Work out your priorities

Where you learn is as important to your success as what you learn. Make it easier to choose by deciding what's most important to you and what you're willing to compromise on.

What are your priorities? What can't you do without?

Being with my friends
Being with people my own age
Knowing some of the teachers and students before I start
Being at a place with a good reputation
A friendly atmosphere
Being close to home
Good social facilities
Good sports facilities
Being able to continue studying the subjects I enjoy
Being able to study something new
Being able to take a mix of different qualifications
Learning in one place
Spending part of my time in the workplace
Doing a course at a specialist college - these offer courses in specialist areas like music and horticulture as well as courses for students with specific, additional needs or disabilities