I feel ignored by my sixth form

I want to study history at university which has made me feel very ignored by my sixth form.

Because I study history and English, there is an expectation that I go to law extra and super-curriculars. And, because I take biology, there is an expectation I do medicine and other stem related extracurriculars (which makes no sense since I don’t do two sciences…)

When I’ve been expressed that I have no interest in these degrees, they still expect me to go. But, I don’t because I want to focus on my own super-curricular and and studies, not things that will serve 0 purpose to me.

This has upset me a lot. 1. Because it feels like the only value they see in humanities subjects is law, and 2. Because I do biology out of interest, and don’t want to study it a university, but they push things like ‘chemical engineering lectures’ onto me and it seems silly to me…

It makes me feel like the school only values those who pick ‘practical’ degrees, and anyone else just goes under the radar. Granted, I’ve never asked them to do history related super-curriculars, but I know they wouldn’t do it even if I ask, because to them it’s not a priority. Especially since most of my heads of Year are stem major who think that only stem is important….(obviously not all stem majors are like this, but sadly they are)

It makes school suck, and I’m sick of the school favouring stem subjects unless you are doing law…

Reply 1

Liqht

Hi there, that does sound like a difficult situation to be in :frown:

Do you refuse to do those extra/super curriculars, because it could be something where if you refuse every time they may eventually stop trying to push it onto you.
Also, try doing your own research to find extra/super curriculars based on history. Think essay competitions or workshops or like online courses maybe that would deepen your knowledge of history and history at uni. Maybe then if a teacher asks you to join a different STEM/law extra/super curricular you could say you're already doing those things but for history?
Generally I'd say that it's something you have to keep politely refusing until they get the memo and more importantly, if the sixth form aren't helping you with super/extra curriculars, try looking for your own as it allows you to have that competitive university application, and if you enjoy history it can be a chance to show off as well, while doing something you like doing.
Hope things go well :smile: