A level options struggling

I am currently a year 11 trying to pick my options for A level.

I am getting grade 9s in everything subject I do (12 subjects). My favourite subject is maths and I am sure that I will choose maths and further maths as 2 of the options. But I am struggling to choose another 2 from Econ / physics / chemistry.

I enjoy the lessons in physics and chemistry and find topics in chemistry quite easy to understand, and for physics, the topics are interesting and I enjoy the maths part of these subjects, considering the fact that maths is my favourite subject. I have never taken Econ, only business for GCSE as my school doesn't provide it.

I feel like I don't really favour probability and statistics during maths lesson and I heard Econ is basically an essay -based subject with some calculations. Besides, I am not the best at communication and presentation especially when I know that econ&finance fields require networking, tons of meetings, and reports. On the other hand I know I am capable of doing physics a level but I am scared that it will get really difficult, especially when my school is using the OCR (A) exam board for both physics and chemistry. And if I take the physics route, I might get into research / engineering careers, but I know that the job market for engineering is decreasing and it doesn't pay very well unless you are top of the game.

I don't really know what I am passionate about and I don't really have any knowledge or a lot of interest in any of the fields, compared to those who read loads and do tons of research during their free time for something they really like. I know I have to set down a path now to start engaging in super curricular activities but I am genuinely so lost.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Reply 1

Prep4MedX

Original post

by be11eleeee

I am currently a year 11 trying to pick my options for A level.
I am getting grade 9s in everything subject I do (12 subjects). My favourite subject is maths and I am sure that I will choose maths and further maths as 2 of the options. But I am struggling to choose another 2 from Econ / physics / chemistry.
I enjoy the lessons in physics and chemistry and find topics in chemistry quite easy to understand, and for physics, the topics are interesting and I enjoy the maths part of these subjects, considering the fact that maths is my favourite subject. I have never taken Econ, only business for GCSE as my school doesn't provide it.
I feel like I don't really favour probability and statistics during maths lesson and I heard Econ is basically an essay -based subject with some calculations. Besides, I am not the best at communication and presentation especially when I know that econ&finance fields require networking, tons of meetings, and reports. On the other hand I know I am capable of doing physics a level but I am scared that it will get really difficult, especially when my school is using the OCR (A) exam board for both physics and chemistry. And if I take the physics route, I might get into research / engineering careers, but I know that the job market for engineering is decreasing and it doesn't pay very well unless you are top of the game.
I don't really know what I am passionate about and I don't really have any knowledge or a lot of interest in any of the fields, compared to those who read loads and do tons of research during their free time for something they really like. I know I have to set down a path now to start engaging in super curricular activities but I am genuinely so lost.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

Hey there

First off, You're doing really well getting 9s across your current subjects, it gives you a lot of flexibility and I wish I could have said the same during my GCSEs.

I always say Maths is a great starting point for A levels as it keeps a lot of options open, so the fact that you're already thinking of that A level is a good start. It helps open doors into lots of STEM courses, with many medical courses counting it as one of the 2 sciences required to apply (usually with Chemistry being essential). And on a sidenote I personally found Maths to be my easiest A level to revise for, as you just do questions from a textbook. Further Maths is in the same boat for me, although I have often been told that people find this A level quite challenging.

Chemistry is a core requirement for over half of the medical schools in the UK, so if you are considering a career in medicine it's something to definitely keep in mind. I generally think Chemistry A level benefits from a strong science GCSE background which you seem to have, although there is a lot of memorisation needed for organic chem.

Econ is quite essay based and if you already know you don't enjoy stats I would be a bit hesitant on this one, the stats in Maths A level is pretty tough on its own.

A common and safe combination would be something like Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chem. It keeps a lot of options open for the future while you explore what you want to do with your super curricular activities later.

Is there any services your school offer that help you decide on what A levels to study? Best of luck!

Reply 2

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

Original post

by be11eleeee

I am currently a year 11 trying to pick my options for A level.
I am getting grade 9s in everything subject I do (12 subjects). My favourite subject is maths and I am sure that I will choose maths and further maths as 2 of the options. But I am struggling to choose another 2 from Econ / physics / chemistry.
I enjoy the lessons in physics and chemistry and find topics in chemistry quite easy to understand, and for physics, the topics are interesting and I enjoy the maths part of these subjects, considering the fact that maths is my favourite subject. I have never taken Econ, only business for GCSE as my school doesn't provide it.
I feel like I don't really favour probability and statistics during maths lesson and I heard Econ is basically an essay -based subject with some calculations. Besides, I am not the best at communication and presentation especially when I know that econ&finance fields require networking, tons of meetings, and reports. On the other hand I know I am capable of doing physics a level but I am scared that it will get really difficult, especially when my school is using the OCR (A) exam board for both physics and chemistry. And if I take the physics route, I might get into research / engineering careers, but I know that the job market for engineering is decreasing and it doesn't pay very well unless you are top of the game.
I don't really know what I am passionate about and I don't really have any knowledge or a lot of interest in any of the fields, compared to those who read loads and do tons of research during their free time for something they really like. I know I have to set down a path now to start engaging in super curricular activities but I am genuinely so lost.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

Working backwards from careers isnt the best plan when you have very little idea about where you want to end up. The demand in different job sectors is going to change so dont base decisions like your a level choices on the current job market or what careers would be open to you with a certain degree because the chances are you wont end up in the text book job anyway. If you take subjects you enjoy then you should be able to find a career you will also enjoy at the end of your studies 🙂
All a levels are difficult, subjects are so much easier when you have a genuine interest in the topics. Have you read through the specs?

Reply 3

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by be11eleeee

I am currently a year 11 trying to pick my options for A level.
I am getting grade 9s in everything subject I do (12 subjects). My favourite subject is maths and I am sure that I will choose maths and further maths as 2 of the options. But I am struggling to choose another 2 from Econ / physics / chemistry.
I enjoy the lessons in physics and chemistry and find topics in chemistry quite easy to understand, and for physics, the topics are interesting and I enjoy the maths part of these subjects, considering the fact that maths is my favourite subject. I have never taken Econ, only business for GCSE as my school doesn't provide it.
I feel like I don't really favour probability and statistics during maths lesson and I heard Econ is basically an essay -based subject with some calculations. Besides, I am not the best at communication and presentation especially when I know that econ&finance fields require networking, tons of meetings, and reports. On the other hand I know I am capable of doing physics a level but I am scared that it will get really difficult, especially when my school is using the OCR (A) exam board for both physics and chemistry. And if I take the physics route, I might get into research / engineering careers, but I know that the job market for engineering is decreasing and it doesn't pay very well unless you are top of the game.
I don't really know what I am passionate about and I don't really have any knowledge or a lot of interest in any of the fields, compared to those who read loads and do tons of research during their free time for something they really like. I know I have to set down a path now to start engaging in super curricular activities but I am genuinely so lost.
Does anyone have any recommendations?

If you think you will do better in chemistry and physics than you will in economics, then id do chemistry and physics.

Reply 4

freddie39

I was in a similar position where maths was definitely my strongest subject at GCSE. I chose A-level Maths, Further Maths, Geography and Economics, however swapped economics a month in for chemistry - no regrets. If you are a more stem oriented person, then I would really think about whether you want to do economics or not. It is far more essay based than you may realise, and I found it 'too waffly'. From what I can tell from friends who still do it, the maths in economics doesn't really ramp up until late year 12/early year 13. On the other hand, I found transition to chemistry very easy. Especially if you do triple science, much of the content at the start of year 12 will be very familiar, with the other content relatively easy to pick up. I found that it built on GCSE topics in a much more in depth way, and was a very interesting a-level that is obviously hard, but definitely manageable if you are interested and stay on top of the workload.