A level choices

[MissSurfer]

I'm not really sure which category ot put this into sao here's my best try 'people and places'!

I'm thinking about which A level subjects to take next year and can anyone help me? A teacher was lecturing us about having to take solid, traditional subjects (english, maths, foreign language) to get into a good university, pretty much whatever subject you wanted to do (obviously other than Art etc).

I was thinking about doing 4 of the following-

Maths

Business Studies

Physics

French

Pyschology

Art

Then I have also thought a (very) little about English Language and Law.

Bearing in mind I am predicted:

4A*s (Maths, Business Studies, Physics, French),

5As (Food Tech, Chemistry, Geography, English Lit and Lang)

and 2Bs (Art and Biology) at GCSE, so I'm quite academic, does anyone have any advice on the subjects I have considered and which ones would be best to get into university with (I don't have a clue what degree to do yet but I'll probably go)??

Does anyone have any subject advice or experience??

Thanks, MissSurfer  

[Octavius]

You really need to have an idea of what sort of industry you want to go into.  If you want go into forensic scientist for instance, what will be the point of doing French or Art?  Similarly, if you wanted to go into journalism or law, physics aint much cop.

You don't necessarily have to decide on a career, but its useful to choose subjects which will keep your options wide.  Have a look at Uni prospectus' of subjects you are interested in to get an idea of the subjects they would be looking for.   

[MissSurfer]

No, I don't know what industry to go into. I think really its between these - business, psychology, teaching, charity causes, something creative/arty. Looks look I'd better keep my options open then!

[Octavius]

That is the best option.

If you want to go into teaching (secondary) you really need a passion for the subject, as it can get very demoralising - and I know all about that!  Good luck.  And if you feel like rating me, its the one with 3 stars!!

Night night..  :o)

[MissSurfer]

If I go for teaching most probably it will be primary school as I did work experience with year 2 and I loved it :)

[Shipstabber]

Any old degree will do if you want to be a primary school teacher so why don't you just do the subjects you like the most?

[MissSurfer]

Becuase I'm not too sure I want to be a teacher...it's just an idea. I think really though I'd have to have a job that paid better.

[MissSurfer]

Did I just accidently close the Q?

[Oneeyedvic]

It is strange - when I was 15, I really didn't know what subjects to pick for my A Levels - in the end I stuck with the traditionals - Maths, Physics, Chemistry (and General Studies and Theology).

Since then I have worked as a Retail manager, Bar manager, and various sales jobs. A colleague of mine qualified as a solicitor but has had a career in sales ever since. I know someone else who qualified as an accountant but is a dray man (someone who delivers beer to pubs).

It is always going to be difficult to choose - personally I would go for Maths, Business Studies, and either physics or psychology. Even if you want to change your career path later, these subjects show that you can work hard - most peoples perception is Art A Level is an easy ride, whereas Maths A level is well though of.

 

[saffstar]

My advice would be to think long and hard about the subjects you really enjoy and are interested in.  I chose my A level subjects for completely the wrong reasons - I chose the subjects I thought would look good and those that would please my parents and teachers.  I  wasn't sure of what career path I wanted to go down and I definitely severely limited myself.

I got ok results, but the subjects I chose haven't helped me one jot in my career and I now find myself studying, as a hobby, the subjects that I could've had two years worth of free tuition and books for!

I've always been jealous of those people who know exactly what they want to do.  I'll never be one of them, and it doesn't sound like you are (at least not yet) either, so choose your subjects for you, not any specific course or career that you might lose interest in in six months and certainly not for anyone else.

Good luck :)

[Alej]

studying another language (french in your case) is one of the best things you can do.  It will open up a whole new country to you, i did another language for A level and got fluent and its the best decision ive made.  So much so than im going to learn another soon.

hope this helps you decide

[2nosey]

saffstar i'm going through the same thing as you! i'm jealous of anyone who knows what they want to do and when they know which a level they want to take. i took what i thought i was good at: english lit and lang and what i thought sounded interesting: psychology. i regret taking these subjects then i don't! i really like working with animals and would love to go in to a career in that area but then with the subjects i'm studying i've got no flippin chance! oh well the best thing to do is to wait and see.... if you know what you want to do as a career then you can choose your subjects easily!

[lizzierose]

i had very little idea what i wanted to do so i went for a fifty fifty split arts and science. physics and chemistry, french and english. good job really because having thought i might do chemistry at university i ended up doing english language and literature. so i agree with most of the others. open options!