Choosing A Levels - a different perspective please

studentphil

Rikki wrote:

Oxbridge

Oxbridge indeed.

dora37

Rikki wrote:

It was just making you aware that is is going to be hard going. My son too has chosen all academic subjects so I am aware of the time and effort needed. I agree totally if thats what he likes then go for it.

I don't think it has hit home to him how hard going it will be - at the moment it is just planning, open days and interviews......just wait until reality sets in!

* MUM & DAD LOCK THEMSELVES AWAY IN THEIR ROOM UNTIL IT'S ALL OVER!*

Rikki

dora37 wrote:

I don't think it has hit home to him how hard going it will be - at the moment it is just planning, open days and interviews......just wait until reality sets in!

* MUM & DAD LOCK THEMSELVES AWAY IN THEIR ROOM UNTIL IT'S ALL OVER!*

If he has the right mind set he will be fine.

He obviously sees A levels as his way forward so I think he must have some idea whats coming up.
He's not looking at easy options for a easy University degree so his heads screwed on right so you should be proud of him. :T

* MUM & DAD LOCK THEMSELVES AWAY IN THEIR ROOM UNTIL IT'S ALL OVER!*

You can't do that I'm afraid. :rotfl:

medical

interesting conversation here as my daughter is doing GCSE this year, i studied biology, physics and maths for a levels a long time ago and i am now a pharmacist, hence i have never really known about non hard core courses, mine may do same for as level or geography,economics and 1 other subject. She seems to change her ming constantly
my 2 pence here is that you may not really know what you want to do now, so choose your subjects carefully to have a wide choice of career in the future
medical

No_Future

janine22 wrote:

For example if he had his eye on medicine I believe all three sciences are required.

Almost all medical schools accept candidates with two sciences (usually need chemistry and biology) and one academic subject with AAA/AAB. You can definitely keep yourself open to medicine by doing chem + one other science (biology is a good one)

impy78

I do remember choosing my a-levels. I wanted to do a B-Tec, but the career's advisor said they were for "drop outs". I really wish I had told him to take a hike, as it was much more relevant to what I wanted to do than a-levels. He told me I should be a vet or a physicist. I literally laughed in his face, and asked if he had actually read any of my school reports in maths and science!

I ended up changing my options at the last minute, as I got an unexpected A in History... big mistake, really wish I had stuck to classics.


I think that your son has chosen a very wise mixture of a-levels if he is unsure of what to do, there are all sorts of careers open to him with those qualifications.

Be aware that sometimes it doesn't go according to plan - my brother is a brilliant mathematician and physicist, and went to UCL to do Maths, but he found that it really didn't inspire him the way he expected and dropped out after 18 months.

He is now on a sound engineering course, and he seems to have found his niche.

Need_More_Money_2

No_Future wrote:

Almost all medical schools accept candidates with two sciences (usually need chemistry and biology) and one academic subject with AAA/AAB. You can definitely keep yourself open to medicine by doing chem + one other science (biology is a good one)

Yes, I think I remember reading that Physics is no longer compulsory at many medical schools - much to the disgust of many of the senior Consultants

dora37

impy78 wrote:

I think that your son has chosen a very wise mixture of a-levels if he is unsure of what to do, there are all sorts of careers open to him with those qualifications.

Be aware that sometimes it doesn't go according to plan - my brother is a brilliant mathematician and physicist, and went to UCL to do Maths, but he found that it really didn't inspire him the way he expected and dropped out after 18 months.

He is now on a sound engineering course, and he seems to have found his niche.

I think that is the hard part when guiding him - without sounding really cheesy/corny, we want him to be the best he can,however we also want him to be happy. So part of the guidance/minefield is trying to get that balance - we certainly don't want him to study for qualifications at any cost.

Still - it will be really easy when DS2 (13) comes to do them.....apart from he has completely different strengths/talents/interests:D

dora37

studentphil wrote:

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

At these 2 colleges, tutor groups and study periods are also factored into the timetable, so whilst he may be physically at college, it isn't solid lessons.

Savvy_Sue

Helix wrote:

Computing is a lot harder and it does get rather boring although I don't know if thats just my teacher.

Unless you were at school with DS1, it's not just your teacher ... :rotfl:

kittiwoz wrote:

I did both and I disagree. The crossover is really only in a few areas, mainly mechanics and a teeny bit with logarithms in that you use base ten log graphs in physics but you don't really need to know how to manipulate logs. I would tend to say that someone studying physics would find maths beneficial but not so much so the other way around.

According to DS1, the Physics that is taught at A level has to be made non-mathematical, so that those not studying Maths at A level can still do it. If that makes sense.

FWIW, DS1 did Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computing, plus Critical thinking AS in year 13. DS2 is doing Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology and Law! He took DS1's advice not to do Computing because it had been SO dreadful, then couldn't decide which of Psychology and Law to choose, wanted a bit of a break from the Maths, Maths and Physics, and decided he'd start both and give one up if it was all too much. So far so good, doing 5 subjects gets him out of various 'boring' things they're supposed to do.

Physics was sold to both of them at the Open Evening by the mantra "No Coursework" on the blackboard ... Don't know if that's universal, but it suits them, obviously wouldn't suit everyone.

My feeling is that if the OP's son does well through sheer hard slog rather than natural inherited brilliance, then 3 subjects is fine. And if he does both Maths and FMaths, then that's 4 anyway. Certainly applying for Computer Science a couple of years ago there was no question of DS1's double Maths not counting as two separate subjects.

and if he's able to do Crit Thinking as an AS, then 3 subjects is fine.

If he can see a 'new' subject in the prospectus that he'd like to have a go at, then why not? But he could always start with the Maths, Chemistry, Spanish and then maybe add an AS in Year 13 if he wants to and if he's coping.

Now, hot chocolate all round and try to relax ... :rotfl: