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Biology or physics

Hi, I'm very indecisive and can't decide whether or not I should take biology or physics for A levels. I can't really tell if I enjoy either subject more than the other and don't really have career paths chosen (I'm a real overthinker). I'm also taking chemistry and maths, I like theory, I'm interested in space/astronomy but I'm not sure if I have an accurate understanding of what those are like (if they ate theoretical or technical). I'm also pretty good at memorising and I feel like if I study enough I'll do well in either subject so I'm pretty stuck. One of the main reasons I kind of feel like taking physics is that there seem to be some interesting career paths but biology also has them. I don't want to become a doctor/surgeon and probably not engineer so I'm leaning closer to anthropology, neuroscience, lab research, astronomy, theoretical physics. I like learining things and concepts and I also might take an apprenticeship in the future. All in all I'm not sure what I want to do; sorry for the long post but I hope to get a little clarity.

Reply 1

Hi,
honeslty just by that post alone it seems like physics is a better fit for you because for medicine and or lab reasearch bio is the kind of way you want to be leaning but the rest of your options are all physicsy related so honestly it seems like you would enjoy physics more.
Maybe try picking them both up at the begginig of the year and then dropping the one that you feel the least passion towards because if it doesnt feel right then you have that option.

Hopefully this helps and good luck :smile:

Reply 2

Original post by Tatakae L
Hi,
honeslty just by that post alone it seems like physics is a better fit for you because for medicine and or lab reasearch bio is the kind of way you want to be leaning but the rest of your options are all physicsy related so honestly it seems like you would enjoy physics more.
Maybe try picking them both up at the begginig of the year and then dropping the one that you feel the least passion towards because if it doesnt feel right then you have that option.
Hopefully this helps and good luck :smile:

Thanks I might just do that because whilst biology matches my brain a bit more physics opens more career paths and I'm already going to take history as an essay subject.

Reply 3

Original post by Lazypillow
Thanks I might just do that because whilst biology matches my brain a bit more physics opens more career paths and I'm already going to take history as an essay subject.

Yeah, hopefully it all turns out well whatevre you choose !
Original post by Lazypillow
Hi, I'm very indecisive and can't decide whether or not I should take biology or physics for A levels. I can't really tell if I enjoy either subject more than the other and don't really have career paths chosen (I'm a real overthinker). I'm also taking chemistry and maths, I like theory, I'm interested in space/astronomy but I'm not sure if I have an accurate understanding of what those are like (if they ate theoretical or technical). I'm also pretty good at memorising and I feel like if I study enough I'll do well in either subject so I'm pretty stuck. One of the main reasons I kind of feel like taking physics is that there seem to be some interesting career paths but biology also has them. I don't want to become a doctor/surgeon and probably not engineer so I'm leaning closer to anthropology, neuroscience, lab research, astronomy, theoretical physics. I like learining things and concepts and I also might take an apprenticeship in the future. All in all I'm not sure what I want to do; sorry for the long post but I hope to get a little clarity.

Hiya, I'm a current 3rd year astrophysics and cosmology student at Lancaster University and by the sounds of it in your post, you sound like you're leaning towards physics (yay)!

My main reason for taking the physics A Level was because of my interest in space and astronomy, leading me to study it further at uni as I felt a geniune passion to pursue the subject and am so happy I made that decision. If you feel like you have an interest in a particular area of a subject, I'd say go for it!

If there are areas you think you would enjoy equally in biology, then I'd say have a look at the course specifications for both subjects (available online on exam board websites) to see what else is covered and whether you are interested in anything else that could sway you either way, especially if you are unsure what you would like to do later on in life, like I was.

I hope this helps and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask :smile:
Wishing you all the best!
-- Arya (Lancaster University Student Ambassador)

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