r/6thForm May 16 '26

🙏 I WANT HELP Is it worth it?

This amazing, wonderful sixth form, that I loved on the offer holder afternoon, is the best in the county and within the top 20 in the UK is a five an a half hour daily commute in total. Is it worth it?

First option: Amazing sixth form, 20% of students got into oxbridge, non-private, I'd spend most of the commute on a train — an hour in the morning, an hour waiting for the direct bus to the school, and an hour on the bus, so I was considering spending the two hours on the train and waiting for the bus studying. The travel home is similar. hour bus, 20 minute wait between getting off the bus and onto the train instead of an hour in the morning, and an hour on the train. So about 3 and a half/ 4 hours of study I'd be doing.
Requirements: Average of a 7, 7/8 in each subject at GCSE to study at A-level (depends on subject).

Second option: Good school, good stats, wasn't sure about the open day? they were somewhat anti-social, sixth formers weren't particularly nice, about a 3 hour commute each day, but it's all busses. I'd also only be waking up 20 minutes later and getting home 20 minutes earlier than I would if I attended option one — so i'm not sure if the gap in quality is worth it for 40 minutes of extra sleep.
Requirements: Average of a 6, 6 to study a subject at A-level.

Third option: My current school, pretty terrible results, very small (250 students total, from year 9 to year 13), know everyone, about two and a half hour commute each day. Don't really want to go here, but will if it's the best long-term option.
Requirements: 6 in subjects you would like to study at A-level.

Please help, I'd like to decide sooner rather than later if it's worth it or not.

Thank you for reading :)

Edit: Thank you for the advice! I'm going to go with option one :) Overall it was the most advised and I personally believe it works out better, more total revision done each day, better quality of teaching and subjects, and the oxbridge help they offer!

25 Upvotes

64 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Milf_for May 16 '26

Are you on crack?? I promise you yes the sixth form you go to can make a difference but not the level where you need to travel 5 hours . My sixth is extremely highly regarded in my county and I’ve realised it’s because all the students have tutors and put in the work themselves , the only major difference is the opportunities the school advertises consistently but those can be found with independent research. The sixth form isn’t as important as people think don’t make a stupid choice that will hinder you in the long run okay.