son got a job in a coffee shop on the minimum wage.

But, at least he can show skills that make him more employable.

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