Drama vs Chemistry

[NotGoodNotBad]

This is in Scotland, so for National 5 (Scottish equivalent of GSCE). Only get to do 8 subjects though, which is making choosing hard. Other subjects - English, Maths, Physics, German, Latin, Geography, RMPS (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies).

DD is leaning towards Drama, I want her to do Chemistry.

My reasons - it will make a better balance of subjects. Only doing one science is not great (she is very bright and it may look as though she's not). She doesn't do any extra-curricular drama, so she can't be that keen (she did audition for one school play and failed). Chemistry is a basis for other things. The drama course, as far as I can tell, isn't.

Her reasons - she thinks she prefers drama, and won't want to do Chemistry at higher levels anyway.

Now, I think my reasons are better than hers , and I'm looking at it from the perspective of her future studies and employability rather than a 13 year old who just wants to pick subjects she enjoys. But, should I even try to influence her? If she does Chemistry and hates it, it will be all my fault what's new? Should I just let her make her own mistakes? (If indeed it is a mistake?)

[senua]

It's none of your business. If she likes drama and thinks she will do better at it then she should do it. No point wasting years of your life studying something you have no interest in.

I really think parents should keep their noses out unless the student is making an absolutely ridiculous decision.

and
Only doing one science is a ridiculous decision.

[Dominodonkey]

senua well the school obviously don't think so or it would not be allowed.

[NotGoodNotBad]

"It's none of your business. "

It is my business, as her mother, to give her the best advice I can for her future. She has only just turned 13 and her view of the world is naturally rather limited as yet.

Cupcake, yes I know drama isn't a doss subject - but I'm worried it may look like one! And it's back to the issue not so much of doing drama, but of only doing one science to enable that.

Domino, the school has a minimum of one science, one social science and one modern foreign language. But then this minimum caters for everyone, including students who may be excellent in one area but not so good in another.

[NotGoodNotBad]

Cupcake, I'm shocked at some schools only allowing 5-6 subjects at S4 . 8 is few enough!

[NotGoodNotBad]

We had a talk with her last night and explained why we wanted her to do Chemistry rather than drama, and that it isn't a case of not wanting her to do drama, but wanting her to do 2 sciences. (We didn't suggest dropping a different subject as I think she has made good choices.) She wasn't impressed by our reasoning, and kept saying she wants to do drama despite not joining the school drama club, or the school French drama club, or auditioning for this year's school play. We have suggested also that she can do drama camps in the holidays if she wants (she did do one last summer).

It's her choice now as, rightly, the students rather than the parents make the decision.

Maybe I'm worrying about nothing - if there are schools only doing 5-6 subjects in S4 there will be a whole raft of Scottish students with only one science!

[NotGoodNotBad]

Well, the form is in. Drama it is sigh. Will have to try very hard in the next two years to be supportive and not carp on about chemistry!