The Subject Choices at SIS-Alex

It is a difficult decision to make. Not only will the courses you decide to take determine the work you do in school but they could also influence your career possibilities.

At the moment you may not be sure about your future career, or you may change your mind over the next few years. We therefore recommend that you choose a range of subjects that will give you a flexible and balanced course.

We will guide you to help you make the right options for you. There is an Options Day where you will be able to attend with your parents to ask more questions about option subjects and examination requirements for university. After all, students will have a scheduled individual counseling session. In addition, take the time to talk to the teachers who run the various courses to make sure you are making the right choices. You should ask your teachers whether they think your choices are suitable for you.

When choosing subjects, think about you, your strengths and what paths you may want to take in your future career; don’t base your choices on what your friends are doing or which teachers you like. Take advice from your parents and from your teachers – but at the end of the day, the decision must be yours. You are going to have to work hard at your options for the next two years. If you are unsure about any part of this process, please talk to your Advisor and the Assistant Principal.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

●      Quantity

All students will study for a minimum of 8 IGCSEs. 5 IGCSE’s will be studied and examined during year 10 and a further 3 will be taken in year 11.

●      A Balanced Curriculum

It is a good idea to ensure that your choices are broad and balanced – even if you have a specific career in mind. You may change your mind over the next few years. Keeping your curriculum broad ensures that you keep as many doors as possible open. It also shows that you are a well-rounded person. Consider taking a subject that you really enjoy even if it isn’t something that you think will be relevant to your career.

●      Do’s and Don’ts for Students

When Choosing subjects DO:

  • Take your time. Making hurried choices could mean making the wrong choices.
  • Think about which subjects you are good at
  • Do you enjoy the subject? If you enjoy it, you are more likely to work hard and gain good grades
  • Think ahead, see the options given.

But DON’T:

  • Worry about your choices. There is lots of advice on offer. Make sure you talk to your advisor, the Assistant Head, the teachers for the subjects.
  • Choose a subject because your friends are choosing it. They may be more suited to a subject than you – and you will probably end up in a different class to them anyway.
  • Choose a subject because you like the teacher. You may not get that teacher for your class

●      Thinking Ahead

The choices you make now could affect the choices you can make in the future for University or your career. You need to make sure that you keep as many doors open as possible. This means that you need to think ahead:

Some A-level choices will require certain IGCSE grades. For example, to study A-level Mathematics you need to obtain at least a level 6. However, there are many subjects where you do not need to have studied the option at IGCSE in order to study it for A-level.

●      Making the Wrong Choice

It is important that you think carefully about your options, as you are undertaking to intensively study the subjects that you have chosen for a year. Every year, some students realise that they have chosen subjects for the wrong reasons. Whilst we will try our best to accommodate requests for change, during September it can be difficult or impossible to change your choices after two weeks into the course and in those circumstances you will need to continue with your choice until the end of the course.

How should I choose my options?

Good reasons for making a particular choice are because you like a subject, because you are good at it or because you will need it for your future job. Do not take a subject just because you like a particular teacher – they may not teach you next year. Also avoid taking a particular subject just because most of your friends have chosen it.

You will need to think carefully about your choices. You will need to discuss your options with your parents. You might want to look at careers websites such as www.icould.com

If the subject you want to study is new to you, we suggest that you talk to the teacher about it. If you or your parents have any problems then we hope that they will be answered at our Options day.

What do I do now?

  • Discuss your choices with your parents.
  • Do your research! What subjects will you need for a particular Further Education course?
  • Look at your last report card and see what subjects you are successful in. Think about subjects you enjoy.
  • Decide what your second choice of subjects could be. This will be used if your first choices do not fit into the option blocks.
  • Attend the Parent-Teacher meeting with your parents and fill in the options form.
  • Talk to teachers to find out more about a subject. Talk to students who are currently studying this particular subject.
  • If you are unsure about any part of this process, please talk to your Advisor and the Assistant Principal.