Getting ready to transition from secondary school education to Sixth Form or college is a huge step, which usually starts with picking your A Level and AS Level subjects. This isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly, but rather following a discussion with your tutors (both face to face and any you work with via online tutoring), family and anyone in a position to provide you with career advice.
With so many different subjects available to choose from, it’s essential you pick the ones that you will enjoy, do well at but will also serve you for your future educational or career aspirations. Here are our top tips on ensuring you have the right approach when it comes to choosing your A Level subjects.
The first thing you need to bear in mind is that A Levels and AS Levels are the most common qualification requirements for access to university. If you already know you want to go to university in the next few years, taking A Levels is going to be your easiest route. If you’re unsure, it’s worth considering taking them to keep your options open.
It’s also important to understand there is a significant difference between GCSE and A Level study. Subjects will be taught in much greater depth, and you will be expected to do more reading around the topics you’re studying to gain a wider appreciation of the content. This goes hand in hand with the way you will be taught – you are no longer expected to sit and absorb information. Instead, you will be taking a far more independent approach to your studies, which will stand you in good stead for the realities of university life.
As a result of the increased work, you aren’t expected to study the same number of A Levels as you would have done at GCSE. Whilst you can take up to five subjects, most students take three to allow them to concentrate their efforts and work towards better outcomes. It’s important you speak to your tutors to seek their advice on what they think you will be able to cope with.
There are many things that will influence the subjects you’re likely to choose at A Level. For those of you who already know you want to go to university, the next important factor to consider is what you’re likely to study.
Some degree courses have entry requirements, meaning they expect you to have studied subjects at A Level. Without completing these courses and securing a specific mark, you are unlikely to get on to the degree course of your choice. If you are planning on studying Medical Sciences, then you are going to need to secure appropriate grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. A natural aptitude at Spanish isn’t going to do you any favours when it comes to completing your applications.
If you’re not sure what you might study at university, or whether you want to go at all, then it can feel a little harder to narrow your options down. However, it’s worth being aware that not all subjects are created equally in terms of their value from a university, or perspective employer’s perspective.
Core subjects, which will always be of benefit regardless of what you go on to do post GCSE include the sciences, English (Language and Literature), History and Mathematics, to name a few. Taking a combination of English, History and Drama would serve you well whether you planned to study Law, English, History or Theatre Studies in the future.
Whilst these are all important considerations, it’s also important to remember that you are going to be taking these subjects for two years. It’s therefore worth asking yourself if you enjoy these subjects and want to explore them in more detail. If you don’t, then you will find studying harder than it could be, and chances are things won’t improve if you plan to continue the same line of study for degree.
In the same way that degree courses have entry requirements, many A Level courses do too. Tutors want their pupils to excel, and they’re aware of the standard of work required of students. If you are struggling at GCSE Level, then doing the next level up is going to feel quite daunting.
Thankfully, there are many things that can be done to help you get a head start and feel more confident with taking that next step in your education. Engaging with tutoring online can be a great way to enhance your knowledge and increase your confidence not only in your GCSE studies but looking forward to the future with A Levels.
If you already know you want to study a subject at university which is going to require a strong background in the sciences, then now is the time to consider working with a biology tutor, physics tutor or one of our chemistry tutors. These tutors are in the best position to provide you with expert one to one support, tailored to your specific needs and ultimate academic goals. If you’re more concerned with getting a good grade in science, rather than focussing specifically on the individual disciplines, then a general science tutor, who can cover the whole range of the subject, may be a better option for you.
Here at Tutorspot we have many online science tutors including biology tutors and online chemistry tutors, not to mention a raft of other subjects, who can increase your knowledge of your chosen subjects. Working with a tutor over the summer break is a great way to cement the learning you completed during the last academic year and help ensure you don’t forget anything. Not studying for the whole of the six-week break can lead to a degree of learning loss, which you will feel acutely when it comes to returning in September.
If you want to find out more about online tutoring and how it can help you over the summer break, please contact us via email on info@tutorspot.co.uk or give us a call on 01509 265623.
