Why I Switched from School to Private O Levels: The Truth No One Tells You

1. Introduction

O Levels (short for Ordinary Levels) are internationally recognized qualifications offered by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and other boards. In countries like Pakistan and India, they’re equivalent to Class 9 and 10 (Matric) and are usually taken by students between the ages of 14 and 16.

There are three main study groups: Medical, Computer Science, and Commerce. I proudly belong to the Commerce group (aka the group that actually learns how to make money 💸).

• But now comes the million-rupee question:

> Should you study through school or give your exams privately?

This question haunts not just students—but also parents, teachers, aunties, and literally anyone who hears the word “O Levels.”

Both options have their own pros and cons. The best choice depends on your personality, learning style, and goals—and sometimes, the chaotic school system itself.

In my case, I started through school, but later made the bold decision to go private.

It wasn’t an easy ride—it came with breakdowns, breakthroughs, and a LOT of chai. ☕

But it also completely changed the way I studied, thought, and performed.

So here’s my honest story of why I made the switch, how I handled it all (without losing my mind), and whether or not it was worth it.

“I switched to private—and here’s everything I learned…”

2. Why I Chose to Leave School

• The Problems I Faced

Let’s be real: school wasn't working out.

Even though I was in a well-known school, 9th-grade teachers didn’t take things seriously—probably because they knew students only appear in the 10th exams. And every year brought in new teachers, new methods, and new confusion.

Oh, and here’s the twist: some teachers secretly promoted their own tuition centers. Yep, they’d teach us halfway in school and then “suggest” joining their academy for the real stuff. 🙃

They even discouraged students who relied only on school by saying things like:

> “You can’t handle O Levels without tuition!”

And those who did both school + tuition? They were treated like royalty.

Meanwhile, the rest of us felt like we were on a sinking ship with no lifeboat.

• My One-Sided Philosophy

I always believed in one-sided study—either go all-in on school or all-in on tuition.

Doing both felt like a crime against self-study.

I mean, where’s the time to breathe? Eat? Scroll memes?

• What Triggered the Final Switch?

The realization hit me hard: I was spending double the money for half the results.

So I decided to drop school, stick to tuition for 3–4 hours, and then spend the rest of the day studying my way—with freedom, snacks, and fewer breakdowns.

3. Initial Fears & Concerns

• Was I Scared?

Not really. I had tuition, so I wasn’t totally alone.

But yes, one fear was real: What if I waste the whole day on my phone or just sleep?

In school, you HAVE to attend classes. At home, no one forces you to open a book… except your guilt.

• Did People Discourage Me?

Of course! One of my friends straight-up said:

> “You won’t have a social life anymore.”

I laughed. Bro, I barely had one before.

• How I Mentally Prepared

Honestly, what really helped was a financial crisis in my family.

When money gets tight, priorities become clearer than HD Netflix.

4. How I Managed My Private O Level Journey

• My Study Routine

I usually studied in the morning.

If I had Accounting and Economics tuition that evening, I’d review both beforehand—so I could actually participate instead of nodding like a bobblehead.

After class, I’d prep for the next day’s subjects.

No fixed schedule, but I made sure to study:

2 hours for hard subjects

Or 1–1.5 hours on lazy days (a.k.a. most days 😅)

• What Resources Did I Use?

YouTube channels:

Math: Sir Saad

Accounting: Muhammad Talha

Sticky notes: I wrote extra answers next to past paper questions for revision (and yes, my walls looked like a colorful battlefield)

My Secret Weapon: Past Papers

For each subject, I solved tons of past papers.

It’s like the gym for your brain.

Especially for Business and Economics, I practiced writing answers that were concise but powerful—the examiner loves that.

The Heroes Who Helped Me

Big shoutout to the teachers who saved me:

Economics – Sir Fahad Munaf

Accounting – Muhammad Ahmed Bawany

English – Miss Anna

Maths – Sir Marghoob

Urdu – Miss Bushra

Business – Miss Nareman

Pak Studies – Sir Tufail Khatak

Islamiyat – Sir Rashid

They weren’t just teachers. They were mentors, lifesavers, and part-time therapists. 💯

5. Challenges I Faced

Missing the School Vibe

I missed waking up early (yes, seriously), wearing a uniform, and gossiping with friends during breaks.

After going private, many friends just... vanished.

Some said:

> “Sindhya, when you were in school, we had so much to talk about. Now it feels awkward…”

And just like that, I filtered out the fake ones.

• The Lazy Days

There were days I just wanted to sleep, scroll, and exist as a potato.

But eventually, I’d drag myself back to my books.

Because the grades weren’t gonna study themselves.

Struggling with Doubts

• When I got stuck, I used:

Z-Notes

Teachers’ handwritten notes

And the mighty power of Google

6. What Made It All Easier

I could study at my own pace—morning or midnight, no one cared.

No school pressure, no gossip, no crush drama.

I wasn’t allowed to go out much anyway, so skipping hangouts didn’t feel like a big loss.

And yes—I got to truly know myself in this process.

7. My Exam Experience

• How Did I Feel?

Calm. Confident. Focused.

I had worked hard, and I believed in the results.

Private Exam Perks

No uniform = No stress.

I gave my exam in comfy clothes—and honestly, that felt like a win.

• Any Awkward Moments?

Yeah, bumping into schoolmates at the exam center.

But I reminded myself: They weren’t part of my journey—so why stress?

8. Result Time: Was It Worth It?

• My Results So Far:

Urdu: A

Business: B

Maths: C (Maths betrayed me 💔)

Pak Studies: B

Islamiyat: B

Expected:

Economics: A

English: B

Accounting: B

Do I Regret It?

Nope.

Going private taught me how to think independently, manage time, and trust my hustle.

• Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. I’ll be doing private A Levels too.

At first, I thought I’d need college for certificates and activities.

But now I’ve found websites like Alison and OpenLearn that offer recognized certificates.

Plus, I plan to do internships in marketing or anything related to my subjects.

9. Advice for Students Considering Private O Levels

• Who Should Consider It?

If you’re serious about grades and can stay consistent—go private.

But for A Levels, if you can afford top colleges like Nixor, Alpha, or Cedar—GO FOR IT.

They offer amazing opportunities you shouldn't miss.

• What You Really Need?

Self-discipline (even on lazy days)

Honesty with yourself

Don’t justify bad habits—fix them.

Build a routine, and protect it like your Wi-Fi password.

• A Few Things I Wish I Knew Earlier?

Never fully depend on teachers—school or tuition.

They’ll teach, sure. But they won’t spoon-feed you or magically complete your syllabus.

In Math, I relied too much on my teacher who moved at turtle speed.15 days before exams, major topics were untouched.

I panicked, turned to Sir Saad’s YouTube channel, and crammed. That’s probably why I got a C.

Lesson? Be your own backup plan.

Also—solve papers with a timer and work on your writing clarity.

A brilliant answer is useless if it looks like an ancient scroll.

10. Conclusion

Switching to private O Levels changed my life.

I gained freedom, faced fears, and learned how to own my education.

It wasn’t perfect—but it was real, and worth it.

> So, if you’re someone who’s tired of being spoon-fed and ready to take control—go for it.

It’s not about where you study—it’s about how committed you are.

No uniform, no roll call, no school bell... just you and your goals.

Entrepreneur vs Intrapreneur: Key Differences | AS Level Business Studies Notes & Real-Life Insight

Who Owns a Business Idea? Understanding Entrepreneurs vs Intrapreneurs

If someone brings a great idea to a company, does that mean they become the owner?

This question confused me too. But after studying a topic from my AS Level Business Studies book, I finally understood the answer.

My Learning Experience

Let me share a quick story.

Some time ago, my sister came up with a great business idea. She told me, “I don’t have capital, but if you invest some money, I’ll give you 30%–40% of the profit.” At that time, I had Rs. 30,000 savings, and it made me think:🤔

“She’s giving the idea, I’m investing money — but since the idea is the real game-changer, doesn't that make her the owner?”

Later, when I studied the roles of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, I realized something very important:

Just giving an idea does not automatically make you the owner of the business.

Roles and Qualities of Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs

Here’s a summary of what I learned from this topic:

Key Roles

Entrepreneurs: Start a business from scratch, take personal risks, and enjoy the profits.

Intrapreneurs: Work inside an existing company and bring innovation, but the risks and rewards belong to the company.

Qualities They Share

• Innovation: Bring new ideas and fill market gaps.
• Commitment and Self-Motivation: Stay dedicated and believe in long-term success.
• Multi-skilled: Manage operations, finances, and promotion.
• Leadership: Guide and motivate teams.
• Self-confidence: Overcome challenges.
• Risk-taking: Take bold steps, even with personal investment.

Barriers to Becoming an Entrepreneur

Some common difficulties that stop people from starting a business:

• Identifying opportunities in saturated markets.
• Raising finance without savings, collateral, or strong business plans.
• Building a customer base for a new and unknown product.
• Facing high competition without prior market experience.
• Finding the right location, often starting from home due to budget limits.

Difference Between Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs

The Role of Intrapreneurs in a Business

Intrapreneurs:

• Inject creativity and innovation.
• Develop new business methods.
• Drive internal change and improvement.
• Help the company stay competitive.
• Encourage other innovative thinkers to remain in the company.

Conclusion

This topic taught me that an idea alone doesn’t make you an owner — execution, capital, and risk also matter.

Whether you're the one who starts the business or the one who innovates within it, both roles are important — but very different.

Want a Visual Explanation?

If you want a visual representation of this concept, here’s a detailed YouTube video available on my channel, AS & O-Levels Study Hub.

Family Business Explained: Definition, Features, Advantages & Disadvantages

Before learning what family businesses actually are, I used to think they were just like partnerships or sole traders. But after diving deeper, I realized they have their own unique structure, features, strengths, and weaknesses — and that’s exactly what I’m going to share with you today in a simple and clear way.

What is a Family Business?

A family business is one that’s owned and operated by members of the same family — often passed down from generation to generation.

While it may look like a sole trader or a partnership at first glance, it’s different because of its involvement of multiple family members across time and generations.

Key Features:

• Ownership stays within the family
•  Passed down to future generations
•  Focus on long-term stability and legacy
• Emotional and often informal decision-making

 Strengths of a Family Business

Family businesses offer several advantages that help them survive and grow:

1. Strong Commitment

Family members are deeply invested in the business and often work harder because they care about its future.

2. Reputation & Reliability

The family name is tied to the business, so they tend to focus on high-quality service and maintaining a good image.

3. Knowledge Transfer

Skills, values, and experiences are passed down from parents to children — ensuring business continuity.

 Weaknesses of a Family Business

Despite the benefits, family businesses also face some challenges:

1. Succession Problems

Many don’t survive beyond the second or third generation due to poor planning or conflicts.

2. Lack of Formal Structure

Roles and responsibilities are often not clearly defined, leading to confusion.

3. Resistance to Change

Sticking to traditional ways may cause them to fall behind modern trends or competitors.

4. Family Conflicts

Personal issues can spill into business decisions, affecting overall performance.

Conclusion

Family businesses are more than just partnerships with relatives. They’re built on legacy, emotion, and tradition — but also face unique struggles when it comes to succession and change.

If you found this breakdown helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow my Instagram page — AS and O Level Study Hub — where I share more short, visual, and easy-to-understand content just like this.

👉 If you want a visual representation of this blog, I’ve also attached a video from my YouTube channel right below. Don’t forget to check it out!

I Thought Only Big Businesses Mattered… Until I Learned This

 The term "small business" may sound simple, but its definition changes from country to country. For example, a firm considered small in Pakistan based on revenue or workforce might be classified as a micro or medium-sized enterprise in the UK or US. Similarly, a company seen as large in one region could still be viewed as small elsewhere.

This is because every country has its own standards for defining business size—based on revenue, number of employees, market share, or assets. So, making comparisons between countries is only meaningful when looking at local context and data.

📚 My Learning Experience

Today, I studied this topic from my AS Level Business book, and I genuinely found it interesting. Honestly, before understanding this concept, I used to think that only large businesses contributed significantly to the economy. But I was wrong.

After doing more research and reading, I realized how small businesses play a powerful role in economic development. So, I decided to break it down for you in the simplest form possible, hoping it helps you as much as it helped me.

🎥 I’ll also attach a short visual clip from my YouTube channel:

AS and O Level Study Hub,

In case you prefer a visual representation of this topic.

Why Small Businesses Are Important? 

Small firms employ people → Reduces unemployment → Many use Labour-Intensive methods → Creates more job opportunities.

Run by dynamic entrepreneurs → They bring new ideas → Offers variety of goods/services → More choices for consumers.

Quick to respond to market changes → Helps meet changing customer needs → Increases competition → Stops big firms from overcharging or lowering quality.

Target niche markets → Sell specialist products (e.g., car parts) → Can become important suppliers to large firms.

All big businesses were once small → Small firms can grow into large companies → Contribute long-term to the economy.

✅ Advantages of Small Businesses:

Owner has full control → Quick decision-making → Less risk of losing control.

Closer to customers → Can adapt faster to their feedback.

Friendly work environment (especially in family businesses) → Motivated staff → Staff can do multiple tasks.

Low capital needed → Easy to start the business.

❌ Disadvantages of Small Businesses:

Hard to get finance → Difficult to expand or invest.

No economies of scale → Higher average costs.

Small staff size → If one employee is absent → Work gets delayed.

Owner has to manage everything → Stress and workload increase.

Risk is not spread → Any economic change can harm the business badly.

Conclusion: Big Impact, Small Size

While they may seem small in size, small businesses have a massive impact on economic development, innovation, employment, and consumer choice. Recognizing and supporting them is crucial for sustainable growth—locally and globally.

Measuring the Size of a Business – AS Level Business (9609)

👉Measuring the Size of a Business – AS Level Business (9609)

✍ By AS & O Level Study Hub

As an AS Level Business student, I often find that textbooks give complex definitions without making things simple. So, I decided to write this blog post in my own words to better understand and remember the topic “Measuring the Size of a Business.” These notes are not only to help me revise but also to help other students who might be struggling with the same chapter. Let’s explore the topic with real examples and easy explanations!

• Number of Employees

Firms with more employees are often considered larger.

However, it's not always accurate — some tech firms can generate huge revenues with just a few skilled workers.

•  Revenue (or Sales Turnover)

High-value production businesses (like luxury car firms using advanced tech) earn more profit per unit but often have fewer sales overall.

In contrast, low-value production firms (like plastic toy manufacturers using cheap labor and materials) sell more units in bulk, which increases their total revenue.

Limitation: Revenue doesn’t show actual profit — a firm could have high sales but low profits due to high costs.

• Capital Employed

This refers to the total long-term finance invested in a business. A firm with more expensive machinery and assets is said to have a higher capital employed.

Example: An optical shop might need costly equipment compared to a hairdresser.

Limitation: High capital employed doesn’t always mean large-scale operations — a firm may just use more expensive equipment.

• Market Capitalization

This applies to public limited companies and is calculated as:

Share Price × Number of Shares Issued

Limitation: Share prices change daily and may not reflect the actual size or performance of the business.

•  Market Share

A company with a high percentage of total market sales is often seen as a large player in the industry.

Limitation: This measure depends heavily on how big or small the industry is overall.

Other Industry-Specific Measures

Depending on the industry, size can also be measured by:

1: Number of guest beds (hotels)

2: Number of shops (retail chains)

3: Floor space (malls)

4: Units sold (manufacturing)

Profit ≠ Business Size

Important Tip: Profit should never be used to measure business size. A small firm can have more profit than a larger one if it’s more efficient or has lower costs.

This chapter taught me that no single method can fully define how big or small a business is. Each measure has its own use and its own limitation. Understanding them helps me analyze real-world businesses more accurately.

I hope this blog post helps other students too! If you found it useful, feel free to comment or share. I’ll continue posting simplified notes from my AS Business course  — and I’m also planning to upload a short YouTube video summarizing this chapter. Stay connected! 

What Affects Demand? — Non-Price Factors Explained Simply (O-Level Economics)

Demand doesn’t only change because of price — several other powerful forces influence how much we buy. Today, I’m breaking down the key non-price factors affecting demand from my O-Level Economics revision. From income and advertising to taxes and substitute goods, let’s make demand easy to understand!

 1. Income = Purchasing Power

As income increases, people buy more branded and expensive (normal) goods like clothes, electronics, and restaurant meals.

As income decreases, people shift toward cheaper (inferior) goods — like second-hand items or instant noodles.

Example:

Higher income → Private transport

Lower income → Public transport

 2. Direct Taxes Reduce Demand

Direct taxes like Income Tax (tax on salary) and Corporation Tax (tax on company's profit) reduce people's disposable income.

When income falls due to tax, purchasing power decreases → demand falls.

3. Prices of Related Goods

Substitute Goods:

Can be used instead of each other (e.g., Coke & Pepsi)

If Coke becomes expensive, people buy more Pepsi.

Complementary Goods:

Are used together (e.g., Cars & Petrol)

If car prices rise, fewer people buy petrol too.

4. Advertising Influences Demand

Informative Ads:

Share facts — e.g., “Smoking Kills” on cigarette packs

Aimed to educate

Persuasive Ads:

Use emotion or celebrities to attract buyers — e.g., shampoo ads with celebs

5. Consumer Preferences 

Changing trends, fads, and social values affect demand.

Example: Eco-friendly products are more in demand now due to climate awareness.

 Conclusion:

So remember — even if prices stay the same, demand can rise or fall due to income changes, taxation, advertising, substitutes, and more.

Understanding these non-price factors helps businesses and students predict consumer behavior better.

Want more simple, clear Economics like this?

Follow my blog for weekly revision notes — and check out my YouTube video on "Added Value" too!

🎥 Watch: Added Value Explained

My Revision: Added Value | A-Level Business Blog

Today I revised a key topic in Business Studies called Added Value, and I’m sharing my notes + examples for anyone else revising too!

Definition:

Added Value is the difference between the selling price of a product and the cost of the materials used to make it.

Formula:

Added Value = Selling Price – Cost of Inputs

Why It’s Important:

It shows how much extra value a business creates.

More added value = more profit potential.

It helps a product stand out even if it's not the cheapest.

How Can a Business Increase Added Value?

Improve product design

Use better materials

Offer excellent customer service

Promote the product effectively

Lower production cost smartly

Example (from my class):

If a shirt costs Rs. 300 to produce, and it’s sold for Rs. 800,

then the Added Value = Rs. 500.

🎥 Watch: Added Value Explained

My Thoughts:

I used to think value only meant price, but now I understand it's about what makes a product special. This was an easy but interesting topic to start with!

— Sindhya 📝