Hello,

I've just started my A-levels this September in UK that take up most of my time (usually all) and therefore I stopped programming, which I was doing quite intensively before . I am sure that after the end of my A levels, I will forget most of what I have learnt during the past three years (which is quite a lot )

I really need advice or any guidance on this, is it more important getting a better grade at A levels, or keep improving at programming?
(Since there are around 365 days in a year, every day – a new concept/technique = 365 new concepts/techniques )

Would be grateful for any advice or personal experience Thanks.

It takes up all weekends and holidays too?

I don' think you can forget most of what you learnt unless you have learnt stuff from a textbook by heart.

I really need advice or any guidance on this, is it more important getting a better grade at A levels, or keep improving at programming?[/quote]
If you really want my absolutely honest long-term experience, if and only if programming is really a passion of yours you wish to build a career upon later on, don't try and get the best grades possible. Aim for a satisfactory grade and spend the rest of the time you would have spent studying, improving your programming. Basic cost vs effort/path of least resistance, really, it's up to you to weigh everything according to your own learning skills.

Again, I do not recommend blindly following the above advice, and I only gave it because you asked for personal experience. It's worked out well for me but I cannot guarantee it'll work for you. Really, if you are not sure, go for the grades. You can always learn programming later on, but it can be quite difficult to retake national qualifications (at least in the countries I've studied in, don't know about UK). I agree with szecs, you won't forget what you learned, it'll just take you a couple weeks to get back up to speed.

Preface:
My understanding is that A levels are pretty much like your junior/senior year of high school in the north american system, as you are only compelled to stay in school till you are 16 in most of the UK. If I understand correctly, your A levels are a determining factor in getting into university/which university you get into.

IF MY UNDERSTANDING IS INCORRECT IGNORE EVERYTHING I HAVE TO SAY.

Post:
In my experience, worrying about the later years of high school in north america was unnecessary stress. You shouldn't slack off, but as long as you are doing well (read: not perfect, but more than acceptable) you should be fine. Unless you have a goal of going to a very specific university, and you know that that university requires higher marks than you are getting it's really not something you should be terribly fussed about. What you miss out on by stressing is worth more than what you gain from the extra work.

It's generally understood that interpersonal skills can be just as important for success as technical knowledge, so it's a really good idea to make sure you're developing those as much as your technical knowledge in either regard.

Another thing worth noting is that if you plan on going to University, one thing that gets terribly overlooked by students is that it's more about developing the skills you need to teach yourself rather than being taught. As long as you aren't sacrificing your foundation or learning how to teach yourself, learning new skills/knowledge isn't that difficult in the majority of situations. It is, however, very difficult to take advantage of all the things you won't be so keen to do once your body starts feeling old and you aren't in an environment where social opportunities are popping up constantly.

tldr; Don't sacrifice the opportunities unique to the temporary environment around you in order to gain something you could gain simply in an environment with less opportunities.

I don't see why it isn't possible to do both...

I wouldn't sacrifice A Levels. I mean, there's obviously the whole question of work/life balance (no one spends 100% of their time on education), but I wouldn't deem them as something that can be dropped. If you view them as that unimportant, why are you taking them?

A Levels determine what University you can get in. They'll also be used by your first job interviews if you're applying before you've taken your final exams, as well as perhaps influencing starting salary - and perhaps be used as an indicator after that. Even if you do forget the work, they're still an indication of your capability and potential.

I'm not sure saying "Well I could have done better, I just slacked off because I preferred to work on something else" is a great interview answer...

Preface:
My understanding is that A levels are pretty much like your junior/senior year of high school in the north american system, as you are only compelled to stay in school till you are 16 in most of the UK. If I understand correctly, your A levels are a determining factor in getting into university/which university you get into.

IF MY UNDERSTANDING IS INCORRECT IGNORE EVERYTHING I HAVE TO SAY.

Post:
In my experience, worrying about the later years of high school in north america was unnecessary stress. You shouldn't slack off, but as long as you are doing well (read: not perfect, but more than acceptable) you should be fine. Unless you have a goal of going to a very specific university, and you know that that university requires higher marks than you are getting it's really not something you should be terribly fussed about. What you miss out on by stressing is worth more than what you gain from the extra work.

It's generally understood that interpersonal skills can be just as important for success as technical knowledge, so it's a really good idea to make sure you're developing those as much as your technical knowledge in either regard.

Another thing worth noting is that if you plan on going to University, one thing that gets terribly overlooked by students is that it's more about developing the skills you need to teach yourself rather than being taught. As long as you aren't sacrificing your foundation or learning how to teach yourself, learning new skills/knowledge isn't that difficult in the majority of situations. It is, however, very difficult to take advantage of all the things you won't be so keen to do once your body starts feeling old and you aren't in an environment where social opportunities are popping up constantly.

tldr; Don't sacrifice the opportunities unique to the temporary environment around you in order to gain something you could gain simply in an environment with less opportunitie

So you mean that I should try to gain the best I can from the environment I'm in at the moment, or in other words, drop programming? What did you mean by developing interpersonal skills and social opportunities?

I don't see why it isn't possible to do both...

I wouldn't sacrifice A Levels. I mean, there's obviously the whole question of work/life balance (no one spends 100% of their time on education), but I wouldn't deem them as something that can be dropped. If you view them as that unimportant, why are you taking them?

A Levels determine what University you can get in. They'll also be used by your first job interviews if you're applying before you've taken your final exams, as well as perhaps influencing starting salary - and perhaps be used as an indicator after that. Even if you do forget the work, they're still an indication of your capability and potential.

I'm not sure saying "Well I could have done better, I just slacked off because I preferred to work on something else" is a great interview answer...

Don't get me wrong, I consider A levels very important, however I've heard that even after university people don't have enought programming experience or knowledge to get a job.

I've never heard any game programmer say "I had too much schooling".

I have heard many game programmers say "I wish I had taken a class in ..."


I recommend you take full advantage of the academic environment while you have it. You won't have it for very long.

So you mean that I should try to gain the best I can from the environment I'm in at the moment, or in other words, drop programming?

Not drop programming so much as take advantage of your A-levels. At the same time, don't over-stress over your grades and miss other opportunities that are unique to high-school/university.

Generally you should be very careful giving up opportunities now for the possibility of opportunities later. A bird in the hand and all that.

What did you mean by developing interpersonal skills and social opportunities?[/quote]

In the words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Mostly I was saying that it's a lot harder to find social situations after you're done with school. Interpersonal skills are valued nearly as much as technical ability for most companies, so it's important that you don't miss opportunities for developing those in addition to your technical learning.

Schools are pretty much a giant excuse for being social, so take advantage of it while you're there.

I've never heard any game programmer say "I had too much schooling".

I have heard many game programmers say "I wish I had taken a class in ..."


I recommend you take full advantage of the academic environment while you have it. You won't have it for very long.

Where is the agree/like button gone? Thank you for a reassuring opinion.

However, it's really sad to drop programming for so long time I could learn so much during this time which is the main reason while I'm thinking about this

My personal experience and impression is that academic record will trump spare time hobby programming knowledge. Part of the idea is that someone with a good record can be taught to program, plus the grades are a better guarantee and objective test.

That's before we consider that good A Levels give you a better chance if you want to ever work in other areas.

Spare time programming knowledge is always helpful to put you above the others, all other things being equal, but I wouldn't let it sacrifice academic results.

What do you plan to study at university? If you're dead set on programming, I assume something computer related, in which case, you'd be learning that there anyway. Unless you're talking about what looks good to a university, in which case, you need A Levels.