History or Geography?

[DoctorNicoleWatterson]

Which would you choose at GCSE?

Dd1 choosing options, enjoys and is equally competent in both History and Geography, likes all the teachers. Has to do one, but doesn't want to do both as this would limit other subjects she knows she wants to take.

I would go for History, purely because I find it more interesting, DH would choose Geography as he thinks it's more useful.

Just interested in which you'd choose and why?

I have a geography degree so I am biased. We also did lots of analytical and research skills but I went down the human route. Whereas physical there are lots of hands on work through research.

I loved GCSE geography, not a big fan of physical but really enjoyed tectonics, biogeography and geomorphology etc was really interesting and I loved learning about the interaction between humans and the world.

From my POV I believe better to learn about what will happen presently / future so you can improve the world, which is why I undertook geography.

There is also huge job opportunities in geography these days, it's one of the degrees that have a lot of options. I have previously done research in the civil service and am now working as a town planner - big push on sustainable cities these days.

That said I did a 20th Century history paper at Uni which I found fascinating.

@MrsBertBibby

Did both to A Level

I would say Geography. Personally I found it easier and more interesting (though I also loved history)

I don’t think it matters. DD chose history and DS chose geography. I didn’t interfere in either case.

Oh yes I know few people who loved the physical side of sciences so went into both geography and geology.

Yes geography trumps field trips - at school we got to go to a very fancy tourist town with lots of attractions and a nice beach but the history field trip went to a castle in the arse end of nowhere

I loved geography at school, hated history. Now I would pick history over geog every time.

This isn't helping

Yes geography trumps field trips - at school we got to go to a very fancy tourist town with lots of attractions and a nice beach

Whereas I found myself on the Norfolk coastline in frigging November so it does pay to check 😂

I have 3 kids - 1 picked History, 1 picked Geography and the other picked both. Have you looked at which topics they study?

I think I might just send her to school with that part of the form blank, so she has to tick it herself before handing it in.

My youngest has this dilemma this year as well. Was all set for geography but has loved her history teacher so choosing history. I hate that they have to drop subjects they still enjoy.

Yes, mentioned above, we were told the syllabus at options evening.

History
Crime and punishment in Britain, c1000–present and Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: crime, policing and the inner city.
Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88.
The American West, c1835–c1895.
The USA, 1954–75: conflict at home and abroad.

Geography
Living with the physical environment - The Challenge of Natural Hazards, The Living World and Physical Landscapes in the UK.
Challenges in the human environment - Urban Issues and Challenges, The Changing Economic World and Resource Management.
Geographical Applications – issue evaluation, fieldwork and geographical skills.

It does feel very young to be narrowing down doesn't it SwedishEdith.

We had two geography field trips - one to see a river in the middle of nowhere and one to photograph random houses in a very ordinary town. I had to do that one twice as I forgot to put film in the camera.

I'm trying to veer my DD to two languages but she loves languages and hates history and geography. I did geography GCSE and history A Level - never used either for work but history helps with current affairs.

My daughter was in the same position- she went for Geography. She's more sciency focused and although she absolutely loved History - she found the essay work slightly more "waffly" than she liked. She also had the same dilemma with French and German.

Personally I would chose history as I am not a geography fan but looking at those syllabuses Geography sounds much more interesting.

I chose Geography because I was going to be a journalist right up to the point of choosing a degree.

I love History and it's a valuable subject, but school Geography is more varied in topics. If you don't connect with a historical era on the syllabus, it will be very dry. Geography is less writing but sadly less colouring in than in days gone by (Maths was always jealous of geographical colouring in!)

By A-level/ degrees, Geography can be quite split in preference between human/ physical.

Sounds like the same syllabus. I picked history over geography at school and always wished I'd taken geography but reading that geography syllabus doesn't excite me at all.

And yes, dropping a language is also annoying.

Is she naturally more mathematic/sciencey or linguist/language. (Not all but a many people have a distinct stronger side). - i would go with the geog if she is math/science or history if language, GCSEs are hard enough at the moment that having a subject which can use the natural affinity to a skill will make things that bit easier and reduce the pressure ever so slightly of gcse programmes

@ x-post with daddylonglegs.

Haha @AppleKatie

Looking at that syllabus for geography, she will definitely have to have some interest in science. Also geographical skills can be hard so definitely need to have so will need to like working with maps and diagrams and probably a lot more critical thinking in terms of evaluations, making inferences etc.

If she prefers essay writing, reading etc history is probably a better

History if she's interested in studying an arts subject at uni, Geography if she's going for science. Although of course if she's not applying for either History or Geography at uni, studying the one from the 'other side' would stretch her more.

I looked up the Whitechapel syllabus recently - in consequence of another thread here, actually. I thought it looked terrific.

But I do dislike the approach whereby students do lots of different bits of things and don't come out with a good overview of anything. There's a lot to be said for the 18th and 19th century Britain and Europe I did at O Level - an awful lot of it is hugely relevant today.

Of those two syllabuses id choose history it sounds infinitely more interesting.

Also I know from work that that particular Geog spec is VERY full and content heavy.

Geography particularly if doing sciences. It overlapped a lot with biology so cut down on the amount to study.
I also found it easier to get grades in as I was useless at remembering dates etc. I also loved learning about the earth

geography
... we need more kids to cherish our planet, know how it works and spread the word.

Plus this exam system is so screwed up I think it’s best to avoid exam essay/heavy options where you can due to the crazy demands of other subjects... I’m looking at you English Lit.