The wait for the GCE A-Level results will soon be over and we’re sure that many of you have begun thinking about your next steps forward. After JC, what’s next? Here are some options you can consider taking up. Without further ado, let’s get started!
1) Buff up your skills, or pick up some new ones
There are many reasons to learn new things outside the classroom! For starters, you’ll be future proofing yourself: According to the World Economic Forum1, rapid technological breakthroughs are expected to cause traditional jobs such as bank tellers and lawyers to become redundant. Acquiring skills in fields like digital marketing and big data will help you to stay relevant, so never stop learning! Explore free courses online, visit the library, or go for short professional courses—you might just uncover talents you didn’t know you had.
2) Take some time off
If you’re unsure about what you like to do in the future, and need some time to make an informed decision, a short break might be just what you need! Take some time off school to explore your passions and pick up new skills, or broaden your horizons by taking up overseas volunteer stints and internships. When you have a clearer idea of what you’d like to pursue, apply for the diploma or degree you’re keen in and get ready to hit the books! PSB Academy has several intakes throughout the academic year, making it easy for you to pick up from where you left off.
3) Retake the A-Level examinations
A-Level grades or Rank Points not up to your expectations? In the words of author Charles R. Swindoll, “life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it”!
The Harry Potter series is well-loved by young and old today, but did you know that the manuscript was rejected by publishers 12 times2 before being accepted by Bloomsbury? In fact, J.K Rowling continued to experience rejections even as a wildly successful author3.
So take your A-Level results in stride, and decide whether you’d like to retake the A-Level paper(s) again! If your answer is a yes, it’s time to get serious. Set clear goals and reduce all distractions. Consider group tuition for subjects you’re weaker in, and make sure to understand the marking rubrics. Best of luck!
4) Take up internships
Believe it or not, it’s never too early to undertake an internship! Internships not only provide you with the chance to strengthen your resume, but also let you try out different career paths before committing to further studies in a particular field. Having relevant industry experience also helps you better connect with what you’ll learn in the classroom, which makes lessons much more fun and engaging.
Positions open to pre-university students are available in organisations ranging from law firms to governmental agencies. Why not approach your dream company to ask if they accept interns, too? If you never try, you’ll never know!
5) Study with PSB Academy
Did you know that PSB Academy has a wide range of diploma and degree programmes open to A-Level graduates? Our diploma programmes cover modules directly relevant to your chosen field of study and are great pathways to the degree programmes offered by our overseas university partners.
What does this mean? If you’re interested in cybersecurity, for example, you can first pursue the Diploma in Network Defence and Forensic Countermeasures. You’ll study Infocomm Technology modules as well as specialised cybersecurity modules developed by the EC-Council, the world’s largest cybersecurity professional certification body.
Thereafter, smoothly transition into the second year* of the Bachelor of Science with Honours In Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity awarded by Coventry University or the Bachelor of Science (Cyber Security) awarded by Edith Cowan University! You’ll graduate with a solid foundation and in-depth knowledge in the cybersecurity field, ready to tackle anything that comes your way.
Leaning towards other disciplines? We’ve got you! From sports science to engineering, there’s plenty more for you to explore.
*Subject to universities’ entry requirements
Have you added any of these to your to-do list? If you have, that’s great, but don’t forget to add a warm round of applause for yourself too. You’ve worked hard for the tests, so get some rest before pushing on!
Good luck from all of us and if you need to speak to someone about your options at PSB Academy, do reach out to our friendly consultants. We’ll be happy to help you in whatever way we can!
1 https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2018.pdf
3 https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/713298761288708096
All information is accurate at the time of publish in Feb 2020. For the latest information, please visit our website.
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