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You are in year 9 and you have to make your subject choices this year. It's not easy. It will probably mean letting go of some subjects that you really like. How do you feel about that? Should you be thinking of the subjects that might help you get a good job later on or should you just choose the things you enjoy doing?
These are a selection of the types of questions you might like to ask before you make your decisions.
What subject choices are on offer?
Certain subjects are compulsory, like English, Maths, Science and a foreign language but there are still quite a number you can choose from.
Which subjects do you enjoy?
It is a good starting point but you should try to think why you enjoy those subjects. Is it because you like the teacher? If it is remember you won't necessarily have the same teacher next year.
What are you good at?
Now you are starting to think positively about your choices. Make a list of the subjects before you think about the next few questions.
What subjects would be useful for the type of job you have in mind?
Any of the subjects you study can lead to a wide variety of jobs. Just because you choose art for example doesn't mean you have to be an artist. People with artistic talents are employed in all sorts of jobs - as actors, window dressers, jewellers, teachers, carpenters; the list is endless.
Before you think about individual subjects you could think about groups of subjects.
Do you want to study a mixture of practical subjects and academic subjects?
Perhaps you would like to concentrate on practical subjects or maybe sciences. You will need to ask subject teachers or form teachers about groups of subjects and which ones go well together.
What if you drop a particular subject and find out later that you need it?
Can you pick up subjects that you have dropped at a later date, say in sixth form or at college?
One thing that lots of young people worry about is making a mistake and regretting it later. Ask your careers teacher for advice. As for picking up subjects later, some schools do let you pick up certain subjects again in the sixth form others don't so it is worth asking. It is unlikely that you will be allowed to change your GCSE options once you have started the course in year 10.
Finally we come to individual subjects. You may have decided which ones you want to take or you may be torn between say History and Geography. Here are some questions that may help you make up your mind about the subjects themselves.
What topics will be studied within the subject?
Is there much practical work?
How much coursework and homework will there be?
Ask these questions in subject or careers lessons if there is an opportunity or at an options evening. Most schools have option evenings or afternoons, when you can go along to the school with your parents/ guardians to find out about all the subjects on offer, including the compulsory subjects. Your teachers will be happy to answer all your questions then.
Examine the benefits to you of certain subjects in favour of others. Perhaps some involve more practical work which you prefer, maybe others involve working with technical equipment that you can't wait to get your hands on!
Make sure you know all you need to know before you make your choices. If you have all the information about the choices available you are in a better position to decide. When you are happy that you have chosen well it will help you to study better and decisions, hopefully, will no longer be a problem!
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