My T Level journey so far : Shahzeb Adnan

Just being back in the classroom after lockdown took Shahzeb a bit of getting used to.  This is on top of being on a new course in new surroundings.  But the activities on his T Level in Digital Software have helped him settle in.

“Being with other students, listening to a teacher after six months of lockdown felt like a bit of a culture shock.  But it’s good to be out learning new things.  Especially when it’s a subject I’ve been in to for a while now.

It was always my plan to study computing at sixth form.  I just needed to make the right choice between A Levels, a BTEC and the T Level.

The T Level is exactly what I expected.  I looked closely at the course specification when I was at school.  A lot of it is similar to an A Level.

Work experience in ICT isn’t easy to organise.  That’s why the T Level placement decided things for me.

The course gives a full introduction to different computer programmes.  So far, we’ve covered, or will be looking at Python, C Sharp, SQL, HTML and CSS.

I’ve got to understand which ones are suitable for creating databases and the ones that suit websites.  It’s all about practice.  Once you learn how to use one programme well, it’s easier to understand others.

New programming concepts come through all the time though.  You have to stay on top of the latest techniques.

The T Level isn’t just about software.  Through the CISCO Academy, we’re studying networking too.

We all know each well in the group after seven weeks together.  The classes are a good mix of working on your own and collaborating with others in twos and threes.

Overall, the college atmosphere is both relaxed and professional.

It feels like you come here not just because you have to, to get on in life, but because you actually want to be here as well.