The Student Room Group

Time is running out till I have no future

I am a year 11 student that is currently a week before my final GCSEs. I have a terrible case of procrastination therefore I let these 2 years pass me by without much studying. I was given a 2 week holiday so I've started revising during the holiday but I can never shake the feeling I'm going to fail. The 2 week holiday is up now and I'll be heading to school for a week before exams.
I am prioritising Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics more than my other options since I keep getting told those are the vital subjects people will look at on my CV.
For revising, I'm reading notes in science then attempting past papers. In English, I am memorising quotes given by my teacher and practicing putting them into past paper questions. Then for maths, I'm watching the corbettmaths ultimate maths revision guide to skim through most topics then attempting past papers for the difficult topics.
My other subjects are psychology, sociology and welsh second language(I do the WJEC board but my school follows the AQA board for pyschology). I struggle to know how to revise properly for my subjects, so I'd love to hear advice. ❤️


Another problem is applications for options after GCSE. My school has mainly talked to us about A-levels, College and Apprenticeships. I am aware there are more options though.I don't have a lot of time left to apply to options and I still don't know what I want to apply to.
My career adviser suggested I do A-levels but I have no idea what subjects I would pick. The issue is that I have no idea what career I want to go into 🫠 so I don't know what subjects to pick.
My parents both work in health care so they suggested that career route to me. I don't hate that idea but I heard medical school is tough and I'm already struggling at GCSEs so I was never 100% sure I could do well in med school.
I found online that Maths, English, the three Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, History and Geography are good subjects to pick if you don't know what you want to do in the future. I didn't like Psychology and Sociology as much as I hoped so I doubt I'll pick it again. I heard Chemistry, History and Physics a-levels is hard but I don't hate Physics or Biology.
Does anyone have advice on what subjects for A-levels I should choose if I have no idea what I want to become in the future?😭🙏
Also is A-levels a good option if I'm struggling with procrastination?

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Reply 1

Original post
by nellyluv
I am a year 11 student that is currently a week before my final GCSEs. I have a terrible case of procrastination therefore I let these 2 years pass me by without much studying. I was given a 2 week holiday so I've started revising during the holiday but I can never shake the feeling I'm going to fail. The 2 week holiday is up now and I'll be heading to school for a week before exams.
I am prioritising Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics more than my other options since I keep getting told those are the vital subjects people will look at on my CV.
For revising, I'm reading notes in science then attempting past papers. In English, I am memorising quotes given by my teacher and practicing putting them into past paper questions. Then for maths, I'm watching the corbettmaths ultimate maths revision guide to skim through most topics then attempting past papers for the difficult topics.
My other subjects are psychology, sociology and welsh second language(I do the WJEC board but my school follows the AQA board for pyschology). I struggle to know how to revise properly for my subjects, so I'd love to hear advice. ❤️
Another problem is applications for options after GCSE. My school has mainly talked to us about A-levels, College and Apprenticeships. I am aware there are more options though.I don't have a lot of time left to apply to options and I still don't know what I want to apply to.
My career adviser suggested I do A-levels but I have no idea what subjects I would pick. The issue is that I have no idea what career I want to go into 🫠 so I don't know what subjects to pick.
My parents both work in health care so they suggested that career route to me. I don't hate that idea but I heard medical school is tough and I'm already struggling at GCSEs so I was never 100% sure I could do well in med school.
I found online that Maths, English, the three Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, History and Geography are good subjects to pick if you don't know what you want to do in the future. I didn't like Psychology and Sociology as much as I hoped so I doubt I'll pick it again. I heard Chemistry, History and Physics a-levels is hard but I don't hate Physics or Biology.
Does anyone have advice on what subjects for A-levels I should choose if I have no idea what I want to become in the future?😭🙏
Also is A-levels a good option if I'm struggling with procrastination?

Same I got GCSE's next week, but just smash out your revision, like 7-8 hrs a day, do past papers and prioritise topics you struggle on.

Reply 2

For your A-levels, pick 3-4 subjects that you can use for many career paths
I picked Maths, chem bio cause im fixated on medicine
but you can pick like a science, humanity, language, an english or maths and see which you like and dont like at the start of 6th form then drop/ switch it

Reply 3

Original post
by Drip22
Same I got GCSE's next week, but just smash out your revision, like 7-8 hrs a day, do past papers and prioritise topics you struggle on.

Glad I found someone to relate to. Also how do you manage doing 6-7 hrs of revision? Since I'll be at school during some of the day I won't have much time at home. When I start revising I get stuck on one subject then I get tired and fall asleep😓

Reply 4

Doing GCSEs at school and then A levels at school or college is the easiest way to get to university and most people do go straight to uni after A levels. But this is not the only chance to do this. And many people also make ‘false starts’ then step back for a year or so before trying again. Medicine is probably the trickiest to take an alternative path. But if you don’t want to do medicine and are unsure what to do then a few years in employment is not a bad thing. Even if GCSEs go belly-up you can return to college and look at university access courses later. Other routes might take a bit more determination but you are very definitely not in a position of ‘no future’. Nor is your life ‘on hold’ if you do have to resit or do a year of bar work. All experience is valuable and can bring something to future employers.

Reply 5

Original post
by nellyluv
Glad I found someone to relate to. Also how do you manage doing 6-7 hrs of revision? Since I'll be at school during some of the day I won't have much time at home. When I start revising I get stuck on one subject then I get tired and fall asleep😓

in the 2 weeks holidays, everyday did 6-7 hrs, lot of people saying how, and now i agree, but i guess i just had the motivation and slightly fear that i would fail

now after school i do like 3.5 hrs

Reply 6

Original post
by nellyluv
Glad I found someone to relate to. Also how do you manage doing 6-7 hrs of revision? Since I'll be at school during some of the day I won't have much time at home. When I start revising I get stuck on one subject then I get tired and fall asleep😓

now im revising power and conflict storm on island, prelude and tissue

Reply 7

Original post
by nellyluv
Glad I found someone to relate to. Also how do you manage doing 6-7 hrs of revision? Since I'll be at school during some of the day I won't have much time at home. When I start revising I get stuck on one subject then I get tired and fall asleep😓

just ask anything if you need help or advice

Reply 8

Original post
by FiBox
Doing GCSEs at school and then A levels at school or college is the easiest way to get to university and most people do go straight to uni after A levels. But this is not the only chance to do this. And many people also make ‘false starts’ then step back for a year or so before trying again. Medicine is probably the trickiest to take an alternative path. But if you don’t want to do medicine and are unsure what to do then a few years in employment is not a bad thing. Even if GCSEs go belly-up you can return to college and look at university access courses later. Other routes might take a bit more determination but you are very definitely not in a position of ‘no future’. Nor is your life ‘on hold’ if you do have to resit or do a year of bar work. All experience is valuable and can bring something to future employers.

Thanks for that, I'll apply for a-levels but the college might be tricky since it's very full now. I'll revise hard and hope for the best. If I do bad, Resits is what I'll do 🫡 as for the employment how would I go about it? Is Part-time jobs or shadowing people good?, also when could I do that?
(edited 12 months ago)

Reply 9

Original post
by Drip22
in the 2 weeks holidays, everyday did 6-7 hrs, lot of people saying how, and now i agree, but i guess i just had the motivation and slightly fear that i would fail
now after school i do like 3.5 hrs

That makes sense, I hope I can get some hours in before I fall asleep 😭

Reply 10

Original post
by Drip22
just ask anything if you need help or advice

Thank you 😭

Reply 11

Original post
by nellyluv
Thank you 😭

👌its all good

Reply 12

Hi @nellyluv

First off, don’t panic! It’s really common for students at GCSE level not to know exactly what career they want to pursue, and most people find that their ambitions change over time. A-Levels are a popular choice because they offer flexibility, allowing you to explore a variety of subjects. Unlike BTECs, where you focus on one area in depth, A-Levels give you a broader range of options, which might be helpful while you're still figuring things out. Plus, many sixth forms and colleges allow you to switch subjects if you find that you're not enjoying one, so you have room to swap if needed.

After your exams, you could explore career quizzes or attend career fairs (either in-person or online) to help you get a better sense of what might suit you. There are loads of free online courses (like MOOCs or Open University) that can help you discover what you enjoy studying and explore potential career paths.

In terms of procrastination, consider using study techniques like setting small, achievable goals everyday or creating a study schedule to keep yourself on track.

Hope that helps and good luck with your GCSEs! 🙂

Megan (LJMU Student Rep)

Reply 13

Original post
by LJMUStudentReps
Hi @nellyluv
First off, don’t panic! It’s really common for students at GCSE level not to know exactly what career they want to pursue, and most people find that their ambitions change over time. A-Levels are a popular choice because they offer flexibility, allowing you to explore a variety of subjects. Unlike BTECs, where you focus on one area in depth, A-Levels give you a broader range of options, which might be helpful while you're still figuring things out. Plus, many sixth forms and colleges allow you to switch subjects if you find that you're not enjoying one, so you have room to swap if needed.
After your exams, you could explore career quizzes or attend career fairs (either in-person or online) to help you get a better sense of what might suit you. There are loads of free online courses (like MOOCs or Open University) that can help you discover what you enjoy studying and explore potential career paths.
In terms of procrastination, consider using study techniques like setting small, achievable goals everyday or creating a study schedule to keep yourself on track.
Hope that helps and good luck with your GCSEs! 🙂
Megan (LJMU Student Rep)

Thank you for the support 😭🙌

Reply 14

Original post
by nellyluv
I am a year 11 student that is currently a week before my final GCSEs. I have a terrible case of procrastination therefore I let these 2 years pass me by without much studying. I was given a 2 week holiday so I've started revising during the holiday but I can never shake the feeling I'm going to fail. The 2 week holiday is up now and I'll be heading to school for a week before exams.
I am prioritising Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics more than my other options since I keep getting told those are the vital subjects people will look at on my CV.
For revising, I'm reading notes in science then attempting past papers. In English, I am memorising quotes given by my teacher and practicing putting them into past paper questions. Then for maths, I'm watching the corbettmaths ultimate maths revision guide to skim through most topics then attempting past papers for the difficult topics.
My other subjects are psychology, sociology and welsh second language(I do the WJEC board but my school follows the AQA board for pyschology). I struggle to know how to revise properly for my subjects, so I'd love to hear advice. ❤️
Another problem is applications for options after GCSE. My school has mainly talked to us about A-levels, College and Apprenticeships. I am aware there are more options though.I don't have a lot of time left to apply to options and I still don't know what I want to apply to.
My career adviser suggested I do A-levels but I have no idea what subjects I would pick. The issue is that I have no idea what career I want to go into 🫠 so I don't know what subjects to pick.
My parents both work in health care so they suggested that career route to me. I don't hate that idea but I heard medical school is tough and I'm already struggling at GCSEs so I was never 100% sure I could do well in med school.
I found online that Maths, English, the three Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, History and Geography are good subjects to pick if you don't know what you want to do in the future. I didn't like Psychology and Sociology as much as I hoped so I doubt I'll pick it again. I heard Chemistry, History and Physics a-levels is hard but I don't hate Physics or Biology.
Does anyone have advice on what subjects for A-levels I should choose if I have no idea what I want to become in the future?😭🙏
Also is A-levels a good option if I'm struggling with procrastination?

Don't worry. I really struggled with procrastination through GCSE's and now my A-levels. I've only started revising this year but my main problem has been I got to my A-levels and didn't know what revision techniques worked for me so I wasted a lot of time doing methods I now know don't work with me. So for revision have a go different methods like watching videos, blurting (isn't very time consuming and helps active recall), a few mocks and flashcards maybe. Not everyone can revise 7-8hrs a day and that's fine. As for subjects A-level I'd make try and take some kind of science if you're completely not sure. Some unis take geography and Design and Technology as sciences which is a good way of doing a science if you don't like maths, chem, phys or biol. But don't get stuck doing a subject you hate for 2 years. Look over how the courses are assessed (any coursework or just exams) and go for what you feel suits you best. Unless you want to do things like Medicine and engineering or core sciences (chemistry, biochem, biology, physics) I really wouldn't worry! For reference I've got an offer from Uni of Liverpool for Geography using my Baccalaureate, Welsh Lit and Biology.



Reply 15

Hello mate! I'm just finishing uni, and just wanted to reassure you that you will be absolutely fine.

The school system always states that "these are the most difficult, and most important exams you will ever sit". I bears the exact same thing in GCSES, Levels and Uni.
For GCSEs I only revised with flashcards and ended up with all 6s+. Make sure you consistently revise, look at the specifications and COVER THE BASICS. Gcses are marked on demonstrating levels of knowledge. Focus on what will secure you a five and six, rather than the extras that get you a 9.

Regarding choices, Unless you want to go to oxbridge or go into medicine, level choices literally do not matter. They do not need to be the exact subjects you might want to study at uni or jobs you might want to enter.
If you think you might want to do anything science related, pick sciences and maths, otherwise do something you are good at to maximise your grade. When applying to apprenticeships they will primarily look at your grade, not the subject.

I recommend applying to a college, because they will let you change your subjects up to like 4 weeks in!!! and resit your gcse if it comes to that, which I'm sure it won't.

Best of luck trooper. You don't need it all figured out, hell most people I know (who are just finishing uni right now) still have zero clue what jobs they want and they will be graduating in literally a week.

Reply 16

Original post
by edsc
Hello mate! I'm just finishing uni, and just wanted to reassure you that you will be absolutely fine.
The school system always states that "these are the most difficult, and most important exams you will ever sit". I bears the exact same thing in GCSES, Levels and Uni.
For GCSEs I only revised with flashcards and ended up with all 6s+. Make sure you consistently revise, look at the specifications and COVER THE BASICS. Gcses are marked on demonstrating levels of knowledge. Focus on what will secure you a five and six, rather than the extras that get you a 9.
Regarding choices, Unless you want to go to oxbridge or go into medicine, level choices literally do not matter. They do not need to be the exact subjects you might want to study at uni or jobs you might want to enter.
If you think you might want to do anything science related, pick sciences and maths, otherwise do something you are good at to maximise your grade. When applying to apprenticeships they will primarily look at your grade, not the subject.
I recommend applying to a college, because they will let you change your subjects up to like 4 weeks in!!! and resit your gcse if it comes to that, which I'm sure it won't.
Best of luck trooper. You don't need it all figured out, hell most people I know (who are just finishing uni right now) still have zero clue what jobs they want and they will be graduating in literally a week.

Thank you :smile: I'm still not sure if I'm going to 100% follow through with the subjects bc I'm just really tired of doing academics. Plus people keep telling me how hard maths and the sciences are. And the other subjects I have a bit of experience in them thanks to gcse but I didn't enjoy them either. 😮*💨 Not sure why I'm losing all enjoyment in academics.

Reply 17

Original post
by drip22
same i got gcse's next week, but just smash out your revision, like 7-8 hrs a day, do past papers and prioritise topics you struggle on.

how is it humanly possible to do tht many hrs???? Pleasee telll me how u manage ur time

Reply 18

Original post
by nellyluv
I am a year 11 student that is currently a week before my final GCSEs. I have a terrible case of procrastination therefore I let these 2 years pass me by without much studying. I was given a 2 week holiday so I've started revising during the holiday but I can never shake the feeling I'm going to fail. The 2 week holiday is up now and I'll be heading to school for a week before exams.
I am prioritising Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics more than my other options since I keep getting told those are the vital subjects people will look at on my CV.
For revising, I'm reading notes in science then attempting past papers. In English, I am memorising quotes given by my teacher and practicing putting them into past paper questions. Then for maths, I'm watching the corbettmaths ultimate maths revision guide to skim through most topics then attempting past papers for the difficult topics.
My other subjects are psychology, sociology and welsh second language(I do the WJEC board but my school follows the AQA board for pyschology). I struggle to know how to revise properly for my subjects, so I'd love to hear advice. ❤️
Another problem is applications for options after GCSE. My school has mainly talked to us about A-levels, College and Apprenticeships. I am aware there are more options though.I don't have a lot of time left to apply to options and I still don't know what I want to apply to.
My career adviser suggested I do A-levels but I have no idea what subjects I would pick. The issue is that I have no idea what career I want to go into 🫠 so I don't know what subjects to pick.
My parents both work in health care so they suggested that career route to me. I don't hate that idea but I heard medical school is tough and I'm already struggling at GCSEs so I was never 100% sure I could do well in med school.
I found online that Maths, English, the three Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, History and Geography are good subjects to pick if you don't know what you want to do in the future. I didn't like Psychology and Sociology as much as I hoped so I doubt I'll pick it again. I heard Chemistry, History and Physics a-levels is hard but I don't hate Physics or Biology.
Does anyone have advice on what subjects for A-levels I should choose if I have no idea what I want to become in the future?😭🙏
Also is A-levels a good option if I'm struggling with procrastination?

Hey! I know a lot of people have replied already, but honestly I felt the exact same way. I suffer really hard with procrastination and I left it really late to study for my exams as well. Of course, doing well on your GCSEs is a good thing, but they do not matter as much as you think. Going to college, you only need to pass around 5 GCSEs (so getting a 4 in those), but depending on the college they may be different , and once you are in college there is literally no talk about GCSE grades anymore. When applying for Universities (if that's the route you want to go), they look at your A-level results, not GCSEs. I do A-levels at college, which I really recommend. You get treated like you are an adult, and get SO much more freedom. For studying tips, I really recommend the night before the exam, and the morning of the exam just focusing on memorising information (obviously not the only studying you should do) but it helps refresh all of your memory for the exam. Also on what subjects you do, just do the ones you enjoy! Don't stress about a career, although one science would be good it is not needed. For a lot of courses in uni, you don't need specific A-Levels.

Reply 19

Original post
by nellyluv
Thank you :smile: I'm still not sure if I'm going to 100% follow through with the subjects bc I'm just really tired of doing academics. Plus people keep telling me how hard maths and the sciences are. And the other subjects I have a bit of experience in them thanks to gcse but I didn't enjoy them either. 😮*💨 Not sure why I'm losing all enjoyment in academics.

Take a look at apprenticeships, a lot of people **** them off, but to be honest with the way universities are going (budget cuts, increasing fees, and saturated grad market), learning a trade or getting an apprenticeship at a council like in Library Services, or Local Government Policy might be the move

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