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Original poster

dd has finally chosen Alevels she wants to do ...

38 replies

brimfull · 14/01/2008 22:24

maths
physics
french
music

she was toying with economics instead of music but loves music .
As yet she is unsure what she would like to study at university ,do these leave her options open enough?

I am sure someone will come along and say music is a waste fo time

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Original poster
brimfull · 16/01/2008 16:17

see anna's post

she loves anything to do with cosmetics etc.

thanks anna I'll cat you!

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figroll · 16/01/2008 16:16

Sorry you have already answered my question!

figroll · 16/01/2008 16:15

No she now wants to be a dentist. I don't know if her choice of subjects are the right ones for dentistry, but the university websites seem to say that biology and chemistry are the subjects to do for anything medical and she is good at them, so she may as well go for it.

What does yours want to do?

Anna8888 · 16/01/2008 16:14

"ultimately would like to get on a graduate management course with a large cosmetics firm,but adamant she doesn't want to do chemistry"

ggirl - I have lots of close contacts in that industry - if you daughter wants info or work placements please CAT me

Fennel · 16/01/2008 16:14

I did Maths, Physics, French A levels, plus further Maths. I was trying to keep my options open between the sciences and the arts (having just ruled out medicine).

It worked for me, I went on to read philosophy and psychology with a big dose of linguistics, in those subjects they appreciated a science/arts/language mixture as the subjects themselves are a bit of a crossover between science and humanities.

Original poster
brimfull · 16/01/2008 16:11

Is she undecided about what she wants to eventually do as well?

Can't blame them.I still don't know and I'm 45!

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figroll · 16/01/2008 16:06

We have another 2 weeks to decide.

I think she has chosen wisely - she was going to do maths, but although she is good and has been predicted an A*, she doesn't love it. So I am glad in a way that she is going to drop it because I think it would have been hell for her.

She does 2 languages and can't wait to drop them - I loved languages so much that I can't understand it. She also feels she is being a fool to do art - but if she enjoys it I think she should go for it.

Original poster
brimfull · 16/01/2008 16:01

that does sound a good mix figroll

can't believe it but after having her gcse predictions yesterday she may change from French to English ..gah

have till monday to decide

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figroll · 16/01/2008 15:59

Yes it does seem a good combination - I think that carrying on with Music is a good idea if your child really enjoys it. Some children at my dds school want to do all science and maths which doesn't give any relief or balance.

My dd wanted to be an architect, but now, true to form, she has changed her mind and has settled on:

Chemistry
Biology
Art
Geography.

This is to combine the things she loves (Geography and Art) with the things that she is good at - science. Hopefully it is the last change of mind she will have!

mumeeee · 15/01/2008 20:27

I agree with others that is a great mix.

Original poster
brimfull · 15/01/2008 17:24

hmm yes they all seem difficult to me but they are the only ones dd seems naturally inclined to do.She's doing maths early so that's sort of a done thing really and the physics follows on from that as a suitable science for someone mathsy.French she loves and the teachers fab,music she's good at and she's interested in albeit not passionate enough to do it at university.

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larry5 · 15/01/2008 15:03

I was interested in your dds choices as mine has chosen maths, chemistry, french and music and all her friends think she has chosen difficult subjects.

Dd at the moment thinks she wants to be a primary school teacher responsible for music and although that is probably what she will do we have suggested that she keeps her options open as much as possible for as long as possible.

cosima · 15/01/2008 13:43

excellent choices. That is exactly what I wished I had done! Perfect

Lio · 15/01/2008 13:38

Tonmeister course

Lilymaid · 15/01/2008 13:28

DS1 did a not dissimilar mix: Maths, Physics, History, Economics and Music Technology for AS. Miss GGirls's selection is very good - especially the French - though I wonder whether it could be criticised for not having a subject involving much essay writing - perhaps, though French and Music do involve this? Otherwise, it is an intellectually demanding selection!

TigerFeet · 15/01/2008 13:21

my youngest brother changed courses after the first year at Uni - from Physics with Astronomy to Archaeology! Hows about that for a turnaround

Nothing is forever.

Original poster
brimfull · 15/01/2008 12:35

good point rubberduck
nothing is set in stone

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RubberDuck · 15/01/2008 12:16

I agree - I did maths, further maths, physics and chemistry at a level. In retrospect, Chemistry wasn't really my thing, I narrowed my options far too early and I'd have loved to have done something like English Lit.

Sounds like a really balanced set of options without being all over the place.

Oh, also please let her know (I really really wish someone had told me this) that if it turns out that you hate your subject you chose at uni, you can always change course in the second year as long as your first year exam results were reasonable.

TigerFeet · 15/01/2008 12:09

yes me too! I did science with a view to becoming a doctor but basically couldn't be arsed and just did enough work to scape through... same with my degree too sadly

Original poster
brimfull · 15/01/2008 11:48

with hindsight I think I should have actually done some work in school

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TigerFeet · 15/01/2008 11:27

ggirl I did a degree in Biochemistry then was a Food Microbiologist for a while and now work with food packaging.

I wish I had done French and something computery at A Level as I would have liked to extend my knowledge of both - also I enjoy writing so perhaps should have done English Lit or something!

Original poster
brimfull · 15/01/2008 10:37

Thanks for the warning witch.Will check out some university websites.
Part of the reason we were put off it is the school is teaching it for the first time.Music is much more established at the school.

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witchandchips · 15/01/2008 10:32

Teach economics at uni and am not to impressed with content of many a level economcis courses. so i would second the idea that safe not to do it. Some unis do demand it though for those studying economics so may be best to check.

Original poster
brimfull · 15/01/2008 10:30

sounds interesting microwave,wonder what career that would lead to?

Tiger-what did you end up doing?

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TigerFeet · 15/01/2008 10:27

wow what an eclectic mix! Should stand her in good stead for pretty much anything!

I did maths and physics A Levels and found them particularly challenging, my other choices of Biology and Chemistry far less so.

I do wish I hadn't focused so much on science, I would have had far more choice post-18 if I hadn't.