[Cameron10]

I enjoyed the subject in school a lot. I was two marks of an A* on my second coursework. Unfortunately I came out with a B grade though. Anyway since I left school my passion for history has increased a lot, and when I enrolled to start my A levels this year I had no doubt in my mind I was choosing a good subject.

When it comes to coursework, and essay writing, It's my strongest point. However what's been worrying me is how people have been describing it as one of the hardest subjects to take. Seriously? I don't consider myself to be incredibly academic, but people have been comparing it to Math and the sciences in terms on difficulty- for which I got D grade's on at GCSE..

Is it as really hard as people make out? Or is it just down to personal preference and the individual? I'm studying History, Gov+Politics and Media and Film studies for my A levels, and I'm hoping to study History at uni after. But yes, you guessed, at a less-renowned institution.

Do I have a lot to worry about before taking the subject?

Thanks..

[Aspiringlawstudent]

AS History (OCR) was easy in my experience.

[Cheese_Monster]

If you have the passion you say you do, it shouldn't hard but enjoyable. I'm doing 1918-1964 Britain and its been really worthwhile, don't worry about the fact it is challenging at times.

[Personification]

History is by far my easiest subject, I find it rather enjoyable too. The only thing that's a pain for some is that WJEC seem to test your English and evaluative skills rather than sheer historical knowledge, which can be good but others who perhaps struggle with English may find it difficult to achieve the higher grades. Seeing as essay writing 'is your strongest point' I'd highly suggest it. I managed an 'A' in one mock with little revision, but that just could have been sheer luck. Oh, and the a levels I take are Chemistry, Biology, English Literature and History.

[roh]

(Original post by Cameron10)
I enjoyed the subject in school a lot. I was two marks of an A* on my second coursework. Unfortunately I came out with a B grade though. Anyway since I left school my passion for history has increased a lot, and when I enrolled to start my A levels this year I had no doubt in my mind I was choosing a good subject.

When it comes to coursework, and essay writing, It's my strongest point. However what's been worrying me is how people have been describing it as one of the hardest subjects to take. Seriously? I don't consider myself to be incredibly academic, but people have been comparing it to Math and the sciences in terms on difficulty- for which I got D grade's on at GCSE..

Is it as really hard as people make out? Or is it just down to personal preference and the individual? I'm studying History, Gov+Politics and Media and Film studies for my A levels, and I'm hoping to study History at uni after. But yes, you guessed, at a less-renowned institution.

Do I have a lot to worry about before taking the subject?

Thanks..

It's a hard A Level no doubt about that, there's a lot to know and you need to be able to think about the issues in order to write a decent essay. Depending what syllabus you do the c/w can be tough.

However, if you enjoy it then it's no problem to have to do some reading, learning notes etc. and if you want to do history at uni you'll likely need it, and a good grade in it.

I found it hard and it was probably the subject I was naturally best at, but not as much as Maths or Science would be if you're bad at maths and science, or Art if you're bad at Art etc. Once I realised you do have to do a bit of reading when the teacher sets it and treat the c/w with respect (read a few books about your subject, academic articles etc.) I was fine and got the grade I wanted.

Saying this my teacher was unusually tough on us and refused to teach to the exam (think we did one mock and that was the only past paper we did) so we needed to read around on our own initiative, make our own notes from books, articles etc. and it was quite like uni study. Result was those who went to do history were well prepared and a few of us got full marks but we probably had to work harder for it than some of the other classes who were taught to the exam.

Also, for unis you'll likely need to make your GCSE Maths a C to enrol and possibly a fourth AS.

[4RealBlud]

(Original post by Cameron10)
I enjoyed the subject in school a lot. I was two marks of an A* on my second coursework. Unfortunately I came out with a B grade though. Anyway since I left school my passion for history has increased a lot, and when I enrolled to start my A levels this year I had no doubt in my mind I was choosing a good subject.

When it comes to coursework, and essay writing, It's my strongest point. However what's been worrying me is how people have been describing it as one of the hardest subjects to take. Seriously? I don't consider myself to be incredibly academic, but people have been comparing it to Math and the sciences in terms on difficulty- for which I got D grade's on at GCSE..

Is it as really hard as people make out? Or is it just down to personal preference and the individual? I'm studying History, Gov+Politics and Media and Film studies for my A levels, and I'm hoping to study History at uni after. But yes, you guessed, at a less-renowned institution.

Do I have a lot to worry about before taking the subject?

Thanks..

OP, history at a level is nothing like the sciences and maths in terms of difficulty. In our school last year, half the history class came out with As and A*s, yet only one person in the chemistry class came out with anything above a B (and my school was a science specialist!). History is still probably harder than a lot of subjects and is perhaps the hardest out of the humanities and arts, but its not like its undoable at all. As long as you're bright and willing to put in some good effort, theres no reason you shouldnt get an A.

One suggestion ima make: media and film studies are considered fluff subjects by a lot of unis, i'd replace at least one of them with something else.Maybe philosophy, english, french, etc . Perhaps talk to your teachers or contact the admission's of a uni that you may like to attend to see how they' feel about media and film studies.

[Prestoria]

If you genuinely like the subject, go for it. Having the passion, in my opinion, is one of the important factors in doing well. The difficulty of the subject varies depending on the individual - there will always be some who think it is really hard, and conversely, there will be those who think it's relatively easy. Do what you genuinely want to, and don't put off things because of what other people say.

[venenecinema]

it's actually pretty easy

[Keckers]

I found it easy because I'm a cynical git so find it relatively easy to question the reliability of sources and the opinions of historians and what not; so that helped for exam technique.

The A level history modules my school were areas that I found interesting so I absorbed the information anyway. It was the A level I did the least work in and was my best grade.

Ultimately it depends if you enjoy the period you are studying and if you have the right sort of thinking process to produce analytical and quality essays.

[StillIll]

If you are good at writing essays, willing to concentrate in class and have a good memory or are good at revision you'll be fine. I found AS very easy, I had a good teacher (which I think is one of the most important things) and was interested in it. Make sure you're interested in the period too. If you're interested in Medieval history and you're doing WW2 or something you won't be happy. A level is notably harder than AS though I think.

I had the most to learn in History (I did History, English Language and Religious Studies and dropped Music at AS) but I found the papers easiest.

If you like it, go for it. Especially if you are good at essays and coursework.

[slappyhours]

i was always incredibly good at History during my years at school, I was enrolled in the gifted and talented (lol) history masterclasses in year 10 etc etc. but at A-level i found that it was less about physically learning history, and more focused on exam technique which i actually found quite difficult. in the end, we ended up learning the exam rather than actual history.

saying that though, i found it very easy at AS, it was only A2 that tripped me up.

[poyyo]

If you are passionate about the subject then it should be no problem! (but you still have to do a lot of work)

although i would recommend taking something like english lit rather than media/film if you want to do history at uni

[Bread Basket]

People who compare history to the sciences are idiots. Any measurement of difficulty is purely subjective, especially when you consider the fact that it is an essay subject and for the most part the sciences are not.

Anyhow, as somebody who enjoys history you should have the drive needed; being good at writing essays is a must, as is some extra-curricular reading at A2. However be sure to check the prospectus because I didn't and it kicked me up the backside at AS.

[RP-MRU.]

I didn't think AS was particularly difficult (guess we'll see in Aug) but lots at my college did. I didn't study it at GCSE, so I had nothing to compare it to. Just make sure you read around the subject a lot; which should be no problem if you like the subject. I studied Tudor history at AS and thought I'd hate it but I ended really interested in it, and read extra. However, make sure you read as a student and not just a History enthusiast. Most people struggle with the change from GCSE and fail to adopt the necessary essay techniques/exam techniques in time. Others simply do not cover all the syllabus. Although this is just an observation.

[a_j_r]

If you want a totally honest answer- yes, it is hard!
I got an A* at GCSE and so I went into AS History assuming I would find it easy, but I personally didn't.

It's more so about engaging in Historical debate between schools of though such as the Whig's and Revisionists (honestly- nothing like GCSE)

But, if you really enjoy it (like I do) and you're willing to work your ass off, then you'll be fine! I'm studying for my A2 history exam, and it's hard but I still enjoy it!

X

[Flying Pig]

I have my last history exam tomorrow for As. To be honest, it's begginning to really get to me and hurt my head.

We're doing the European Reformation and The English Reformation - OK once you get into it but gets very boring.

If you enjoy memorising facts, dates and events, then this course if for you. If you think you're going to be looking at really cool things, think again (unless your school does a cool course in history)

My opinion.

[ChapelTom]

Got 75% at A-Level and I barely put any effort in or revised much. So, no not too difficult.

You maybe questioning my interest in the subject, meh, I'm taking a degree in it.

[tom.west]

I got an A* at GCSE with full ums in two units. I will be lucky to get a B at AS. I have found it to be ridiculously difficult and I find it virtually impossible to work within the time constraints.
I would advise anybody not to do it.

[Ry_p94]

(Original post by Cameron10)
I enjoyed the subject in school a lot. I was two marks of an A* on my second coursework. Unfortunately I came out with a B grade though. Anyway since I left school my passion for history has increased a lot, and when I enrolled to start my A levels this year I had no doubt in my mind I was choosing a good subject.

When it comes to coursework, and essay writing, It's my strongest point. However what's been worrying me is how people have been describing it as one of the hardest subjects to take. Seriously? I don't consider myself to be incredibly academic, but people have been comparing it to Math and the sciences in terms on difficulty- for which I got D grade's on at GCSE..

Is it as really hard as people make out? Or is it just down to personal preference and the individual? I'm studying History, Gov+Politics and Media and Film studies for my A levels, and I'm hoping to study History at uni after. But yes, you guessed, at a less-renowned institution.

Do I have a lot to worry about before taking the subject?

Thanks..

I got full marks in GCSE History but A Level is much harder due to time constraints and the fact that you can't 'describe' details any more. You actually have to put strong arguments forward with perfect structure to get the high marks. I got a D in my mock so crammed for 2 weeks before the real thing and came out with 94% though by practising structure, so as long as you nail that you'll be fine.

[dongonaeatu]

no