How To Choose The Right Subjects For YOU To Do At GCSE!
Hi! So it's currently September which means I have gone back to school. However, I have noticed that all the teachers have talked about since I have gone back is GCSEs. I am starting mine this year having chosen the subjects I want to do last year. There are those of you who probably haven't chosen your subjects yet, but may be doing that this year. If that is the case and you want a bit of help with making the right choices then I have compiled a list of ways to help you make the right choice:
As I have relatively recently done this myself I can say that this can be very challenging, especially if you have no idea what job you want to do when your older. I'm going to try and explain how to choose which subjects are right for you. The first thing you want to do is establish what job you want to do when you are older. This step is not completely necessary, but it can prove to be useful when narrowing down your options.
If you know what job you want to do:
If you have a rough idea about the line of profession that you want to go into then you can use this to your advantage. The first thing to do is research. As boring as this sounds it will be really useful to you. Not only will you be learning a bit more about that particular job, but you will also be able to find out what GCSEs are essential to that job. For example, if you want to do medicine you must study all three sciences at GCSE this means that you have to do these subjects if you want to get a job in this profession.
I now recommend putting your subjects into three lists. The first list should be the subjects that you have to do because they are required for the job you want to do. The second list should be subjects you enjoy doing, and the third should be subjects that you don't enjoy as much. If you don't like a particular subject I recommend not doing it for GCSE because you tend to perform better in subjects you enjoy. Unless it is required for the job you want to do I recommend not doing any subjects from the list which has the subjects you don't enjoy in it.
You are left with two lists now, the subjects you have to do for a particular profession and the subjects you like. Prioritise the subjects that you have to do. Then look at the list of subjects you like doing. Rank them in order by putting what you are good at the top and what you are not so good at the bottom. I recommend choosing the subjects in which you are best at from this list.
You should now have the list of subjects that would best suit you for GCSE. However, before you make the final decision discuss these choices with your parents, you Careers teacher or even an adult who does the job that you are interested in.
If you don't know what job you want to do:
To begin with you must be aware that you should keep all your options open. By doing this you are keeping as many career options open as possible. Start by categorizing your subjects into two groups, ones you enjoy doing and ones you don't enjoy as much. You will want to end up choosing as many as possible from the ones you enjoy list.
Now have a look at which list the sciences are in, they will be important because if you do not do them for GCSE then you shut down any option of doing medicine in the future. If they are in the list of subjects you like then choose them. If not then put an asterisks beside them and consider this carefully. Then do the same with subjects like English and Maths. Although in my school English and Maths are compulsory for GCSE they may not be in your school, so if they aren't then it doesn't matter whether you like or hate them, put them top of the list of the subjects you are going to be choosing. A final subject that a really recommend doing so that you are not knocking out any options is a language. I know languages aren't everyone's cup of tea, but they can be extremely important when it comes to getting a job. Also Reed Recruitment have said, "Graduates with foreign language skills can expect to earn at least 10% more than those without."
General Tips:
- Try to choose a language. The Personnel Director of Volkswagen has said, "We would now not recruit graduates who have not spent a period of time in another country." Also a survey in Professional Manager Journal says, "70% of British companies conduct business in other countries."
- Choose subjects you are good at and/or that you enjoy.
- Choose a wide range so you are keeping your career options open.
- Discuss your choices with a parent and/or your careers teacher. However, you must remember that you will be doing the subjects not them so do not let them force you to do subjects you really don't like.
I am not an expert when it comes to this and I recommend you consult with your teachers and parents before making your final choice. However, always remember that it is you who will be doing the subjects for GCSE not your parents or teachers, therefore choose the subjects that you are best at and enjoy.
Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favour!
-El x
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