Horrible A Level doubts - should I have chosen sciences?

Hello,

This is my first post in TSR! :smile:

Over the past few weeks I have been agonizing over the choices I made for A levels and what I want to study at Uni, so I reckoned this would be a good place to get advice.

This year I completed my AS Levels in History, French, English Lit and Maths. Throughout the year I was completely satisfied with the choices I made; I love to formulate arguments, debate, write and read. The subject choices suited me well and I am predicted A's for my exams. My current plan is to study a history degree and then possibly undertake a law conversion course.

However, here's the problem: for the past month or so I have started to seriously question my choices. Here's why:

1. I question whether I should have chosen to study Chemistry or Biology. I got A*s in them for my GCSE's and whilst I thought I preferred humanities, I have enormous respect and interest for the sciences/maths. More and more, I hate feeling somewhat ignorant as to the fundamentals of science, how organisms work, why reactions happen, nutrition etc...

2. It's impossible I know, but a part of me wishes I didn't have to limit my studies or specialise. I would love to pursue sciences, maths, philosophy, economics, psychology, history, geography etc... I think this is fueled by the fact that I'm uncertain exactly what I want to do with my life, so I worry that by cutting out different options I'm setting myself up for regrets later.

3. Employment. Our society is increasing driven by science and technology, that, especially with an employment crisis, I feel like I might be shooting myself in the foot by pursuing humanities.

4. For A2 I'm considering dropping a subject and doing an EPQ. I think I would either drop Maths or English Lit. I'm better at English and could probably aim for an A*, but Maths is much more stimulating (though I risk a lower grade). What do I do? :confused:

That's it. I'm sorry for the length, I just needed to get it off my chest, it's really been weighing me down. I'm passing it over to you guys: what should I do about my doubts? Are they unreasonable? Who can I talk to to get my head straight? Should I restart A-Levels with different choices? Or should I have faith in my choices and stick it out? :unsure:

Thank you!

Reply 1

dragonkeeper999

If I were you I would wait until results day to see how you do. If you get amazing results you will be able to go to a top uni for a good academic course and hopefully have a good chance at Law (either as a conversion course or undergrad) or any other career vaguely linked to the humanities. If you don't do quite as well as you had hoped and feel that you would do better at sciences / if you don't really enjoy the subjects you are currently doing and are sure that you would much prefer sciences then perhaps talk to your college about starting again and taking science subjects.
If you get good grades but are interested in doing science at uni then look into foundation courses - these are aimed at students either from less advantaged backgrounds who therefore didn't get the grades or good students who took the wrong combination of subjects. They are one year long, I think they are covered by student finance, and allow you to go to uni at the same time as everyone else but just spend an extra year there.
With regards to choosing between english and maths, I would pick Maths since you enjoy it more. At A2 there is a lot more work and you really have to enjoy your subject to do well as it. Or you could keep both subjects and do an EPQ...
The best person to speak to would be your college careers advisor or tutor.

Reply 2

luvcats

It's difficult because it's your future and it depends on what interests you and what you want to do

Personally, I would drop history and do English lit, French and maths. Use the summer holidays to have a look at the topics you'll be covering in A2 to get a head start and/or work on your EPQ. If you do decide to do an EPQ then use it to pursue something related to chemistry or biology.

good luck with whatever you decide to do and welcome to the forum :smile:

Reply 3

bluestonee

Thank you so much, I hadn't ever thought about a foundation course. It's reassuring to know that the option is available.

I think I'll follow your advice and muster up the courage to speak to my director of sixth form about how I feel, he's practically the careers advisor, director of learning and pastoral support combined. Thank you for taking the time to give such a detailed answer.

Reply 4

bluestonee

Thank you luvcats! Everyone seems super friendly and helpful so far. :smile:

Reply 5

Blue56

Maths, Chemistry, History and English Lit would be a good way to balance your interests? You would easily be able to get into a law degree with History and English Lit. Chemistry and Maths are respected subjects universally so they won't hinder that at all. I'm not as sure about how easy it is to get into sciences degrees with 2 at A-Level, but from what i've seen, Maths and Chemistry are the two important ones to most high-end universities.

Reply 6

rattusratus

maths is classed as a science and is the strongest subject so I wouldn't drop that personally

could you not pick up chemistry to AS if your worried?

Reply 7

llys

For what it's worth, I think your subject combination is excellent, and I think you should keep going and keep Maths. That way you can still do something quantitative at university if you decide you want to.

Original post by bluestonee

Maths is much more stimulating (though I risk a lower grade). What do I do? :confused:

What grade do you think you can get?

Reply 8

bluestonee

Thanks for your reply :smile:

For Maths, I've found that within the lesson environment I've really thrived this year. I have improved a lot through continuous practice. For the Core 1 module I managed to get 93, but I found Core 2 incredibly tough and I'll be really lucky if I get a B for it. Then statistics: I absolutely loved studying it and whilst the exam was tricky, I think it went better than Core 2.

The thing with Maths is that there's much more of a risk that the exams will go badly next year and I could jeopardise my uni application. Plus, the Year 13's were left shell-shocked this year after Core 4. Whereas with English, I feel my grade would be more secure because of the coursework and also because even if the exam is difficult, I can still rescue it through my answer.

I guess the question really is whether I should just take the risk and do Maths! What would you do in this situation?