History, psychology or computing for able student?

[DontKnowMuchAboutHistoryDontKnowMuchBiology]

It's options time and DD is struggling to pick, so I was wondering if anyone had any insight or wise words?

She is lucky I'm that she's naturally academic, great results in everything, I'd say she is a real generalist and turns her hand to most things. Which is the problem. (That and her "I don't knoooooww being stuck on repeat 🙄) Although it's more about the subjects not being her current favourites rather than struggling to narrow down ones she loves of that makes sense.

In the running are: history, psychology, and computing.

Compulsory subjects: triple science, Spanish, maths, English.

Music already chosen from last year.

She has to do at least one of geography and history and has chosen geography in that column.

So yeah, excluding those that really don't interest her, it's history psychology or computing. I can't really predict her A level choices. She is very strong at Spanish (it's a shame a second language isn't an option) so maybe that. But she's equally good at both humanities and science/maths as far as I can tell. I'd say she is an 8 as long as she revises rather than 9 with their eyes closed kind of student in Maths. She loves music/drama but I can't see her going on to further education for it, she'll keep it as a lovely hobby.

Any advice on which subject will keep the most doors open, is likely to yield the best result here, questions to ask her, or which is likely to be interesting to a pain in the arse student like this? I actually don't mind what she does I just want her to be happy with her choice.
Thanks 😊

Get her to have a look through the specifications for each subject. She might find she has absolutely no interest in the periods of history that they study, for example. Edit: Is it computer science or ICT? I wouldn't bother with GCSE ICT.

What is she most interested in? Do that.

Thanks. She does know the history topics already. I think the problem is, she doesn't dislike history, but it's not her current fav. I imagine it gets more interesting at GSCE though? The other subjects she's only done for a few weeks as part of a carousel this year. Last year she won "student of the year" in computing though so she's not bad based on that. I've looked at the specs though and it looks pretty technical. You're right though, making her sit down and read the proper exam board specs for all might help.

There lies the problem! "I don't knoooooow" 🤦‍♀️

She needs to pick the one she will enjoy the most. As hard as it may be nobody else can decide for her.

@xmasdealhunter It's computer science. They offer a TA and GCSE in computer science. Strangely it's listed as one subject in the column on the form, but separately on the details they send so I assume that's just a timetabling thing.

I would look at the specs / revision guides. To see what seems interesting.

However if no clear front runner then I would also consider number of exams and volume of content.
Look at the current y11 thread for comments on number of exams, revision load etc. A lighter subject would be no bad thing.

You don't need psychology or CS GCSEs to do it at A level though.

I would look ahead to the next stage (A Level presumably, if she is a good student). Find out; if she decides later she wants to study history/psychology/computing at Alevel, without having the GCSE, could she do that? I just imagine its easier to get on an A-level psychology or computing course without GCSE. So choosing history now would keep more options open. (But I could be wrong, she needs to research it).

I know that at her school at least, you need to have taken history GCSE to do history A level. The others don't specify so I assume there is no requirement, but I would double check.

When I was at school, you needed to have done an essay subject to do history A-level, but not necessarily history (and everyone doing A-level had done Eng Lit, so...) But different schools (and times), different rules. Psychology is often offered at A-level without GCSE, because not all schools offer it at GCSE.

I have degrees in both History and Comp Sci (it was a conversion) so it may not be cutting all options at this point - but she still does have to make a decision at some point, and it will have to be her choice. I agree that looking at the exam syllabus will help.

If she really can't decide, throw dice - you could assign 2 numbers to each subject (say 1 and 6 for history) and if that's what comes up, that's the choice. If she feels disappointed in that decision, then she can discard it and she's left with two other options to decide between.

Computing then.

The dice is a good way to find out what she really thinks @DontKnowMuchAboutHistoryDontKnowMuchBiology

Here are my thoughts FWIW

Computing – tough to get a teacher and when they leave, hard for them to be replaced, so this has been an issue for some students. DS took this having liked it at KS3 and found it dull, wished he had done RE and expected a grade 5 (in fact got a 6 which is fine obvs). Not needed for A level CS nor indeed is the A level needed for a CS degree.

History – yy look at the topics, are they of interest? DS took this and enjoyed it. It’s a good basis for a lot of other subjects such as sociology or politics. OTOH there is a lot of learning in it. So much to remember!

Psych – not always offered at GCSE and thus not usually needed to take the A level. Popular A level choice but students often think it will be different from what it is and are disappointed. Again look at the spec – does it sound dry or exciting?

Any of the subjects would be fine. #helpful