How do I pick subjects in IGCSE / AS & A Levels? 4 Easy Steps
17 June 2021 — Written by Arpit Chhikara
It is not easy to pick subjects in IGCSE / AS & A levels. That is why we decided to share our 4-step process to guide your decision when it comes to opting for the right set of subjects. To get rid of confusion and help you make a smart decision, below are a few guidelines to fine-tune your subject choice in IGCSE / AS & A levels.
Use the VARK model to pick the right IGCSE/ AS & A level subjects based on your learning style
This is a model which Cal Newport describes in his book - So Good They Can’t Ignore You. Success lies at the intersection of what you love doing, what pays bills and what you’re good at. Let’s say that you’re good at drawing portraits. But can you use it to feed yourself? If not, can you learn design and become a graphics designer or a professional illustrator? Seems possible because you love to make art. It won’t be too hard for you to learn digital tools which can visually convey ideas. Now, if you also learn psychology and marketing, you can find work as a designer who helps clients reach their audience via eye-catching social media posts. Paying the bills will now be much more convenient. In short, you combine your natural talent and curiosity to learn something that has a marketplace and offers employment opportunities. This is a reason why a lot of fiction writers were also journalists, including Hemingway who started his career as a freelance writer. They had to feed themselves while doing what they loved. So they first built their skills at what excited them and with time, brought skills on-board with their natural talent and marketplace.
Conclusion
Use the insights in this article as guidelines but don’t restrict yourself to following them. A common practice is to opt for some version of maths and literature with social sciences and arts. But you must get creative when you pick subjects. This is what the essence of interdisciplinary studies really is - seek new ways to choose subjects and combine them in your IGCSE / AS & A curriculum. Afterall, it is all about having and exercising the freedom to take a heutagogical outlook towards learning.
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