So I came to Newcastle Sixth Form College from a high school which had its own sixth form and I had to make the difficult decision of whether I should stay on or if I should leave.
For me that decision was made a little bit easier as my high school didn’t offer my ideal choice of A Level subjects, although there were still a few factors which made my decision a little bit more difficult.
I had to leave my best friend behind, and had to start getting up at 6:30 to catch the bus; that second one was a killer of a decision.
Hard decisions
In the end I left based on what Newcastle Sixth Form College had to offer me, and I know this is going to sound so artificial and a cliché, but they offered me so much more than an education.
They offered me the range of A Level subjects I wanted, a wide number of extra-curricular activities, the most up-to-date facilities, and they offered the best teaching staff (especially Kayleigh Woods my English Language teacher – Hi Kayleigh!).
I know what you’re all thinking “but all my friends are staying at high school and I won’t know anybody”, and I had to deal with that very experience. I came to NSFC not knowing anybody but when everybody is in the exact same situation as you and making friends is a lot easier than you’d first think.
Making new friends
I made my first friend (I mean in college, not real life), Olivia, in my first lesson. I’d posted my timetable on Instagram and she’d seen it and we had a small conversation.
Only to then realise half way through our first lesson of psychology and she was like “Oh my god you’re Matthew”. The same sort of thing happened with my friend Becca who I’d known on twitter beforehand and she turned out to be in my AS English Literature class.
I have gained so much from choosing to come to NSFC rather than my high school, I’ve achieved so much in terms of my grades and extra-curricular activities, I’ve gained confidence in my own ability and in myself, and I’ve made friend with some of the loveliest people out there.
I’m glad I left high school - I am who I am because of it.
About the Author
Matthew studies A Levels in English Language, Media and Psychology at Newcastle Sixth Form College.
You can follow Matthew on twitter @MattCarter_97
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