How do you pick A levels when you don't enjoy any of the subjects

Why does she need to do A levels? Lots of other options.

All my children went to college for 6th form doing Btec or nvq and then went on to uni. They have good, established careers.

Is she just applying to her current school for Sixth form or looking around?
Does her school offer an induction or taster sessions? Our does - so students get to try what the subject may be like - or find out, for example, what Sociology/politics/criminology is about.

Has she accepted she needs to do something?

If she doesn't enjoy the subjects she is studying, she'll have little to no motivation to do the study she needs to outside of lessons, and won't achieve her potential.

I agree that going along to a local college open day might be a good idea if only to see what is on offer. Many colleges offer a range of subjects which schools just can't manage e.g our local college offers things like environmental science, geology, criminology, etc which school sixth forms just can't (those are just examples, I know you said she isn't keen on STEM). They also offer more extracurricular options at post 16, which might help her gain an enthusiasm for something.

It may also be an option to do a more vocational course plus one A-level, in some colleges, if this is what appeals.

It might be that she goes along and nothing takes her fancy, but there will hopefully be something that she at least finds a little bit interesting at a large college- which is a starting point.

Does she have any hobbies?

Ideally schools and colleges should provide lots of extracurriculars that contribute to developing interests and maturity outside lesson time and therefore make sixth form as a whole a positive experience even if lessons are only tolerable. The reality is different which unfortunately adds to the pressure of choosing wisely.

Honestly OP I think some people just need a bit more time. I left school even younger than your daughter, spent a few years having amazing fun in manual/warehouse/retail jobs and then decided to go back to college (and then uni) at 21. I think it would be a mistake to push her into making a career choice so young!

Well you can be meh, but still have ongoing/aver arching interests. Like my lad (19) was always interested in reading growing up, and it has evolved into reading mostly Manga and an interest in Japanese culture etc
He's always been interested in how things work and he's always liked animals, science, fishing, swimming and cycling. They wax and wane, but that's what his general interests are.

So there were plenty of scope based on interests, e.g. Bio-Chemistry and any science related training... Swimming instructor...dog walker... Vet... Bike fixer... studying literature...

He did a Science B-TEC and is now on a Degree Apprenticeship program in Bio-Chemistry

I agree with the idea of looking at subjects she hasn't studied before.

Also, bear in mind some subjects can be very different at A level compared to GCSE. DS who got an 8 for GCSE History has really struggled at A level because it is so different GCSE - much more analysis and comparing and analysing historians etc So worth doing some research.

What does she do in her free time? What is on her Christmas list for example?

I think it is easy to think of a BTEC a bit like 3 times 1 A level. But if you look, some of them can be quite varied in their modules. The way they are assessed is different for someone who doesn't seem to be enjoying the ''school' experience. e.g The Business or Event management BTECs may be relatively varied.

What concerns me about doing A levels when you don't enjoy the subject, is where is the incentive to do the extra work required to succeed in the end? Whereas with a BTEC each assignment can push an able student to try to reach Distinction standard. The work & reward are more tangible.

There isn't necessarily harm in starting A levels (maybe in a different environment to school?) and then if necessary restarting y12 a year later doing something else if A levels don't work out.

I've always felt that we have to make these hugely important choices at a time in our lives when we are least equipped to (and are possibly a bit schooled out) It's difficult and I get your point about keeping her in education a bit longer, but I don't think casting around for the "least worst" options for A levels is the answer

I think that's fair OP. Vocational routes are great for some but it's even harder to pick that at age 16 than to continue with a more general education. There are still students who pick a Master's over getting a job after uni because they still have some growing up to do.

Taster days at college are useful. I wonder if it would be worth her asking if she can go to more than one so she can try 8 subjects, or picking her taster day subjects over quite a wide span (a science, an essay subject, something new like psychology) and seeing where that takes her. I would put some weight on what she finds least overwhelming at GCSE, tempered by how subjects change for A level, and pick at least one brand new subject where everyone will be starting from scratch together. Reassure her that there's a way through if she regrets her choice, people do go back and have another bash. Nothing's irredeemable at 16. And encourage her to pick a college that has the best student support you can find, not one with a rep for "weeding out".

OP I have been thinking some more about this. A grade of 9 in French, if achieved, is very good. Does she speak French at home? If not then a 9 is for sure an indicator that she is academic. No way can you stroll into a n MFL 9 grade.

That being so, A levels would be a natural progression. But it doesn't always work like that. A peer of DD's did A levels somewhat against her will, refused to apply for uni and ended up working full time and is very happy. She had specific reasons for all this, which won't apply to your dd - but still A levels are not always the answer. There surely must be something she enjoys - whether that is debating her passion at dinner or baking or something creative? How about an apprenticeship - have you had a look? It could be in a business role, they are not all building and plumbing.

And she was born in August but she is now a young woman of 15 who surely has a view in this. Please don't channel her towards two years of subjects she doesn't like. You really need to like your A level subjects.

A levels might keep her going in education for a while longer while she matures and works out which direction she wants to head towards.
She can also mature doing a course that gives her a useful technical skill as well as generic employability qualities . As PPs have said I would be exploring what is she least likely to drop out of rather than worry whether it is a long term career interest.

And similarly - my DD can be pretty meh about a lot of things. But she does have interests

Well I haven’t met your 16 year old.

But my 16 year old DD and hre friends certainly all have an interest whether that’s art, maths, baking, sport, languages

Have you met 16yos?

My third is nearly 16yo and at that that age they can be very "Meh" about everything.
I used to say about my oldest that i asked her every day how school was and she replied "boring". I told from the tone of voice if it was boring-good or boring-bad. My current nearly 16yo gives me a grunt for the same answer.🤣
My middle one had the best day ever/worst day ever probably about twice a week all the way through school, so she was different.

I agree with not doing French-it is very different at A-levels.

Are there any technical sixth forms round you? We have a local one and I've known a number of 16yos who are completely "meh" about school who have really blossomed there. They offer things like car mechanics, plumbing, hair dressing and other things.

2 years of studying the least bad-and possibly struggling to do so is not going to benefit her.

She must have some interests in life, surely?

OP

1. she ISN’T the only one struggling. All students think that.

2. What does she do in her spare time? Does she have hobby/ interests?

Would she consider a trade like mechanics, construction etc?
Or a land based course like horticulture, agriculture, conservation?

My DD picked for A levels three subjects she hadn’t done at all at GCSE.

She needs some serious career advice. So spending time on websites, etc doing those quizes which suggest well matched careers. Investigating what’s available. Looking at university prospectuses to see if any degrees catch her eye. Then for example if she thinks wow I want to study Anthropology she might have a better idea of what a levels are needed to get her there.

does she want to work at a desk based job, does she want to work outside, on her own, with others? When she thinks about work how does she imagine it?

You know it isn’t offered at most colleges/ Sixth Forms, right?

I think online learning sucked the joy out of learning for a lot of children. My DD is redoing 6th form after feeling obliged to do A levels for a year - she went from being a high achieving GCSE student to mediocre to poor A level student, and I'm sure it was because she didn't have the study skills for it after the covid disruption. She's now doing a BTEC in animal care at college and absolutely thriving. It's a practical course with modules, and the college environment suits her well.

DS had exactly the same issue. August born. 9s/8s in GCSEs. No idea whatsoever what he wanted to do with his life. We ended up choosing A levels by default ...we took out all the subjects he didn't like, so he did A levels in the 3 subjects left.

He didn't pass his first year at college, mostly due to not enjoying it and bunking off. He transferred to a Btec. He didn't enjoy that, started bunking off again and was kicked off the course.

He's now working full time doing something he's willing to get up for and go in every day. It's definitely a job, not a career.

I'm hoping he's going to return to study in the future when he's ready, but it's his life.

If your daughter is feeling this way @UglyJumper then it could be she's not ready for more study at this point in her life.

Please don't force her.

I was forced and I still bear the scars of what could have been.

BTECs are more focused but they don't 'lock you in', Eg I've had students go from heath and social care into teaching.

There are other courses as well, things like catering beauty, construction, accountancy.

Does she want to go to uni?