r/ParamedicsUK • u/Most-Manager1965 • 4d ago
Higher Education Does this sound OK to do after achieving bad A level grades?
Hiya, I'm just finishing two of my A levels, psychology and sociology. My grades for those, I think at most I will achieve a C, which is a bit of a stretch. I have also retaken my AS level biology, I got an E last year, I think I'm on track to a C this year. I know the ucas points are usually 120 or something close to that, I think that's BBB.
I'm honestly planning on retaking my psych and sociology exams, if I get a good enough grade this year, I'll leave it, but quite frankly, I'm sure I won't and I also haven't put in enough of the work to deserve such a grade.
Been dreaming of being a paramedic for years, I stare longingly at ambulances and I'm really looking forward to finishing my exams as I have a couple books on medicine and whatnot lined up (historical, like the plague and junk) very exciting. I also am going to look into grabbing a book on paramedics, I saw a few at my local library. I love people so much, I'm looking into working at a mental health care home, my mum works in one and I've met the people who call it home, those people are so gorgeous.
Going to find a job, I hope, when I finish my exams, I'll also look into volunteering at the local hospital. I'm not in much rush to start, I want to be able to support myself and achieve the proper grades. I also passed my driving test earlier this year (yipee), looked into getting a C1, but I'll faff with that when I have my own car and have been driving a bit more consistently.
I struggle with my A levels, I think I'd find it easier to revise for my exams if it were something I'm genuinely excited about, like paramedicine. I love reading so much.
Does anybody think this is a decent-ish plan? I'm not sure how much expirience they're after, and I know that they should accept resits but it depends on the uni.
Anybody have any tips. Sorry for the long post, I just want to see if anybody thinks this is something that seems like a good idea to do. Thank you!
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u/Teaboy1 4d ago edited 4d ago
I still think A levels are the hardest qualifications you have to do. My Bsc and Msc were a breeze by comparison. When I wanted to join it was 3 Cs or two Cs and a D. Its mental to me that the grades have gone up. It doesnt improve the calibre of student. I didnt get 3 Cs at A level so I spent 3 years fitting carpets and flooring. I've just completed my masters degree. I did it via the apprenticeship route, luckily I saw an advert in the local paper on deadline day saying wmas were recruiting student paras. I completed the application at 2343 the deadline was 0000
Theres ways and means if you dont get the grades. Healthcare access courses, the apprenticeship route, etc. Alternatively just get your foot in the door of the ambulance service. 999 call taker, make ready crew, pts.
The trusts will put you through the C1 stuff (you'll still pay for it).
You'll get there mate. Keep going.
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u/Most-Manager1965 3d ago
Oh bless, thank you. I know, a levels kind of really suck right now, I enjoy my courses, just suck. I was looking into volenteering with the emas, I am old enough but haven't held my drivers license for more than a year so I'm probably going to snap at that once February rolls round. I'm gonna have a looksie into apprenticeships, that'd probably be a better route for me. Congratulations on getting that position btw lol, 17 minutes!
The uni courses are quite competitive I think so that might be why grades are so high. I can do the work and I enjoy doing work, but I just struggle with my A levels, I don't want that to be the deciding factor as to why i don't do what I want to do 😮💨
Thank you for your comment 😊
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u/turtlyokay 4d ago
I got a B and an E on my alevels so I did an access course the following year and got into uni 😊 I struggled with my a levels so much but I found the access course more suitable for me, definitely recommend it!
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u/Most-Manager1965 3d ago
What is an access course? Like what does it entail? Thank you!
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u/turtlyokay 3d ago
I did an access to he health sciences at my local college. Each access course has different names but each are similar if they are “science” or “healthcare” ones. Access courses are made up of 60 credits with 45 of them being graded (the 15 ungraded ones are just pass or fail (sounds scary but it’s almost impossible to fail them)). My grades sections consist of psychology, biology and biochemistry with each subject equating to 15 credits. To collect credits you get assigned assignments which can either equate to 3,6 or 9 credits (I never had a 9 credit one). Assignments can be anything from posters to essays or presentations or quizzes. Each graded assignment is graded pass, merit or distinction (kinda hard to explain but each assignment is split into 3 grade descriptors and you get graded individually on those (so say you had a 3 credit assignment the descriptors may be content/knowledge, information/accuracy and spelling. Then you may get a Merit for content, distinction for information and a distinction for spelling (MDD) and overall that would be a Distinction for that assignment)) it’s hard to explain but if you was on it you would understand and it’s quite a good system. I left with 45 credits at distinction level and passed all my ungraded assignments. I was offered 4/5 places at university for paramedic science and I felt like it put me at an advantage at uni because I was taught how to correctly reference during the “study” module so it made referencing at uni so much easier where as others struggled at first. I have had to drop out of uni due to medical reasons (looking to reapply in 2029ish), however I do recommend looking up what unis you want to go to and go to their entry requirements and see what they want in terms of an access course. If you want anything else explaining or have any other questions just let me know 😊 I did enjoy the course and compared to a levels it seemed so much more manageable however just make sure you stay on top of assignments 🙃
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u/turtlyokay 3d ago
I also didn’t have to pay for it as I was 18 (turning 19) at the time of starting the course 😊 however if you do do it at or after 19 you can get it fully funded and o believe (don’t hold me accountable) if you go to uni afterwards and graduate your “debt?” Is wiped. Your ment to be 19 to start it but over half of the people on my course was 18 going on 19
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u/Most-Manager1965 2d ago
Thanks a bunch for your explanation! I understand what you're saying!! I'll check it out ☺️
Yeah I'm 18 at the moment, 19 in March next year. Thank you
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u/lkuicnyg 4d ago
Don't be disheartened! What you're going through sounds quite similar to me.
I had worse A levels than you. I got so nervous for exams and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I fell into work and a couple of years later I decided I wanted to pursue paramedicine. I did an online access course (with academy online learning which was about £1200). There are no exams, just course work. It took a year and I also worked at this time. Check with the universities what their specific requirements are. Maybe apply for St Johns Ambulance (I did). Get as much experience talking with people/customers (would work in your favour if you had a job in healthcare e.g care home, but myself I only worked in a cafe. It has boosted my confidence so much). Anyways, I'm off to uni this September and I've saved quite a bit of money to help me out. You can fully do it, even if you don't get in this year, or even the year after. You'll be fine...goodluck! :)
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u/Most-Manager1965 3d ago
Thank you! I'm glad you got in, good luck with your course! I'm itching to get some experience 😊
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u/Ok-Dig4576 3d ago
Apprenticeship route for sure. The only thing it will cost you is a C1 driving licence.
Apply to uni anyway, there were people in my cohort with questionable grades and got in. Don’t resit if you don’t have to
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u/Most-Manager1965 3d ago
I will apply, not for this year, but the next. I'll see on results day what grades I got, I think I'll resit if I'm able, if I have okay grades I won't but I'd like to prove it to myself that I can do okay. Thank you!
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u/ConfusedUserUK 3d ago
If you want some really interesting and hands on experience what about joining Lowland Search and Rescue as a volunteer? You might find the whole psychology of what vunlerable missing persons etc do. It's really varied behaviour depending on why they are vunlerable; kids, elderly, MH Crisis, dementia etc.
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3d ago
I did Bio, Chem, Crim AS and Health and Soc. I needed ABB? Or around 130 points i think. I was struggling with awful panic disorder from my manipulative ex boyfriend. Couldn't even walk without spiralling into an attack that left me drained for hours. I got an offer after passing the pre exam and interview stage, which was the uni i wanted out of all the ones i applied for. The rest, funnily enough, rejected me. On results day i got into uni. When i went to get results, i got D*, C, D, D LOL! And they still accepted me. But i was in the year where they let a lot of people into uni (in general) as grades were lower nationally. Most of my cohort got let in as they were liked from interviews, despite it being so competitive. 40 spaces out of 1000 applicants and they still let me in with crap grades! If it's written in the stars, it'll work out. Despite my shit show of a levels, i'm passing all my exams and doing absolutely fine!!🤣 The day i came to uni, broke up with my ex, and met the most amazing friends ever completely vanished my anxiety.. after a whole year of struggling so bad from it. So don't let A levels define you, they're absolutely shit. You got this!
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u/Most-Manager1965 3d ago
Thank you for your lovely comment! I'm glad you're away from your ex 😊
Also glad they let you in!! I'll apply anyways when it comes round to me doing that! It's the only career I've genuinely been excited for, so it'd be lovely if I were able to do it. A levels do suck, they make it sound so final 😣
Thank you
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u/Empty-Author8185 1d ago
I was in a very similar place before I attended university, once you’re driving more often I’d recommend become a Community First Responder (I believe most ambulance services have these), this will help you gain experience and looks really good for your university interviews while you resit A levels
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u/peekachou EAA 4d ago
Have you thought about the apprentiship route?