3rd alevel choice

4

I know right now I want to take geography and sociology for a level, but I’ve no idea what to pick as my third options. I have like 2 weeks to decide (although I can still change my mind after but it’s just an annoying process), and I just wanted to know what went well with them. Ive considered environmental science, biology, and maths but i still dont know what to pick

Reply 1

Talkative Toad

22

Original post

by selliea

I know right now I want to take geography and sociology for a level, but I’ve no idea what to pick as my third options. I have like 2 weeks to decide (although I can still change my mind after but it’s just an annoying process), and I just wanted to know what went well with them. Ive considered environmental science, biology, and maths but i still dont know what to pick

What subject do you think that you’d prefer? It’s probably worth looking at the spec or asking teachers to get a rough idea on what the subject is like.

Also it depends on if you want to go to university and what course you would want to do if so. Are you looking to go to university or do a degree apprenticeship after sixth form? If so, what subject areas would you mainly potentially be interested in? Because some courses require A-level Maths, others may require biology and so on.

Reply 2

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post

by selliea

I know right now I want to take geography and sociology for a level, but I’ve no idea what to pick as my third options. I have like 2 weeks to decide (although I can still change my mind after but it’s just an annoying process), and I just wanted to know what went well with them. Ive considered environmental science, biology, and maths but i still dont know what to pick

Env sci, biology and maths are actually the 3 subjects I take for a level so i feel like i can be very helpful here lol! Feel free to ask me any questions 🙂

Reply 3

McGinger

20

Find out which topics each of these A level subjects includes - just talk to the relevant teacher - do these actually interest you.

Do you have any ideas - however vague - about what you might do with these A levels. If you do, then look at relevant course pages on some Uni websites and check the 'entry requirements' for the required A level subjects. Two Unis as examples :
Subjects | Courses | University of Liverpool
Courses and degree subject areas - University of Plymouth

Reply 4

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

19

Original post

by selliea

I know right now I want to take geography and sociology for a level, but I’ve no idea what to pick as my third options. I have like 2 weeks to decide (although I can still change my mind after but it’s just an annoying process), and I just wanted to know what went well with them. Ive considered environmental science, biology, and maths but i still dont know what to pick

What do you want to do after your A-levels?
Does whatever you want to do require any specific A-levels? Otherwise, id choose whichever subjects you will enjoy most and get the best grade in.

Reply 5

selliea

OP

4

Original post

by DerDracologe

Env sci, biology and maths are actually the 3 subjects I take for a level so i feel like i can be very helpful here lol! Feel free to ask me any questions 🙂

Hi! The main one I’m looking at now is biology since I feel it leaves doors open and I’ve no idea what I want to do after. I’m just wondering if it’s actually as difficult as people say it is? I understand there’s a lot of content, but that’s all I really know about it. Is the content hard or just lengthy? What’s the step up from gcse to a level like? Btw I’m getting an 8 right now in biology so I’m assuming that it’d be a good option for a level for me?

Reply 6

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post

by selliea

Hi! The main one I’m looking at now is biology since I feel it leaves doors open and I’ve no idea what I want to do after. I’m just wondering if it’s actually as difficult as people say it is? I understand there’s a lot of content, but that’s all I really know about it. Is the content hard or just lengthy? What’s the step up from gcse to a level like? Btw I’m getting an 8 right now in biology so I’m assuming that it’d be a good option for a level for me?

Biology will certainly give you a lot of options when combined with geography!
Most of the content is not difficult conceptually really, some of the genetics stuff can be and the application in questions can be challenging but its very rare that ill come out of a lesson thinking ‘what the heck was that!?’ :giggle:

The volume of content is mad, i estimate (based on how many flashcards i have for gcse vs a level) theres around 5 times more content at a level and the questions are such that you need to draw on many topics at once to answer them, especially in paper 3.
Tbh the step from gcse to a level was quite a shock to my system. At gcse you could basically just revise a week before a test but the sheer volume of content at a level means that even if you miss one lesson you will be swamped, its the same for env sci but thats often more because of the lacking resources imo. I dont think theres really much you can do about the jump from gcse. I taught myself the basics of the first few lessons over the summer but the pace threw me to begin with lol
An 8 is a very solid grade, youll also need to be working at around a 6 in maths and a 6 in chem really because those are relied upon quite a bit, chem especially at the start of year 12 really.

Reply 7

selliea

OP

4

thank you! I’m predicted an 8 in maths and 6 in chemistry but I struggle a lot in chem and I understand virtually nothing, is that a real issue? I think I’m probably gonna put it in as my option and I’ll go to the induction day in summer and if I find it really bad I can still change to something else. Thank you so much for all you’re help

Reply 8

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post

by selliea

thank you! I’m predicted an 8 in maths and 6 in chemistry but I struggle a lot in chem and I understand virtually nothing, is that a real issue? I think I’m probably gonna put it in as my option and I’ll go to the induction day in summer and if I find it really bad I can still change to something else. Thank you so much for all you’re help

Theres some stuff where youll feel out of your depth with the chem content but to be honest once youve got it in your notes its not that hard, just some stuff about carbon bonds and isomers and stuff really. A 6 is a decent grade to do biology 🙂 8 in maths is great too! Best of luck with your studies

Reply 9

Geo Lover 7

Chat Forum Helper, Study Forum Helper

18

Original post

by selliea

I know right now I want to take geography and sociology for a level, but I’ve no idea what to pick as my third options. I have like 2 weeks to decide (although I can still change my mind after but it’s just an annoying process), and I just wanted to know what went well with them. Ive considered environmental science, biology, and maths but i still dont know what to pick