How's everyone's year 11s getting on with choosing courses/colleges?.

[Quarar]

First open evening for us yesterday. Looked at a college that is over an hour away by bus so a long way if dc chooses it. They absolutely love the look of the philosophy A level which has thrown them as they were looking at Biology, chemistry and geography. Geology A level also looked great. So many choices/decisions..
We have another college visit to the nearest college next week. They don't have as many choices though
How is everyone else getting on? Does your DC know what they want to do yet?

There's only one choice round here - the local 6th form college. DS thinks he will definitely do biology and probably chemistry plus maths physics or history - may do 4 and drop one after AS.

Surely they need to make a decision as to what they want to do as a career and work back from there? Something relevant to their end career?

Yes my dc has an idea of what they want to do but there isn't one set pathway to get there.

I highly recommend Geology A level

DD wants to go to 6th form college but similar to your dilemma, OP it's over an hour away!

They offer a much wider choice of A and T Levels which is why she wants to go. It's just so frustrating that her current school don't offer anything very interesting at A Level if so she'd stay there as it's up the road!

She wants to be a teacher and always has done but just needs to get the GCSEs. Will be touch and go whether she gets a maths grade 4 😬

Have you done it or one of your DC?.

It's difficult isn't it. The closer college would be so much more practical.
Maths GCSE is really challenging. Fingers crossed for a 4 🙏

DS is leaning towards Biology and Business A levels, but is undecided on the third. Contenders are Criminology, Economics or Politics. Any thoughts on that combination?

Luckily his school 6th form offers a good range of courses and he's keen to stay put. Open evening after half term so it'll be interesting to go along and see what's on offer.

We are fortunate to live in a City with a number of options relatively local and also within a 10-15 mile radius.
dd isn’t sure what she wants to be/ study. We’re going to several open evenings.

It’s an exciting time (apart from exam anxiety - her not me)

She’s more artistic than academic interested in social science alongside more ‘arty’ subjects.

My daughter is at sixth form and takes the tube - it's almost one hour door to door when you add in the walking either end. She's used to it, though it is a long day (has to be in at 8.20, classes end at 4pm but there are two obligatory lectures a week that run til 5).

Depends on what he want to do next and what sort of institution he is aiming at (if any). Doing one science by itself doesn't necessarily open many doors in that direction. Doing Business and Economics isn't recommended by some institutions (and the very highest look very unfavourably on Business anyway). But many mid or lower ranking uni's won't care at all.