A Level Madness

[Forever Imperfect]

I was wondering if you guys could help me.

I am supposed to be picking my A Level options for September but I still don't have a clue what to do :confused: All of my friends have chosen their options and the teachers keep 'advising' me on what to do.

My parents think that I should be doing something intellectual for my options but I don't know what to choose. They think things like photography and extended project are a waste of time.

I have been told that I am clever but I don't believe it myself, I hate exams and I need advice on what to take. I would like to go into a career in either science (like a forensic scientist, pathologist or pharmacology) or a primary teaching position.

I need some advice on what to do, please help?

[DanteZombie]

What's "A Level"?

[LiamC]

You have to do a mixture of what you're good at (you can't get the best grades without that!), what you enjoy (same here) and what you need.

I want to do an English degree at uni, so I'm taking both Literature and Language, and also Sociology as a written subject and another I'm good at. Then my 4th is Psychology because it interests me, and it's something a bit different. If you want to be something like a pathologist you'll probably need Chemistry and Physics, so then you have 2 slots for what you're good at/what you like!

What's "A Level"?
I guess you aren't English :p It's like the equivalent of college (after you complete high school/secondary school), it's the qualification you get for completing college (you don't have to do A Levels, they're the more academic option, there is also BTEC which is usually more practical and vocational).

[Mushin]

You should always go with what you enjoy, regardless if you're good at it or not. Practice makes perfect, right? Try exploring all of the opportunities you have available to you, and what would fit best for the career you want. Also don't allow your parent's decision influence your own. After all it is your education, not theirs.

[Forever Imperfect]

What's "A Level"?

Sorry I didn't explain that bit :3

It's a qualification that you do at the ages of 16-18, you go to a Sixth Form college for A Levels or you could go into apprenticeships or go to a normal college to get a NVQ level in something.

It doesn't matter what you chose as long as you are in full time education until you are 17. :)

[Forever Imperfect]

You have to do a mixture of what you're good at (you can't get the best grades without that!), what you enjoy (same here) and what you need.

I want to do an English degree at uni, so I'm taking both Literature and Language, and also Sociology as a written subject and another I'm good at. Then my 4th is Psychology because it interests me, and it's something a bit different. If you want to be something like a pathologist you'll probably need Chemistry and Physics, so then you have 2 slots for what you're good at/what you like!


I guess you aren't English :p It's like the equivalent of college (after you complete high school/secondary school), it's the qualification you get for completing college (you don't have to do A Levels, they're the more academic option, there is also BTEC which is usually more practical and vocational).

Thank you :)

I was thinking of going into Primary teaching but I don't know what I would need for that. I've looked at some websites but, to me, they all speak gibberish. :/

[Forever Imperfect]

You should always go with what you enjoy, regardless if you're good at it or not. Practice makes perfect, right? Try exploring all of the opportunities you have available to you, and what would fit best for the career you want. Also don't allow your parent's decision influence your own. After all it is your education, not theirs.

Thank you :)

And I'm going to an open day at my school about them to learn more about the different subjects. The only problem is, I really want to do a creative subject as well as academic subjects - I know if I chose the one I want to do I will fall out with my family and I don't want that to happen but I don't know how to make them see my side of things :s

[Ajmichael]

Well, you have to decide what you want to do, the best option I think is for you to choose the three academic ones that interest you, then the creative one as your fourth choice, if you need to sell that to your parents you could say:

"The three academic options are going to help me to get the best I can out of university because I want to do ......... when I finish, and the creative option will add to my CV to show that I'm not just an academic person and that I have skills in other areas"

For instance, I am taking Maths, Physics and Chemistry, but also Government & Politics because it is an analytical subject that sounds interesting and shows that I am not purely academic but can analyse information and produce written reports and well-based arguments.