Picking subjects for S5 (crash higher maths??)

Hi there,
I'm an S4 student thinking about my subjects for next year (S5). I'm currently part-time at school due to my disabilities and mental illness, but I'm doing well in my National 5s and learning a lot independently.
I was advised to leave National 5 Maths this year because it was overwhelming after missing a lot of learning in S3, and the school didn’t really have the resources to help. This has reduced my stress, and I've done well in all my other prelims (Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Geography with my lowest result being 85%)
However, I'm now worried about not having done National 5 Maths this year. If I want to do Higher Maths before leaving school, I'll need to take N5 in S5 so I can do higher in S6, which means I can only take four highers next year. I'm concerned that this might limit my options, especially for competitive courses that need five highers in S5. I'm also worried that universities might look down on me for having fewer National 5s than most students.
I'm unsure if it's feasible (or even allowed) to crash Higher Maths, especially alongside four other Highers next year as I get very tired being in school so would rely on teaching myself at home some of the time for different subjects instead of attending classes (which works better for my learning style anyway). I do have disability benefits that could help with tutoring costs to give me some extra support too. I guess I could decide that I don’t need higher maths, and do five other highers next year and then do N5 maths in S6, or do crash higher maths in S6? Or apps of maths crash higher? Also if an entry requirement is Nat five maths, if you have a good grade in higher maths does that mean you don’t need Nat five maths too? Sorry this is all just a ramble of ideas in my head!
I definitely want to take Higher Biology, Chemistry, and English next year, and either Higher Maths/Apps or National 5 Maths. For my fifth Higher, I'm considering Psychology, Geography, French, or Italian.

Sorry for the long post and TIA!

Reply 1

xiinan

Hello, I am a scottish student as well! Highers is, if not the most, stressful year in high school. So, I recommending taking higher subjects that you are good at, and are confidence that you will do well in- as it make things less stressful. If you truly wish to obtain Higher maths qualification before leaving high school, crash it in S6 - where you will have less subjects and so more time to go over both higher and nat5 course content, (because higher maths builds on the foundation of nat5 maths).
Hope this is any help!!

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 2

autisticandproud

Original post

by xiinan

Hello, I am also a scottish student as well! Highers is, if not the most, stressful year in high school. So, I recommending taking higher subjects that you are good at, and are confidence that you will do well in- as it make things less stressful. If you truly wish to obtain Higher maths qualification before leaving high school, crash it in S6 - where you will have less subjects and so more time to go over both higher and nat5 course content, (because higher maths builds on the foundation of nat5 maths).
Hope this is any help!!

Hiya, thanks so much that is super helpful. Will keep in mind!