The Student Room Group

GCSE options - plz help (I'M STRESSING)

Hi,
I'm in Y9 and i've got to pick my gcse options in around a week and i'm so scared cuz these are what I'm thinking about:
Maths, english literature, english language, biology, physics, chemistry, french, computer science, geography, religious studies.

But the thing is, I don't know if i'll be good enough with especially geography (my teacher waffles too much that I might fail when I come to year 11), computer science (same reason as geography), RS.
I was wondering if anything we learn in Y9 actually means something - I know it does, but like do they reteach most stuff from years 7-9 in year 10 or not??????????????

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Reply 1

i did geography gcse it’s pretty easy, i think you will be fine doing that. computer science is a bit on the harder side but if you like it then go for it. don’t stress too much year 9 isn’t too important. just listen in class so you know the fundamentals but the important content will start from year 10

Reply 2

Hey!! You're 100% going to be fine at GCSE if you feel like you don't know any year 9 content. Your subjects sound like great choices, and defo most stuff from years 7-9 will be retaught. Except sometimes for some parts of languages like french, they're not gonna reteach you months or basic words but even things like the household you'll likely go over. And I wouldn't worry too much about your teacher, as you get nearer and nearer year 11 exams all your revision will likely be you going over your own notes, so lets be honest youtube will be your real teacher. Good luck, and don't stress! Even in year 10, I don't remember learning anything during the first term of year 10, you have so much time to get to grips with content & relearn things if you need to

Reply 3

Original post
by abcdefg11233
Hey!! You're 100% going to be fine at GCSE if you feel like you don't know any year 9 content. Your subjects sound like great choices, and defo most stuff from years 7-9 will be retaught. Except sometimes for some parts of languages like french, they're not gonna reteach you months or basic words but even things like the household you'll likely go over. And I wouldn't worry too much about your teacher, as you get nearer and nearer year 11 exams all your revision will likely be you going over your own notes, so lets be honest youtube will be your real teacher. Good luck, and don't stress! Even in year 10, I don't remember learning anything during the first term of year 10, you have so much time to get to grips with content & relearn things if you need to

Thank you so much :smile:
Great advice. All I really needed to hear is that I'll get retaught stuff - THANK GOD !!!!!!

Reply 4

Original post
by gxyup
i did geography gcse it’s pretty easy, i think you will be fine doing that. computer science is a bit on the harder side but if you like it then go for it. don’t stress too much year 9 isn’t too important. just listen in class so you know the fundamentals but the important content will start from year 10

Thank UUU for the advice :smile:

Reply 5

Original post
by abcdefg11233
Hey!! You're 100% going to be fine at GCSE if you feel like you don't know any year 9 content. Your subjects sound like great choices, and defo most stuff from years 7-9 will be retaught. Except sometimes for some parts of languages like french, they're not gonna reteach you months or basic words but even things like the household you'll likely go over. And I wouldn't worry too much about your teacher, as you get nearer and nearer year 11 exams all your revision will likely be you going over your own notes, so lets be honest youtube will be your real teacher. Good luck, and don't stress! Even in year 10, I don't remember learning anything during the first term of year 10, you have so much time to get to grips with content & relearn things if you need to

Also, will there be lots of essays in RS?

Reply 6

More than geography and less than history I'm pretty sure. I think per section there's like one or two multiple choice, some 2, 4 and 5 markers, and then a 12 mark (three paragraph) essay. (There's two papers, two sections per paper.)

Reply 7

Never feel like you're not good enough. You definitely are good enough, and you shouldn't stress about GCSEs or grades. I know exactly how hard it is to feel overwhelmed by school and being in new situations and doing new things, but remember you've already done a lot of new things in your life. You learnt to walk and talk for example, now you're going to learn what taking GCSEs is like and that your confidence should rise to the occasion. I do wonder why you don't think you'll be good enough. I imagine peer pressure and comparing yourself to your friends and family expectations have something to do with it. Focus on yourself and enjoy what you do, and work hard if you want to. GCSEs sound all pressurized because teachers make it that way, but the reality is they are only as daunting as you make them out to be. Have control of how you feel and you'll overcome any challenge.
(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 8

Original post
by abcdefg11233
More than geography and less than history I'm pretty sure. I think per section there's like one or two multiple choice, some 2, 4 and 5 markers, and then a 12 mark (three paragraph) essay. (There's two papers, two sections per paper.)

👍 thanks for that :smile:

Reply 9

Original post
by JDINCINERATOR
Never feel like you're not good enough. You definitely are good enough, and you shouldn't stress about GCSEs or grades. I know exactly how hard it is to feel overwhelmed by school and being in new situations and doing new things, but remember you've already done a lot of new things in your life. You learnt to walk and talk for example, now you're going to learn what taking GCSEs is like and that your confidence should rise to the occasion. I do wonder why you don't think you'll be good enough. I imagine peer pressure and comparing yourself to your friends and family expectations have something to do with it. Focus on yourself and enjoy what you do, and work hard if you want to. GCSEs sound all pressurized because teachers make it that way, but the reality is they are only as daunting as you make them out to be. Have control of how you feel and you'll overcome any challenge.

🙂thanks - a lot of mental support.

Reply 10

Original post
by LIFEchoicesHelp
Hi,
I'm in Y9 and i've got to pick my gcse options in around a week and i'm so scared cuz these are what I'm thinking about:
Maths, english literature, english language, biology, physics, chemistry, french, computer science, geography, religious studies.
But the thing is, I don't know if i'll be good enough with especially geography (my teacher waffles too much that I might fail when I come to year 11), computer science (same reason as geography), RS.
I was wondering if anything we learn in Y9 actually means something - I know it does, but like do they reteach most stuff from years 7-9 in year 10 or not??????????????

DONT DO GEOGRAPHY TRUST ME ITS HELLLL (unless you’re good at it)

Reply 11

Original post
by LIFEchoicesHelp
Hi,
I'm in Y9 and i've got to pick my gcse options in around a week and i'm so scared cuz these are what I'm thinking about:
Maths, english literature, english language, biology, physics, chemistry, french, computer science, geography, religious studies.
But the thing is, I don't know if i'll be good enough with especially geography (my teacher waffles too much that I might fail when I come to year 11), computer science (same reason as geography), RS.
I was wondering if anything we learn in Y9 actually means something - I know it does, but like do they reteach most stuff from years 7-9 in year 10 or not??????????????

dont pick french or spanish or any language. when i was doing french i regretted it so much

Reply 12

Original post
by LIFEchoicesHelp
Hi,
I'm in Y9 and i've got to pick my gcse options in around a week and i'm so scared cuz these are what I'm thinking about:
Maths, english literature, english language, biology, physics, chemistry, french, computer science, geography, religious studies.
But the thing is, I don't know if i'll be good enough with especially geography (my teacher waffles too much that I might fail when I come to year 11), computer science (same reason as geography), RS.
I was wondering if anything we learn in Y9 actually means something - I know it does, but like do they reteach most stuff from years 7-9 in year 10 or not??????????????

You're gonna be just fine... I was an IGCSE student who took English, BM/Bahasa Malaysia & Maths(Which is compulsory), Chemistry, Biology, Business & PE/Physical Education(Options) so yeaa... For me it was alright... Now I'm an A Level student taking Law, Psychology & Economics in college... I know it can be tough but keep the momentum up cuz once you lose faith or motivation it's hard to get back. Don't worry about what your teacher say cuz sometimes it can be loss of motivation for you to keep going... Good luck on your GSCE Options and ur future IGSCE! Don't worry about the options, always choose the subject you're strong or confident in, ok?

Reply 13

Original post
by ccsonice
dont pick french or spanish or any language. when i was doing french i regretted it so much

Oh it's compulsory to take a language for gcse for us :frown:

Reply 14

Original post
by N2goated
DONT DO GEOGRAPHY TRUST ME ITS HELLLL (unless you’re good at it)

I'M NOT GOOD AT IT THOUGH..... HELP..... I mean I don't know what other option I should take in place of it.........

Reply 15

Original post
by N2goated
DONT DO GEOGRAPHY TRUST ME ITS HELLLL (unless you’re good at it)

What gcse grade did you get???????

Reply 16

Also, does that mean computer science would be alright?
Guys plz helppppppp

Reply 17

Original post
by LIFEchoicesHelp
Hi,
I'm in Y9 and i've got to pick my gcse options in around a week and i'm so scared cuz these are what I'm thinking about:
Maths, english literature, english language, biology, physics, chemistry, french, computer science, geography, religious studies.
But the thing is, I don't know if i'll be good enough with especially geography (my teacher waffles too much that I might fail when I come to year 11), computer science (same reason as geography), RS.
I was wondering if anything we learn in Y9 actually means something - I know it does, but like do they reteach most stuff from years 7-9 in year 10 or not??????????????

I can't give much advice but I think think there are some aspects to remember, RS isn't hard but there is a lot of content to remember, this shouldn't be a problem if your willing to put in a lot of revision. I just wouldn't recommend picking computer science at all, KS4 content differs a lot from GCSE.

Reply 18

Original post
by LIFEchoicesHelp
Oh it's compulsory to take a language for gcse for us :frown:

Why is it compulsory? Tere's no legal requirement. Are you having to take Geog or History too?

Reply 19

DO NOT PICK COMPUTER SCIENCE!!!! I was forced to pick it and I'm in year 11 now and honestly it is the most difficult subject I take! You literally have to think like a computer and it's not worth the stress. I do geography and it is soooo easy I'm literally getting 9s. If you like science pick geography, plus it is mostly common sense and you can get easy marks 😃

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