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I hate memorisation and im more into subjects that make you understand (so I know I should do chemistry). However, I completely hated gcse chemistry as it had alot of memorisation in it (e.g sodium makes a yellow flame and test for oxygen is the glowing splint test) ,I couldnt care less about NPK fertilisers and harbour process and I NEVER got the maths around my head,it just didn't make any sense - but thats because i never really tried to get it round my head. I found Biology quiet easy at gcse (so i took it for a level). I looked at the A level textbooks and it seems like i'll enjoy physical chemistry alot more than organic and inorganic. So should I take chemistry or stay with biology?
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#2
Memorising colours is going to get a lot worse, but my impression from people doing both biology and chemistry was that biology has far more memorisation involved. If you're trying to avoid that, don't take biology.
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#5
(Original post by Azimbrook1)
I hate memorisation and im more into subjects that make you understand (so I know I should do chemistry). However, I completely hated gcse chemistry as it had alot of memorisation in it (e.g sodium makes a yellow flame and test for oxygen is the glowing splint test) ,I couldnt care less about NPK fertilisers and harbour process and I NEVER got the maths around my head,it just didn't make any sense - but thats because i never really tried to get it round my head. I found Biology quiet easy at gcse (so i took it for a level). I looked at the A level textbooks and it seems like i'll enjoy physical chemistry alot more than organic and inorganic. So should I take chemistry or stay with biology?
I hate memorisation and im more into subjects that make you understand (so I know I should do chemistry). However, I completely hated gcse chemistry as it had alot of memorisation in it (e.g sodium makes a yellow flame and test for oxygen is the glowing splint test) ,I couldnt care less about NPK fertilisers and harbour process and I NEVER got the maths around my head,it just didn't make any sense - but thats because i never really tried to get it round my head. I found Biology quiet easy at gcse (so i took it for a level). I looked at the A level textbooks and it seems like i'll enjoy physical chemistry alot more than organic and inorganic. So should I take chemistry or stay with biology?
But others have told me that biology has the most memorisation out of all a levels. You don't dislike memorisation, you just don't like chemistry.
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(Original post by JJJJJAAAAMES)
Are you insane? all subjects have incredible amounts of memorisation. I did maths, chem and phys, and I can say that physics and maths had the most memorisation.
But others have told me that biology has the most memorisation out of all a levels. You don't dislike memorisation, you just don't like chemistry.
Are you insane? all subjects have incredible amounts of memorisation. I did maths, chem and phys, and I can say that physics and maths had the most memorisation.
But others have told me that biology has the most memorisation out of all a levels. You don't dislike memorisation, you just don't like chemistry.
"I all depends on your brain
I teach Physics A-level. Most of my students who are good a physics and maths find Biology harder as its more writing and memory. which they find hard. Of course another group of my students find Biology easier and struggle with physics and maths
My advice is to do he one he believes he will get a higher grade in. Asking people who taught him science in school might help. In my experience taking a subject because you or your parents thought it would help with a career is often a disaster if its not soemthing you love and are good at
If computing or electronic is on offer then look at those as well
dare we ask for the relevant gcse grades and whether he is carrying on at the same school" - posted 5 years ago
I think that shows that chemistry is more of an understanding kind of subject compared to biology
Last edited by Azimbrook1; 1 year ago
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(Original post by F12Ak)
If you hate memorisation, why are you even considering biology?
If you hate memorisation, why are you even considering biology?
Last edited by Azimbrook1; 1 year ago
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#8
(Original post by Azimbrook1)
Because I did well at it for GCSEs and I found it kinda interesting, but for GCSE chemistry I flat out hated it - However the As level textbook is making me more interested in chemistry
Because I did well at it for GCSEs and I found it kinda interesting, but for GCSE chemistry I flat out hated it - However the As level textbook is making me more interested in chemistry
There is memorising to do in chemistry but no where near the levels of biology, its mainly learning concepts and applying them. Lots of calculations too but nothing that will require A-level maths.
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#9
I'm an A level student now in the second year and I'm taking Maths, Further Maths, physics, chemistry and biology.
I originally only really liked physics and maths from GCSE but after studying the A levels for a year, I've really enjoyed Biology and Chemistry and now want to pursue Chemistry at University.
Being said, I personally find that Chemistry has more random things to remember such as the crazy long list of about 30 reactions, remembering the exact conditions and reagants for every single one of them. These really dry facts are really hard to remember. Though biology has more memorisation, everything seems to be telling a story: the story of life literally.
I wouldn't say that either is particularly more demanding for your memory but I would say that Chemistry has more links with physics. If possible, try some chemistry and biology a level content, pick up some textbooks. It is relatively rare to do maths physics and biology though, usually it's either chemistry and bio or chemistry and physics. Since physics and bio are at either ends of the spectrum.
Good luck!
I originally only really liked physics and maths from GCSE but after studying the A levels for a year, I've really enjoyed Biology and Chemistry and now want to pursue Chemistry at University.
Being said, I personally find that Chemistry has more random things to remember such as the crazy long list of about 30 reactions, remembering the exact conditions and reagants for every single one of them. These really dry facts are really hard to remember. Though biology has more memorisation, everything seems to be telling a story: the story of life literally.
I wouldn't say that either is particularly more demanding for your memory but I would say that Chemistry has more links with physics. If possible, try some chemistry and biology a level content, pick up some textbooks. It is relatively rare to do maths physics and biology though, usually it's either chemistry and bio or chemistry and physics. Since physics and bio are at either ends of the spectrum.
Good luck!
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(Original post by Apad121)
I'm an A level student now in the second year and I'm taking Maths, Further Maths, physics, chemistry and biology.
I originally only really liked physics and maths from GCSE but after studying the A levels for a year, I've really enjoyed Biology and Chemistry and now want to pursue Chemistry at University.
Being said, I personally find that Chemistry has more random things to remember such as the crazy long list of about 30 reactions, remembering the exact conditions and reagants for every single one of them. These really dry facts are really hard to remember. Though biology has more memorisation, everything seems to be telling a story: the story of life literally.
I wouldn't say that either is particularly more demanding for your memory but I would say that Chemistry has more links with physics. If possible, try some chemistry and biology a level content, pick up some textbooks. It is relatively rare to do maths physics and biology though, usually it's either chemistry and bio or chemistry and physics. Since physics and bio are at either ends of the spectrum.
Good luck!
I'm an A level student now in the second year and I'm taking Maths, Further Maths, physics, chemistry and biology.
I originally only really liked physics and maths from GCSE but after studying the A levels for a year, I've really enjoyed Biology and Chemistry and now want to pursue Chemistry at University.
Being said, I personally find that Chemistry has more random things to remember such as the crazy long list of about 30 reactions, remembering the exact conditions and reagants for every single one of them. These really dry facts are really hard to remember. Though biology has more memorisation, everything seems to be telling a story: the story of life literally.
I wouldn't say that either is particularly more demanding for your memory but I would say that Chemistry has more links with physics. If possible, try some chemistry and biology a level content, pick up some textbooks. It is relatively rare to do maths physics and biology though, usually it's either chemistry and bio or chemistry and physics. Since physics and bio are at either ends of the spectrum.
Good luck!
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#11
(Original post by Azimbrook1)
Can I ask why you want to persue chemistry in the future as it has alot of dry facts?. Also, Ive decided to do physics as I feel like it has real life application and its everywhere. I also decided to do biology as you can actuall 'see' it, as in you can see a leaf. I planning to do engineering the future and i cant do further maths
Can I ask why you want to persue chemistry in the future as it has alot of dry facts?. Also, Ive decided to do physics as I feel like it has real life application and its everywhere. I also decided to do biology as you can actuall 'see' it, as in you can see a leaf. I planning to do engineering the future and i cant do further maths
I believe the top unis like further maths for engineering? Further maths is definitely one of the more manageable A levels in my opinion due to less facts needed to remember it when I compare it to the other A levels in my 5.
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#12
(Original post by Apad121)
I'm an A level student now in the second year and I'm taking Maths, Further Maths, physics, chemistry and biology.
I originally only really liked physics and maths from GCSE but after studying the A levels for a year, I've really enjoyed Biology and Chemistry and now want to pursue Chemistry at University.
Being said, I personally find that Chemistry has more random things to remember such as the crazy long list of about 30 reactions, remembering the exact conditions and reagants for every single one of them. These really dry facts are really hard to remember. Though biology has more memorisation, everything seems to be telling a story: the story of life literally.
I wouldn't say that either is particularly more demanding for your memory but I would say that Chemistry has more links with physics. If possible, try some chemistry and biology a level content, pick up some textbooks. It is relatively rare to do maths physics and biology though, usually it's either chemistry and bio or chemistry and physics. Since physics and bio are at either ends of the spectrum.
Good luck!
I'm an A level student now in the second year and I'm taking Maths, Further Maths, physics, chemistry and biology.
I originally only really liked physics and maths from GCSE but after studying the A levels for a year, I've really enjoyed Biology and Chemistry and now want to pursue Chemistry at University.
Being said, I personally find that Chemistry has more random things to remember such as the crazy long list of about 30 reactions, remembering the exact conditions and reagants for every single one of them. These really dry facts are really hard to remember. Though biology has more memorisation, everything seems to be telling a story: the story of life literally.
I wouldn't say that either is particularly more demanding for your memory but I would say that Chemistry has more links with physics. If possible, try some chemistry and biology a level content, pick up some textbooks. It is relatively rare to do maths physics and biology though, usually it's either chemistry and bio or chemistry and physics. Since physics and bio are at either ends of the spectrum.
Good luck!
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#14
(Original post by hallaluliah)
hi, just a y11 girl wondering what FM a level is like, would it be more beneficial than chemistry as an a level? is it really difficult/ unbearable? isk what i wanna do in the future, i'm decent at everything, i think i'll persue a mathematical career so maybe FM is useful, chem without another science is apparently not good at opening doors to the scientific world,
hi, just a y11 girl wondering what FM a level is like, would it be more beneficial than chemistry as an a level? is it really difficult/ unbearable? isk what i wanna do in the future, i'm decent at everything, i think i'll persue a mathematical career so maybe FM is useful, chem without another science is apparently not good at opening doors to the scientific world,
I would always recommend taking further maths up because it allows you to fly through all the normal maths a level content in the first year. This gives you the option of dropping further maths at any time and allowing you to still have maths a level stored away.
If you want a mathematical career be it in maths, compsci, econ, physics.... It's definitely really useful! I have gotten an offer for Oxford to study Chemistry and further maths will be useful for that as well!
Chemistry and maths keeps some options open even including medicine. But agreed, Chemistry and one other science keeps much more doors open.
What are your other subjects that you're thinking about now?.
FM seems a lot more knowledge based than the old style of Maths A levels which may or may not be a good thing in your own opinion.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Apad121; 11 months ago
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#15
(Original post by Apad121)
Hi there
I would always recommend taking further maths up because it allows you to fly through all the normal maths a level content in the first year. This gives you the option of dropping further maths at any time and allowing you to still have maths a level stored away.
If you want a mathematical career be it in maths, compsci, econ, physics.... It's definitely really useful! I have gotten an offer for Oxford to study Chemistry and further maths will be useful for that as well!
Chemistry and maths keeps some options open even including medicine. But agreed, Chemistry and one other science keeps much more doors open.
What are your other subjects that you're thinking about now?.
FM seems a lot more knowledge based than the old style of Maths A levels which may or may not be a good thing in your own opinion.
Hi there
I would always recommend taking further maths up because it allows you to fly through all the normal maths a level content in the first year. This gives you the option of dropping further maths at any time and allowing you to still have maths a level stored away.
If you want a mathematical career be it in maths, compsci, econ, physics.... It's definitely really useful! I have gotten an offer for Oxford to study Chemistry and further maths will be useful for that as well!
Chemistry and maths keeps some options open even including medicine. But agreed, Chemistry and one other science keeps much more doors open.
What are your other subjects that you're thinking about now?.
FM seems a lot more knowledge based than the old style of Maths A levels which may or may not be a good thing in your own opinion.
, i am also choosing geography, economics, maths, FM (maybe), so yea i guess chem might not fit my a levels tbh, i hate physics but got higher in it in my recent mock than chem lol, am fine with bio but it has sooooo much content. I think i'll stick with FM what do u think about politics or philosophy
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#16
(Original post by Azimbrook1)
I hate memorisation and im more into subjects that make you understand (so I know I should do chemistry). However, I completely hated gcse chemistry as it had alot of memorisation in it (e.g sodium makes a yellow flame and test for oxygen is the glowing splint test) ,I couldnt care less about NPK fertilisers and harbour process and I NEVER got the maths around my head,it just didn't make any sense - but thats because i never really tried to get it round my head. I found Biology quiet easy at gcse (so i took it for a level). I looked at the A level textbooks and it seems like i'll enjoy physical chemistry alot more than organic and inorganic. So should I take chemistry or stay with biology?
I hate memorisation and im more into subjects that make you understand (so I know I should do chemistry). However, I completely hated gcse chemistry as it had alot of memorisation in it (e.g sodium makes a yellow flame and test for oxygen is the glowing splint test) ,I couldnt care less about NPK fertilisers and harbour process and I NEVER got the maths around my head,it just didn't make any sense - but thats because i never really tried to get it round my head. I found Biology quiet easy at gcse (so i took it for a level). I looked at the A level textbooks and it seems like i'll enjoy physical chemistry alot more than organic and inorganic. So should I take chemistry or stay with biology?
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#17
(Original post by Azimbrook1)
I hate memorisation and im more into subjects that make you understand (so I know I should do chemistry). However, I completely hated gcse chemistry as it had alot of memorisation in it (e.g sodium makes a yellow flame and test for oxygen is the glowing splint test) ,I couldnt care less about NPK fertilisers and harbour process and I NEVER got the maths around my head,it just didn't make any sense - but thats because i never really tried to get it round my head. I found Biology quiet easy at gcse (so i took it for a level). I looked at the A level textbooks and it seems like i'll enjoy physical chemistry alot more than organic and inorganic. So should I take chemistry or stay with biology?
I hate memorisation and im more into subjects that make you understand (so I know I should do chemistry). However, I completely hated gcse chemistry as it had alot of memorisation in it (e.g sodium makes a yellow flame and test for oxygen is the glowing splint test) ,I couldnt care less about NPK fertilisers and harbour process and I NEVER got the maths around my head,it just didn't make any sense - but thats because i never really tried to get it round my head. I found Biology quiet easy at gcse (so i took it for a level). I looked at the A level textbooks and it seems like i'll enjoy physical chemistry alot more than organic and inorganic. So should I take chemistry or stay with biology?
But id say its a judgment call but you mentioned your looking at engineering which assuming your not looking at bio engineering or mechanical in medical industry (as these are very rare) id say do chemistry if your mentally on a coin toss. Its just more relevant and I think biology is more of a memorisation subject then a logic subject, chemistry leans the other way imo.
When i did A-levels I did AS biology and dropped it for year 13 as I found it boring, loved math and FM, physics a-level was ok but that was just me... TBH for a standard engineering degree biology is a waste of time, dead knowledge ill never use again.
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#18
(Original post by hallaluliah)
thank you
, i am also choosing geography, economics, maths, FM (maybe), so yea i guess chem might not fit my a levels tbh, i hate physics but got higher in it in my recent mock than chem lol, am fine with bio but it has sooooo much content. I think i'll stick with FM what do u think about politics or philosophy
thank you
, i am also choosing geography, economics, maths, FM (maybe), so yea i guess chem might not fit my a levels tbh, i hate physics but got higher in it in my recent mock than chem lol, am fine with bio but it has sooooo much content. I think i'll stick with FM what do u think about politics or philosophy
That makes sense. That combination is quite interesting but I think that you will really enjoy them. I really think that you should discuss your options with as many teachers as possible. Also do keep in mind what you want to do at university and even beyond!
I think that FM is a safe choice as even if you chose to drop it after a year, nothing would be wasted as you would have just been learning the normal maths content at a faster pace.
I would also caution looking too strongly at your mock GCSEs because in these last few months, you will find that your grades will shoot up once you learn exam techniques and get familiar with the mark schemes! Trust me! I found Chemistry the hardest during my mock GCSEs but now I have an offer for it from Oxford!
Politics and Philosophy are interesting ones. Philosophy does seem to be quite different from GCSE Religion and Philosophy. Look over some course textbooks to see what you think about them. Bare in mind that Politics does have a fair bit of memorisation and these are going to be quite essay heavy. Double maths, geography and econ seems very sensible to me. Geography and economics will both have essays and maths will be a break from the two!
Let us know if you have any other questions.
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#19
(Original post by Apad121)
Hi there
That makes sense. That combination is quite interesting but I think that you will really enjoy them. I really think that you should discuss your options with as many teachers as possible. Also do keep in mind what you want to do at university and even beyond!
I think that FM is a safe choice as even if you chose to drop it after a year, nothing would be wasted as you would have just been learning the normal maths content at a faster pace.
I would also caution looking too strongly at your mock GCSEs because in these last few months, you will find that your grades will shoot up once you learn exam techniques and get familiar with the mark schemes! Trust me! I found Chemistry the hardest during my mock GCSEs but now I have an offer for it from Oxford!
Politics and Philosophy are interesting ones. Philosophy does seem to be quite different from GCSE Religion and Philosophy. Look over some course textbooks to see what you think about them. Bare in mind that Politics does have a fair bit of memorisation and these are going to be quite essay heavy. Double maths, geography and econ seems very sensible to me. Geography and economics will both have essays and maths will be a break from the two!
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Hi there
That makes sense. That combination is quite interesting but I think that you will really enjoy them. I really think that you should discuss your options with as many teachers as possible. Also do keep in mind what you want to do at university and even beyond!
I think that FM is a safe choice as even if you chose to drop it after a year, nothing would be wasted as you would have just been learning the normal maths content at a faster pace.
I would also caution looking too strongly at your mock GCSEs because in these last few months, you will find that your grades will shoot up once you learn exam techniques and get familiar with the mark schemes! Trust me! I found Chemistry the hardest during my mock GCSEs but now I have an offer for it from Oxford!
Politics and Philosophy are interesting ones. Philosophy does seem to be quite different from GCSE Religion and Philosophy. Look over some course textbooks to see what you think about them. Bare in mind that Politics does have a fair bit of memorisation and these are going to be quite essay heavy. Double maths, geography and econ seems very sensible to me. Geography and economics will both have essays and maths will be a break from the two!
Let us know if you have any other questions.
I probably will have qs later but not atm
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