DS has no idea what he wants to do and what A levels to take and it is getting him down

[Monr0e]

He is currently in the middle of his GCSE'S, he has good predicted grades and has been offered a place at his chosen college for A levels. The problem is, he is getting himself in a tizz as he doesn't know what to do. He initially chose Law, Psychology and business studies, but he is now leaning towards physics, maths and law. The problem is, in his own words, he isn't interested in anything in particular and doesn't know what he wants to do!

Any advice I can give him? He has an open day coming up but no idea how to make a firm decision.

Is Economics an option rather than business studies if he's good at maths?

Lots of posters are missing that the DS does psychology GCSE, so us not choosing it blind!

He doesn't sound like someone who should be steered down the total maths with physics route to me. I agree business, psychology, law isn't the greatest 3 way combo but each individual subject isn't problematical these days or even two of them. Nearly all unis now accept psychology as a science subject. I agree that if he wants to pursue that beyond A Level further biology and/ or maths make sense.

If he’s capable of doing Maths it would be a good idea to do it, regardless of anything else.

FWIW:

DD chose to do her A levels in art, English and French. She did a term at Uni doing French and hated it.

Dropped out, came home, had a good think.

Decided she wanted to do Zoology at uni. Found a course that included a foundation year and went for it.

A few years working in animal-related commerce (dog food to you and me) then during the pandemic came home (again) and decided to do a masters in Conservation Ecology and Environment.

Finally, at 28, found her dream job in Sustainability. She got a hotly contested paid internship - her age, previous work experience, language A level and educational swerve from art to science helped her stand out - and was taken on permanently in a proper job within a couple of months. Yes she is behind some of her friends in earnings, but her potential is fantastic and she is in a career she knows she really loves.

My point being whatever he chooses now doesn't actually matter that much - doing well at this stage is better than doing 'right', it's not like the '80s, you can go round again if you want to.

@LadyGardenersQuestionTime
I think some DC need to earn before they are 28. I’ve subsidised DD2 for years. The dream job might be there but for many it isn’t.

Most 16 year olds haven't a clue what they want to do. A lucky few do.
He should do the subjects he is best at and enjoys (or hates least).
Both of mine did that. All stem subjects at A level and then chose a science/ maths degree.
DS2 still had no idea what he wanted to do after graduation, got a first at a top uni. He is now 24 and in a well paid career totally unrelated to his degree subject but he couldn't have got a foot in the door without a degree. However it's not his dream job so he's now looking at other avenues. He's never been out of work.
Physics, maths and history is a fantastic mix.

My youngest DD is in exactly the same frame of mind. We’ve had a terrible time with her unable to choose what she wants to do at all, so we’ve gone with the things she’s naturally best at - History, Classics and Sociology. She’s still no nearer having an idea of a career but we’ve advised her there really is no need to decide now.

They can get a free degree by joining the Police for 3 years, something to think about? We found the schools careers thing to be absolutely useless, and they didn’t have a clue how to help if you didn’t have a clear idea of what you wanted to do.

@TizerorFizz DD worked throughout - in her gap year, between university and masters (proper job living in London) and during her masters. She did live with us for free during her masters but otherwise was completely self-supporting.

I agree with pretty much everyone else. Subjects like A level Law are a bit of a waste IMHO esp if you are unsure like your DS OP; Law A level is NT needed for a law degree (as v few sixth forms offer it) and in fact from MN threads it may be a bad thing to have it. Similarly with psych, sociology, gov pol, philosophy - degrees in these subjects do not tend to specify A level subjects, and an A level in law will close the door on other possibilities.

This is why facilitating subjects were detailed; not bc they were "better" but bc they leave more options open. If you take physics and maths A level, you could go on to study physics, other sciences, engineering, medicine if you had chemistry, but also yy law, psych, etc. So if he really doesn't know, get him to pick subjects he will do well in and which will leave options open - in other words, choose at least a couple from 3x sciences, maths and FM, history, geography, MFL, Eng lit. These are subjects that are required for some uni courses (no chance of an Eng Lit degree without Eng Lit A level) and won't close other doors, if that makes sense?

Caveat: I am not in any way saying that every student should choose from these subjects; if you know you want to study sports science then PE A level is a good plan. Tho even then, biology or maths may also be a good idea.

Choose the subjects he enjoys

Law A level is NT needed for a law degree True. BIL is a law professor and prefers students not to have law A level

I did a Law degree many years ago and was told they prefer students not to have law A-level

My first boyfriend did physics, maths and PE A Level. Then he did a degree in physics. Then he did an MSC in Business and Finance. Now he is a Tax Partner at a big firm. when he was doing GCSEs he only wanted to be a long distance runner or own a gym.

generally the advice is: choose subjects you enjoy and are good at, try and pick subjects that go together.

it is possible to change subject if he starts an A level and hates it, as long as he decides early on in the course.

not knowing what to do is very hard

Thanks @TheRoadToRuin that's what I thought. That NT in my post is meant to be NOT btw doh.

He doesn't sound like someone who should be steered down the total maths with physics route to me

OP in second post says his favourite subject is physics so I think that's why it's been suggested though why he didn't pick it in the first instance is odd.

I'd still suggest he and Op talk to his subject teachers and get their input focusing on the subjects he enjoys and is better at.

DS is a bit off nailing down his A-levels - but wants to do Computer Science and maths - and is interested in further maths - his current maths department all think he should take further maths. DH keeps suggesting physics as fourth AS-level as fits in well there - and it does. I worry it could be too much maths and DS also talented with geography according to his current teacher and I do wonder if that would keep more doors open.

The college DS will go to has advisors you can talk to before applying and help with subject combinations- I've suggest nearer the time perhaps DS should do that.

You CAN do an Eng Lit degree without Eng Lit A level btw.

Facilitating subjects aren't a thing any more . Oxbridge and some others have preferred subjects and certain degrees of course specify. The aforementioned subjects are all on preferred subjects lists , as they call them these days.

I agree that certain subjects facilitate others. That's all that means.

Psychology is now the 3rd most popular A level and sociology is around sixth. They're hardly obscure or niche. Maths and science 'facilitate' Psychology, for example. Lots of our recent students have gained places to study Law with Law A level, including one to Oxford and one to do HSPS at Cambridge with sociology A Level. Likewise, psychology students have accessed psychology degrees with no issues.

I think maths, physics and psychology might be a genuinely interesting combo. Bit of variety and human angle. Biology is the more common science with psychology , however.

Bless him, I'd suggest he chooses the subjects which he enjoys studying now, and will do well in, rather than ones he hates but might get him into some imaginary career he'll be miserable in 20 years down the line.

Another solicitor here saying don't bother with law A level. Even doing 3 sciences would be better to end up doing law as a career if that is what he eventually decides to do. That said Maths, Physics and History would be a great combination too and history lends itself to good report writing skills which is invaluable in many careers

Thank you all again, I hadn't realised there were more message!

He seems settled on maths and physics (and no, I don't know why he didn't choose physics first time round either) It is the third subject he us not overly confident on. But it is interesting that he could perhaps choose 2 with the option of dropping one once he has started college.

He already does psychology and is doing very well at gcse level. His teacher says she thinks the fact he has a scientific mind has helped him greatly. History is another he is doing very well in at gcse level and that he enjoys so I've floated that idea with him as well.

It is interesting hearing what is being said re doing a law a level / gcse. I had no idea it might be preferable not to do an a level, something else to think about.

It was his official last day today, with 2 more exams next week. He's a bit subdued, which could be the heat, and could be the anti climax of it all!

I think Maths, Physics and History would be a good combination for him.

@Monr0e
For most Law courses, as long as Law is with say, History, Maths, English, MFL it’s not really a negative. You need essay subjects. Politics or Law, or plenty of other A levels are fine as a third. They don’t all have to be “facilitating”. However he needs to think about keeping doors open. Doing History would. Economics or business studies would. Psychology too if he wants to go down that route.

I would say though that looking at careers is important. If he wants engineering it’s important to know which A levels. So I would start exploring jobs snd what they entail. For example most engineering grads will get jobs in that title if they want them. Most psychology grads don’t. What makes an A level popular isn’t always the sensible choice for careers.