Just ranting.

Hi,

To be brief, I want to study history at university, and I am currently taking history,English and biology (987 at GCSE respectively, 2 marks off an 8 for biology! 😭)

History and English are ofc relevant, but I wanted to keep on doing biology since I find it interesting, and I find the transferable skills to be very valuable. I have no interest in doing a stem degree, so having a second science isn’t a concern.

I am completely aware it’s a hard subject (I’ve been doing it for 2 months), but I’m sick of people’s judgements and people telling me I should’ve just picked another essay subject. I really enjoy the variety, and even though biology is hard, sometimes it can feel quite relaxing and can be a break from writing tons of essays lol.

Like I said, I know it’s not directly relevant to my degree of choice. But, I have many ideas of how to use it well in my personal statement from the transferable skills, its links to topics such as the history of medicine and science etc- so I feel like it shouldn’t make or break my application, and if anything I feel it would make me stand out and show universities I have a different perspective.

Am I wrong for thinking this? Cause I really don’t understand why people care what I’m studying…

Reply 1

University of York

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi,
To be brief, I want to study history at university, and I am currently taking history,English and biology (987 at GCSE respectively, 2 marks off an 8 for biology! 😭)
History and English are ofc relevant, but I wanted to keep on doing biology since I find it interesting, and I find the transferable skills to be very valuable. I have no interest in doing a stem degree, so having a second science isn’t a concern.
I am completely aware it’s a hard subject (I’ve been doing it for 2 months), but I’m sick of people’s judgements and people telling me I should’ve just picked another essay subject. I really enjoy the variety, and even though biology is hard, sometimes it can feel quite relaxing and can be a break from writing tons of essays lol.
Like I said, I know it’s not directly relevant to my degree of choice. But, I have many ideas of how to use it well in my personal statement from the transferable skills, its links to topics such as the history of medicine and science etc- so I feel like it shouldn’t make or break my application, and if anything I feel it would make me stand out and show universities I have a different perspective.
Am I wrong for thinking this? Cause I really don’t understand why people care what I’m studying…

Hey there,

I know that this post isn't directly related to university, but I thought I'd weigh-in anyway! I kind of did the reverse of you, at AS level I studied History, Psychology, Biology and Chemistry, dropping History at A level. I then went on to do a Biology degree, and now I work in Marketing - a complete swerve from my STEM degree!

What I'm trying to say is, studying Biology at A level won't close off options for you, or dictate that you have to so a STEM degree or anything like that. I find that while I'm not actively using my Biology knowledge in my current job, I do draw upon things like data analysis, being able to create figures and look at things from a slightly more scientific angle.

In short, I completely agree with you, studying Biology will give you a different set of transferable skills to studying an essay subject. Carry on as you are!

I hope this gives you a bit of reassurance - Hannah 😀

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

Ignore the people saying that! They don’t know what they are talking about. No one has a go at someone wanting to do medicine and taking art along with Biology and Chemistry so why should you not do biology along with the two essay subjects?! It’s a very good third A’level choice and three essay subjects would be brutal with all the NEA stuff too for History and English. Ignore what they are saying because this is a great combination..

Reply 3

JDINCINERATOR

Original post by Anonymous

Hi,
To be brief, I want to study history at university, and I am currently taking history,English and biology (987 at GCSE respectively, 2 marks off an 8 for biology! 😭)
History and English are ofc relevant, but I wanted to keep on doing biology since I find it interesting, and I find the transferable skills to be very valuable. I have no interest in doing a stem degree, so having a second science isn’t a concern.
I am completely aware it’s a hard subject (I’ve been doing it for 2 months), but I’m sick of people’s judgements and people telling me I should’ve just picked another essay subject. I really enjoy the variety, and even though biology is hard, sometimes it can feel quite relaxing and can be a break from writing tons of essays lol.
Like I said, I know it’s not directly relevant to my degree of choice. But, I have many ideas of how to use it well in my personal statement from the transferable skills, its links to topics such as the history of medicine and science etc- so I feel like it shouldn’t make or break my application, and if anything I feel it would make me stand out and show universities I have a different perspective.
Am I wrong for thinking this? Cause I really don’t understand why people care what I’m studying…

You aren't wrong for doing and enjoying what you like. Biology is an interesting addition to your trilogy including English and History, it's a unique combination that I imagine will give you variety that'll help you stand out. Diversification is not a bad thing, and if people are telling you that you shouldn't it might be because they don't dare to be as adventurous as you.

What is most important though is to not let the pressure of exams or other people get to you. Exam grades don't mean as much as the education system makes them out to be, and I should know because I've been through the rungs of the education system and own a first-class degree in Film and English. I know you might not have exam pressure and stress, but I reckon it bothers many people.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

Original post by JDINCINERATOR

You aren't wrong for doing and enjoying what you like. Biology is an interesting addition to your trilogy including English and History, it's a unique combination that I imagine will give you variety that'll help you stand out. Diversification is not a bad thing, and if people are telling you that you shouldn't it might be because they don't dare to be as adventurous as you.
What is most important though is to not let the pressure of exams or other people get to you. Exam grades don't mean as much as the education system makes them out to be, and I should know because I've been through the rungs of the education system and own a first-class degree in Film and English. I know you might not have exam pressure and stress, but I reckon it bothers many people.

I definitely have exam stress and pressure lol, but I’m trying to get better a managing it. Plus, I have to say that after dropping chemistry I feel like a weight has been lifted after my shoulders. But, I’m still sick of people judging my combo, I feel so uncomfortable when I tell people! But, on the brighside, I did get the highest mark in my biology exam for my first mock recently, so maybe I should just ignore them!