Options help

My s6 options are coming up and I’m really not sure what to do as I was going to take a collage link course of HNC mechatronics but I would be out of school for 2 whole days and miss up to 3/6 periods for my other subjects which I plan to crash (human biology, chemistry and RMPS) my other option is crashing Higher computing instead but I really don’t have much interest in it and feel like a HNC would be worth more but I’m not sure if I’d be able to handle consistently having to catch up using my free periods. I have to take a minimum of 4 subjects if I’m just crashing highers but if I take and advanced higher it goes case by case. I currently take Higher: physics, maths, graphic communication, geography and English. I also have no idea what I want to do after school as I honestly don’t have much interest in anything.

Reply 1

thankful-shrimp

Hi lovely! Choosing S6 subjects is such a stressful time so I totally feel ya

This is quite blunt advice but from my experience (I've just applied to uni and am currently in S6)...

I'll bullet point it so it's easier to understand. And again, just my opinion - maybe speak to a teacher or careers advisor for further advice.

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If you decide you want to go to uni, they mainly care about your S5 results so please just work your hardest for them - it will make S6 a lot easier and more fun!

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I know you said you don't know 100% what you want to do but definitely do some research into it - there's no pressure to make a decision but maybe it narrow it down to a few courses you'd be interested in.

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Once you have done this, check you meet the requirements for an offer (some course need certain grades, certain subjects or both). For example, if you wanted to take Biology at uni, one course might require you to have AAABB in S5, requirement of higher maths at level B with an advanced higher science.

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This means, it would be smart to take an AH science and higher maths if you hadn't already completed it, to increase your chance of getting an offer from that particular uni.

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In my opinion, obviously be strategic with it and pick subjects you would need for university or would strengthen your application. Then, I would pick one subject to carry on with (meaning you took it at higher and carry it on to AH) or just one that you are really good at that will guarantee you an A. For a final subject, I would take something fun/you really enjoy because after all, it is your last year of school and you should have fun with it.

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I would really recommend taking 1-2 AH courses if you can and want to for 2 main reasons:
1) They are really impressive to unis and can set you apart from other students.
2) They prepare you really well for the uni workload/experience. AH is the equivalent to Y1 of university so by taking an AH course, you won't be hit as hard by the jump from high school to university.

These are all based on uni so if you aren't planning on going to uni this probably won't be as relevant.

As a rule of thumb, just pick a mix of useful subjects and things you won't be miserable doing. It's also okay to crash a subject but make sure you are set on doing this because I would argue it is harder than carrying on to AH level because it's all new information.

Completely up to you though and this is just my opinion!

Rooting for you!

(edited 1 month ago)