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Secondary education

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Original poster

A levels: Maths, Economics and....

95 replies

Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 20:38

Which third one?

He doesn’t like French or English. Is quite good at Chemistry but doesn’t like Physics or Biology. He likes History but doesn’t enjoy essay writing. Maybe Geography but he doesn’t seem that fussed.

Maths and Chemistry are his strongest subjects (targeting grade 8s) although he is doing Trilogy Science.

What do others do? He’s not sure what he wants to study but I’d say he might suit something Business/Economics/Maths related as he’s interested in the business field/how economies work.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket · 22/01/2021 21:12

Chemistry is fun at a level. That's what I'd choose

Original poster
Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 21:22

@Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket

Chemistry is fun at a level. That's what I'd choose
I’d heard it was hard?! Can you tell me what makes it fun? Personally I love Chemistry. My son seems to enjoy it well enough but he’s not enthusiastic about it (but then he’s a 15 year old boy 😁)
OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/01/2021 21:26

Economics & maths are great for any business type degree. Maths essential for a good few economics courses. For a science degree maths and chemistry open a huge amount of degrees. 3rd option could be anything really but he needs to be able to get the highest grade possible at whatever he chooses. If you flick through a university prospectus you’ll have difficulty finding a course you can’t do with economics, maths & chemistry. It keeps everything open bar engineering (which is one of the few degrees that FM is often an essential requirement). For most courses FM isn’t needed and some only count it as a 4th as overlaps too much as a 3rd with maths. So if he is considering FM, double check course requirements. My DD is doing economics, maths & chemistry; she got 8’s in maths & chemistry gcse and is not finding chemistry easy. Definitely choose something he’ll have most potential with regarding best grades rather than kudos.

Phineyj · 22/01/2021 21:27

There is a lot of essay writing in Economics. Does he realise that?!

shrumps · 22/01/2021 21:29

Have you asked him what he wants to do?

Original poster
Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 21:30

@Phineyj

There is a lot of essay writing in Economics. Does he realise that?!
I think we need to delve deeper. Just at the early stages... From my understanding it would be less than in BS.

He really loves History but has said no due to the essay writing which is a shame but understandable!

OP posts:
Original poster
Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 21:30

@shrumps

Have you asked him what he wants to do?
A levels or University?
OP posts:
titchy · 22/01/2021 21:31

Geology might be an interesting one - combines Chem with Geog. Could get an understanding of degrees in sustainability, carbon neutral etc from a business point of view.

Original poster
Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 21:33

@NotDonna good advice thanks. He doesn’t really want to talk about it too much. Lockdown and exams or the cancellation of is stressing him out. I have to choose my moments carefully! His tutor is one of the maths teachers so that’s good and my son will listen to him even if he doesn’t want to talk to me about it!

OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/01/2021 21:36

My son seems to enjoy it well enough but he’s not enthusiastic about it (but then he’s a 15 year old boy 😁)
Mmm! No way would I recommend any A level he isn’t enthusiastic about. Chemistry was DDs fave subject at gcse - was! She was very undecided about what to do after A levels and these three kept all her options open. Not sure she’d agree that it’s fun.

Kolo · 22/01/2021 21:40

I did maths, economics and French - French because it would help me with work in the EU 😞.

FM is good, or physics compliments maths well. I'd advise any young person to study what they enjoy, though. They're more likely to do well.

Student133 · 22/01/2021 21:40

I'm a student studying history and economics at an RG Uni. Whether he chooses to do an essay subject is gonna be important depending on what he wants study at uni, unless he is doing maths where there aren't any essays, it would seem silly to not do politics/ history etc because he doesn't like essays- he will have to do them at uni. I'm currently doing a marketing module which is available to maths students and some slare struggling as they haven't written an essay since GCSEs. So, if your is sure he wants to go down the technical routes this is clearly not an option, but if he wants to do any sort of economics/ business further down the line, then being able to write essays is critical, and he would learn how to do this during a levels. Please feel free to ask me anything.

slalomsuki · 22/01/2021 21:42

Mine is doing Maths, Economics and Geography. He likes them and they do link together.

NotDonna · 22/01/2021 21:43

For what it’s worth my DD is also dyslexic and not great at essay writing. However the type of economic ‘essays’ aren’t like history essays. Do his school offer taster sessions. Even remotely would be useful. Our yr13’s do subject presentations plus Q&A sessions for yr11’s which are hugely helpful. Do your school offer anything like that? Or a current student to have a chat with him, when he’s in the right head space?

NotDonna · 22/01/2021 21:46

Geography is incredibly popular alongside Maths & economics; if I remember rightly the most popular 3 A levels for applying for economics degrees. IF that’s of interest? What has he suggested as a 3rd?

Student133 · 22/01/2021 21:57

Really the most important thing when picking is above all else the ones which he can get the best grades in. I did geography and it's a nice balance of everything from politics to economics and then the scientific aspects. But it involves a lot of essay writing, along with pretty much everything that isnt maths or sciences, economics involves mostly essay writing about economic principles, and at uni plenty of economics modules involve 3000 word essays. So, your son needs to figure out whether he will do better with maths, and 2 essay subjects, or economics and 2 not essay subjects, and whether he can do better in either scenario. He will have to write essays at some point, so hes better off learning earlier so he can get his head round it, they use quite straightforward frameworks, so if he views it as a series of equations to make his point, I'm sure he will get there.

Original poster
Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 21:59

@NotDonna do you know any 15 year old boys?! Grin He’s not enthusiastic about anything at the moment. Sad So that would be no A levels! It’s no fun learning online in your bedroom.

OP posts:
Original poster
Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 22:05

I know what you’re saying @Student133 but I will encourage him to do what he enjoys not necessarily what he will get the best grades in. Hopefully there will be overlap.

The school hasn’t done taster sessions or anything like that yet. I must get in touch and ask. It’s obviously been discussed as he mentioned it tonight out of the blue.

He’s really stressed with GCSEs and lockdown so I have to tread lightly.

OP posts:
Chickydoo · 22/01/2021 23:09

Mine is doing Maths, economics & politics. Seems a good mix

NotDonna · 23/01/2021 07:37

Politics would be like history re essay writing OP. There’s enough ‘essays’ in economics for uni prep. It’s not something I’d be remotely concerned about. Be aware though that most subjects at A level involve essays (even chemistry) to a more or lesser degree. Hope your boy is feeling happier this weekend. I resort to texting my kids when it gets like this. 🙄

Original poster
Goingdooolally · 23/01/2021 07:50

Thanks so much everyone and @NotDonna thanks for your kind words. 💗

I suggested to him we look at courses he fancied doing and may try working back from there, to see if that helped.

Unfortunately his chemistry teacher is leaving (he really likes him) but hopefully they’ll get someone good for September.

This place is amazing! Thank you!

OP posts:
SabrinaThwaite · 23/01/2021 09:05

Not having further maths at A level (or equivalent) does not rule out an engineering degree - some sixth forms don’t offer it in England and it doesn’t even exist as a subject in Scotland.

If your DS enjoys physical geography then I’d definitely suggest geology, but it might be the human geography aspects that sit better with economics.

Psychology might be useful, but it may require a certain level at biology GCSE to take it?

SuperPug · 23/01/2021 09:35

Agree with choosing Chemistry.
I would also have a look at Informed Choices, published by the Russell Group. Some A Levels are seen as more ‘academic’ than others - for example, Economics would generally be seen as a stronger A Level to take, compared to Business Studies.

Decorhate · 23/01/2021 09:49

My Ds is doing Maths, Economics & Politics. He is really enjoying the Politics course in spite of having a weekly essay. But if essays are a total no then a Science subject might be better but they are more wordier than they used to be...

montlieu · 23/01/2021 10:01

Please can I ask for my DC
He is looking at Maths, physics, economics ... plus either chemistry or Spanish.
Is Spanish seen as another Essay subject? Is there a lot of writing ?
Plus if the Spanish is that we speak a continental language at home which gives him an advantage. However, I am also concerned that we may have another bumpy winter ahead of us and chemistry will be an easier subject to learn remotely than a MFL
At the moment, he can’t decide whether uni will be science or more like economics/business. Thanks !

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