Should I drop English?

[sean_james]

Right now I'm in my 5th year of secondary school sitting scottish highers. My subjects are maths, physics, accounting, modern studies(more or less politics) and English. I really don't enjoy English at all; I find it difficult and just don't understand it to be fair. If I were to drop it I would take higher french instead. What do you all think? Is it wise to drop English as I noticed that a few uni courses require it?

NB: if I want to I can stay on another year at school and sit English then but I just want your opinions.

[xChrisVx]

Hi

I would definitely keep at the English Higher. Once you get it, it opens a lot of doors for you and most universities require that you have at least a pass in the subject.

If you don't understand a part of the course, my advice to you is to speak to your teacher and get them to explain the part of the course to you again.

Also, the year has just started and Higher English is a really hard slog if you want the best grade. Just keep at it and as you build up the skills, the requirements of the exam will become easier. The more practice you get, the better you will become.

I was exactly like you at the start of last year (I've left school now, but really should have been in 6th year) and English has never been my strongest subject and I absolutely hated it! But by sticking with it and practicing the skills necessary for the exam, I managed to get an A

Just out of curiosity, is it the Close Reading or Critical Essay part that you're struggling with?

[sean_james]

Hi

I would definitely keep at the English Higher. Once you get it, it opens a lot of doors for you and most universities require that you have at least a pass in the subject.

If you don't understand a part of the course, my advice to you is to speak to your teacher and get them to explain the part of the course to you again.

Also, the year has just started and Higher English is a really hard slog if you want the best grade. Just keep at it and as you build up the skills, the requirements of the exam will become easier. The more practice you get, the better you will become.

I was exactly like you at the start of last year (I've left school now, but really should have been in 6th year) and English has never been my strongest subject and I absolutely hated it! But by sticking with it and practicing the skills necessary for the exam, I managed to get an A

Just out of curiosity, is it the Close Reading or Critical Essay part that you're struggling with?

Honestly, the whole subject doesn't interest me so I find all of it hard to focus on. I found it such a big jump from SG, even though I got a 1. I've left the class this year for French but I'll come back to it next year when my timetable is a bit less busy.

[xChrisVx]

That's fair enough.

It is quite a big jump from Standard Grade into Higher. Although, make sure you don't forget the skills you learnt at Standard Grade in close reading though because you'll certainly need them at Higher. You're Modern Studies should help keep your essay writing skills up in the mean time and French is a good Higher to have as well.

The Higher French course is quite interesting and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I did Higher German last year and if you stick in, it will be a fairly straightforward Higher to get.

Good luck!