A Parents’ Guide to A Levels

This is a paid collaboration.

Considering A Level options and what to do with one’s future is a challenging time for teenagers and their parents. There’s so much to consider and being as clued up as possible on the process and what’s involved will put you in a position where you can support your son or daughter to the best of your abilities. An A Level college in Cardiff have prepared the following advice to help parents of a level students understand what’s what.

Find some time to sit down with your child and have a serious conversation about what they might want to do with their future. Do they have a dream job in mind? This discussion should help you, as a family, determine whether a levels are actually the right route. Sometimes, young people would be better off going down an apprenticeship route, so that they can get hands-on experience of the working world. However, if your child is hoping to go to university, a levels are the right option and you will need to look into certain entry requirements.

For students who are unsure of what they want to do when they turn 18, it’s worth encouraging them to study a level subjects that they know they enjoy and are good at. There’s no point in studying something they hate just on the off chance it might lead to a decent, well-paid career. They need to feel confident in their studies if they want to remain focussed and reach their full potential. It’s worth attending open events at local Sixth Forms and colleges so that your child is well-informed when making their decisions.

A levels tend to promote more independent study than what your child is used to, with less one-to-one support. While this transition can feel daunting at first, it will help your child find strategies that work well for them, preparing them for their future. Make sure your child has a suitable study space in your home and plenty of encouragement from the rest of the family to help them get through this challenging period of their life.