I am struggling to decide what subjects I should pick for a-level (ap’s in the US), I habe loads of interests including computer programming, cyber-security, philosophy, politics, maths, siciology, psychology, music and film but I cannot pick just a few with the a-levels. I am already half way through one year of a-levels, doing engineering, maths and physics but I want to scrap thay and start again because I hate the subjects I picked. I dont think a-levels are for me but I have to do them, so what can I do about it?

  • uthredii
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    4 years ago

    Maybe think about where you want to end up and what you need to do to get there

    What do you want to do after A-levels? Most people I know go straight on to University. Do you have a course in mind you want to do?

    It might be a good idea to look at alternatives to A-levels. e.g. Jobs, Apprenticeships. Cyber-Security is a growing sector and there are apprenticeships in Cyber-Security (I’m not sure of the requirements though).

    It might be a good idea for you to have a look through university courses or jobs or apprentiships you might be interested in and find what requirements they have.

    If you take any subject at A-level I reccommend maths.

    A Maths A-level can be useful because:

    • Maths is hard, you might not get the chance to have this much help learning it ever again.
    • It is a requirement for quiet a few science based university courses.
    • It is used a lot in some areas of computer programming/cyber security.
    • Even some jobs after university will ask about your maths A-level if your degree is not very technical.

    You will probably need to work really hard at it but I think it is worth it. khan academy is a really good resource that explains maths concepts well, better than most teachers.

    Computer programmig can also be hard to learn so it might be worth dooing it for A-level. You will probably get the chance to do this at university though (depending on your course) so maybe there is no rush.

    • flufficat@lemmygrad.mlOP
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      4 years ago

      I think in the future I want to be doing something based in the humanities that actually will help people too; not all theory for example sociological research that could help communities with problems.

      I was actually thinking that since programming is more practical amd experienced based that it would be better to learn on the side as a hobby, because from what I have experienced a-levels are quite academic therefore I might pick subjecs that are academic at a-level and practical things I will teach myself.

      Thank you for the well structured reply :)