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Can we hear your advice on what's the best one to drop?

28 replies

whatIforgottoday · 01/12/2015 19:53

Hi All,

DD (aged 16) has just started at an independent sixth-form and needs to make a decision by Friday. Essentially, due to the changes in the A-level system, her school decided to give all students in L6 8 weeks to decide what subjects they wish to carry forward. All students have started off with 4 subjects they've chosen and are now been asked to make the decision as to which one they will discontinue with (similar to what you would do at the end of L6, after your AS results). DD is studying History (Modern), Politics, English Lit and Philosophy and Ethics (RS).

Over the past few weeks we've had tons of data home (and parent's evening last night) to help her make this decision. She is working at an A for history, politics and RS. English lit she is working at a high B, low A.

However DD is completely stuck as what to 'drop'. She enjoys English lit but says it has been really difficult and she is in a class with very strong personalities which makes her shy away from talking (this was confirmed by teachers last night). In RS, she is flying (often getting full marks in essays) however she feels that whilst she enjoys the subject she might get a bit bored.

Essentially, it doesn't matter university-wise what she does, we've been told both RS and English lit are respected along with her other subjects. She wants to go into primary teaching, so again either will fit! The question is should she go for the subject she enjoys more (even though she's scared of struggling so much, she feels she will come to resent it) or go for RS which is enjoyable (but maybe not as much) and potentially achieve a higher grade?

Thanks for your advice and getting this far!

OP posts:
stareatthetvscreen · 01/12/2015 21:11

i think you have to go with a combination of favourite subjects and best marks - as you say it doesn't really matter re uni so go for what is most enjoable/easiest for her.

NapoleonsNose · 01/12/2015 21:08

My DD did really well at EPR GCSE (Ethics, Philosophy and Religion) and was predicted an A at AS. She ended up with a D and dropped it as she thought it was very hard, with a lot of theoretical stuff to learn. Her other grades were ABB so the D was a bit of an anomaly. A-levels are definitely a big step up from AS and your DD should probably do the subjects she most enjoys, as those are the ones she is likely to do well in at the end of the day.

Interestedininfo · 01/12/2015 20:57

I suspect that she will find all the subjects a step up next year including the philosophy and ethics. If she does find the latter easy but continues with it she could always stretch herself with an EPQ or an essay competition plus extra reading. However she may decide that she enjoys the English Lit so much more that she is prepared to work harder to compensate for finding it harder and risk a lower grade.

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