pre-ib and ib subjects

[umamalie]

I'm from Norway, and I'm starting Videregående (upper secondary school basically), taking Pre-IB the first year. It's probably too early to start thinking about what subjects I'll be taking when doing the IB, but I like to plan ahead. Really, I'm just wondering how this schedule sounds:

 

HL:

Norwegian HL

English HL

History HL

 

SL:

French SL

Biology SL

Math Studies SL

 

I'm considering taking Math SL, but math doesn't come easy to me at all, whereas history (!!!) and languages does. We grade by 1-6 here in Norway (6 being the best and 1 the worst), and I'm usually at a 3 at math. The thing is, I'm not planning on doing anything related to math in the future, so will math studies do? 

 

I'm also considering taking French HL, instead of Norwegian HL, seeing how Norwegian is my first language. Like I said, it's probably too early to think about, but I want to be content with the subjects that I end up taking when the time comes. 

[James Bond]

Math SL is not say so my advise is see if you would be able to do it by downloading some files and attempting them. But if you are sure that you won't continue in any field that requires at least Math SL, then by all means do studies.

 

With regards to French HL, I wouldn't advise it unless you speak french fluently.

 

All the best, x

[umamalie]

I'm going to lurk around some teachers and students once school starts to get an idea of what SL is like, and then get advice from them before finally choosing what I'm going to do next year. It's still a year, though, so I have quite a lot of time! My previous teacher would most likely tell me to take Maths SL instead of studies, but I'm not as sure of myself as she is. (I think she overestimated me slightly.)

 

And you're probably right! I'll only have a year of french experience beforehand so I'm probably going to end up taking French SL, and stick with the languages I'm fluent in for HL.

[Clockwork]

It's good you started to plan early, it's never too early to start planning. If I were you to help with your Math SL or Studies SL problem, I would think about what I would like to study in University. If you prefer the Social Sciences, then Math Studies should be alright, although if you are heading to a more mathematical direction than chose Math SL. Personally I am bad at maths and see no interest in it so I chose Maths Studies.  

[umamalie]

I think so, too! I like to have things sorted out. To be honest, I'm probably going to end up studying history (it's pretty much my favorite thing) or at least something to do the Social Sciences/Humanities, so it is not likely I'll do something involving math. 

[squareroot_of_-1]

If you really don't understand math, then I advise you to take math SL but that will close off a lot of mathematical opportunities in university such as engineering, pure mathematics, statistics etc... 

 

You should no doubt take Norwegian in HL but if you don't speak French fluently, then I don't think you should take it in HL.

 

All the courses you are planning to take should depend on what you are planning to take in college/universty

[IBfreakingout!]

I'm assuming that you were thinking of doing Norwegian A HL and French B SL. That would be more reasonable than doing Norwegian A SL and French B HL. Your original plan seems perfect for you. 

 

If you do not speak French, then I would think that you'd be crazy (or highly ambitious) to do French B HL. 

 

In terms of Maths... Maths SL is harder than Maths studies and if your school allows, then you could try doing, lets say, 5 weeks in Maths SL and find that you are getting poor results, then swap into Math Studies SL.

I feel that for maths, often it is beneficial to start off in a harder class if you are unsure, and then move into the easier one if it does in fact prove to be too hard.