Drama vs Chemistry

[NotGoodNotBad]

This is in Scotland, so for National 5 (Scottish equivalent of GSCE). Only get to do 8 subjects though, which is making choosing hard. Other subjects - English, Maths, Physics, German, Latin, Geography, RMPS (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies).

DD is leaning towards Drama, I want her to do Chemistry.

My reasons - it will make a better balance of subjects. Only doing one science is not great (she is very bright and it may look as though she's not). She doesn't do any extra-curricular drama, so she can't be that keen (she did audition for one school play and failed). Chemistry is a basis for other things. The drama course, as far as I can tell, isn't.

Her reasons - she thinks she prefers drama, and won't want to do Chemistry at higher levels anyway.

Now, I think my reasons are better than hers , and I'm looking at it from the perspective of her future studies and employability rather than a 13 year old who just wants to pick subjects she enjoys. But, should I even try to influence her? If she does Chemistry and hates it, it will be all my fault what's new? Should I just let her make her own mistakes? (If indeed it is a mistake?)

[titchy]

8 doesn't sound very many, particularly with 2 non-academic (I assume the latter isn't particularly academic?). Chemistry without a doubt. Only once science will look bad. Then again this might be the norm in Scotland - I'm not really sure of your system...

[NewFerry]

Compromise? If she takes chemistry, then you'll help look into extra-curric drama opportunities.

[NewFerry]

Oh, and just because you're in Scotland and they are so cute [bsmile] [bgrin] [bsmile]

[NotGoodNotBad]

8 subjects is the maximum in Scotland I think. But it doesn't allow a lot of freedom to take "fun" subjects I think. RMPS, as I understand it, is more academic than it sounds - more to do with presenting arguments than "what gods do these religions believe in". Drama likewise, is not an easy option particularly, but I think it may look that way.

I agree one science will look bad - but DD doesn't realise this and DH doesn't seem to agree with me. As a non-scientist (with good marks back in my O level days) I feel you get looked down on by scientists, who think that if you don't do science it's because you can't. (DH, as a scientist, insists no scientists would ever be so biased...)

[ProPerformer]

Drama does open up loads of opportunities as it shows you as a team player, creative etc.

[NotGoodNotBad]

Ha ha NewFerry. Her school is pretty big on drama actually, so she could do drama club there - but she doesn't . I'm not really keen for her to do more outside school as she has 1001 hobbies already! She isn't really keen on performing in front of people either, so I'm not sure why she wants to do drama anyway.

[Yika]

Saw the thread title and assumed you were posting in relationships :)

[PurpleStorm]

As a general rule, I think that Chemistry would look a lot better than Drama on applications to university / for jobs. Does your DD have any idea yet about what kind of thing she wants to do after she finishes school?

NewFerry's suggestion of looking into extra-curricular drama opportunties is a good one, if she really is keen on Drama. Not an expert, but I'd have thought that extra-curricular drama activities would also develop team player & creative traits.

[NotGoodNotBad]

She wants to be a Latin Teacher this month.

Clubs and activities - she already does, in school, conservation club, trumpet lessons and wind band, reptile club, Scripture Union, basketball, book club, library committee. Out of school, violin and karate. I'm tired just listing them all .

I don't object to her doing drama as a subject per se, it's just when it's up against Chemistry (and she's only doing one other science).

[Dromedary]

Chemistry and if possible swop the religion etc subject for something that might be more useful.

[teacherwith2kids]

Chemistry (knowing the Scottish systemn vaguely).

It may be / used to be possible to pick up additional subjects at this level or at Highers level or alongside a few advanced Highers, and certainly in some Scottish schools this uaed to be a way of getting round the quite restricted number of options at this early stage IYSWIM. There doesn't seem to be the same 'once dropped, always dropped' system - I know of a child for example who didn't do Physics at this stage but picked it up for Highers and is now doing it at Advanced Higher (though she did say she wouldn't recommend that route!)

So suggest her doing the 'solid' academic subject now, and research options in her particular school for picking Drama up again in future years.

[NotGoodNotBad]

I think RMPS is an interesting subject actually - and has transferable skills as there seems to be a lot of reasoning and argument in it. From the SQA website:

"- the ability to analyse and reflect on religious, moral and philosophical questions and their impact

• a range of skills including investigating and explaining religious, moral and philosophical questions and responses, making comparisons and the ability to express
  
• detailed and reasoned views detailed factual and abstract knowledge and understanding of beliefs, practices and sources related to world religions
  
• detailed factual and theoretical knowledge and understanding of religious, moral and philosophical questions and responses to them"
  

How much influence though do/should parents have on subjects at this stage?

PS DH can hear all my typing and thinks I must be busy slagging him off

[DioneTheDiabolist]

Drama will stand your DD in good stead when it comes to interviews and presentations. My Dsis is a teacher and swears by the training she received in drama class.*

Disclaimers
*I did chemistry, not drama.
**Dsis is a teacher of English and Drama.

[NotGoodNotBad]

Oops, slightly miscopied that passage but you get the drift.

[jkklpu]

Chemistry with extra-curric drama if she really wants. And tell her she'll be able to study drama as part of the English course.

[EvilTwins]

Totally biased here, for reasons which will become clear...

Many moons ago, when I was choosing my options, I was stuck between Drama and Physics. My parents insisted that, in the long run, Physics would be more useful. I really wanted to do Drama. They said that I could do Drama out of school, and insisted that Physics was the more sensible choice. I took Physics. I hated Physics with a passion, but I did it (and got an A), then went on to do English, History and Classics A Levels, and English and Theatre Studies degree and am now a Drama teacher. I like to remind my parents allthetime periodically about their "in the long run..." advice [bgrin]

[munchkinmaster]

She will only be able to do 5 highers so three will be dropped later. A higher in drama (or whatever they have instead now) would look rubbish on a uni application. An s grade not so much.

[munchkinmaster]

Sorry - my comment is rude. A drama higher is not rubbish. What I meant to say is a drama higher may look less impressive on a uni application depending on the degree applied for.

[munchkinmaster]

But I think It's less important what your s grades are in. Maybe having something she really enjoys will help motivate her, build confidence and ultimately help her do well in the other subjects

[teacherwith2kids]

RMPS sounds fine. There are several Scottish subjects (Technology being another one) where the content of the course is very different from the English subject of a similar name. Cambridge, for example, were quite happy to be persuaded that a Scottish Advanced Higher in Technology WAS a 'approved list A-level equivalent' whereas an English 'Design and Technology' A-level isn't usually.

[NotGoodNotBad]

Don't suppose she'll do either drama or chemistry for Highers if they're not definitely on her list for Standard 5.

But as for National 5... am still wanting her to do Chemistry, but would really like it to be her idea not mine!

[Dominodonkey]

It's none of your business. If she likes drama and thinks she will do better at it then she should do it. No point wasting years of your life studying something you have no interest in.

I really think parents should keep their noses out unless the student is making an absolutely ridiculous decision.

[Kez100]

Drama might not look as good on a Uni application but it could come in extremely handy if she has an interview!

I do sympathise with you but would worry that she will really dislike chemistry and not apply herself if she feels forced. There isn't a real answer to that one though, not until two years time and you have the benefit of hindsight.

[cupcakelover1983]

Have you done any research into the courses for both subjects? Drama is actually far more academic than you would think. With regard to only choosing 8 subjects, I know that many schools in Scotland are cutting the choice down to only 5 or 6 subjects in S4.