History, Chemistry and English: Kitty’s Path to a Future in Law

Kitty is a talented and dedicated Year 12 pupil whose academic achievements and thoughtful approach to learning make her a standout member of the Sixth Form. Even at Sedbergh Prep, where she served as Head Girl, Kitty’s love of learning was evident. In this interview, Kitty shares her reasoning behind choosing her A Level subjects—English, History and Chemistry—explaining her passion for each subject and the strategies she uses to succeed.

From this interview, other pupils can learn the value of selecting subjects that genuinely interest them, as Kitty’s enthusiasm for history and English has led her to pursue these areas with confidence and curiosity. Her approach demonstrates how balancing a mix of essay-based and practical subjects, like chemistry, can broaden academic skills and open up diverse university and career pathways. Furthermore, Kitty’s use of practice questions, open discussions with teachers, and structured exam preparation highlights how consistent, focused study habits help make challenging subjects more manageable. By listening to Kitty’s experiences, pupils may find inspiration to pursue their own passions, remain committed to their goals, and develop effective learning techniques that set them up for success.

Kitty’s perspective is both inspiring and relatable, offering valuable advice for students considering similar paths and giving parents a deeper understanding of the opportunities available at the school.

Why did you choose English, History and Chemistry for your A levels?

History is definitely my favourite subject, so choosing it was an easy decision. I also really enjoyed English literature at GCSE. The teachers are fantastic—they’re very supportive—and the books we study are genuinely interesting. I particularly like exploring how men and women are portrayed in different texts, especially those from the 19th century. In Year 12, we focus on war literature, and in Year 13, we shift to American literature.

Since History and English are both essay-based subjects, I wanted something different for my third choice. That’s why I picked Chemistry. I thought it would provide a good contrast and make my university applications stand out more than choosing another humanities subject. Chemistry is challenging—it’s definitely my hardest subject—and it requires a lot more effort. Still, I appreciate that it offers a break from writing essays and gives me a chance to tackle something completely different.

What are your plans for university?

I’m considering a dual degree in history and international relations, with plans to do a law conversion course afterward. Law really appeals to me because it’s such a good career path, and it has a wide range of possibilities. I haven’t decided on a specific area of law yet, but I like knowing that I’ll have plenty of options. Even if I ultimately choose not to pursue law, I love history and feel confident that it’s a versatile and employable degree.

In terms of universities, I’m looking at Durham and have also joined the Oxbridge preparation group. I’m not certain I’ll go there, but I want to be prepared because Durham is competitive and St. Andrews would be a good option too. As for the LNAT, I’m planning to start preparing this summer so I can take it early in September and have it out of the way.

What’s been the most exciting thing about being in sixth form so far?

You definitely get a lot more freedom, I think. And you have a closer relationship with the teachers; they trust you more. Sometimes you get longer deadlines—especially for bigger assignments—and if you need an extension, they’re more understanding about it, which is really helpful. The class sizes are also smaller, so you end up having great discussions. For example, back in Year 11, I was in a class of about 22, but now in English there are just five of us. I really enjoy the smaller group; it makes the lessons much more engaging.

What study techniques or routines have you found most effective, especially for balancing challenging subjects like chemistry?

Just loads of past paper questions; I think that’s the key to it. Obviously you can do notes, but there’s only so much writing notes you can do. I think if you just do the questions you learn what you actually don’t know.

Do you have extracurricular interests?

I did LAMDA for a long time and that really helped me with public speaking and feeling confident. I enjoy running; there’s definitely lots of worse places to run [than Sedbergh].

What would you say to pupils who find certain subjects difficult or feel unsure about their abilities?

At Sedbergh, there are loads of extra sessions you can attend, especially during prep time. Our teachers definitely want you to do well so I’d go along to those, watch videos, and sign up for helpful websites like Save My Exams or BBC Bitesize. There’s so much out there—lots of great resources, especially for GCSEs. I’d also suggest checking out YouTube. When I was revising for my exams, I hadn’t realised how much help was available. A lot of the content comes from teachers who upload lessons or materials for their own students, and it’s just freely accessible. You can watch it and really benefit from it.

If you could change one thing about how you approached your studies in the past, what would it be?

If I could go back, I’d approach every test as if it were a full exam. There were so many times I thought, “I probably should’ve done better on that test if I’d just prepared more.” I always knew the tests were coming, so I really should’ve prepared earlier.

I think Sedbergh has really helped me improve my time management. We’re quite busy, so I’ve learned that I need to make the most of my two-hour prep sessions. It’s taught me not to procrastinate—I know I’ve got that time to get everything done so I can enjoy my free time afterward.

It keeps me very focused. When I have a deadline, I just stick to it, get the work done, and then I don’t have it hanging over me all weekend.

How has school supported you in working towards your goals?

Ms. Holland, my mentor, has been helping me figure out what extra books I should read. The Pathways Fair, where universities come to share information, and the Pathways lectures have also been really helpful. They save you time because you don’t have to do all the research on your own. For example, the lecture with the lawyer was particularly good. He shared his own journey, answered questions about whether it’s better to do a history degree and then convert to law or to go straight into a law degree. Since he had done a law degree, he explained his perspective and what he would recommend, which I found really useful.