SIXTH FORM: Past pupils return to share valuable advice

Past pupils returned to Ripon Grammar School to offer sixth form students words of wisdom, advice and reassurance

AROUND 30 past pupils returned to Ripon Grammar School to give current students the benefit of their advice on life after leaving school.

From working in a bistro to travelling in central America and round Southeast Asia, many students were keen to share their experiences of taking a gap year.

They were joined by those studying a range of courses, from fine art and business to chemistry, history, law, liberal arts, maths, medicine and zoology at university, who all offered valuable advice.

Topics covered included everything from living away from home, study techniques, how to pick the right university, interview tips and what to do if you don’t get the results you expect.

There were also past pupils on hand to talk about entering the world of work, from corporate banking to the airline industry.

They passed on the benefits of their experience to both lower sixth formers, on the threshold of forming their plans beyond school, and upper sixth formers, now just months away from following in their footsteps.

One of the key messages to those students struggling to decide what they want to do following A-levels was: “Don’t worry. There’s no pressure to go straight back into education. A gap year can be really refreshing and a great opportunity to pursue other interests, or just to take a break, before deciding what you want to do next.”

Molly Cushing, studying history at the University of Cambridge, gave lots of practical advice, including reminding students not to forget to call their families: “Your parents and brothers or sisters want to hear from you.”

She added: “Don’t have expectations you will find your best friends for life during freshers’ week. Give it time.”

Bearing in mind the cost-of-living crisis, she also cautioned: “Make a plan for how you want to spend your money. And don’t forget to apply for your student loan. It’s not school’s responsibility and if you miss it, you miss it.”

She concluded: “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s your first time away from home coping on your own.”

Josh Simpson, who is about to start work as a flight attendant following his gap year, agreed: “Don’t stress about it,” he urged. “Give yourself time to settle.”

Head of sixth form Terry Fell said he was delighted to welcome so many wonderful former pupils back to school for this increasingly popular event and to catch up on their exciting news and experiences of life beyond school.