Year 9 GCSE options advice

Thank you for the advise, I am feeling more confident on taking textiles over art. I have also considered doing buisiness but i think i would get bored too easily and loose focus.

Thank you for the advise, I am feeling more confident on taking textiles over art. I have also considered doing buisiness but i think i would get bored too easily and loose focus.

Hey! With GCSEs, it is important to strike a balance by choosing subjects you like as well as ones that are going to keep your options for the future open.

I'll begin with a slight caution note on Art (or DT): it is very challenging and is certainly not a lightweight, fun, on-the-side, flimsy outlet - it is anything but. There is A LOT of work and it will consume hours of your time and all of your energy. I'm not saying don't go for it, and indeed I know loads of people who LOVE it, but if you are considering be prepared (speaking from personal experience). Wrote a post about Art GCSE pros and cons here, if it helps at all: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4241576 . The same pretty much applies to DT too. I'm not sure about the workload in Textile but I suspect it is probably quite weighty like Art and DT, but I'm not certain about the extent of this weight in comparison with these subjects.

English Language, English Literature and Maths are all compulsory, and at some schools RS is too - is it at yours?

Some schools either way 3 separate sciences compulsory and some make every one take combined science. Try to take as many sciences as possible, if you find them okay because they all tend to compliment each other throughout the GCSE courses in one way or another. They also are respected and offer many options for the future, but obviously don't take all three if you loathe them.

Apart from that, History, Geography and Modern/Ancient Languages all keep loads of doors open and are very respected. It is best to take as many as you can out of these ones.

You might also want to consider something like Computer Science if your school offers it as it is useful for the future, although you can take it up at A Level with having done GCSE.

Regarding Business Studies, if it's not your thing then you probably won't like it as GCSE. However, not taking it doesn't actually limit your options because, like Computer Science, GCSE is not needed for A Level, so if you change your mind in two year's time, you can still take up the subject again in year 12 (A Levels are harder but go into further depth and are far more interesting than GCSE).

My best advice would simply be to ask. Ask the people in year 10 and 11; ask the teachers (warning: they might be biased) etc.

Good luck in making your choices!!! Hope it all goes to plan and I'm sure you'll ace them!

Hi yes I totally understand as I have just chosen mine and I'm waiting to see what I have got. I suggest you choose art first and put textiles as a reserve because I personally feel art will get you further in life. Good luck!