Course help

[Twitchy]

Now I know at 13 it is a bit early to be worrying about this, but we have been advised to look at college courses and see which we want to do.

Now, I can do a maximum of 4 course. (4 is actually conisdered streatching yourself, 3 is normal, but I have to be extra and do 4. )

So, I want a job in journalism, so the courses I have chosen so far are:

Media Studies
English language & lit
Politics

But now I need to choose from:

Psycology
Enviromental science
Photogaphy
History of art and design
History early modern
Philosophy

I am interested in all of them, so its not a case of intrest.

So what I'm asking is, which one do you think would be a more valuable qualification to have, and have any of you taken any of these courses, if so what was it like and what employment did it lead to?

Thanks for the help people.

[thelilbear]

I recommend psychology, I think it's good for all types of writers, as it helps you understand and analyze people. I think photography would also be helpful for a journalist, in case there's a position where you're taking photos for the story along with writing it. I work part time as a correspondent for our local paper, and I've seen other reporters who do the photos and the stories. Hope that helps!

[Matt]

I'd take photography. You've got three very academic subject, so taking a more arty subject gives you a sort of look, I can work and do art feel to you.

[Dragonfire]

I also recommend Photography. It's very helpful for journalists, so if you need to both write the story and take photos (which happened to me quite a bit in high school since we were short on staff) you know how to take a good picture for the paper. And like Matt said, it's a more arty subject than the three you already chose, so it shows you're not just academic.

[Igg]

Photography, though History of Art if you want to be in arts journalism.

[Pink]

Wow...13...This isn't in line or even at all what other people are saying, but are you sure you should be doing such Major-Specific Classes? It might be better to get your General Requirements out of the way so that when you hit college, you'll be able to focus on what you want to focus on rather than be stuck taking classes you don't want to take (aka Science or Math). Just a suggestion. I wish I would have done that.

[Ixist]

I would say photography because then you could also go into photojournalism if you wanted to.

[Pixa]

Wow...13...This isn't in line or even at all what other people are saying, but are you sure you should be doing such Major-Specific Classes? It might be better to get your General Requirements out of the way so that when you hit college, you'll be able to focus on what you want to focus on rather than be stuck taking classes you don't want to take (aka Science or Math). Just a suggestion. I wish I would have done that.

Twitchy lives in London, where the education system is different to that of the US, obviously. 13 is pretty young to be deciding however, I certainly considered the options much closer to the deadline for handing our applications (though many were still undecided, very close to the deadline, which isn't a position you want to be in, particularly), and shuffled them around a bit. I also find it slightly surprising that 3 is the norm where you live. In the area I live (and it's hardly affluent), most people choose 4 AS levels, usually dropping one for A2.

Onto the courses, really, I suppose it depends what type of journalist you want to become. By taking politics, I'd assume you're more interested in political journalism. I suppose taking History, early modern, Psychology or Photography would be the most beneficial if that is your desired route. I guess having a diverse range of skills is pretty handy, too, though.

You can see why I had trouble deciding, heh.

[Twitchy]

Thanks everyone.

This isn't actually like..decision time (in awnser to pinkflamingonewsgirl and Pixa). This is just where I have been advised to get a plan, so, as pixa said, when it comes to decision time I'm not stuck for ideas.

As for what type of Journalism I want to do, I actually want to focus on Fashionjournalism, but I want to be flexible, like have a wide range of qualifications, so then I can do anythijng! (mwahahaha!)

But thanks for the advice everyone! Photography does seem like a good choice.

So now, it seems like I'm only stuck deciding between art history or Photography.

(I'm now going to go and see if I can do both. )

[jellyoflight]

I know people who do photography AS and love it...& the exams aren't too difficult either (but i'll take that back if these people end up with rubbish results ).

[Pink]

ah...that English school system. I'll never completely understand y'all

[May]

Seeing as you are really interested in fashion journalism, I think photography would be an excellent choice for your final course. It would be really beneficial I think. Good luck with your choices