Are GCSES that important?
By Victoria Wiltshire
When your child is 13/14 they are asked to make a big life decision. What to pick for GCSES. Although to older people this little task is insignificant but to myself and almost everyone in who has ever picked their GCSES it is a big deal. Every school has set subject requirements (eg English and Maths) (depending on your school), but the rest is up to you.
You choose what courses you want to embark on depending on what you like and are good at. This can be depending on your past grades from year 7, 8 & 9 or personal preference. TIP- DO NOT PICK A SUBJECT BECAUSE YOUR FRIEND IS DOING IT. You need to remember you are doing the course for two years, for yourself and no one else. You are the only one who can decide if you are going to do well or not.
As GCSES go there are no ‘easy’ options. Whatever you choose it is going to be hard but you if you try you will get through it. There are obviously more difficult subjects for you personally but it differs from person to person.
Do not overload on creative subjects or lots of languages as it is going to become too much. Find a balance.
After a while on your course you think- why am I doing this? Are GCSES even that important? Different people have different views. University’s mostly care about you’re a-level grades, these depend on your GCSE grades and whether you are good enough to do the a-level course.
GCSES determine the qualification you take next, bad GCSES may limit the universities you apply to and they could affect the career you end up doing.
To me GCSES are important. They prove to other people but yourself that you can do it. If you put your mind to it you can achieve and get that A* or Distinction.
By Victoria Wiltshire
