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contemplating dropping one of my a-levels

i’m in year 13 currently studying sociology (predicted an A), philosophy (C) and politics (C), but i’m thinking of dropping one of my subjects.

i got EUU in my year 12 mocks last summer, and my school held a meeting with my mum suggesting that i could basically just only do 2 a-levels if it helps me manage everything better. i’ve struggled with my mental health for years and i get really overwhelmed by exams, like to the point where in a few of my gcse exams i did nothing but sit there and cry unable to answer questions and the same thing had happened in a couple of my mocks.

i’ve already received 5/5 offers from the unis i applied to, some of which were contextual. i haven’t responded to them yet but i know what my firm and insurance will be - for my firm uni i’d just need 96 ucas points, and 48 for my insurance (degree with a foundation year).

i’m thinking that depending on how my mocks in the next week go, i might drop politics. i firmly believe i can get at least an A in sociology, so if i get a C in philosophy and possibly an E in politics then that’ll be exactly 96 ucas points. but if i get a U in politics, i might actually take up my school’s offer of only doing 2 a levels. i’d much rather work for an A* in sociology and a B in philosophy instead of struggle with just getting an E in my third subject.

does anyone have any thoughts on this or advice? is it a stupid idea of me to think of only doing 2 a-levels or would it genuinely help me work harder in my subjects?

Reply 1

I agree that if you get a U (or even an E) on your politics mock with revision, it's probably too late to salvage and you should just do the two subjects you're stronger at and relatively enjoy.
However, if this is the case, I'd reconsider taking an academic course and putting yourself through another 3-4 years of exams, or doing the course in a few years time after making progress on your mental health.

Reply 2

Original post
by phoenixx06
i’m in year 13 currently studying sociology (predicted an A), philosophy (C) and politics (C), but i’m thinking of dropping one of my subjects.
i got EUU in my year 12 mocks last summer, and my school held a meeting with my mum suggesting that i could basically just only do 2 a-levels if it helps me manage everything better. i’ve struggled with my mental health for years and i get really overwhelmed by exams, like to the point where in a few of my gcse exams i did nothing but sit there and cry unable to answer questions and the same thing had happened in a couple of my mocks.
i’ve already received 5/5 offers from the unis i applied to, some of which were contextual. i haven’t responded to them yet but i know what my firm and insurance will be - for my firm uni i’d just need 96 ucas points, and 48 for my insurance (degree with a foundation year).
i’m thinking that depending on how my mocks in the next week go, i might drop politics. i firmly believe i can get at least an A in sociology, so if i get a C in philosophy and possibly an E in politics then that’ll be exactly 96 ucas points. but if i get a U in politics, i might actually take up my school’s offer of only doing 2 a levels. i’d much rather work for an A* in sociology and a B in philosophy instead of struggle with just getting an E in my third subject.
does anyone have any thoughts on this or advice? is it a stupid idea of me to think of only doing 2 a-levels or would it genuinely help me work harder in my subjects?

It would be better to drop and do 2 subjects
Original post
by phoenixx06
i’m in year 13 currently studying sociology (predicted an A), philosophy (C) and politics (C), but i’m thinking of dropping one of my subjects.

i got EUU in my year 12 mocks last summer, and my school held a meeting with my mum suggesting that i could basically just only do 2 a-levels if it helps me manage everything better. i’ve struggled with my mental health for years and i get really overwhelmed by exams, like to the point where in a few of my gcse exams i did nothing but sit there and cry unable to answer questions and the same thing had happened in a couple of my mocks.

i’ve already received 5/5 offers from the unis i applied to, some of which were contextual. i haven’t responded to them yet but i know what my firm and insurance will be - for my firm uni i’d just need 96 ucas points, and 48 for my insurance (degree with a foundation year).

i’m thinking that depending on how my mocks in the next week go, i might drop politics. i firmly believe i can get at least an A in sociology, so if i get a C in philosophy and possibly an E in politics then that’ll be exactly 96 ucas points. but if i get a U in politics, i might actually take up my school’s offer of only doing 2 a levels. i’d much rather work for an A* in sociology and a B in philosophy instead of struggle with just getting an E in my third subject.

does anyone have any thoughts on this or advice? is it a stupid idea of me to think of only doing 2 a-levels or would it genuinely help me work harder in my subjects?

Your uni offers are based on you taking three A levels. If you wish to drop one, you need to check with each uni if your offer will still stand.

Reply 4

Original post
by normaw
Your uni offers are based on you taking three A levels. If you wish to drop one, you need to check with each uni if your offer will still stand.

This.

Having MH problems does not excuse you from any basic entry requirement - and taking an extra year to take a third A level, and get you head in the right place for 'going to Uni'. would be a far better plan than expecting unreasonable exceptions.

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