Hi there,

It can feel scary making big decisions. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can help to step away for a few minutes and take a breath. When you’re ready, take some time to think about what you enjoy, and what will help in the future.

Some GCSE subjects will help you more than others for certain jobs or later in your education. For example, computer science would be helpful if you want to work with technology. If you’re not sure what might help for a career or what you want to do, try asking your career advisor, a teacher or looking at the National Careers Service.

It’s also good to think about what you enjoy and what you’re good at. Choosing subjects you find boring can mean you’ll be less likely to do well at them. If you’re thinking about a new subject, it might help to ask a teacher who teaches it to tell you what it would be like.

Try writing down a list of the subjects you most enjoy and think would be useful. You could see some subjects you’ll definitely want to do, and others you might not. It can be helpful to talk through your choices with someone at home or at school, but remember that these are your choices.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try getting some support from a counsellor at Childline. They can help you with anything that’s on your mind, and can give you a space to think about what’s best without pressure.

Take care,

Sam