Choosing A Levels - a different perspective please

Rikki

studentphil wrote:

Popular courses there were 4As a few years ago.

What do you call obtainable?

The grades they are asking for he is capable of acheiving.

ESpecially if I take dora37's advice.

dora37 wrote:

* ELDEST CHILD IS LOCKED AWAY IN HIS ROOM FOR THE NEXT 4 MONTHS, ONLY COMING OUT TO GO TO SCHOOL AND EAT

Rikki

studentphil wrote:

On the further Maths, it is best not to think of it as one your 3 main A levels as even really clever people only get D's and E's at it. It is best treated as an extra.

I agree on the further maths. Unless you have a real aptitude for maths it can be very hard going.

studentphil

Rikki wrote:

The grades they are asking for he is capable of acheiving.

ESpecially if I take dora37's advice.

I did 5 hours a night at A level and that does not mean you have to be locked away in your room. I used to do 6-8 pm and then maybe 9pm -12am.

Rikki

dora37 wrote:

Just an update as we have been to his interview.

If he decides to go to this college he has decided to go for Maths,Chemistry,Spanish & Further Maths (must get an A in GCSE Maths) with Computing as a back up should he not get an A in Maths.

He would do Maths as a double subject and complete both AS and A2 in 1st year, then Further Maths AS and A2 in the second.

He would also do General Studies; at this college they only offer Critical Thinking to straight A students.

He now knows the grades that he needs to achieve to get into the college and the grades needed to study the subjects he wants - so its up to him now!

* ELDEST CHILD IS LOCKED AWAY IN HIS ROOM FOR THE NEXT 4 MONTHS, ONLY COMING OUT TO GO TO SCHOOL AND EAT - fortunately his room is ensuite, taking care of any personal hygiene!!*

These are all academic studies and will require alot of commitement.

someone

I decided to do a BTEC ND instead of A levels last year. At the time I did not want to go to Uni. Then 1/2 way throu September this year (i.e. year 2) decided I did want to go to Uni. Thought I had screwed up my chances without A levels (and technically I had, the course i was planing to do required Maths A level). It all turned out OK and have offers from all the places I applied to. The course it made me choose is actually better for me!

Anyway, the most intresing thing is the number of students that do very well at GCSE now doing vocational courses.

Finaly, my point is, has your son considered vocational qualifications?


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edit, there not for everyone (especially if someone dose not know what they want to do), but they are an option

Rikki

studentphil wrote:

I did 5 hours a night at A level and that does not mean you have to be locked away in your room. I used to do 6-8 pm and then maybe 9pm -12am.

With A levels you are not in lessons all day so you have free time then to study too.

studentphil

Rikki wrote:

With A levels you are not in lessons all day so you have free time then to study too.

It was almost 8-3 everyday at A level with one afternoon a week off.

Rikki

studentphil wrote:

It was almost 8-3 everyday at A level with one afternoon a week off.

My sons at boarding school so maybe its different for him. They have to fit in CCF, sports and various other school activities too.

studentphil

Rikki wrote:

My sons at boarding school so maybe its different for him. They have to fit in CCF, sports and various other school activities too.

If anything boarding school is probably more structured in your homework time.

dora37

Rikki wrote:

These are all academic studies and will require alot of commitement.

I appreciate that - but he really isn't interested in much else.

The good thing is the Maths would be completed in the 1st year, then Further Maths in the 2nd. So though they are obviously hard to do in 1 year, he will not be studying them at the same time.

These are the subjects he enjoys - at the end of the day, his welfare is the most important, so whatever he chose, if he/college thought he wasn't coping, then something would have to go.

Having bright children - what a minefield!!