www.helpyouchoose.org - Norfolk's 14-19 Area Prospectus

3. How do I choose?

How to choose

 

You might feel nervous about choosing what to study for the next two years.  Perhaps you don't know what you want to do.  Or you have some ideas but want to make sure you're making the right choices.

Think about these questions:

What type of course will suit me best?

As well as choosing what subjects you want to take, you'll need to think about the way you prefer to study and learn.

• Do you enjoy learning through hands-on, practical tasks?
  Vocational (job-related) courses offer you a chance to learn work-related skills through practical learning, projects and real workplace experience.
• Do you prefer more traditional coursework and exams?
  GCSEs cover general education subjects such as English, maths, science and history.  Some subjects will combine coursework with exams while others will just have exams.
• Would you like to combine both ways of learning?
  Some courses, like Diplomas, combine classroom and hands-on learning.  You may also be able to take vocational and traditional courses together.

 What subjects should I choose?

• What subjects do you enjoy now?
  It makes sense to stick with what you know and like.  Don't be frightened of something new - have a look at everything on offer before making up your mind.
• What do you enjoy in your spare time?
  Are there any subjects that tie in with your interests?
• What's on offer at your school?
  Your school should produce an options booklet that shows exactly what courses and subjects you can choose from.  They may also put this information on the school website. 
• Could a subject help with your future career plans?
  If you've an idea of what you would like to do in the future it's important to check to see what qualifications you need.  That way, you can make sure you choose the right subjects for your future career.
  
  Take a look at the Next Step website which has information on a huge range of careers.