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

85 replies

UglyJumper · 08/11/2022 07:58

I am trying to support Y11 DD to select A Levels. French is a given, not because she enjoys it, but because she's good at it and her predicted grade is a 9. She doesn't like anything else, including creative subjects (which are in short supply in her school anyway), but particularly hates maths and sciences. She's got a low predicted grade in English Lit and she hates it, so won't do that either. I am trying to encourage her to just pick the 2 she hates the least because she has to pick something. She has no idea what she wants to do when she's older. She's under the impression that she's the only one in her whole year who's struggling like this and that everyone's got it sorted.

OP posts:

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 08/11/2022 08:06

Is there a Sixth form college with more choices? Or does it have to be a school with limited A levels?

If she hates everything, then maybe it’s studying she hates, not the subjects. Find an alternative.

Saisong · 08/11/2022 08:06

We're having some of the same problems with DD, who is rapidly losing any love for studying. Fortunately round here it is all 6th form/technical colleges, so not only is it going to be a change of scene but they also offer a far wider range of subjects than an individual school can. So apart from geography, which she finds fairly agreeable, she can pick things she has not studied before - like psychology, criminology, social care etc. She really wanted to do animal care, but that college was just too far away.
I'm am just keeping my fingers crossed that college life will be more engaging and she doesn't baulk at the intensive study!

LIZS · 08/11/2022 08:05

Or if she is academically sound across the board look at IB schools.

PeekAtYou · 08/11/2022 08:05

What's her opinion on humanities like history/geography?
Has she considered looking into new subjects? Our school offers subjects like sociology, psychology and business.
I would also get her to look at college courses. A-levels aren't the only way to get to uni (if that's what she wants)

LIZS · 08/11/2022 08:04

Are there any subjects offered that she has not yet had a chance to study , such as sociology, politics, psychology, and which might appeal. Or is a more vocational course, btec level 3, or apprenticeship of more interest.

sanityisamyth · 08/11/2022 08:04

Do T make her do A levels then! Are there BTEC courses or diplomas she might want to do instead?

SeasonFinale · 08/11/2022 08:02

What about having a look at subjects that may not have been offered at gcse such as sociology, politics, philosophy so that they are fresh subjects and therefore potentially interesting because she isn't bored of them yet.

Alternatively if she finds academics boring what about an apprenticeship route instead?

Or instead of A levels a vocational course at a tech college?

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 08/11/2022 08:00

Does she have to do a levels? Dd is looking into apprenticeships as she isn't sure she wants to stay on at school.

user1471462115 · 08/11/2022 08:00

Look for alternatives, apprenticeship, college course in brick laying, job.

don’t make her do something she doesn’t want to. Bonkers to fit a square peg in a round hole

gogohmm · 08/11/2022 07:59

College instead? Something applied?

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