Tell me about A'level geography please. And quickly!!

[Helpuschoose]

DS goes back to school this week and is panicking about his fourth A-level choice. His three main ones are all solid facilitating subjects. Chemistry, physics, biology. He had chosen psychology as his fourth subject. I was a bit iffy because although I know it is a very taxing A-level it's also not a facilitating subject. I know that unis say in theory you only need 2 facilitating subjects at A2 but my view is that if you have three and the grades don't quite make it to offers you may be in a better position through clearing Etc. Goalposts seem to move every single year so my advice to DS has been to just keep his options open as wide as possible for university admissions.

DS isn't really that bothered about psychology but fancied trying something new. He has just got very good GCSE results including an A* in geography and I know he would manage a good grade at A2 in geography because his comp does very well at A-level. He is not a natural essay writer though obviously at A-level he is going to have to do do some extended writing so I think in reality he may find psychology less engaging then he hopes.

He's only real objection to doing geography rather than psychology is that he really does not like the teacher. I know this sounds slightly childish but having met the teacher myself at parents evening I can fully see what he means. She is just one of those people who is stern and joyless. I want to DS to be happy. I would be quite happy with him doing psychology but he himself thinks that he'd rather do three facilitating subjects. I guess what I'm asking for is information that might help him get over the hump of his prejudice against the teacher in geography. We have eliminated all the other facilitating subjects as a fourth A-level for various reasons. It's now down to the wire. He has to choose between psychology, which he is not that bothered about that at least is a change and geography, which he knows he would do well at but is fearful of being miserable in class. Also he has no idea yet which subject he would drop at the end of year 12 so have to assume he would end up doing any of them to the end of sixth form.

What would you do?

Sorry this has turned out to be so long. DS and I are going mad trying to work out what to do. We have written lists and even tossed a coin. It came up for psychology and he just rolled on the floor saying 'I don't know what to do. Help me decide' it's actually been quite funny in a slightly hysterical way!!!!

[Cerisier]

Geography would get my vote as it would keep more options open for DS. You can do psychology at uni having never studied it before.

The relationship between students and staff changes at sixth form level usually. DS may well find the teacher is much nicer with her A level classes than with younger students. Anyway it is how thorough the teaching is that matters- not how often the teacher cracks jokes.

[titchy]

Please do NOT base the decision of having four facilitating subjects - 2 genuinely is plenty, 3 certainly and 4 overkill if it stops you doing something you'd prefer. Universities do not get extra points for admitting students with facilitating subjects, as long as he meets their requirements he won't gain bonus points for having geography over psychology.

Psychology could actually be preferable as it will show he has a breadth of skills and interests and can actually cobble together an essay - which even scientists regard as a good skill.


Bearing that in mind he needs to look at the syllabus for both - but two years is a long time with a teacher or subject you don't like.

[TalkinPeace]

Geography A level involves field trips
that is what sold it to me

[mummytime]

My DD is thinking of doing Maths, English, Psychology and Politics - and I'm quite happy. Two facilitating subjects, and she really wants to study psychology long term.

However she may end up doing IB instead.
Was there anywhere else he could have applied to?
I do think 2 years on a subject he's not that interested in with a teacher he dislikes could be a very hard slog (I struggled massively with Physics which I had to study, which gave me a little motivation).

[titchy]

Talkin - dd is the same!

[senua]

The age-old question: what is the next step?
If he knows what is he going to do with these A Levels then we might be able to offer more constructive advice.

[intheenddotcom]

If he struggles with essay writing then he is going to hate geography. It is an essay heavy subject with 40 mark essays at A2.

[summerends]

You probably don't want to hear this as it is not your question but your DS will almost certainly find physics harder without maths A level. That seems to be the obvious fourth A level if he does n't like essay writing and wants to keep his options open.

[stonecircle]

Got to do AS maths with AS physics at our school.

Don't base decisions on teachers. My ds loved his geography and english teachers - both left at the end of year 12.