Whether you’re about to embark on your final year of High School study, or you’re going to be transitioning from Year 9 to Year 10 over the summer holidays, it’s never too early to start thinking about your A and AS Level choices.
We know it may only feel like last month that you finalised your GCSE choices, but this next level of study will significantly influence your options when it comes to university courses and the quality of offers you’re likely to receive. For many, choices will be dependent on the requirements for their future careers and the degree courses they’re hoping to take. Ask any science tutor and they will confirm it’s essential to take biology and chemistry if you are considering a career in medicine, for example, or physics if you want to study Engineering at university.
For those who are unsure what they want to do after Sixth Form or College, it can feel even harder to pin down precisely what subjects would work best for them. When you can choose any of over 80 A Level subjects, from Ancient History through to Urdu, it can feel like an overwhelming process.
Here at Tutorspot, we know how difficult it can be. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you focus your thoughts, and find the options that work perfectly for you.
Not all A Level subjects are created equal. Some are exceptionally focussed, and are only likely to be of much benefit to you in relation to narrow career options.
However, some are useful regardless of what your next steps might be, which makes them great for students who are as yet undecided about their future. Subjects such as biology, chemistry, English, history, maths and physics all provide you with a host of transferable skills which universities and employers will immediately recognise and appreciate.
Studying these subjects will stand you in good stead no matter what courses you plan to study next. As a result, they’re definitely worth considering.
As well as being widely accepted by many Universities as a solid subject, there are other benefits of studying a science at A Level. We asked one of our GCSE Physics tutors to give their opinion:
In an (admittedly) subjective list of the top 10 hardest A Levels, the three science subjects rank fairly high, with Chemistry being tipped as the toughest of the bunch. Arguably, this is why A Level Chemistry Tuition is such a sought-after service. For those looking for an easier ride, it would seem logical to want to avoid studying a science at A Level. However, let’s not panic just yet.
The reality is that all subjects are harder at A Level than they were at GCSE. Whilst it’s impossible to do a genuine like-for-like comparison, there are suggestions that this advanced qualification is twice as hard as the GCSE equivalents. There is more content to cover, more complicated concepts to get your head around, a higher quantity of work to complete and a swathe of new topics you’ve never covered before. This is the case, whatever subjects you are studying.
Yes, that may sound daunting, but let’s be realistic for a moment. A Levels are your stepping stone to Degree level work, so they need to push you. They need to prepare you for the next level of work that’s to come, and to raise your own expectations and abilities. It’s no different to the step up from Year 9 level work to completing GCSEs – and you survived that OK, didn’t you?
Studying Biology, Chemistry or Physics at A Level is going to be a challenge – but one you will definitely be able to rise to if you have the right motivation and attitude before you start. Don’t forget, there are science tutors out there who can support you at every step of the journey to ensure you achieve your goals.
Working with a private online science tutor who can support you throughout your A Levels is a great way to get the best out of your education at college.
If you’re seriously considering studying a science subject at A Level, then it’s worth enlisting the help of a specialised and subject-specific tutor as soon as you start studying for your GCSEs. Whilst a generic science tutor will be able to help you, finding someone who specialises as a biology tutor, chemistry tutor or physics tutor would be far more beneficial at this level. Having someone on your side who can help you unpick complicated concepts, and really ensure you understand what’s being taught in class, will not only increase your knowledge, but drastically improve your self-confidence when it comes to studying in general.
Attaining good grades at GCSE in your science subjects will also stand you in good stead for commencing study at A Level. The bonus of online biology tutors, as well as chemistry tutors and physics tutors, is that they will be able to support you through the summer break period too. This will help keep your mind focussed on the subject, and ensure you are not suffering from any learning loss that your fellow students may experience as a result of an extended break.
If you have any questions about studying a science at A Level, our tutors would be more than happy to answer them. Alternatively, get in touch via info@tutorspot.co.uk, or give us a call on 01509 265623 and we’ll assist you.
