[Listener15]

Would really appreciate some honest feedback from people on what people honestly think,

Thinking about the choices for a level and already got some sorted, but trying to decide my fourth, stuck on sociology and English Lit

Know that sociology is sometimes seen as a 'soft' subject and English Lit looks a lot better in some cases, think I might want to go into psychology at Uni but very conscious that this could all change during sixth form, also know that sociology is recommended for psychology but not necessarily much else (directly)

Have also had taster sessions in each which were very informative but equally 'tempting', I like the sound of both curriculum's but prefer the look of sociology in a lot of ways.

By the way my other choices I'm pretty sure about are:
Biology,
Spanish
History
Which I thoroughly enjoy, and keep my options fairly open for change but equally don't hinder me in going into psychology,

I really hope that some of you will be able to help
Thanks Listener15

[Maddog Jones]

Unis don't see sociology as soft. Sociology is very interesting. I did both Sociology and English Lit. I hated English Lit, I love sociology.

[lucas13]

pros- if your good at English its probably quite an easy subject
cons- sometimes regarded as being a soft subject, ie other subjects would look better for a university application, however it would be okay as a 3rd/4th subject.

[Listener15]

(Original post by Maddog Jones)
Unis don't see sociology as soft. Sociology is very interesting. I did both Sociology and English Lit. I hated English Lit, I love sociology.

Hiya Maddog Jones,
Glad to hear that, though have heard that many people including lucas13 who also replied doesn't necessarily share the same view!
Why did you hate English Lit?
Glad you enjoyed sociology - is it just that you found sociology that much more interesting or engaging or something like teachers?
Thanks very much
Listener15

[Listener15]

(Original post by TaraBelle)
Sociology isn't 'soft'! Psychology is on the list though, so beware!

Also I'm doing it for AS at the moment, and it's really really interesting, promise! I do bio, chem and maths as well and I have to say sociology's my favourite. I'm hoping to go into medicine so I'm gonna drop it at the end of this year, but I picked it hoping I could talk about how understading people and society has helped me etc. Its also an essay subject so it helps to keep your writing skills sharp They're not that big though- I think the biggest one is 24 marks? Out of the 60 marks available, so it's not too bad

Definitely advise you to take it! Hope this helped

Edit: Eng lit would probably look better though on applications, but I can't compare the two of them unofrtunately

Hiya TaraBelle,
That sounds good to me, just that have heard some people think it could possibly be one.
No need to worry about me taking psychology at a-level though as firstly have heard that sometimes they teach you the wrong things plus they don't offer it where I want to go anyway.
It just sounds so interesting ... as want to go into psychology perhaps at uni and in that case would be directly relevant, already got history as essay writing but don't mind anymore as long as I get an explanation of how I'm meant to set them out, and a vague idea of what they might want in there!
It's a shame about you not being able to compare but the info you've given me is really helpful and will have to think on it all! (Got a little bit of time yet!)
That's what I meant about English Lit but got some other subjects that should hopefully balance them out a bit.
Thanks once again, Listener15

[Listener15]

(Original post by lucas13)
pros- if your good at English its probably quite an easy subject
cons- sometimes regarded as being a soft subject, ie other subjects would look better for a university application, however it would be okay as a 3rd/4th subject.

Hiya lucas13,
That's exactly what I've been trying to weigh up!
Bit of a challenge, will have to ask some teachers about their honest opinions etc.
It would be my fourth option and would link quite nicely in with the rest of my subjects:
History, biology and Spanish, but in all fairness most subjects would.

Thanks, nice concise answer ... just don't know if it quite makes my mind up about it
Would you say that it's better to take a subject that looks good and you like or a softer subject that you think you'll love?

Listener15

[Shippy]

do sociology, it's great!

[Maddog Jones]

(Original post by Listener15)
Hiya Maddog Jones,
Glad to hear that, though have heard that many people including lucas13 who also replied doesn't necessarily share the same view!
Why did you hate English Lit?
Glad you enjoyed sociology - is it just that you found sociology that much more interesting or engaging or something like teachers?
Thanks very much
Listener15

Sociology is fascinating, it really opens your mind to the world! Ignore other people, they are TSR members who will put the words 'mickey mouse' in front of anything that isn't at least an A and a natural science.

English Lit, some people really enjoy it. I was on the gifted and talented register for it, but I still found it very dry and ended up getting a D (partly due to immaturity, partly due to lack of enthusiasm for the subject).

[lucas13]

(Original post by Listener15)
Hiya lucas13,
That's exactly what I've been trying to weigh up!
Bit of a challenge, will have to ask some teachers about their honest opinions etc.
It would be my fourth option and would link quite nicely in with the rest of my subjects:
History, biology and Spanish, but in all fairness most subjects would.

Thanks, nice concise answer ... just don't know if it quite makes my mind up about it
Would you say that it's better to take a subject that looks good and you like or a softer subject that you think you'll love?

Listener15

In your case I would go for the subject that I loved as your other 3 a levels are all good subjects, another consideration is if you enjoy a subject more you will probably get a better grade, were you thinking of another subject in particular?

[Listener15]

(Original post by Shippy)
do sociology, it's great!

I'm may be on the way to considering that!
Thanks

[Listener15]

(Original post by Maddog Jones)
Sociology is fascinating, it really opens your mind to the world! Ignore other people, they are TSR members who will put the words 'mickey mouse' in front of anything that isn't at least an A and a natural science.

English Lit, some people really enjoy it. I was on the gifted and talented register for it, but I still found it very dry and ended up getting a D (partly due to immaturity, partly due to lack of enthusiasm for the subject).

Each to their own I guess...
I know some people are just ready for it ... like a really good friend of mine who knows exactly which random books the teacher is going on about ...

Thanks again,
Listener15

[Listener15]

(Original post by lucas13)
In your case I would go for the subject that I loved as your other 3 a levels are all good subjects, another consideration is if you enjoy a subject more you will probably get a better grade, were you thinking of another subject in particular?

Sounds good, but the ultimatum is that my other subject is English Lit which makes it really hard for me to decide...
Is is true that the mark schemes for sociology let people get away with almost anything? And if so is it possible that it's not great to take it because people know that?
Also confused because at the moment when I tell people I want to take: history, biology and Spanish and then one other they tell me I'm going to busy, but I'd imagine that with all/the vast majority you are going to busy and they are going t challenge you!

Thanks once again lucas13
Listener15

[Shippy]

(Original post by Listener15)
I'm may be on the way to considering that!
Thanks

I've done AS lit and AS sociology and i enjoyed sociology much more, there's a lot of room for debates and discussion, and it can be challenging at times. I think it's easier than Lit though, and i'd agree that it is less respected but if it's something you think you'd enjoy doing, chances are you'll really love it. It is a marmite subject really, and if you don't like it, you won't do well.

[Diffusion]

All I'm going to say is that there's a lot to cover for each exam, in particular the secondary units. It's certainly interesting and gives a good introduction to sociology. I learnt loads and enjoyed it, partly cos my teacher was a gem. If you can hack writing essays constantly, then go for it.

[Listener15]

(Original post by Shippy)
I've done AS lit and AS sociology and i enjoyed sociology much more, there's a lot of room for debates and discussion, and it can be challenging at times. I think it's easier than Lit though, and i'd agree that it is less respected but if it's something you think you'd enjoy doing, chances are you'll really love it. It is a marmite subject really, and if you don't like it, you won't do well.

All the debates and discussions are really attractive ...
But I definitely understand it isn't as respected ... but probably not as bad as psychology, business studies/applied business ... but will have to continue to ask around - probably more at my school

Thanks again though Shippy!
Listener15

[Listener15]

(Original post by Diffusion)
All I'm going to say is that there's a lot to cover for each exam, in particular the secondary units. It's certainly interesting and gives a good introduction to sociology. I learnt loads and enjoyed it, partly cos my teacher was a gem. If you can hack writing essays constantly, then go for it.

Glad you seemed to have enjoyed it ... you don't think it depends too much on the teacher do you? But like the idea of covering lots of topics.
Is it true that the marking of sociology could potentially be the reason why some people see it as a soft subject?
I think there's a good chance that I could do essay after essay when knowing when to write ... heard you get loads of practice to perfect the art of essays anyway!
Thanks Diffusion!
Listener15

[lucas13]

(Original post by Listener15)
Sounds good, but the ultimatum is that my other subject is English Lit which makes it really hard for me to decide...
Is is true that the mark schemes for sociology let people get away with almost anything? And if so is it possible that it's not great to take it because people know that?
Also confused because at the moment when I tell people I want to take: history, biology and Spanish and then one other they tell me I'm going to busy, but I'd imagine that with all/the vast majority you are going to busy and they are going t challenge you!

Thanks once again lucas13
Listener15

I wouldn't know as I don't do sociology, can you do 5 subjects and see which one you enjoyed and were good at then drop the other?

[Listener15]

(Original post by lucas13)
I wouldn't know as I don't do sociology, can you do 5 subjects and see which one you enjoyed and were good at then drop the other?

Fair enough - what do you take?
Could possibly but think that to be honest got enough on my plate ... already going to take history, spanish and biology, perhaps could, know that a friend in the yr above me was allowed to take 5 subjects for a couple of weeks cos she was really unsure, then dropped one, you don't get any frees and it seems like I'm going to need them
I'm questioning whether I should complete all my 'hard' subjects with English Lit
Or try and take a 'softer/easier' option that might give me a break at times ... although perhaps it would be an idea to try out five.
Know that the head of sixth form really only lets people that really feel confident doing five do five and generally advises against it as you're too spread out for a-level.
Did you take five?
Thanks again, sorry about all the random questions but you don't seem to mind so far!
Listener15

[lucas13]

(Original post by Listener15)
Fair enough - what do you take?
Could possibly but think that to be honest got enough on my plate ... already going to take history, spanish and biology, perhaps could, know that a friend in the yr above me was allowed to take 5 subjects for a couple of weeks cos she was really unsure, then dropped one, you don't get any frees and it seems like I'm going to need them
I'm questioning whether I should complete all my 'hard' subjects with English Lit
Or try and take a 'softer/easier' option that might give me a break at times ... although perhaps it would be an idea to try out five.
Know that the head of sixth form really only lets people that really feel confident doing five do five and generally advises against it as you're too spread out for a-level.
Did you take five?
Thanks again, sorry about all the random questions but you don't seem to mind so far!
Listener15

I did 4 then dropped one for a2 level, tbh I don't think it will matter which one you do especially if you drop one after a year, how well did you do in your GCSE English compared to the other 3 that you are taking, id do the one I thought id get a higher mark in. I did maths, econ, geog, and dropped physics anyway.

[Listener15]

(Original post by lucas13)
I did 4 then dropped one for a2 level, tbh I don't think it will matter which one you do especially if you drop one after a year, how well did you do in your GCSE English compared to the other 3 that you are taking, id do the one I thought id get a higher mark in. I did maths, econ, geog, and dropped physics anyway.

Well only just in yr 11 .... so haven't quite got my marks back but not too bad in English getting around A/B marks (though targeted for A*-A - Only managed to get one A* so far!)
In hums seem to be doing well enough and R.E - that's what they base it on I think.
A* History, A*/A R.E depending, A for geography ... but got mocks coming up next week so that should help me decide but obviously my proper GCSE results in August will really help me make my final decision.
Sounds interesting your choices, I've got friends who are going to take similar options but I don't think I could bring myself to necessarily take any of those ... geog at a push!
What are you doing at the moment? - If you don't mind me asking

Thanks again,
Listener15