Are you a GCSE candidate? Are you tearing your hair out, wondering which subjects you should choose for your GCSE exams? If so, go through this article to end this dilemma once and for all.
Most GCSE students are required to choose the subjects they want to study for their GCSE by year nine. It can be a very big decision for any fourteen years old, as the trajectory for a person’s entire career begins with this decision. The subjects you choose determine the direction of your future education, like which universities you can get admitted to, which major you choose, and most importantly, which career you pick.
Moreover, there are certain grade requirements for universities and for applying for some jobs, so you can’t just choose any subject and end up with a bad grade. So, it is very normal to feel stressed while making this decision. It can burden many students, so we decided to devise an efficient way to make the decision-making process easier for the youngsters. So, your decision will be very easy as long as you follow the few sets of instructions mentioned below:
Make sure the decision is yours and yours alone
During this time, you will find yourself surrounded by many choices; there will be many people, such as your parents, teachers, and relatives, advising you about which careers are in high demand and which subjects you should choose in order to pursue them. While they have your best interest at heart, you should be the one to make the decision as only you will study them for the next two years. So, make sure you are the one who decides which subjects you choose and don’t let others push you into making a decision.
Keep room for the compulsory subjects
There are several compulsory subjects for all students, so you have to study them no matter what. They vary from school to school but generally consist of Mathematics, English, and other subjects depending on your area. As they are must-haves, you need to save some room for the compulsory subjects so that you don’t get overloaded with your subjects.
Consider your options and narrow down subjects you are good at
Although different schools have different options for compulsory subjects, there are some common categories of subjects such as modern foreign language (French, Spanish, German, mandarin & Russian), Humanity subjects (History, Geography, religious studies, social sciences), Technical subjects (such as computer science, food tech), Artistic subjects (Drama, music, art, design, media studies). There are many options out there, so it is very easy to get flustered while making a decision. So, you have to filter the options, make a list of the subjects in which you excel, and make them your first priority.
Only pick subjects you are passionate about
Passion is a great driving force amongst teens. So, it is very important to pick subjects you are passionate about. Suppose you’re not excited about the subjects you choose. In that case, chances are you will not enjoy them and eventually end up ditching that subject. So only pick subjects that you are truly eager about. This way, you are going to enjoy studying them, you will be motivated, and you will actually learn. At this point in your life, it doesn’t matter if you are confused about your chosen career because the subjects you are interested in will direct you towards your career. If you are extraordinary in a particular field, you will automatically be attracted to it.
Decide what career you want to pursue and what subjects they require
Not many teens have their entire life planned out at this age, so it is very normal to be confused about these things. You should choose subjects that complement your career plans to easily keep your options open for your A Levels. For example: If you plan on becoming a doctor, you should choose physics, chemistry, and Biology. To become an engineer, you must have Mathematics in your basket. So, choose the subjects which are a prerequisite for the further study you want to do.
Don’t make biased choices based on what your peers are doing
It is always tempting to have the same subjects as your friends so that you can have the same schedule and spend as much time with them as possible. It is very natural and happens in the case of most GCSE students. While it is tempting, you must look at the bigger picture here. People have different career goals, different plans, and different expectations in life. So, choosing a subject only because of your friends is unwise. You can always hang out with them after school or on the weekends. But if you and your friends have the same career goals, you can choose the same subjects as them, but it is very rare.
Talk to education and career consultants, seniors, and your teachers
Career consultants are experts in accessing one’s skills, interests, and goals and help them explore their options. Career consultants will help you explore all your possible options and will help you choose a path where you will have a variety of options. But if you think talking to a consultant is too much for you, you can as your seniors and teachers for guidance. Your teachers and seniors have much more experience than you and can share their experiences with each subject. So having a friendly chat with them will be in your best interest.
Don’t panic!
Keeping calm is the key to making the best choices. We know how difficult it might seem at first, but it will all go away. Remember that everyone around you is going through the same pressure. So, keep calm and think logically, and you will be good to go.
Conclusion
We know how tough it can be to pick your GCSE subjects, so we tried to make your decision-making process a little easier. However difficult it may seem at first, if you properly follow the steps mentioned in this article, you can easily make a list of the potential subjects. Hope this article helps you end your dilemma once and for all.