Picking GCSE options can seem pretty daunting. After all, it’s the first major educational decision you get to make, and you have to make it at the age of 14. So, there’s a lot of pressure to pick the “right” subjects. The way to ensure you pick the optimal subjects is to ask yourself the following questions:
What do I enjoy?
Obviously you shouldn’t force yourself into a subject that you don’t like just because you think you “should” do it. Not just because of your mental health, but also because you’ll be less inclined to study it. As a result, you’ll probably get worse grades. Try to have at least one or two GCSE subjects that you’re genuinely excited and passionate about.
What am I good at?
If you want to perform well on your GCSEs (don’t we all?) then you should choose subjects you’re good at. These might not always align with your “favourite” subjects, but the subjects you’re good at can quickly become very enjoyable because you won’t have to study as much since you’re already good at them. You’re also less likely to fall behind, which can be super stressful.
What job do I want?
Consider what you want to do in the future. Which subjects will best prepare you for this? Remember to consider both the knowledge you need AND the skills you need. For example, if you want to be a lawyer, history can teach you important argumentative skills, even if the content isn’t super relevant to what you’ll do in your day-to-day life as a lawyer.
What A-levels do I need to take?
Check the university and course you’re applying for – their websites will have this information. It’s very likely that they have a list of A-levels that are required and recommended. From that, figure out what GCSE subjects you need to take to study those A-levels. For example, to take politics A-level, you usually have to have done history or geography GCSE.
What requirements do I have to fulfill?
Certain schools will have requirements on what subject areas you have to take. For example, they might require you to take at least one humanity or at least one language. Once you have your list of GCSEs you want to take, check whether they fulfill your school’s requirements. Make sure they fulfill your potential sixth form’s and university’s requirements too! If not, consider how you can change your subjects to fulfill these requirements.
