Struggling to cope with GCSE Choices and Future Path

Hi,
This is not the first time I ask questions on here, but my dreams have really pressured me to the point where I can't take it anymore.
I want to become a Physicist, at least that's what I am trying to pursue, but through countless research I find this to be nearly impossible as most of them seem to win gold medals in Physics Bowls and Olympiads, not to mention the competitive nature of this field. I am a good student, I get good grades and excel mostly in the sciences, but I had really messed up when choosing my GCSES.
I don't really 'like' building things nor have I highly succeeded at it, so subjects like DT were way too difficult for me to handle. In addition, I was stuck in between choosing ICT and CS as a GCSE and, due to my stupidity, chose ICT because I thought it would be easier and more 'useful' subject. I did however choose DT but changed to a Drama because I had limited options and just wanted to give it a try. It turns out, I did not know that Drama had changed to a BTEC in Performing Arts and it really messed my mental health badly. I don't know what is wrong with me, but I constantly blame myself for not choosing the right subjects. When I was in Year 8 and 9, I also dreamt of going to Oxford, Cambridge and top tier Unis but now my dream is crushed. My Physics Teacher tells me I should have switched to CS because it teaches programming and ICT is just word and PowerPoint. At this point, I have constant anxiety and hopelessness but, for some reason, still get good grades. I can't change subjects now and I've posted way too many times, but if there is anything else I can do I will do it. Any advice? Thank you.

Hey, you're doing okay, the fact you're looking now has already put you ahead in planning of most people.
GCSEs really don't matter that much, you'll be able to do physics at college as long as you get a 6/7 in it at GCSE (look at the entry requirements for your preferred college) and from there, A-Levels still don't mean much beyond entry requirements - and these are flexible, if you're dedicated enough you can get an unconditional anyway.
I'd suggest doing some co-corricular activities (activities related to your subject) to help out your uni application, if you're worried about it. It doesn't have to be big either, don't worry that you need to discover a new particle or anything like that, just read deeper into things your interested in, do extra-corriculars that link into physics or maths (like astronomy or ciphers) and if you get the chance, try some physics competitions. Most of all, you just need to show you have a passion for it, I know people that did completely different subjects at college to uni and got in anyway cause they had gained a passion for it and showed they were capable. Oxbridge is really hard to get into, but it is nowhere near the unreachable goal it seems, almost every college has 1 or 2 go a year - you can be one of them!
But yeah, just stick to learning about what you want to know and the rest will follow.
-someone who did Drama, Computer Science and Business at GCSE, 4 STEM A-Levels, and is now doing Aerospace at a russel group uni

Hi, GCSEs are a hard time and I think the education system puts too much pressure on students these days. I think a big positive is that you said you consistently get good grades and that's amazing so you should be really proud of yourself! If your dream is to be a Physicist, then you keep pursuing this field because everyone is different and I'm sure many successful people have been told they weren't up to standards, yet still managed to get where they are. I think your physics teacher should be offering you more support and I'd suggest maybe trying to have a one-on-one conversation with them and just telling them how you feel, what you want to do, your worries, etc. I struggled when doing my GCSEs as I was terrified I would fail Maths and not get into the college I want, so I completely understand the pressure that you must feel, but you need to focus on how you are getting good grades which is the first step in the right direction. It's A Levels/further education that matters more, and that is when you can pick what you want to do, and hopefully feel less stressed as you will enjoy it more. If you want to go to Oxford or a top tier uni, don't let anyone tell you that you can't. I'm sorry that I know nothing about this subject but I really just wanted to tell you that you should believe in yourself. Anxiety has a way of making you doubt yourself and it sucks but is there someone you could confide in? I honestly found that talking to those around me, like my mum, really lifted a weight off my shoulders, so maybe try just letting it all out to a friend/family/even someone from school? Please, please, please don't give up hope, and it may seem horrible now, but once your GCSEs are over, you will feel so much better, and whilst you need to revise, you should look after yourself! Have you tried reaching out to any companies/organisations that might be able to offer advice on becoming a Physicist? Sometimes they can guide you in the right direction and it doesn't hurt to send an email. I'm sorry I can't offer you any actual advice for your career path, but I think you should be very proud of yourself and that baby steps are still steps in the right direction. Everyone's journey is different and I don't think you should doubt yourself for having a different path to take! Believe in yourself 🙂

Hey, you're doing okay, the fact you're looking now has already put you ahead in planning of most people.
GCSEs really don't matter that much, you'll be able to do physics at college as long as you get a 6/7 in it at GCSE (look at the entry requirements for your preferred college) and from there, A-Levels still don't mean much beyond entry requirements - and these are flexible, if you're dedicated enough you can get an unconditional anyway.
I'd suggest doing some co-corricular activities (activities related to your subject) to help out your uni application, if you're worried about it. It doesn't have to be big either, don't worry that you need to discover a new particle or anything like that, just read deeper into things your interested in, do extra-corriculars that link into physics or maths (like astronomy or ciphers) and if you get the chance, try some physics competitions. Most of all, you just need to show you have a passion for it, I know people that did completely different subjects at college to uni and got in anyway cause they had gained a passion for it and showed they were capable. Oxbridge is really hard to get into, but it is nowhere near the unreachable goal it seems, almost every college has 1 or 2 go a year - you can be one of them!
But yeah, just stick to learning about what you want to know and the rest will follow.
-someone who did Drama, Computer Science and Business at GCSE, 4 STEM A-Levels, and is now doing Aerospace at a russel group uni

Thank you for this, this really made me feel better.