Child's weird choice of A-level subject switch

[JudithS]

Hi, seeking advice on how not to be one of those interfering parents! My child recently started sixth form college, choosing digital media production, history and Classical Civilisations, but always said she wasn't sure if she would like Classical Civilisations and might switch, which they can do in the first few weeks. I was quite happy with that.

At the weekend, she said she definitely wanted to drop Classical Civilisations and she and I discussed whether she might do music, which was her official back-up subject, or drama & theatre studies. She went to talk to her personal tutor today and now she is doing.... English literature!

I just don't get it: two days ago she was saying she didn't like studying literature or writing too many essays and that she doesn't read much and rarely finishes a book. I don't know if she was flattered/coerced into it because Eng.Lit. was her top GCSE grade? She had a discussion yesterday with her personal tutor, the English tutor and the careers advisor and I fear she might have been given the same kind of misinformation that I was when I was that age (long story, ancient history and I shouldn’t project).

It seems she has been told that English Literature is a good subject for getting a place at a top university, which is not something she has ever mentioned before. I told her my brother had gone to Cambridge without English Literature and she said 'But it's a traditional subject for getting into a good university', whatever that means.

This is completely out of the blue two days after she said she wanted to do something creative. English Literature just seems such a boring, bland, nothing subject – though perhaps someone here has done it for A-level and can convince me otherwise? She got decent GCSE results all round, nothing stunning but there were only two subjects on the sixth form college prospectus she was excluded from so why on earth pick this.

Obviously I am trying to tread carefully and not nag or be annoying and counterproductive but I don't think it is going to challenge or stimulate her (and she especially dislikes poetry). Any advice or should I just back the F off?

Thanks

Back off and trust her.
Great subject. And the choice really came from her.

As for this: I did modern languages at university and hated the literature element. It hasn't helped me in any area of life.

Well, that's your life and your human experience. She's not you and her experience won't mirror yours. Trust the process.

I hated English Literature A level but got my best mark in it (wanted to do English Language but not enough people wanted it, and was left with limited choice). So it is possible to do well even if you hate everything about it.

English literature is a fabulous A-level, especially if the student likes writing, or reading (novels, poetry, plays) or simply immersing themselves in stories and talking about them. It's also great for those who enjoy theatre as there are always a couple of plays on the curriculum. It can be hugely creative and fun and it teaches good essay-writing skills too - which is helpful for almost every degree.

Music A-level is not especially creative - it's quite 'formal'... Or at least used to be. I Had several friends take music A-level (all talented musicians and performers in various instruments, but mostly interested in jazz/folk/blues/rock rather than classical). They all found it quite restrictive. Clearly, many students do enjoy it but it's not the wonderful creative outlet that many people think it is, especially in comparison so theatre studies or music production etc.

I think this is one you need to leave to your daughter and allow her to make up her own mind. With a solid GCSE English literature result behind her, she should do well (assuming she vaguely enjoyed English at school).

My daughter is doing both Drama and Eng Lit for A Level. The time investment for the drama coursework is huge. If Digital Media Production also includes lots of coursework, I'd really suggest not adding to the burden. DD is organised and hard working, but the sheer amount of time in rehearsal that drama takes is honestly massive.

But I don't think she has made up her own mind because three days ago, she told me she didn't like literature, rarely reads and hasn't finished a book for months. This was completely unprompted by me.

@Flatulence interesting - I found Music A level much more creative than English Literature. At least with music you got to write your own compositions and perform. Perhaps I did a different exam board (too long ago to remember which!)

English is a perfectly fine choice, not boring or bland at all (no idea why you'd think that?), and she is obviously good at it. I think you are basing your judgment on incorrect preconceptions rather than the reality of what these subjects involve.

Also, I did theatre studies A level and it involved a lot of the things you say your DD dislikes (studying literature (plays), writing essays and reading lots). So I'm not sure why you'd think that would be a good fit if English Literature isn't?

If that’s what you meant you needed to change your punctuation.

Reading in another language is a fundamental part of learning it so it’s debatable that it hasn’t “helped”.

You sound very negative about academic subjects and university. Maybe that’s why she hasn’t shown an interest before.

She sounds like someone who doesn't know what she wants to do (not unusual at 16).

Can't see a job or apprenticeship she fancies, doesn't like art and tech college, doesn't really know what A Levels she wants to do. I can see why the teachers at her school have suggested a solid option that she is actually good at. On the basis that she is already at the school they won't be offering the whole range of 16+ options, and it might well be that her "best" choice lies there.

It's just all weird. She has never shown any interest in university.

So what is she planning on doing after A levels?

I strongly regret pushing my DS into a subject he wasn't keen on. Let her make her own choice.

It was many years ago but English Lit was the best A-Level I did.

Really interesting and enjoyable.

I also did Class Civ.

EL much more varied.

She wasn't keen on English Literature three days ago.

So you are concerned that she has made the wrong choice for her but unfortunately it appears difficult for you to have a neutral discussion with her about English Lit due to your somewhat coloured views on its utility. Just ask her what changed her mind.
I suspect like PPs that she did n’t convey any clear preference for other available A levels and therefore was advised to go with her strongest academic subject. English Lit may not provide physical practical skills but it will broaden her horizons through directed reading, keep most creative career options open and improve her writing. Music A level is a great subject for musicians who also like composing, analysing and writing about music but it is certainly not a less academically demanding choice.

English Literature just seems such a boring, bland, nothing subject

Clearly, you've not been in my lessons this week.

My child said four days ago that she didn't like English literature, didn't like reading and hadn't finished a book for months. Also that she dislikes writing essays.

Don't let your opinion on literature colour hers. It's a marvellous A Level. I have two medical candidates in my A Level group this year who have kept it up as their fourth as they enjoy it so much (and have taught others who've had it as a third). A level is a totally different beast to GCSE too.
To be honest the Digital Media is the 'odd' one. BUT, nothing wrong with a different combination. In fact there can be a lot right with it. I did Lit, History, Bio. One friend did RS, Lit, Bio and another did Bio, Chem, Lit (from the days of 3) all happy with successful careers (all involving lit in some way as it happens although I'm the only one with a Lit degree).

I expect it's because it's a 'facilitating' subject, whereas none of the others are. Officially I don't think they are a thing anymore, but perhaps it still matters. My son started sixth form 8 years ago and this was queried by his school because he hadn't chosen any. He decided it didn't matter at the time, but two terms in decided it mattered a lot and ended up having to do an extra year so that he could change his subjects, because he realised he couldn't apply to any of the unis he was interested in. That may or may not still apply, but it's probably the school's outlook on it?

16 year olds should be able to change their minds and plans, and this is a really sensible choice that opens up lots of options. It sounds like you might be putting pressure on her (a mum expressing strong opinions or ‘surprise’ at your choices is enough to be quite significant pressure for many teenagers) to not go to university, when maybe this is what she will end up wanting to do. I’d step right back and just be positive about all of the potential options she explores, not put so much weight on your own unusual opinion about english a-level and university, and watch with interest to see what she does.

I wonder if you are mainly discountenanced by the prospect that she may now be contemplating university. Her choice of English Lit with History plus digital media does n’t box her in that direction but does allow her a wider choice of degrees should she wish to go.

She will struggle with History as well then.

Honestly, it sounds like you need a really clear and candid conversation with your daughter. Based on your posts she's actually discounted every option (job, apprenticeship, art and tech college, A Levels involving reading and essay writing). Has she considered STEM subjects?

So she either has to go with the "least bad" option (which may well be English Lit, for example) or unpick some of her other dislikes.
You have limited time to do this now and still get her into new courses or places before term is too advanced. I would do it. Otherwise she may drift for the next year and you'll be back in this position next September.

Well I agree with others that your dismissal of English lit is a bit bizarre – Shakespeare and Arthur Miller and Bernadine Evaristo and Margaret Atwood – bland? Hard work maybe but never bland. Your update suggests, I agree, some considerable projection from you.

But anyway. Not sure that is relevant to your DD’s plans. Why did she want to drop Class Civ? I would say that was an essay-heavy subject like Eng lit. What did she get in Eng lit GCSE? And history?

Shame that she didn’t take drama GCSE – I wonder how easy it is to pick up the A level without it? DD took drama GCSE and loved it but didn’t want to take the A level. Be aware that there’s a good deal of group work and your group needs to be able to work together. Agree with @redskydarknight that drama A level itself won’t exactly provide her with career opps anyway unless she wants to go into the theatre? And even then – it’s hardly going to lead to a job I’m afraid in that very very competitive area.

Sounds as tho someone at school with slightly outdated ideas has talked to her – there used to be a list of facilitating subjects that included Eng lit and history but not class civ and drama. Unis have dropped it now, tho tbf the subjects on the list are ones you need for those subjects at uni – as in, you pretty much need to take Eng lit A level to do a degree in it ditto French, ditto biology; but no need for psych A level for psych degree or gov/pol A level for politics degree.

I wonder if that’s what’s happening here? If so then I am not sure it’s a good reason to take Eng lit a level. If she loved it, would do well, enjoyed reading and writing analytical essays then happy days. If she wants to do it bc “it’s a good A level for uni” then not so much. Ignore the PPs who say that media and drama are not respected by unis and won’t look good on a uni app – that’s a load of nonsense pretty much. I think unis like Cambridge and LSE have lists of subjects they approve of for some of their degrees (maybe all in the case of Cambs) but unless that is her target (and it sounds unlikely) then I wouldn’t worry about that. My DS2 had offers from RG unis despite his flaky PE A level.

I think you need to put your personal prejudice against Eng lit to one side @JudithS and have a good talk to her about why she wants to do this and where she hopes it will lead.

I agree btw that if she hates writing essays then both history and class civ would be a challenge.

Btw @pinkroses79 history was also a facilitating subject. Not that that matters.

I get your concern if she's not a reader and hates essays.

Mine did A level English lit and you really have to get consumed and interested in it.

It is alot of work but you surely have to enjoy it.

Mine has now got a degree in Journalism media with English literature.

Who knows what happens next but mine did things she loved and was good at.

What did she get at GCSE for English lit?