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English students between 14 and 18 will have to make choices about what they want to study. You will have to choose GCSEs, A levels or FE courses, and eventually a university course or job. The most important thing when choosing your options, even if you've no idea what you want to do as a career, is to look ahead.

In year 9, faced with quite a limited choice, I chose the subjects I most enjoyed. I should probably say "disliked least", rather than enjoyed. However, when I went into GCSE I found the style of history teaching and assessment completely changed, and history become my favourite subject. I worry about the subjects I didn't take; would geography or art have been my favourite subject if I hadn't have dropped them in year 9? At A level there were a lot of new subjects on offer such as economics or sociology. I've never even tried these subjects, maybe I could have had a real talent for them? You are more likely to find the best options for you if you try out as much as possible, so don't pass over any opportunities. Use taster days, open nights and induction days to sample any courses you are unsure about. In A level there is usually the possibility for changing courses in the first few weeks. If a course your friends are doing sounds good, ask to sit in on a few of the classes. Make sure you're not missing out on something that suits you perfectly.

It is important to consider what options you will be closing at each stage of your education. You must do your own research - do not rely on the school to give you all the advice you need! In year 9 we were given the impression our decision was unimportant, we should take the subjects we enjoyed. Now doing A levels, my friend has decided she wants to go to Cambridge university - something she probably wouldn't have considered at 14. However, Cambridge have a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE in their general requirements for any course! My friend did not even consider taking German at GCSE, and now she has seriously damaged her chances at going to Cambridge. Thorough research is needed to ensure you close as few doors as possible.

It is also important you take options you will enjoy. Do not feel pressured to take all "tradition academic" subjects and cut out any subjects you truly enjoy. Universities may respect chemistry more than art, but if you're really interested in art you should take it. Your application isn't really going to suffer so long as your untraditional subject is supported by 2-4 strong academic options.

Learn more about this author, Svetlana Elizabeth.
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