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Hello.
I am a year 12 student currently studying btech health and social care level 3 in London. I find it enjoyable, which is why I chose it, but now wish I could go back and choose other subjects like chemistry and biology, but even that’s not possible.

The thing is, I want to study medicine and become a doctor or surgeon, it’s my dream to become a neurosurgeon and has been ever since I was a little kid. The problem is that my gcses were not great, I do foundation.

Maths 4
Combined science 4’3
English literature 4
English language 5

These grades are very disappointing for me because I took a few years off secondary school due to a serious personal issue that was caused me to miss a lot of school, I left mid year 7 and joined a new school in London beginning of year 10. I also faced mental health issues because I was so behind and eventually lost motivation and stopped trying after my year 10 mocks. But in year 11, I wanted to at least try and started working really hard. I got a tutor for my core subjects, stopped going out and focused in school and would ask many questions in class. I thought this was enough and walked confidently in and out of my exams, but on results day, I broke down in tears and was heartbroken, I’m not too sure why but worked really hard, sometimes stayed up all night and pushed my self when I was at my worst only to fail, Even now it upsets me.

This is getting a bit long, sorry.

I enjoy health and social care and am doing alright, but the careers they lead to are just not for me. I’ve been researching and considering lots of health + sc jobs but they all just don’t appeal to me at all. I am now unmotivated to even carry on because I know when I finish year 13, it will all be for nothing.

I don’t know if I can re take my GCSEs or do another course that allows me to do medicine at university.
Please give me any advice.
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

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The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
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Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work

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Official Undergraduate Medicine 2024 Entry
Graduate Entry Medicine 2024 Entry
GAMSAT 2024 / 2025 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2024 Entry Discussions Megathread
Medicine 2024 entry for resit / retake / gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2024 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2024 Entry
2024 entry A100 / A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2024 Entry

2025 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2025 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2025 Entry
GAMSAT 2025 / 2026 entry discussions megathread
UCAT 2025 Entry Discussions Megathread
Medicine 2025 entry for resit/ retake/ gap year applicants
A100 Medicine for International Students 2025 Entry
Medicine Interview Discussion 2025 Entry
2025 entry A100/ A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2025 Entry

Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 Entry

Useful Articles:
GCSE Requirements for Medicine
Everything you need to know about the BMAT
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
Funding medicine as a second degree

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Medicine Community Feedback and Suggestions

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Original post by injeolmistell
Hello.
I am a year 12 student currently studying btech health and social care level 3 in London. I find it enjoyable, which is why I chose it, but now wish I could go back and choose other subjects like chemistry and biology, but even that’s not possible.
The thing is, I want to study medicine and become a doctor or surgeon, it’s my dream to become a neurosurgeon and has been ever since I was a little kid. The problem is that my gcses were not great, I do foundation.
Maths 4
Combined science 4’3
English literature 4
English language 5
These grades are very disappointing for me because I took a few years off secondary school due to a serious personal issue that was caused me to miss a lot of school, I left mid year 7 and joined a new school in London beginning of year 10. I also faced mental health issues because I was so behind and eventually lost motivation and stopped trying after my year 10 mocks. But in year 11, I wanted to at least try and started working really hard. I got a tutor for my core subjects, stopped going out and focused in school and would ask many questions in class. I thought this was enough and walked confidently in and out of my exams, but on results day, I broke down in tears and was heartbroken, I’m not too sure why but worked really hard, sometimes stayed up all night and pushed my self when I was at my worst only to fail, Even now it upsets me.
This is getting a bit long, sorry.
I enjoy health and social care and am doing alright, but the careers they lead to are just not for me. I’ve been researching and considering lots of health + sc jobs but they all just don’t appeal to me at all. I am now unmotivated to even carry on because I know when I finish year 13, it will all be for nothing.
I don’t know if I can re take my GCSEs or do another course that allows me to do medicine at university.
Please give me any advice.

Hi! If you're really sure that medicine is what you want to do, you totally can resit any GCSEs, and it seems like a good option for you. Please remember that the doors are never closed- we are always told things which make it sound like after you make your subject choices you can never go back, but this couldn't be further from the truth. I think to be able to go and pick up a couple of science A-Levels (most medicine requires Chemistry and often Maths, they recommend biology but many don't require it, so don't take it if that would be too much), you would need to have at least passed your STEM subjects, preferably with 6s depending on the school. Even if you have to take a year to get this done after leaving school, many sixth form colleges offer courses for adults/people who are out of compulsory full-time education to take new A-levels- my mum took a biology one a few years ago. Whatever you choose to do, please remember that your health is just as important, if not more, than possibly having to spend some extra time to resit. Carry on with your Health and Social care- it's still valuable to a medicine pathway- but don't push yourself too hard. Take time to sleep, eat, and relax as much as you need to keep going- revision is useless if you are too tense or sleep-deprived to take in the information. Best of luck and I hope this was reassuring to hear.

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