I started my A levels with five subjects; Media Studies, Music Technology, Politics, Biology and General Studies, dropping Biology after the first year because it was my weakest subject. I want to pursue a career within the media. I am going to ARTTS International to study Radio, Theatre, Television and Film starting in October this year. I am so exited about leaving home and starting my own life doing something fun and creative. I come from a family of artists; my Mum is a professional artist and my Dad head of Art and Design at a local school. Every year around exam time I often read or hear of people complaining that A levels are getting easier. It makes me feel angry because we have all put so much work in and to be told it's because the exam was easy makes me feel undermined. There is much more pressure on students to succeed and get the top grades now than there was in the past because more people want to go to university and are being encouraged to by the government. There is a risk that students at the end of their three year degree might not be able to get a job within the industry studied. With the one year intensive course I am doing I hope to progress through quickly and go straight into a job where I can work my way up. This will let me gain more experience and open up more opportunities for the future. I had to make a tough decision ether go to university for three years and face the expense of tuition fees or find an alternative route. The average dept of a student straight out of university is now about £13,000. During the time after our exams I forgot all about results day and only remembered when it came up in conversation. My friends and I are all busy trying to earn money to pay for part of our courses, taking the pressure off our parents. I find it difficult to expect my parents to pay for my fees and I did look into a career development loan but the payments were through the roof. Without their help I would find it very difficult to make it on my own two feet. And this is how I did..... Media studies: A Music technology: C General studies: C Politics: D Opening the envelope containing my results was nerve-wracking. I was a bit disappointed with my grades but luckily they will not change my plans for next year. | 
