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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Confused over A level choices

234 replies

ihearttc · 07/07/2021 20:25

DS1 has just finished Y11. He is a fairly bright boy and is predicted 6s, 7s and 8s for GCSE. He has picked his a level choices…PE, Geography and Biology. These are some of his best subjects and is predicted 8 in both PE/Biology and a 7 in Geography.

He had his induction day at 6th form this week and PE/Geography are ok, the Biology didn’t go well. He thinks the teacher is great (he taught him before) but the others in the class are just not on his wavelength. I’m aware that sounds really shallow and pathetic but 2 of the boys especially are very hard work and he said he was only in there for an hour and wanted to walk out. There are 10 of them and he said there is literally no one he could talk to. He is rather cool and sporty…they are the complete opposite so I can see why he found it tricky.

Anyway…my question is does he suck it up and just accept the fact that he is going to hate a lesson just to do the subject or walk away and chose something else. He wants to do something sport related…either sports science or become a Secondary PE teacher if that’s relevant.

The other option is his other choices are limited due to timetabling. It would have to either be the biology, Media Studies (which he did for GCSE), a BTEC medical science (which seems not at his academic level) or Maths. The obvious one is maths but he is freaking out over hard it will be and he doesn’t want to fail.

Any thoughts if that makes sense at all?

OP posts:
clary · 08/07/2021 11:25

Ds2 enjoyed biology A level so much (it was a last minute addition/switch from FM) that he is doing a degree in it instead of maths or PE, both of which he had been considering.

Not saying your ds will love it op but not everyone hates it.

Bryonyshcmyony · 08/07/2021 11:26

Obviously not taught very well at our school Grin

titchy · 08/07/2021 12:13

Bryony you're one to talk about not listening - the ds in question DOES want to do Biology. He just doesn't like the kids in the class. Who he'll only share a classroom with for 4 hours a week....

OP I'm not sure why you think he'll be with them for 10 hours a week Confused And there's no group work in Biology.

I'm another suck it up I'm afraid. He is going to come across all sorts of people in life - he shouldn't judge and should learn to see the best in them. Kids often change between school and sixth form anyway.

titchy · 08/07/2021 12:14

And actually not assess himself against them. How's he going to manage a uni if he's with a cohort of expensively educated high achievers?

Bryonyshcmyony · 08/07/2021 12:17

@titchy

And actually not assess himself against them. How's he going to manage a uni if he's with a cohort of expensively educated high achievers?
Probably really well, as he's barely 16 and there's plenty of time before uni for some growing up
thecognoscenti · 08/07/2021 12:20

@Bryonyshcmyony he does want to take it, he just doesn't think the other kids in the class are cool enough to share a room with him.

FinallyHere · 08/07/2021 13:39

it’s honestly not about choosing an A level based on the people in the class. I’m simply querying whether it’s worth being uncomfortable for 2 years to do the subject he wants to do.

I'm not sure what the difference is, between those two things.

I wouldn't encourage anyone to not study their preferred A levels , just because the font like the look of the others in the glass. Especially when the teacher is liked.

The final two years of school is a time when people grow and develop a lot. Who knows what they will all get like in two years. Don't let one hour in their company deflect him.

Good opportunity to build resilience.

Original poster
ihearttc · 08/07/2021 16:27

@titchy

I don’t think I did say he was going to be with them for 10 hours a week…although everyone seems to be twisting what I’m saying so I’m not sure of anything anymore. There are 10 young people in the class including DS. 9 of them are in a social circle all on their own with similar interests outside school and are very different in terms of personality to DS. That’s not a bad thing per se, it’s just it made him feel very uncomfortable in the lesson as he felt (probably wrongly) that they were mocking him for being there. It might change as the course goes on…but then again it might not and he’s trying to decide on whether it’s worth being unhappy (in his words) for 2 years with a class of people who he has nothing in common with.

Yes it may not be worth worrying about but quite honestly these Y11’s need to be cut some slack, they have had to worry and stress over everything the last 2 years. They’ve missed 2 terms of their GCSE courses and whilst he is fairly bright and able he is questioning whether he is academically and socially able to cope with both the A level and the group of people who will also be studying it.

OP posts:
titchy · 08/07/2021 16:39

Apologies I misread the 10 hours.

The nerdy kids are also year 11, and to be blunt have probably spent their entire school careers being the only nerds in a cohort of 'cool kids'. Cut them some slack too.

I still think if your ds goes in with a positive attitude of seeing them a people rather than 'nerds'/Sheldons/ whatever he'll be a lot happier. It's his attitude to them that's causing his issues, not the fact that they're have particular interests. You never know he may actually become friends with them.

At the end of the day it's 4 hours a week for 50 weeks doing a subject he enjoys that will open many more doors than a second choice will.

That said I agree all young people have had an utterly shit time in the last couple of years, and many may not be yet able to think beyond that yet and look at the bigger picture. Small things can appear very big when one's mindset is like that.

Original poster
ihearttc · 08/07/2021 16:52

@titchy

Thank you. It’s not him that’s called them that, it was me trying to explain how different they are to him (very badly worded!). It’s not him being mean etc to them, it’s the other way around although I think much of it is probably in his head.
He believes they are better and more able than him and they don’t want him in their class. Having known 2/3 of them throughout primary school there is a possibility that’s the case but I doubt it’s the same for all of them.
Maybe I should have used the analogy of a typical “jock” and “honor class” students in the USA rather than how I worded it. It’s basically a class of all Grade 9 science/maths students and my DS who although is good at science would prefer to play Xbox and watch footy.

I think that’s half the problem, he is worrying about every little thing at the moment and is utterly terrified of making the “wrong” decision cause in his head it will mean he won’t get to Uni. Honestly Covid has caused so much stress for these kids.

OP posts:
GrandmasCat · 08/07/2021 17:08

I don’t know… my son really disliked 2 kids in GCSEs who ended up in his science a level classes.

We are going to the wedding of the mum of one of them next week, the other one ended up spending so much around before lock down we see him know as part of the family 🤷🏻‍♀️

Basil2021 · 08/07/2021 17:15

If you want my honest opinion as a teacher (and former university advisor) do NOT do PE and Media Studies A-level. They are both seen as rather soft A-level subjects (apologies if that offends anyone) and having both of them in your UCAS application will really limit his chances of a good uni.
Definitely don't do a BTEC with those GCSE grades.
Definitely don't do Maths A-level unless he's very very good at GCSE (8/9 grade no problem kind of thing). Lots of students struggle with Maths A-level, they need to find GCSE easy.

So my advice? He needs to suck it up and do Biology, and maybe he won't be with the coolest crowd but that won't matter at all in a couple of year's time. I'm sure he'll get to know them with time and end up getting along ok with them.

GrandmasCat · 08/07/2021 17:31

Erm… I didn’t want to say it loud but that is very true. PE & Media together might make a weak combination at the time of applying to uni.

Original poster
ihearttc · 08/07/2021 17:40

@Basil2021

Thank you, much appreciated. That was the reason he didn’t go for Media Studies and PE in the first instance as they are both seen as easy subjects.

He is a grade 8 maths student and maybe in a usual year would have found it easier but Maths teaching over lockdown was dire and he really had to work hard for it. He’s definitely not keen on maths a level. I think he needs to speak to school and reassess the biology.

OP posts:
Bryonyshcmyony · 08/07/2021 18:16

both Media and PE are perfectly fine stand alone subjects. I agree doing them together might not be so good

Bryonyshcmyony · 08/07/2021 18:16

[quote thecognoscenti]@Bryonyshcmyony he does want to take it, he just doesn't think the other kids in the class are cool enough to share a room with him. [/quote]
;-D

Original poster
ihearttc · 08/07/2021 18:24

@thecognoscenti

Seriously?? That’s not what I’ve said at all and exactly my point about trying to twist my words. It’s nothing about being cool or uncool or anything in bloody between. It’s about a 16 year old who is absolutely bricking it about being in a class with 9 other people who he has nothing in common with and who he believes thinks he shouldn’t be there.

Do you have a current Y11? If so you’ll understand what an awful 2 years they have had and maybe get why he doesn’t want the next 2 years to go the same way.

OP posts:
Bryonyshcmyony · 08/07/2021 18:25

[quote ihearttc]@thecognoscenti

Seriously?? That’s not what I’ve said at all and exactly my point about trying to twist my words. It’s nothing about being cool or uncool or anything in bloody between. It’s about a 16 year old who is absolutely bricking it about being in a class with 9 other people who he has nothing in common with and who he believes thinks he shouldn’t be there.

Do you have a current Y11? If so you’ll understand what an awful 2 years they have had and maybe get why he doesn’t want the next 2 years to go the same way.[/quote]
god I'm sorry OP I quoted that post thinking you had said it for some reason. Ignore me. I do sympathise with him and you.

Original poster
ihearttc · 08/07/2021 18:29

I’m leaving this thread now. Apologies if I worded by original question so it offended people. I’m sure if you cast your minds back to when you were at school there were different social groups. I also wouldn’t have wanted to do an A level subject with people I felt uncomfortable with no matter how much I wanted to do it but maybe I care more about my child’s mental health than an A level grade.

A huge thank you to everyone who has offered me constructive advice regarding the different subjects.

OP posts:
Original poster
ihearttc · 08/07/2021 18:32

@Bryonyshcmyony

I said my son was “cool” at the start of the post to try and badly explain just how different he is to the other kids in the class…not that he said they were uncool. It’s just everyone seems to think he considers himself better than them and it couldn’t be further from the truth. He is a kind, considerate sporty kid who feels completely out of his depth in a class full of very very intelligent students who all socialise together outside school.

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 08/07/2021 18:51

I am going to come right out and say yes he should 'suck it up' in order to do his preferred choice of A level.

Many, many children have to 'suck it up' every day for 5 years at secondary being in class after class with others they don't click with, or who go out of their way to make snide little put downs.

My DD1 had it for 5 years and also to an extent 2 more years in college. But she came out of it all with the qualifications she was aiming for.
My DD2 had it for 3 years and 2 terms until the pandemic hit. In y10 in particular she had no friends in any lessons except for 1 subject.

OP, your DS will have only 4 or 5 hours per week of Biology lessons. That's not much in the scheme of things if it helps him reach his goal.

Original poster
ihearttc · 08/07/2021 18:56

@TeenMinusTests

That’s exactly what my point was, whether it’s worth it to just suck it up. Yes it probably is but I’m just not sure he could cope with it at the moment. He may feel differently after he gets his results. And I’m sorry your children had to go through that.

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 08/07/2021 18:58

I'd definitely get him to talk to his teacher re his concerns, if nothing else so they are aware and can keep an eye on general dynamics.

It's a bit rubbish that he doesn't have a different school as an option though.

clary · 08/07/2021 21:11

Hi @ihearttc I hope I didn't upset you with my comments and I also hope you read this.

I've been thinking about this and here's my thought:
I agree with others, PE and media are not perhaps the best, especially if he is academic
Biology will really link with PE - ds2 said he was doing biology and biology A levels
Biology will really help as others say, with sports science at lots of unis

I think he needs to think seriously about sticking with biology. I hear you about not getting on with the others in the class, I do. But if there are only 10 people doing biology, it's a pretty small sixth form (there were two groups of 15 doing biology in Ds2's year), so he needs to find ways of getting on with the small sixth form cohort anyway.

It might be different by September. Maybe let him see what he feels after the exam results?

And I don't have a year 11, but I do have a year 13 and I know a bit what a tough year they have had. Best of luck to him.

Original poster
ihearttc · 08/07/2021 21:20

@clary

No it wasn’t you honestly. It is a relatively small 6th form, the school itself is fairly big but most kids seem to do college or apprenticeships hence the low numbers.

I completely agree that Biology is the best option in the long run, I just need to work out a way to get a stubborn 16 year old to see that!!

I hope your Y13 is holding up ok and that they get the results they were hoping for.

OP posts: