A-levels

4

Are my parents allowed to choose my A-levels for me? My parents want me to be a doctor, and are trying to make me study Biology, Chemistry, and another A-level of my choice at college, but are only letting me choose from a specific list of A-levels they want me to do. They have basically mapped out my entire life, even though I've told them that I don't want to do medicine, and I don't know what to do! How can I stop them from controlling me???

Reply 1

Scotland Yard

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Mazerunner!

Are my parents allowed to choose my A-levels for me? My parents want me to be a doctor, and are trying to make me study Biology, Chemistry, and another A-level of my choice at college, but are only letting me choose from a specific list of A-levels they want me to do. They have basically mapped out my entire life, even though I've told them that I don't want to do medicine, and I don't know what to do! How can I stop them from controlling me???

Technically they cannot choose the A-levels for you, but it's up to you to stand up to your parents and pick them yourself. But this is easier said than done - I assume that there are reasons why you're unwilling or unable to challenge your parents regarding your future.

I recommend you check out https://www.childline.org.uk/ for some advice and help regarding your situation and home life, and also please talk to someone at your school about your situation and how your parents are forcing you to follow a career path you don't want to follow. With a little bit of luck they will intervene in your favour with your parents or be able to advise you further

Reply 2

Mazerunner!

OP

4

Thanks so much, I intend on choosing my own A-levels, and if they don't like it, I can live with it. I have friends and family standing behind me, so I'm going forwards in resisting my parents. I don't really want to have the school intervene with the situation, as I don't get on very well with some of the people here, and I think it would just make things worse. But thank you so so much for the advice. :smile:

Reply 3

ringi

14

Becoming a doctor is not at present a good option in the UK due to low pay and disfunction post grad training. So you are very wise to advoid medicine unless truly committed. But good grades in A level Chem and Bio opens up many option.

So what do you want to do long term?

Are any A levels part of it?

Reply 4

Mazerunner!

OP

4

Original post

by ringi

Becoming a doctor is not at present a good option in the UK due to low pay and disfunction post grad training. So you are very wise to advoid medicine unless truly committed. But good grades in A level Chem and Bio opens up many option.
So what do you want to do long term?
Are any A levels part of it?

I have a passion for music and drama, and although I dont study either ofthose subjects officially for GCSE, (as I'm not a fan of the teachers or the way they teach them), I play the violin and the piano and get involved in drama as much as possible, and I want that to be where I work for the majority of my life, as those are the things that I love. I'm thinking of taking a gap year after college, where I can crash course the Drama A-level, and then maybe apply to uni to take a drama and theatre course, and see where that takes me. My parents are still set on me becoming a doctor, and they say that I will "change my mind later on", and realise that it was a "stupid decision". I know that I won't change my mind, and if they carry on forcing me into a box that I don't fit, then I'll get other people involved. Also, blood and guts and stuff ick me out so I wouldn't cope anyway. My parents response to that was "you'll grow out of it". Wtf, thats not something you grow out of.

Reply 5

Camer0nR

11

Original post

by Mazerunner!

I have a passion for music and drama, and although I dont study either ofthose subjects officially for GCSE, (as I'm not a fan of the teachers or the way they teach them), I play the violin and the piano and get involved in drama as much as possible, and I want that to be where I work for the majority of my life, as those are the things that I love. I'm thinking of taking a gap year after college, where I can crash course the Drama A-level, and then maybe apply to uni to take a drama and theatre course, and see where that takes me. My parents are still set on me becoming a doctor, and they say that I will "change my mind later on", and realise that it was a "stupid decision". I know that I won't change my mind, and if they carry on forcing me into a box that I don't fit, then I'll get other people involved. Also, blood and guts and stuff ick me out so I wouldn't cope anyway. My parents response to that was "you'll grow out of it". Wtf, thats not something you grow out of.

For a lot of Drama degrees you don't even need Drama just a good audition, which you would likely have if you do drama outside of school. But for now just do what you love. It's your life not theirs, even though it's hard to push back. Really lean on those people who will support you. I've never been in your situation but I can imagine how hard it is and I hope you find a way forward

Reply 6

ringi

14

Other then getting a student loan, Drama Degrees tend to result in the same outcome as not going to university.

Reply 7

Mazerunner!

OP

4

Original post

by Camer0nR

For a lot of Drama degrees you don't even need Drama just a good audition, which you would likely have if you do drama outside of school. But for now just do what you love. It's your life not theirs, even though it's hard to push back. Really lean on those people who will support you. I've never been in your situation but I can imagine how hard it is and I hope you find a way forward

Thank you, it is really hard to defy them, especially as it's not the only thing that I struggle with, but I am continuing to do it, because i know that it will make me happier in the long run, and, like you said, it is my life, and therefore I should make the decisions that will affect me. It's even more annoying that they don't try to force my twin (yes, I have a twin), to take specific A-levels. If they did, it wouldn't be as bad, but it just seems to rub it in. I know they think they have my best interests at heart but they don't really know me. I have lots of secrets from them (which I won't share on here), so their decisions are influenced by the wrong information, which I guess is kind of my fault. I know that a good audition can sometimes be all that you need, but a degree in drama wiil help secure those auditions, and will also provide me with a qualification that will teach me skills that I otherwise wouldn't have, and open lots of doors for me, drama or no.

(edited 1 week ago)

A-levels

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