Name: Lizzie Tuley
What are you studying now?
I am studying Veterinary Science at Bristol University.
Which clubs have you joined at uni?
Freshers' Fair is just an absolute heaven for people who like joining clubs and societies. Aware that I had a pretty heavy course-load ahead of me and slightly put off by the membership fees for a lot of the clubs that I was interested in, I restricted myself to the cross-country club. Next year I am hoping to join a choir though, now that I know what my workload is like, and I'll also be living closer to all the action which will make participating much easier.
Which activities/trips did you take part in at St Mary's?
I was a member of both choirs (Cantore and Allegro) and went to Salzburg on tour with Cantore. I was also a member of Orchestra and Jazz Band and played at Disneyland with the latter. I went to Lourdes in both the Lower and Upper Sixth and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also went with the Biology department to Honduras which was a fantastic experience. Young Enterprise is another activity open to sixth formers that I would recommend, along with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (in which I completed my Gold expeditions). There are so many good activities available to the sixth formers and I'd encourage everyone to take part in as many things as they can.
How did St Mary's Sixth Form prepare you for university?
I found Sixth Form a good halfway point between school and university. I gained confidence and independence in the sixth form and it also altered the way I studied in preparation for the different methods of teaching that you discover at university. Being a member of the sixth form team also taught me some responsibility and, well, I must say it… how to deal with a bit of a crisis! St Mary's also gave me a lot of help with the practical side of the transition to university – I had some excellent advice with regard to my university choice and my UCAS application, and of course the fantastic teaching that helped me to get the grades I needed to go to my chosen university.
What did you most enjoy about the 6th Form at St Mary's?
I definitely loved the fact that it was fairly small and therefore very close knit. Everyone knows everyone else – either through lessons, friends of friends, or just socialising in the common room. All newcomers were made to feel very welcome and there was a definite cheerful, friendly atmosphere around the whole sixth form centre all the time which I think helped to keep everyone alive and kicking through the dreaded exam period.
Name: Claire Hickling
What are you studying now?
Chemistry at Oxford University.
Which clubs have you joined at uni?
Rowing, Netball, Lacrosse, Drama. I'm also a member of Oxford Union, but then again everyone is!
Which activities/trips did you take part in at St Mary's?
Rowing
Other sports clubs
Drama
Duke of Edinburgh award
Biology trip to Honduras in the U6
How did St Mary's Sixth Form prepare you for university?
I think the best thing the Sixth Form did for me was to teach me how to teach myself. I found I was academically behind my classmates for Maths and I had to catch up by spending more time on it at home. I also found it helped with my time management because all of a sudden I had free periods and I could fill them how I chose, but I still had to ensure that I did my work within the time constraint. I think that it helped me most this way because now I get one large piece of work to do a week and I have to organise my time to finish it on time and without having to do an 'all-nighter', but I also have to have a social life and do other things.
What did you most enjoy about the 6th Form at St Mary's?
Its size and the fact that the classes were very small. There was almost individual attention from the teachers and I found that helped quite a lot when I found the work harder. I particularly realised the advantage of this when I was studying Maths. I chose to stay because I got on very well with the teachers who were teaching my subjects and I wanted to ease the transition into A Level. I enjoyed being able to go out and come back when I chose. I really enjoyed the freedom that a small sixth form allowed me.
Name: Livia Lai
What are you studying now?
Biochemistry at Imperial College, London
Which clubs have you joined at uni?
Model United Nations… sounds geeky but it's a bit more intellectual than other clubs in uni like the “curry” society I guess….
Which activities/trips did you take part in at St Mary's?
Young Enterprise, Pottery, Rowing, Wine Tasting! And numerous amount of boarding activities like horse riding, candle making, Indian night, bowling, ice-skating, cinema trips, etc.
How did St Mary's Sixth Form prepare you for university?
I am most grateful to my science teachers when I was in St Mary's, who initiated my interest in biochemistry, most of my classmates in sixth form went on to do a science/medicine degree… I believe interest in your subject is one of the key factors in university, an important thing to keep you going to early lectures! The sixth form meetings also gave us hints on what university is about, I particularly remember we had a section about financing in uni… I had no idea at that time but I am glad that I was told that we should be aware of money management in uni especially when you have to pay bills and rents….of course, my tutor and head of sixth form helped me a lot preparing for university applications, writing personal statements and preparing for interviews.
What did you most enjoy about the 6th Form at St Mary's?
I enjoyed the ‘Cake break' during our Physics class and having tea and hot chocolate in Maths class most! Also doing some exciting ‘real' experiments in chemistry which involves mixing of various chemicals (and we had no clue what would happen…) and in Physics we also did some rather exotic experiments with Dr Miller.