How to choose your A-level subjects

It's THE time of the year - all the upper high school students of the UK are to choose their 6th form subjects - four only! I remember, this time last year, I was stuck.
You might have troubles with picking only four subjects. Some of you will be stuck on what to choose! Well, here are some tips for you to try!

1) Visit Open Evenings/Days
Make a list of all the potential 6th forms you'd like to go to next year. Visit their websites or call to find out the dates for open evenings. It's excellent - not only you'll get an idea of which school you love the most; it's the best opportunity to ask teachers questions about the subjects and see what to expect from it!

2) Do your research
Picking the right A-levels is important or your future job. You should do a research before picking your subjects. Know what career you want to do already? Then ask your teacher what subjects are necessary (for example, Chemistry is essential for medicine, Art or Textiles for fashion design etc.)! Surf the net for some advice too! Yahoo Answers and Student room forums are answers from real people; UCAS has requirements for certain courses from Universities themselves.

The internet is gold for subject researching! Relief.

3) Keep your options open...
...if you're still undecided what you want to do when you're older, or if you have no clue! There's no problem with not knowing, it's just the subject choice! My advice to you is to keep the option doors wide open. Choose some academic subjects, like Maths, Biology, Geography, Languages... and some that you enjoy doing (any subjects!). Having at least one academic subject is great, but make sure it's something that you're good at - otherwise there's no point.

4) Don't choose on behalf your friends!
This happens a lot: Everyone from your friend group is picking e.g. English. You're terrible at this subject, but you don't want to loose your friends, so you do it anyway - you'll dig your way through somehow, right? Wrong! This is your future we're talking about! If your best friend or even all of them are interested in completely different subjects than you, don't follow their footsteps. It may be hard, but you can always hang out at breaks, free hours and after school. Besides, you won't have time to chat in lessons in 6th form!
(This doesn't count if you both truly like the same subjects - that's awesome!)

It's OK to show up in the same dress. It stinks to
choose a subject only because your friend did too!

5) Deal with parents!
Ooh! Parents' wishes of your subject choices clash with yours! Been there, done that myself! This can be very hard (especially if you have those parents who want you to study medicine/law!! I know right?). Sit down with your parents and tell them you're not that good at the subject they expect you to do, and that it won't be no use if you won't put your whole heart into your studies. If they still don't budge, make a compromise - you'll pick 2 of the subject they want, and you'll pick 2 you truly enjoy. At the beginning of the next year, they might see that their choice of subjects is not for you and let you change them! Also, if you're sneaky, have someone else talk to them about this, like their friends - it might help to have backup!

'I'm gonna be a singer, Mum, whether you like it or NOT!'
'But I know BEST!'

6) Do subjects you're good at!
There's no point studying something you have no intention of pursuing in the future or what you aren't good at. My friend did Biology just because she thought it looks good on her University Application - she got an E! Therefore, this is not a good thing to do! Besides, the subjects you're good at will be much easier and enjoyable! Although Maths may be more useful, it's better to get an A in Film Studies than a D in Maths!

Passion for fashion? Then choose the right subjects
for your career path (Art/Textiles)

7) Make lists
Old-fashioned, but super helpful! Make a list of definitely, maybe, and definitely NOT sections of subjects that your future school offers. If your definitely column is half empty, ask a teacher or your school career adviser for help. If, on the other had, it's overflowing, you need to think which subjects are important for your future, which you're best at, and which you'll enjoy the most! For example, if you love Drama, but also Biology, Economics, Maths and English, and need them for your future career, do drama outside of school (this is just an example - it depends on your subject priorities).

Should I do Media or Photography or Business? 

8) UCAS
If you know which career is right for you, visit UCAS and look up various jobs - click *right here* to find your dream job's subject requirement. For example, if you want to do medicine, click m, then medicine. It will give you a list of Uinversities and Colleges in the UK where you an study medicine. Pick a University, click on entry requirements, then click course specific requirements, and browse through - it should tell you what subjects they require at what grade! It's awesome.
If you're still struggling to figure out what career path is right for you, still have a look at this thing, it's great.

9) Try stuff out!
You might be surprised with some subjects! Maybe there's one out there that you think is not for you - but will find it's actually perfect! Taster sessions should be available, open evenings are happening and teachers are there to tell you what the course includes! Who knows, maybe History isn't so bad after all.
If you're losing sleep over which subject NOT to take, this might also help you realize that actually, that subject isn't too important for you.

10) Message Dear It Girl
If you have a different problem, send me an e-mail at itgirlvibe@gmail.com. I'll be glad to help - after all, I've been in your shoes a year ago!

PS: Don't stress if you don't know yet - there's always a chance to change your options. After you get your GCSE results, and even after the first few weeks of school!

It Girl (very tired) x