Should I drop maths or history a level?

Hi so this is going to be quite lengthy, I’ve been reading around other threads but can’t find an answer on what I should do. This is the backstory basically? So when I started sixth form (in September, so only about 2 months ago) I had picked 3 alevels - Biology, Chemistry and History. But then within the first week I HATED history, but I wasn’t sure enough to completely drop it so I added maths onto my alevels to see if I’d like to drop history for it. I enjoy maths, although im never getting full marks on tests more like 80% on average, and my whole life I’ve been told I’m bad at maths (although I don’t think this is necessarily true). And in comparison I have always been naturally gifted in writing and more specifically history. During GCSEs I would always get full marks on tests and was always predicted a 9, whereas with maths I was always predicted a 7. For my actual results- I got a 9 in history with only 7 marks off from getting full marks completely over all 3 papers, and although I also got a 9 in maths (I worked hard to get there), I JUST scraped by with my mark being directly on the grade boundary. I also did additional maths (like further maths) during GCSEs and got a B in it, and we had to teach the content to ourselves and I really enjoyed learning it on my own.

So now onto my current dilemma, I am really good at history, my feedback from essays (currently) is constantly positive, I am top of my class. But, there is so much extra reading you’re expected to do in your free time! I have no idea where to start with flashcards and the topic definitely fluctuates from being interesting to super boring (but I LOVE writing and analysing). I dread doing history homework as I don’t know what to make flashcards on. Whereas, I enjoy doing maths homework, I have motivation to keep practicing and to eventually get something right. Also my favourite bit in chemistry is the maths. But I’m almost bottom in my class, everybody seems to be super geniuses with some year 12’s even preparing to sit their a level in maths this year already!!! And maths is apparently going to be super hard and I’m already doing bio and chem and I need good grades if I want to be a vet or if I’m aiming for Oxford or other top universities!

Careers wise:
I’m definitely leaning towards stem. Originally I thought I wanted to be a vet, and hence chose history not maths as the priority was best grades rather than what the subjects themselves were as long as I had biology and chemistry. And most degrees I’m considering, biomedicine, biochemistry etc don’t need maths (as entry requirements anyway).

Does anybody know what to do? Should I do history as I know I’m good at it or choose maths?? I have considered the possibility of doing all 4 however I’m also doing an epq so my timetable is very full at the moment. I could possibly drop my epq, but I don’t think there is any advantages to studying 4 subjects is there?
Thank you SO much for reading all of this I appreciate it.

Reply 1

Godwin07

I would say stick to your strengths and self-desire so I would drop maths and continue your epq especially if your wanting to apply to more competitive unis and want lower grade boundaries or more ucas points. I'm currently doing Maths and I know a lot of people who also got grade 9s but do struggle sometimes with the difficulty in Year 13 but you could just see how it goes I guess and would not recommend doing 4 a levels unless they all link with the course you are applying to.

(edited 5 months ago)

Reply 2

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

My advice would be to speak to your history teacher about the flashcards and homework issues. They can maybe help you organise what you need to do and feel more at ease. That might help you see if the issues can be resolved. If you were to drop maths then keep in mind that you’d have more time to focus on your other subjects.
I would always urge people to go with the subjects they are passionate about so thats something for you to consider 🙂

Reply 3

Xbethanyf

Hello OopsJulia
First of all, your maths class sounds like a bunch of neeks but you shouldn’t base your ability in a subject on the people in your class as A level grade boundaries are weighted nationally and you might be in a stronger than average class. Secondly, it’s going to be very hard to gather motivation for a subject if you don’t enjoy it, so even though you clearly have amazing natural talent, that will only carry you so far.i respect the other two responses but I don’t think they have properly taken your situation into consideration :smile:

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