The Student Room Group

I don't know if I should drop physics or chemistry

Hi everyone, I'm currently about to go into year 13, things are getting real and I really need to start deciding what I want to do...
Im currently taking Maths, Further maths, Physics and Chemistry and am looking into doing computer science? I think? Hopefully at Imperial. However this is not set in stone and am also considering chemistry or chemical engineering.
During year 12 I found the workload incredibly hard to keep up with and couldn't find much time to revise after finishing homework (in particular the daily maths homework took so long).
After the end of year mocks, I got ABB - A in A level maths (my school does the whole a level course in one year, the fm course in year 13), B in AS chem and AS physics(lower in physics)
I understand I should have done more revision during the year, but I want to be able to do well whilst maintaining a social life, and at the moment I'm doing neither. I believe that if i drop a subject i will be able to focus more on the others (i hope) so I can get the grades I actually need.
I love Maths the most and enjoy working on it at home - the class and teachers are all great and they are very organised. I'm also certain I want a career where maths will be useful so I dont want to drop either maths.
I also really really enjoy Chemistry, however I have found this the hardest and I know I will have to spend the most time revsising this due to the most memorisation needed. This subject is also not very relevant to computer science and imperial prefer physics to chemistry. Throughout the year I have been doing the worst in chem because there is so much to revise which I haven't been able to, yet it has consistently been my fav subject alongside maths. The department is also extremely organised and I love my teachers
Finally, Physics. I despise this subject, despite being somewhat okay at it. Ing GCSEs I got a 9 and other people ended up convincing me to take it saying it works well with maths and I was good at it even though I knew I did not like this. Every topic is hit or miss, I cannot figure out quantum or circular motion but I enjoy electricity. I have been okay-ish throughout the year, so did not pay much attention to it for mocks, resulting in my lowest score. I know logically I should keep this subject and drop chemistry, but I really dont like it! And my fav teacher has left, the other one is unorganised and I have never met the other new teacher.
And finally, I'm also on the fence about dropping a subject, because although I know it's silly, I don't want to lose my friends in that class and I don't want to think of myself as incapable, hope this males sense !!!!!
TLDR: I like chemistry more than physics, but physics is a more useful subject (personally, easier) and now I don't knkw what to drop
Reply 1
Original post by emmaGHIRARDANI
Hi everyone, I'm currently about to go into year 13, things are getting real and I really need to start deciding what I want to do...
Im currently taking Maths, Further maths, Physics and Chemistry and am looking into doing computer science? I think? Hopefully at Imperial. However this is not set in stone and am also considering chemistry or chemical engineering.
During year 12 I found the workload incredibly hard to keep up with and couldn't find much time to revise after finishing homework (in particular the daily maths homework took so long).
After the end of year mocks, I got ABB - A in A level maths (my school does the whole a level course in one year, the fm course in year 13), B in AS chem and AS physics(lower in physics)
I understand I should have done more revision during the year, but I want to be able to do well whilst maintaining a social life, and at the moment I'm doing neither. I believe that if i drop a subject i will be able to focus more on the others (i hope) so I can get the grades I actually need.
I love Maths the most and enjoy working on it at home - the class and teachers are all great and they are very organised. I'm also certain I want a career where maths will be useful so I dont want to drop either maths.
I also really really enjoy Chemistry, however I have found this the hardest and I know I will have to spend the most time revsising this due to the most memorisation needed. This subject is also not very relevant to computer science and imperial prefer physics to chemistry. Throughout the year I have been doing the worst in chem because there is so much to revise which I haven't been able to, yet it has consistently been my fav subject alongside maths. The department is also extremely organised and I love my teachers
Finally, Physics. I despise this subject, despite being somewhat okay at it. Ing GCSEs I got a 9 and other people ended up convincing me to take it saying it works well with maths and I was good at it even though I knew I did not like this. Every topic is hit or miss, I cannot figure out quantum or circular motion but I enjoy electricity. I have been okay-ish throughout the year, so did not pay much attention to it for mocks, resulting in my lowest score. I know logically I should keep this subject and drop chemistry, but I really dont like it! And my fav teacher has left, the other one is unorganised and I have never met the other new teacher.
And finally, I'm also on the fence about dropping a subject, because although I know it's silly, I don't want to lose my friends in that class and I don't want to think of myself as incapable, hope this males sense !!!!!
TLDR: I like chemistry more than physics, but physics is a more useful subject (personally, easier) and now I don't knkw what to drop

drop physics
there is no point of you wasting another yr of ur life on a subject u hate
for chem
its the same for me as im going to ur yr11 i did better in physics mocks than chem but i prefer chem
i really dont like physics do
so i understand what you mean?
but if i have to ever choose between them i say chem
because i like that subject and i have decreased the load by removing a subject.
you have made it easier to focus on chem
hope this helps😉
Original post by emmaGHIRARDANI
Hi everyone, I'm currently about to go into year 13, things are getting real and I really need to start deciding what I want to do...
Im currently taking Maths, Further maths, Physics and Chemistry and am looking into doing computer science? I think? Hopefully at Imperial. However this is not set in stone and am also considering chemistry or chemical engineering.
During year 12 I found the workload incredibly hard to keep up with and couldn't find much time to revise after finishing homework (in particular the daily maths homework took so long).
After the end of year mocks, I got ABB - A in A level maths (my school does the whole a level course in one year, the fm course in year 13), B in AS chem and AS physics(lower in physics)
I understand I should have done more revision during the year, but I want to be able to do well whilst maintaining a social life, and at the moment I'm doing neither. I believe that if i drop a subject i will be able to focus more on the others (i hope) so I can get the grades I actually need.
I love Maths the most and enjoy working on it at home - the class and teachers are all great and they are very organised. I'm also certain I want a career where maths will be useful so I dont want to drop either maths.
I also really really enjoy Chemistry, however I have found this the hardest and I know I will have to spend the most time revsising this due to the most memorisation needed. This subject is also not very relevant to computer science and imperial prefer physics to chemistry. Throughout the year I have been doing the worst in chem because there is so much to revise which I haven't been able to, yet it has consistently been my fav subject alongside maths. The department is also extremely organised and I love my teachers
Finally, Physics. I despise this subject, despite being somewhat okay at it. Ing GCSEs I got a 9 and other people ended up convincing me to take it saying it works well with maths and I was good at it even though I knew I did not like this. Every topic is hit or miss, I cannot figure out quantum or circular motion but I enjoy electricity. I have been okay-ish throughout the year, so did not pay much attention to it for mocks, resulting in my lowest score. I know logically I should keep this subject and drop chemistry, but I really dont like it! And my fav teacher has left, the other one is unorganised and I have never met the other new teacher.
And finally, I'm also on the fence about dropping a subject, because although I know it's silly, I don't want to lose my friends in that class and I don't want to think of myself as incapable, hope this males sense !!!!!
TLDR: I like chemistry more than physics, but physics is a more useful subject (personally, easier) and now I don't knkw what to drop

If you are struggling with the workload, or think that you are likely to in year 13, it is sensible to drop one of your subjects.

There doesn't seem to be any reason to continue physics. It is not a requirement for any of your options (computer science/chemistry/chemical engineering), and on top of that you seem to dislike it a lot, which will make it painful to study for when it comes to exams.
Reply 3
You like maths, you like chemistry, you hate physics. Easiest decision in the world. A-level physics isn't going to give you any useful preparation for any of the undergraduate courses you have in mind, anyway.
Reply 4
Physics will be less work but if you hate it and its not a necessity, drop it. I think if you end up doing chemical engineering you might need it but I am not 100%.

I found Chemistry hard as you say because of the memorization. I also found organic intensely dull.

Quantum mechanics is very different to the other stuff. At A level I am surprised its even there but then again I did A level 30 years ago.
Original post by emmaGHIRARDANI
Hi everyone, I'm currently about to go into year 13, things are getting real and I really need to start deciding what I want to do...
Im currently taking Maths, Further maths, Physics and Chemistry and am looking into doing computer science? I think? Hopefully at Imperial. However this is not set in stone and am also considering chemistry or chemical engineering.
During year 12 I found the workload incredibly hard to keep up with and couldn't find much time to revise after finishing homework (in particular the daily maths homework took so long).
After the end of year mocks, I got ABB - A in A level maths (my school does the whole a level course in one year, the fm course in year 13), B in AS chem and AS physics(lower in physics)
I understand I should have done more revision during the year, but I want to be able to do well whilst maintaining a social life, and at the moment I'm doing neither. I believe that if i drop a subject i will be able to focus more on the others (i hope) so I can get the grades I actually need.
I love Maths the most and enjoy working on it at home - the class and teachers are all great and they are very organised. I'm also certain I want a career where maths will be useful so I dont want to drop either maths.
I also really really enjoy Chemistry, however I have found this the hardest and I know I will have to spend the most time revsising this due to the most memorisation needed. This subject is also not very relevant to computer science and imperial prefer physics to chemistry. Throughout the year I have been doing the worst in chem because there is so much to revise which I haven't been able to, yet it has consistently been my fav subject alongside maths. The department is also extremely organised and I love my teachers
Finally, Physics. I despise this subject, despite being somewhat okay at it. Ing GCSEs I got a 9 and other people ended up convincing me to take it saying it works well with maths and I was good at it even though I knew I did not like this. Every topic is hit or miss, I cannot figure out quantum or circular motion but I enjoy electricity. I have been okay-ish throughout the year, so did not pay much attention to it for mocks, resulting in my lowest score. I know logically I should keep this subject and drop chemistry, but I really dont like it! And my fav teacher has left, the other one is unorganised and I have never met the other new teacher.
And finally, I'm also on the fence about dropping a subject, because although I know it's silly, I don't want to lose my friends in that class and I don't want to think of myself as incapable, hope this males sense !!!!!
TLDR: I like chemistry more than physics, but physics is a more useful subject (personally, easier) and now I don't knkw what to drop

Hey hmu should you need more help and advice
Original post by Tutor Nicole
Hey hmu should you need more help and advice


Hi! I've emailed my teachers about dropping physics, but they seem really unapproving of this. They state that maths and further maths is often seen as one and a half a levels, rather than 2 despite getting 2 grades. Is this true?
I also emailed some universities asking if this would hinder me, I've only heard back from imperial atm and they said that it won't disadvantage me whether I take 3 or 4... so I'm still leaning towards dropping but tbh I'm still really confused
Original post by emmaGHIRARDANI
Hi! I've emailed my teachers about dropping physics, but they seem really unapproving of this. They state that maths and further maths is often seen as one and a half a levels, rather than 2 despite getting 2 grades. Is this true?
I also emailed some universities asking if this would hinder me, I've only heard back from imperial atm and they said that it won't disadvantage me whether I take 3 or 4... so I'm still leaning towards dropping but tbh I'm still really confused

It's stupid, but yeah for some courses they consider it not worth 2 A levels. It is normally non-stem courses that say this though, as the mathematical courses definitely encourage students to do Further Maths. It's going to depend on the course and university though, so you have to check their requirements on the website one by one and check that you meet them.
Reply 8
Original post by emmaGHIRARDANI
Hi! I've emailed my teachers about dropping physics, but they seem really unapproving of this. They state that maths and further maths is often seen as one and a half a levels, rather than 2 despite getting 2 grades. Is this true?
I also emailed some universities asking if this would hinder me, I've only heard back from imperial atm and they said that it won't disadvantage me whether I take 3 or 4... so I'm still leaning towards dropping but tbh I'm still really confused

Hey! If Imperial says you're good, that’s a win. The whole maths vs. further maths thing might depend on the uni, but if you’re leaning toward dropping physics, go for it. Trust your gut, and see what the other unis say too!
Reply 9
Original post by emmaGHIRARDANI
Hi! I've emailed my teachers about dropping physics, but they seem really unapproving of this. They state that maths and further maths is often seen as one and a half a levels, rather than 2 despite getting 2 grades. Is this true?
I also emailed some universities asking if this would hinder me, I've only heard back from imperial atm and they said that it won't disadvantage me whether I take 3 or 4... so I'm still leaning towards dropping but tbh I'm still really confused

Your teachers aren't being truthful - Maths & FMaths is two A levels..
Original post by sound-famous-
It's stupid, but yeah for some courses they consider it not worth 2 A levels. It is normally non-stem courses that say this though, as the mathematical courses definitely encourage students to do Further Maths. It's going to depend on the course and university though, so you have to check their requirements on the website one by one and check that you meet them.

Wrong - only a few medicine courses do this.
Original post by JF ZAK
Hey! If Imperial says you're good, that’s a win. The whole maths vs. further maths thing might depend on the uni, but if you’re leaning toward dropping physics, go for it. Trust your gut, and see what the other unis say too!


Great, thanks so much! As far as I can tell none of the courses I'll apply too will mind, since it's all stem so now I just need to convince the school haha
Original post by Muttley79
Your teachers aren't being truthful - Maths & FMaths is two A levels..


Thats so annoying from them, but thank you ! I thought it was a bit weird of that considering I know a few people taking further maths as a third subject in other schools near us
Reply 13
Original post by emmaGHIRARDANI
Great, thanks so much! As far as I can tell none of the courses I'll apply too will mind, since it's all stem so now I just need to convince the school haha

good luck

Quick Reply