Can we hear your advice on what's the best one to drop?

[whatIforgottoday]

Hi All,

DD (aged 16) has just started at an independent sixth-form and needs to make a decision by Friday. Essentially, due to the changes in the A-level system, her school decided to give all students in L6 8 weeks to decide what subjects they wish to carry forward. All students have started off with 4 subjects they've chosen and are now been asked to make the decision as to which one they will discontinue with (similar to what you would do at the end of L6, after your AS results). DD is studying History (Modern), Politics, English Lit and Philosophy and Ethics (RS).

Over the past few weeks we've had tons of data home (and parent's evening last night) to help her make this decision. She is working at an A for history, politics and RS. English lit she is working at a high B, low A.

However DD is completely stuck as what to 'drop'. She enjoys English lit but says it has been really difficult and she is in a class with very strong personalities which makes her shy away from talking (this was confirmed by teachers last night). In RS, she is flying (often getting full marks in essays) however she feels that whilst she enjoys the subject she might get a bit bored.

Essentially, it doesn't matter university-wise what she does, we've been told both RS and English lit are respected along with her other subjects. She wants to go into primary teaching, so again either will fit! The question is should she go for the subject she enjoys more (even though she's scared of struggling so much, she feels she will come to resent it) or go for RS which is enjoyable (but maybe not as much) and potentially achieve a higher grade?

Thanks for your advice and getting this far!

[Molio]

I've never looked them up Hocus even now because it seems to me to be bleedingly obvious that for generalist subjects which mine have done (law, history) most subjects will pass muster if you keep fairly mainstream and the important thing is to do subjects you enjoy. The DS who's doing medicine knew he needed chemistry and liked chemistry so no sweat there either. I guess we haven't had anything too esoteric in this house, thus far.

[Brioche201]

Is it a decision or just am indication of intentions? It sea very early to be expected to make the choice!

[whatIforgottoday]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your comments.
A definite choice had to be in on Friday and she decided to 'drop' philosophy and ethics. DD was very undecided right up until Friday morning (when the form had to be in) but she seems happy with the decision she's made. It's certainly a risky decision as she was doing very well in P&E but she said she didn't find it as interesting, which I guess is important if your studying it for 2 years! Hopefully it will turn out well.

Thanks for all your comments and I apologise if it seemed like I was criticising some A-Levels, I certainly didn't mean to.