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Posted by: Sam Hook May 3 2008, 12:04 AM

Hey guys,

I'm coming to the end of high school (age 11-16) and was wondering what you guys did when you finished your GCSE's because I'm really not sure what I want to do.

Did you do A-levels? College? Leave education and get a job? University degree?

Did anyone here do Music or Music tech A-level? What does it comprise of?

Yeah, so, what did you guys do to get where you are now?

Thanks!

Posted by: DeepRoots May 3 2008, 12:12 AM

I went on to do A-levels, though its been the most strenuous 2 years of my life, i look forward to finishing year 13 in 6 weeks...then getting a job and starting an open university degree.

I actually did music at AS level, which was fun at times- got me interested in theory for sure!

Posted by: tonymiro May 3 2008, 01:43 AM

I spent a year in the far east and then came back to the UK and did my A lvls before going on to Uni. One thing I did find though was I did the A lvls that my mum expected me to - sciences and maths - and my first degree in chemistry and didn't enjoy it. So if you go on into further and higher ed think hard about what you want to study.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Zephyr May 3 2008, 02:23 AM

Well, I'm nearing the end of high school myself. My plan is to hopefully attend Berklee School of Music and then figure my life out from there. After college, I'm hoping to be able to travel around the world and live in other countries for a good while, but that will most likely have to wait. You know, until there's a positive amount in my bank. School is pretty expensive.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn May 3 2008, 03:05 AM

For me, A Levels (Maths, Phys, Chem) and then a degree in Computer Science.

I don't think there is a lot of point in A levels unless you intend to go to Uni, but I could be wrong since this was 20 years ago ...

The degree opened doors for me at the time, but 20 years later people are much more interested in your recent experience, not where you went to school. On the other hand, at age 21, all you have is where you went to school, so it served its purpose for me

Posted by: Sircraigery May 3 2008, 06:08 AM

QUOTE (tonymiro @ May 3 2008, 01:43 AM)

Posted by: Moon Boots May 3 2008, 09:38 AM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ May 3 2008, 03:05 AM)

For me, A Levels (Maths, Phys, Chem) and then a degree in Computer Science.

I don't think there is a lot of point in A levels unless you intend to go to Uni, but I could be wrong since this was 20 years ago ...

The degree opened doors for me at the time, but 20 years later people are much more interested in your recent experience, not where you went to school. On the other hand, at age 21, all you have is where you went to school, so it served its purpose for me

Posted by: Nathan333 May 4 2008, 11:17 AM

I'm nearing the end of school as well, I'm not too sure either. I was thinking of taking the IB (basically A levels) but now I'm really into guitar. I was thinking of maybe trying to go to a music college or something but I don't know whether I'd be good enough.

I recon I'll just keep up the practice and see where I am this time next year. I am hopeful though as this time last year I hadn't even touched a guitar before.

Posted by: Nemanja Filipovic May 4 2008, 11:17 AM

Paying with my band,and working on my solo album.

Posted by: Smells May 4 2008, 11:39 AM

I left school at 16, I left with 8 CSE`s (my year was the last year before they introduced GCSE`s) the usual topics maths, English, Geography, music etc but I hated every minute of school and couldnt wait to leave, I left and went straight to work, my first job was at an engineering firm where I did day releases to college to learn welding/fabrication and auto electricians course (unfortunatly something thats pretty worthless in the modern day cars with their plug n play diagnostic machines) I did that for 8 years till I was made redundent then decided I wanted to do something "cleaner" and went into sales, I `ve done various sales jobs from selling roofing products to selling cars for Honda & Toyota till finally finding the job that I`m at now, I`ve been here 8 years now and started off doing "in house selling" which meant endless phone calls to different companies, through a series of changes within the company (Iwork at an Oil depot thats a satellite depot for the main company) I was made up to the Depot Manager and now I do that and took a course in Occupational Health & Safety and do that now as well for the whole company, pretty boring but its well paid, my school qualifications have never been a part of any job I`ve gone for, its all been based as Andrew said on recent experience etc and what work I`d done before, in sales its generally down to a "proven" history.

Sometimes I wish maybe that I`d done more, college etc, but back then at 16 I hated the whole "school" thing and I never would have stuck at it.

Posted by: mattacuk May 4 2008, 11:41 AM

When I was 16 i left school and worked in Mc Donalds for a year

We went on wild partys, and all sorts of trips. It was a good experience and I met some good friends. I went on to college at 17 and studied IT which is very interesting to a geek like me.

I dont think theres any harm in takeing a year out after school, as long as you have some "serious" goals for the future

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 4 2008, 01:45 PM

It is important to really get to know your education system well adn know what school you wanna go. Be aware that very often people continue their education not being aware of the things they will learn there and go because of friends and other people's stories and recommendations. It is very common for people to realize what they have signed for after 1-2 years on the uni when they see how things work there. So it is very important to really go through each and every piece of info and see what you like, choose 4-5 different possible options and then get familiar about those options, so you make your choice well. When makeing a choice, the most important thing to know is what you gonna do with it when you finish your school days and get a job. Talk to someone who already does similar job - that can help you the most.

Other than that, don't listen to anyones tales and do what you like the best - that's my advice to you.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion May 4 2008, 01:47 PM

I went onto doing A Levels in Computing, Maths, Electronics and Physics and I loved the time but I love Maths and Electronics. A Levels are great for doing to improve your job prospects in the future.

Posted by: kevin-riff-after-riff May 4 2008, 06:50 PM

i am a year away from your situation, i still dont have to worry bout that yet but i dont think itd be a good idea leavin it till the last minute either

Posted by: Sam Hook May 4 2008, 07:47 PM

Cool, thanks guys for the interesting responses and advice.

DeepRoots; do you recommend A-level Music? What is actually in the course? I was wondering because my current school doesn't have an option for A level music, only music technology.

Thanks a lot.