Should i drop further maths?

3

So i do chem maths+fm and physics and i want to do mechanical engineering in uni. I just done a level mock and i got an A in maths and C in chemistry, i really enjoy chemistry but the grade boundary is really high so it’s quite hard to achieve good grades. The teachers advice me to keep fm but i just don’t like how crowded my time table is

Reply 1

randomnamelol

8

Original post

by st4rgirlz

So i do chem maths+fm and physics and i want to do mechanical engineering in uni. I just done a level mock and i got an A in maths and C in chemistry, i really enjoy chemistry but the grade boundary is really high so it’s quite hard to achieve good grades. The teachers advice me to keep fm but i just don’t like how crowded my time table is

I personally think you'll regret dropping further maths in the long run because normal Maths is quite easy and fm gives some new interesting topics. With regards to chemistry, I'd say to revise this first thing after or before school (so it's fresh) and catch up with any misunderstood work over the weekends.

Reply 2

Kingston Jenifer

Official Rep

11

Original post

by st4rgirlz

So i do chem maths+fm and physics and i want to do mechanical engineering in uni. I just done a level mock and i got an A in maths and C in chemistry, i really enjoy chemistry but the grade boundary is really high so it’s quite hard to achieve good grades. The teachers advice me to keep fm but i just don’t like how crowded my time table is

Hi there!

if you cannot handle a fourth A-level, then do not do it. With math, chemistry and physics you can still get into mechanical engineering assuming you meet the grade requirements. it is better to have ABB than BBCC. Take a quality over quantity approach! You do not want to stress yourself out, have that lead to burnout, and then miss your entry requirments.

Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Reply 3

LancashireRep5

Official Rep

9

Original post

by st4rgirlz

So i do chem maths+fm and physics and i want to do mechanical engineering in uni. I just done a level mock and i got an A in maths and C in chemistry, i really enjoy chemistry but the grade boundary is really high so it’s quite hard to achieve good grades. The teachers advice me to keep fm but i just don’t like how crowded my time table is

Hey there,

My name is Siobhan and I’m a third-year student the University of Central Lancashire. First of all, congrats on your grades, it seems you are doing well and it’s great you’re asking for help! I remember being in a similar position to you at A-level and honestly it is your decision at the end of the day which path you choose, but here’s some things I would consider:

•

Look at the entry requirements for the unis you want to go to. If you are wanting to do mechanical engineering, then you may only need Physics and Maths with another subject on top of that (either chem or fm) . This means that you could potentially drop a subject and have the requirements to get into a uni that you like. However, different places have certain requirements so I would look at UCAS before deciding.

•

You already mentioned that you’re struggling with your timetable, and this does get harder in Y13, you should consider how you are currently managing and think whether you will be organised enough to keep up with the workload.

•

Which you are performing better in? I understand struggling with a subject you enjoy as I did Chem with 4 other subjects which I would have liked to have continue doing, but ended up dropping Chem due to it having my lowest performance. This did stop me from doing medicine at the time, but my stress levels at the time of having to catch up in a difficult subject dropped significantly. Again though, I would look at which subject your preferred uni would accept and consider this.

•

Mental health is so important at this level and if you are finding that keeping fm or chem is too much, then I would assess what is your priority at this time and level. You will have some time though before Aug/Sept so I would see how your stress levels are and have a think about this.

Again, this is your decision at the end of the day, and it is great that you are seeking advice. But I would have a think over the summer and do a pro/cons list. I hope this helped and please let me know if you have any more questions at all 😊

Siobhan (Student Ambassador for the University of Central Lancashire)

Reply 4

st4rgirlz

OP

3

UPDATE!! (I didn’t come back here at all after i posted😔) I decided to drop chem instead of fm and this might be one of the best decisions i made in a level, my grades for physics and fm got much better and i have more free times to relax. Now i’m applying for mechanical, mechatronic and electronic engineering which obv doesn’t require chem so if anyone is in similar situation, this is a reminder that fm is really fun

Reply 5

ushnakaleem

10

Original post

by st4rgirlz

UPDATE!! (I didn’t come back here at all after i posted😔) I decided to drop chem instead of fm and this might be one of the best decisions i made in a level, my grades for physics and fm got much better and i have more free times to relax. Now i’m applying for mechanical, mechatronic and electronic engineering which obv doesn’t require chem so if anyone is in similar situation, this is a reminder that fm is really fun

I did 4 alevels in Bio, Chem, psych, economics and an EPQ in year 12 and the workload was massive. My predicted grade in chem was a B and I ended up spending more time on chem than I did on my EPQ and went from an A* to an A. I knew if I didn't drop chemistry right then, I would have scored lower in all my other subjects too. You did the right thing dropping chemistry, especially as it wasn't essential for your course. Good luck for your Uni respondes and ur alevels!

Reply 6

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

19

Original post

by st4rgirlz

UPDATE!! (I didn’t come back here at all after i posted😔) I decided to drop chem instead of fm and this might be one of the best decisions i made in a level, my grades for physics and fm got much better and i have more free times to relax. Now i’m applying for mechanical, mechatronic and electronic engineering which obv doesn’t require chem so if anyone is in similar situation, this is a reminder that fm is really fun

I was just about to post but then i saw your update.
Dropping chemistry and keeping further maths was what i was going to suggest actually, lol. Glad it worked out for you.

Should i drop further maths?

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