An A-level Guide…?

In year 11 choosing your options for A Levels is a bit like assembling a meal deal when you are starving and under pressure. At first everything seems manageable and you have full choice over the next two years of your life, and then suddenly you realise you’ve committed to years of regret over one decision.

Whether you have known what you are going to take for your whole school career or you are knee deep in work and existential crisis, this guide will (hopefully) make things ever so slightly clearer – whilst also acknowledging the chaos.

Step One: Choosing Your A Level. (In other words Your Personality for the Next Two Years).

Let’s first look at the obvious; people will judge you based on your A Level subjects.

STEM students – you either genuinely love maths and science or were told you’re ‘good at it’ once in Year 8 and now cannot escape.

Humanities students – you enjoy reading, arguing and saying ‘it’s more complicated than that’ in every discussion.

Arts students – you are probably the happiest of us all, but also the most sleep deprived.

Serious advice – pick at least one subject that you genuinely enjoy. You will be spending an unreasonable number of hours with it, and no amount of ‘it looks good for uni’ will save you in February when motivation disappears entirely.

Core Maths. The Side Quest Nobody Fully Understands.

Core maths is generally marketed as ‘Maths, but chill’ or ‘Basically just GCSE again’. This roughly translated to: less algebraic suffering and more real life applications (taxes, loans and the terrifying concept of interest!).

But seriously, it is very useful, especially if your other subjects involve data, economics or science. It’s doable, but don’t let the word ‘core’ fool you into thinking it’s effortless. It’s partially optional.

Do not take it as an easy route away from other electives, or if the sight of a graph triggers emotional distress.

The EPQ. (AKA Procrastination).

The Extended Project Qualification is often described as, ‘ A chance to explore your interests’. While this is true, it is also ‘A chance to spiral into an oddly specific research topic at 2am’.

Examples of real EPQ ideas:

The ethics of AI.

The cultural impact of Taylor Swift’s re-recordings.

Why pigeons are misunderstood.

What actually happens:

Start: ‘This is exciting. I am an academic!’

Middle: ‘Forget EPQ exists…’

Almost End: ‘PANIC!’

Final Submission: Somehow decent.

Genuinely useful bits:

Universities DO like it! It does eventually teach research and essay writing skills that will save you later. It gives you something interesting to talk about in personal statements/interviews.

Downside:

It requires a lot of self discipline and possible A Level subject sacrifice. Just try to stay on top of it!

Balancing It All (or Attempting To)

Sixth form is essentially a juggling act, lessons, prep, revision, social life and sleep (optional, apparently).

Key survival tips: do not underestimate how fast work piles up, stick with you friends and accept that everyone is improvising (even the people who seem organised).

Final Thoughts: You Will be Fine (Probably).

Despite the dramatic tone, most people do survive A levels with a qualification, several inside jokes, at least one academic regret.

The truth is that there is no perfect subjects combinations. Some choices will work out brilliantly, and some will leave you questioning your life choices at 11pm.

That is all normal!

Pick what interests you, keep some balance and remember: even if everything feels chaotic, you’re not the only one pretending to know what you’re doing.

GOOD LUCK!