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A level dilemma; please advise

78 replies

Suki2 · 05/04/2020 11:52

DS has chosen three A levels; history biology and economics. Seemed reasonable until he started looking a little deeper into degree options. He's veering towards a biology degree and found that the vast majority want a second science, which he wouldn't have. His other possible avenue would be an economics degree but most require maths A level.

He's adamant he doesn't want to do maths A level; he feels it's just too difficult. He's an average student who doesn't like to exert himself too much, but he does ok. DH and I think he should swap economics for chemistry to facilitate a biology degree. He's a bit nervous that chemistry will be too difficult. He quite likes chemistry; he's not passionate about it but he's laid back about all his subjects. I"m not a scientist so find it quite hard to give advice.

His plan was to wait until results day and if he gets a 7 in chemistry he will take the A level; he's borderline 6 and 7. Now though he's obviously not taking the exam and not doing any revision for it; we feel he should decide now, especially as his school will start an introductory course to the A levels in the summer term.

Please advise.

OP posts:
Ariela · 07/04/2020 14:17

DS is very interested in computer science; computing is one of his gcse subjects but his school does not offer A level computer science; there weren't enough students interested in it.

Does he have to continue at school? Can he change schools? Or go to a college to do this?

Smiliestar87 · 07/04/2020 14:29

I moved schools for sixth form and whilst it was a difficult adjustment for the first half term, it was the best decision I made!

Also all these people saying A level Chemistry is hard..... my experience was the opposite. I did Chemistry GCSE and struggled, just scrapped a B but A Level starts again from the beginning. So providing you keep up with the class, you will be fine.

I ended up getting A (before A* were awarded) with 118/120 on the final exam.

Honestly it's more about discipline over 2 years and asking the teacher to recap if something isn't clear. He can definitely do it if he puts his mind to it.

Theresnobslikeshowb · 10/04/2020 13:01

If it’s any consolation between GCSE’s and starting uni, ds changed his mind so many times! He’s now becoming a solicitor and is loving it. Never would I have put him as a solicitor a few years ago, he just didn’t seem the type. But now I couldn’t imagine him as anything else.

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