[Discussion] A Levels

[TheRedAndGreenBeast]

Once I finish my GCSEs this summer, I will have to choose my A Levels. I'm not sure how many you are allowed to take and what is good vs what is not good. I'm confident in my work ethic and the level of teaching in the Sixth Form (college) because it's the same secondary school I attend and has the same teachers.

I have narrowed it down to 6 options:
Maths - I've always liked maths and score A*s on all my past papers. Definite choice and none of you can change my opinion because I'm convinced that my maths teacher is smarter than L XD

Further Maths - same reason as above.

Economics - Very useful if combined with maths - can make shit loads of money

Biology - I thought a scientific subject besides maths would show universities that I have a good understanding of how things works. Also, my mum took this and passed so she could help me. Plus, the biology teacher is hot XD

Psychology - I thought if I go down the business/economics route, psychology would help me as I would further understand how people act and so I won't have to rely on my own deductions all the time. My cousin has a degree in this so he could help me.

Philosophy - same as the above really (minus the cousin with a degree), besides, I always think about philosophical topics and enjoy talking about the politics and justice of the world with my friends and family.

If anybody has taken any of these subjects as A levels, may you please tell me how difficult you felt they were, how useful it is in the future and how enjoyable it was. I'm confident in my ability at GCSE level as I score very high on past papers so the grades I need to achieve to get qualify for my subjects aren't really a problem (not trying to sound vain XD ). Thanks

I've decided I'm definitely taking the top 3 so I would prefer your opinions on the bottom 3 but your opinions on the top three are also appreciated.

 

[Zorø]

Nice to know dude.

 

[TheRedAndGreenBeast]

Nice to know dude.

It was a request for help not an informative statement. Did you even read the post :s

 

[Hexuze]

A levels, huh? You're from England? I have a cousin who talks about it a lot lol. Anyways I can't really help you there but don't pick those options based on what earns the most. Pick it because you enjoy it not cause of the potential money you can make out of it. You're eventually going to reach a point of your life were you don't see money as something important. I say pick whatever you like.

Math is pretty straight forward, I'm going to take that during 2nd year of university but it's just practice really. I can't speak on bio./psyc./phil since I never taken those in university as my major is accounting Economics is good.

 

[johnny scars]

nice choice !
however im pretty sure you can only choose 4 subjetcs maxiumum ...
im choosing
maths - like thinking with a mathmaticial mind
biology - like to see how organisims work
chemistry - wanna learn how to make drugs xD
history - adolf hitler vs the world

 

[Gerkak]

Pick what you like and what you are good at. So you don't regret your future

 

[TheRedAndGreenBeast]

nice choice !
however im pretty sure you can only choose 4 subjetcs maxiumum ...
im choosing
maths - like thinking with a mathmaticial mind
biology - like to see how organisims work
chemistry - wanna learn how to make drugs xD
history - adolf hitler vs the world

Yes, making medicine seems fun XD

A levels, huh? You're from England? I have a cousin who talks about it a lot lol. Anyways I can't really help you there but don't pick those options based on what earns the most. Pick it because you enjoy it not cause of the potential money you can make out of it. You're eventually going to reach a point of your life were you don't see money as something important. I say pick whatever you like.

Math is pretty straight forward, I'm going to take that during 2nd year of university but it's just practice really. I can't speak on bio./psyc./phil since I never taken those in university as my major is accounting Economics is good.

Pick what you like and what you are good at. So you don't regret your future

Thanks but the thing is I feel like I'll enjoy all of these but I'm not sure what the limit is and I don't know whether or not I'll be able to handle 6 (assuming I'm allowed to choose 6). Yes, I am from England btw I'm already past the stage of money not being everything, but the things I wanna buy when I'm older are gonna cost a lot Lol Like a mini dojo in my house XD

 

[Erzo]

In AS (first year), you do four subjects, then in A2 (your second year), you drop one of your four and continue with 3. However, if you're really that good with the subjects, you can do all your four in A2 or even do more than four in your AS year. But it's hard as **** because of the detail you have to go into.

As for picking Maths and Further Maths, I may be wrong but picking Further Maths means you do everything you're meant to do in the two years of picking Maths, in the first year, so it's pointless to do Maths and Further Maths. I say this because I did Maths and my friend did further Maths and I borrowed the books he used in his first year of Further Maths as I did my second year of Maths (C3/C4 books).

Have fun with your A-levels.

EDIT: Top 3 = Maths, Economics, and Biology.

 

[Gerkak]

Yes, making medicine seems fun XD






Thanks but the thing is I feel like I'll enjoy all of these but I'm not sure what the limit is and I don't know whether or not I'll be able to handle 6 (assuming I'm allowed to choose 6). Yes, I am from England btw I'm already past the stage of money not being everything, but the things I wanna buy when I'm older are gonna cost a lot Lol Like a dojo in my house XD

If you are really good and you think you can do it, you should push to do six A-levels if they let you. It's a lot of work but the more qualifications you have the better your chances in todays world.

 

[TheRedAndGreenBeast]

In AS (first year), you do four subjects, then in A2 (your second year), you drop one of your four and continue with 3. However, if you're really that good with the subjects, you can do all your four in A2 or even do more than four in your AS year. But it's hard as **** because of the detail you have to go into.

As for picking Maths and Further Maths, I may be wrong but picking Further Maths means you do everything you're meant to do in the two years of picking Maths, in the first year, so it's pointless to do Maths and Further Maths. I say this because I did Maths and my friend did further Maths and I borrowed the books he used in his first year of Further Maths as I did my second year of Maths (C3/C4 books).

Have fun with your A-levels.

EDIT: Top 3 = Maths, Economics, and Biology.

What makes you say that bolded?

Hmmm. My maths teachers are urging me to choose both Maths and Further Maths though... And an acquaintance I met at work experience in an investment company recommended it.

I'll try to have fun :3 though, I probably won't have much of a social life with all those subjects...

 

[TheRedAndGreenBeast]

If you are really good and you think you can do it, you should push to do six A-levels if they let you. It's a lot of work but the more qualifications you have the better your chances in todays world.

That is true, and I would like to do 6, but I would not have time to do anything that makes me me. Only being able to socialise in school, less sporting activities ect. Besides, I don't think I'll be allowed 6 due to timetable issues.

 

[Hexuze]

Pick what you like and what you are good at. So you don't regret your future

You don't have to necessarily be good at it, as long as you enjoy it you will become a lot better at it. Depending what it is.

 

[TheRedAndGreenBeast]

You don't have to necessarily be good at it, as long as you enjoy it you will become a lot better at it. Depending what it is.

I agree with this but I think I'd like all of the subjects I named. :/

 

[Erzo]

What makes you say that bolded?

Hmmm. My maths teachers are urging me to choose both Maths and Further Maths though... And an acquaintance I met at work experience in an investment company recommended it.

I'll try to have fun :3 though, I probably won't have much of a social life with all those subjects...

Oh yea, social life is most probably out of the question, as well as NB.

I say Maths because I enjoyed doing it, somewhat. Ok I lie, I hated every moment of Maths, but it's good to have. Biology has always been an interesting subject, and one I've actually enjoyed, so that's why I said that. Economics would go well with Maths.

That's my reasoning.

 

[TheRedAndGreenBeast]

Oh yea, social life is most probably out of the question, as well as NB.

I say Maths because I enjoyed doing it, somewhat. Ok I lie, I hated every moment of Maths, but it's good to have. Biology has always been an interesting subject, and one I've actually enjoyed, so that's why I said that. Economics would go well with Maths.

That's my reasoning.

I understand your reasoning - I chose Media Studies for GCSE and hated it (and it's the only subject where I know there's no chance of an A*). I guess very few people love maths.

 

[Hexuze]

I agree with this but I think I'd like all of the subjects I named. :/

Lol Don't worry, I can see that you enjoy them. I was just giving you advice since you said, "Economics - Very useful if combined with maths - can make shit loads of money." I said the same thing about accounting as well and similarly to you I enjoy accounting as much as you enjoy economics.

 

[Bad Touch Yakushi]

Those are some tough subjects! Still, if they're your thing and you're good at them by all means go for it. I love storytelling so I focused on Media, Film Studies and English Language & Literature. Good solid subjects but i'll be surprised if I pass and get the grades I need for Uni in Summer. Bad preparation and that.

Remember that A-Levels are very overhyped. They're no more difficult than GCSEs were at the time :')

 

[TheRedAndGreenBeast]

Those are some tough subjects! Still, if they're your thing and you're good at them by all means go for it. I love storytelling so I focused on Media, Film Studies and English Language & Literature. Good solid subjects but i'll be surprised if I pass and get the grades I need for Uni in Summer. Bad preparation and that.

Remember that A-Levels are very overhyped. They're no more difficult than GCSEs were at the time :')

Don't be pulling my leg, Numbers, everybody says GCSEs are a walk in the park compared to A Levels. And this is coming from those that either are currently doing it or have already done it :/

 

[Bad Touch Yakushi]

Don't be pulling my leg, Numbers, everybody says GCSEs are a walk in the park compared to A Levels. And this is coming from those that either are currently doing it or have already done it :/

That's so untrue xD

Grade boundaries and tests increase in difficulty only as your own knowledge and understanding of the topics increases.

 

[BlacLord™]

If you're planning to go to Uni, Philosophy will earn you no credit because it's considered a soft subject.