Son subject options post 16

[butterfly spider]

At the end of the day this is not my life path - it is my sons. However we have spent so much time deliberating - with pieces of paper pros cons we have looked up necessary subjects for post 18 options. He has hit a brick wall. School is helpful but my son's problem is that he has so many interests and passions that he is finding it difficult to narrow things down. He is an excellent musician but is passionate about drama and performing. He also (since a very young chap) has a very powerful energy drive to travel and explore - lives the outdoors and extreme sports and yearns for far fields...
He says his most favourite job would be to be a top Zoologist exploring the rainforest to find a new monkey species and return and give a documentary on it. David Attenborough is his hero.

He has to do Music A level for 2 years - he is a Music Scholar and he loves Music
He did very well in his GCSE - way way above what he was predicted
There are 3 choices - he really wants to do Geology but it is time consuming and limiting. He thinks that Biology and Chemistry would be a safe bet but the teachers and the course feel dull to him.
He loves Theatre and Shakespeare and Gothic and the English course is almost written for him - and heis very good at it. But not having 2 Sciences could limit the courses he could apply for.

I asked him if the Iching could help. He said - go for it - so here are his castings:

Music chemistry biology. 26.1 3 to 4. - Tarot 8 Arrow reversed (swords)

Music chemistry geology. 19uc. - Tarot the Seer (card 2) reversed

Music chemistry English lit. 30.6 to 55 - Tarot Ace of stones upright (pentacle s)

He has a wildwood tarot pack and yesterday picked three cards for each option. I am not a tarot person but I have looked up in his book and the results are interesting....they seem to link with the IC somehow

Has anyone any thoughts. I knew what I wanted to do which does help he says he has no real clue which makes it hard for him. His time with Music means that he can only do 3 subjects too

The decision is his and he can always change after a few weeks in extremis.

I can fully understand if folk feel uneasy about answering but experiences and thoughts linked to the he a may be useful

Many thanks
X

He

 

[moss elk]

Have you tried asking for a picture of the best path?

 

[Trojina]

He has to do Music A level for 2 years - he is a Music Scholar and he loves Music
He did very well in his GCSE - way way above what he was predicted
There are 3 choices - he really wants to do Geology but it is time consuming and limiting. He thinks that Biology and Chemistry would be a safe bet but the teachers and the course feel dull to him.
He loves Theatre and Shakespeare and Gothic and the English course is almost written for him - and heis very good at it. But not having 2 Sciences could limit the courses he could apply for.

I asked him if the Iching could help. He said - go for it - so here are his castings:

Music chemistry biology. 26.1 3 to 4. - Tarot 8 Arrow reversed (swords)

Music chemistry geology. 19uc. - Tarot the Seer (card 2) reversed

Music chemistry English lit. 30.6 to 5. - Tarot Ace of stones upright (pentacle s)

Just given what you said it appears to me geology is the one to go with. He isn't interested in biology and while English lit might be fun I don't think it's much help in any career path except teaching. I think there is still a shortage of science graduates here ? I may be wrong.

I'm taking it he is sure about chemistry ?

Chemistry/biology 26.1.3>4 36 yang pattern, 6 yin pattern. Hmm that alone tells me he that option is a kind of self suppression he may find conflict in. 26.1 ...halt/do no pass go/hold back...so don't plump for this without much thought anyway. 26.3 looks more promising if he has the drive ? But with 4 as relating I'm not sure he even knows what this option entails. So although this is possible if he can good self discipline (26.3) um I'm not sure it's his happiest option.

Chemistry/Geology. Well yes. 19uc I think he may find very good teaching with this and I think as it lies more with his heart's desire it is naturally going to flow more easily. It takes work and determination again. You said it was 'time consuming and limiting'. Well they will all be time consuming and I don't think it will be any more limiting than English Lit ?

Chemistry/English Lit. I have a prejudice against this already as a useful choice for a career path for a young man. What does 30.6 say ? Generally it is about dealing with the main issue and letting the rest sort itself out. How does that apply ? Er 30.6 does not change to 5 !? It changes to 55. My sense here is he might already have had his fill of this. He already has all the skills in this area. Geology is more challenging and there is much more potential for future growth (19uc)


So I'm all for Geology, I think that will be great.


Disclaimer; Your son must take any advice here with a pinch of salt and do what he wants....but Auntie Trojina would like him to do Geology. After all one can't go wrong with an 'ology'...remember that ad ?

 

[Trojina]

Here's the ad I was thinking of.

[video=youtube;NK5-2fPyCjA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NK5-2fPyCjA#t=9[/video]

 

[butterfly spider]

Hugely funny thank you
Odd in that my mother emailed Her grandson to say that he hadn't done as well as his sisters - always helpful?

Anyway. You have a point. He is not jumping up and down to do Biology - the teachers are lovely but not inspiring -I have severe doubts about his ability to hold it together on this one. Conflict definitely - the Tarot of the 7swords reversed means struggle - which links well with the reading I think

the Geology teacher is fantastic and enthusiastic - a bonus for my son. It is limiting in terms of doing Biological Sciences later However Biology opens doors to everything.

I was not so sure about the reading for English Literature this seemed more positive to me and could lead to the Drama/creative path nicely

He said to me this morning just before he left - perhaps I should do Geology Mum?

One thing that strikes me is that English could be done more easily in an evening class - he could take a course in Russian literature (he loves anything Russian). It is more tricky taking a Science/geology course I think.

Perhaps he should start Geology Chemistry Biology and Music and then see - leave out the English.
He. An then see if he is inspired to do Biology. If not he can drop it and do Geology and Chemistry
He fell In love with Chemistry during his revision when he did some work and understood it. He couldn't stop talking about it over the Summer. He definitely wants to do this.

So thank you Auntie Trojina - and Moss Elk too - I will get him to cast again tonight for a picture of his path. This could be helpful to get a longer term view. The problem with Education is that the system does not suit everyone. My son said that he would like to have a gap year now - work on a Scientific station in the Tropics and then return to School later. Trouble is that is not the way things work

Btw I love the Maureen Lipman ad about the fridge and the food...
Xxxxx

 

[Trojina]

Also don't forget, as in Uni, if a student feels they made the wrong choice of course it is not impossible to switch if they don't leave it too long. If he chose something then after a week or two thought it was wrong I'm sure they would aim to help him find the right thing. They want him to do well too. I used to teach A level but that was a long time ago.

Also try my choice trick. You write each option on a piece of paper, screw the paper into a ball, mix them up and then pick one. He must tell himself whichever one he picks he must do. When he opens the paper he will notice his heart either leap or sink. Then he will know where his heart is. He doesn't really have to do the one he picks it's just a trick to find out what you want when you can't tell what you want.

 

[butterfly spider]

My son just cast for a picture of himself in 6 years time (this he said felt like middle age!) so no longer - he said it was scared. It sets him at 22!!

Anyway the reading was 30.2 to 14 which seems to be about abundance
Good fortune and insight it seems to say. Does this help? Perhaps - he said it meant that he should do what his heart says. It seems that the IC is telling him that he should trust himself somehow...
Thanks Moss Elk
Thanks Trojina - nothing is irreversible!
Xx

 

[butterfly spider]

Moss Elk
Looking through the 30.2 memorising thread specifically

I get a picture of my son sitting at a large desk surrounded by people - with lots of maps and discussions

He said last night that he had reignited his thoughts in joining some crack armed force. He said he couls be be a strategist he said or plan trips..
Mmmmm I can see him doing this but hopefully not....

In the 30.2 thread was reference to Science maps somehow also reference to mean - having light but not burning out

If you knew my son this is actually a very accurate scenario!

Does it help with his choices - ??????

 

[moss elk]

Three things.

1-please calm down.
2-he has time to decide, he is only 16 years old.
3-ultimately, he will choose his own path. And from what you describe he seems bright and enthusiastic.

30.2 hmm,
I HAVE NO IDEA.
But a shot in the dark based on what he and You said,
Makes me think of some international peacekeeping force,
You know, the kind that drops food and supplies to those in need.
(Remember, he is going to choose his own path)

 

[butterfly spider]

Thank yes - I am not actually that worried about what he should take - I have told him to do what he Wants to do rather than what he should do - ultimately he will do best in that...
However sadly there is limited time ATM - he has 2 weeks in which to swop subjects then it is set especially as he is a musician. this is why he said that he would like a gap year now - not possible. On top of sun extra he has to do at least 2 hours practice then orchestra chamber groups and chamber orchestra and choir. Time is limited

I have decided not to say anything now. I have tried to give him ideas and points to consider - its up to him. It is also not as important as it is portrayed by the school actually. The added stress of deciding is not helpful

So I will certainly:
Calm down
Remember tht he is only 16
Let him choose - he can't then blame me!!

He has just been called into the Housemasters office for being (quote)over enthusiastic in the high jinks with the new boys ... It's only the first day back

Thank you Moss Elk - I do get overly enthusiastic about things and needed such adminishments
Xx

 

[Tim K]

I have some experience with tarot, and I must say that both oracles are very close in their advice.

There is only one Major Arcana card, II High Priestess, which always commands attention and trumps the other minor arcana cards.
Geology seems to be the best, most important option, but the reversed position of a card tells that he is not seeing it right, or there will be some delay in time.
On the image of the card you see a woman holding a book of life/knowledge - an auspicious sign for education

About 30.6 and ace of pentacles - a safe bet, a chance do to something practical, down-to-earth stuff, a good solid opportunity.

7 or 8 swords - both ask to reconsider. 8 asks to see more clearly, 7 warns that one is taking an easy way out, shirking responsibility.

 

[moss elk]

Oh and since this is post #16,
Where is his enthusiasm/passion?
(Not what he is good at, but what Moves him?)