Gap Year A-Level Advice Needed
10
I need some advice. So, I’m on a gap year right now and I just got 3A*s in my A-levels. I took a gap year not to travel and not because I didn’t get into any university I wanted but simply because I wanted to rest. However, I’m getting a bit bored now.
I have always been very academic and I didn’t find my A-levels to be very difficult so would you recommend that I spend the next few months revising 2 or 3 A-levels subjects full-time and taking the exams in the summer? The subjects I am referring to are like sociology and psychology and economics which are not difficult to master like maths because it’s more a case of just memorising large bundles of information and blurting it out during the exam and forgetting everything afterwards. I’m sure I could easily do this.
It would cost money to sit the exams privately but imagine if I got an extra 3A*s - that way I’d end up with 6A*s in total (3 from last year and 3 from this year!).
Wouldn’t that be impressive?
Likewise, I could also just do 5 extra random GCSE subjects instead (with less content) and try getting 8s or 9s in them.
I have always been very academic and I didn’t find my A-levels to be very difficult so would you recommend that I spend the next few months revising 2 or 3 A-levels subjects full-time and taking the exams in the summer? The subjects I am referring to are like sociology and psychology and economics which are not difficult to master like maths because it’s more a case of just memorising large bundles of information and blurting it out during the exam and forgetting everything afterwards. I’m sure I could easily do this.
It would cost money to sit the exams privately but imagine if I got an extra 3A*s - that way I’d end up with 6A*s in total (3 from last year and 3 from this year!).
Wouldn’t that be impressive?
Likewise, I could also just do 5 extra random GCSE subjects instead (with less content) and try getting 8s or 9s in them.
Reply 1
20
No - it wouldnt 'impress' any University, because they will only ever look at the 3 A level grades required for that degree. GCSEs? Designed for 16 year olds - so why bother.
If you are bored - get a job, any job, and earn some cash, then think about doing some work/travel - Gap Year & Adventure Travel Experts for 18-30's | Gap 360 and Camp America® USA Summer Jobs in America Since 1969 | Camp America as examples. This might give you a sense of purpose and something to aim at.
You can also read etc to support your eventual degree - see these Cambridge suggestions super-curricular_suggestions.pdf, or do some Moocs (short free online courses) - Browse Free Online Courses - FutureLearn and Coursera | Online Courses & Credentials From Top Educators. Join for Free or listen to some BBC podcasts - BBC Sounds - Podcasts
If you are bored - get a job, any job, and earn some cash, then think about doing some work/travel - Gap Year & Adventure Travel Experts for 18-30's | Gap 360 and Camp America® USA Summer Jobs in America Since 1969 | Camp America as examples. This might give you a sense of purpose and something to aim at.
You can also read etc to support your eventual degree - see these Cambridge suggestions super-curricular_suggestions.pdf, or do some Moocs (short free online courses) - Browse Free Online Courses - FutureLearn and Coursera | Online Courses & Credentials From Top Educators. Join for Free or listen to some BBC podcasts - BBC Sounds - Podcasts
Reply 2
m_040106
OP
10
Original post
by McGingerNo - it wouldnt 'impress' any University, because they will only ever look at the 3 A level grades required for that degree. GCSEs? Designed for 16 year olds - so why bother.
If you are bored - get a job, any job, and earn some cash, then think about doing some work/travel - Gap Year & Adventure Travel Experts for 18-30's | Gap 360 and Camp America® USA Summer Jobs in America Since 1969 | Camp America as examples. This might give you a sense of purpose and something to aim at.
You can also read etc to support your eventual degree - see these Cambridge suggestions super-curricular_suggestions.pdf, or do some Moocs (short free online courses) - Browse Free Online Courses - FutureLearn and Coursera | Online Courses & Credentials From Top Educators. Join for Free or listen to some BBC podcasts - BBC Sounds - Podcasts
If you are bored - get a job, any job, and earn some cash, then think about doing some work/travel - Gap Year & Adventure Travel Experts for 18-30's | Gap 360 and Camp America® USA Summer Jobs in America Since 1969 | Camp America as examples. This might give you a sense of purpose and something to aim at.
You can also read etc to support your eventual degree - see these Cambridge suggestions super-curricular_suggestions.pdf, or do some Moocs (short free online courses) - Browse Free Online Courses - FutureLearn and Coursera | Online Courses & Credentials From Top Educators. Join for Free or listen to some BBC podcasts - BBC Sounds - Podcasts
I meant it would look impressive on a CV
Reply 3
20
Original post
by m_040106I meant it would look impressive on a CV
No - because all any employer would look at is your degree.
Reply 4
11
Original post
by McGingerNo - because all any employer would look at is your degree.
And/or work experience, and that’s probably the most important thing depending on what you are going for
Reply 5
Original post
by m_040106I need some advice. So, I’m on a gap year right now and I just got 3A*s in my A-levels. I took a gap year not to travel and not because I didn’t get into any university I wanted but simply because I wanted to rest. However, I’m getting a bit bored now.
I have always been very academic and I didn’t find my A-levels to be very difficult so would you recommend that I spend the next few months revising 2 or 3 A-levels subjects full-time and taking the exams in the summer? The subjects I am referring to are like sociology and psychology and economics which are not difficult to master like maths because it’s more a case of just memorising large bundles of information and blurting it out during the exam and forgetting everything afterwards. I’m sure I could easily do this.
It would cost money to sit the exams privately but imagine if I got an extra 3A*s - that way I’d end up with 6A*s in total (3 from last year and 3 from this year!).
Wouldn’t that be impressive?
Likewise, I could also just do 5 extra random GCSE subjects instead (with less content) and try getting 8s or 9s in them.
I have always been very academic and I didn’t find my A-levels to be very difficult so would you recommend that I spend the next few months revising 2 or 3 A-levels subjects full-time and taking the exams in the summer? The subjects I am referring to are like sociology and psychology and economics which are not difficult to master like maths because it’s more a case of just memorising large bundles of information and blurting it out during the exam and forgetting everything afterwards. I’m sure I could easily do this.
It would cost money to sit the exams privately but imagine if I got an extra 3A*s - that way I’d end up with 6A*s in total (3 from last year and 3 from this year!).
Wouldn’t that be impressive?
Likewise, I could also just do 5 extra random GCSE subjects instead (with less content) and try getting 8s or 9s in them.
Hi! Well done you on your 3A*'s 🙂. If you are wanting to go to university and have done the right subjects for the course you would like to do at your preferred Universities, extra A levels probably wouldn't really have an impact as you have already achieved what is required, so it is really a case of whether it is something you really want to do. If you take on too much and do want to go to university, you may find you are back to square one and tired of studying again, because if you do go to uni, you will have years of studying to do again! You could ask if there are any books that would be helpful for any courses you want to do. You could take a part-time job to help finance uni life if you intend to go, or start some hobbies or do a bit of travelling. You might even enjoy doing some volunteering work to get you out and meet new people whilst feeling you are spending your time doing some-thing worthwhile, helping others. I guess really, you have nothing to lose by spending this year doing what you want to do!!
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