Choosing school subjects is one of the first major decisions pupils make about their future, but education expert Brad Latilla-Campbell says marks and perceived prestige should not be the only factors considered.
Latilla-Campbell, country manager at Crimson Education, a global mentorship company that helps students gain admission to Ivy League, Oxbridge, and other top universities worldwide, said subject selection gives teenagers an opportunity to make an independent choice about the direction they want their lives to take.
“Subject selection is often the first-time teens have to make a critical, and independent, choice in shaping their own futures, to imagine their lives after school,” Latilla-Campbell said.
He said pupils should consider their strengths, interests, and possible career direction when making their choices.
One common mistake made by pupils and parents is selecting subjects because they sound impressive or appear to guarantee employment.
Latilla-Campbell said pressure to take subjects such as physics or biology without considering whether they suit the pupil can result in three years of unnecessary struggle. Instead, pupils should pay attention to how they engage with what they are learning.
“Is there something exciting or intuitive about what you’re learning? Is there a spark of ambition?”
While marks can indicate a pupil’s performance, Latilla-Campbell said they can also be misleading.
A pupil may achieve good marks through hard work in a subject they do not enjoy, while a weaker mark could indicate that the pupil is struggling with the material rather than that the subject is unsuitable.
He said a stronger indication of genuine interest is curiosity, whether pupils think about a subject outside the classroom, ask questions beyond the syllabus, or want to explore it further.
Grade 9 is a suitable time for pupils to begin considering the long-term implications of their subject choices, particularly as they prepare for the following year. However, Latilla-Campbell said it is never too early to start exploring possible careers and university degrees, particularly for those considering international study.
He cautioned against choosing subjects purely to maximise marks.
“Choosing subjects purely to maximise marks can backfire on both fronts,” he said. Subjects chosen for prestige rather than genuine interest make it difficult to stay motivated, while high averages will not help if required degree subjects are excluded.
“The bigger risk is discovering the mismatch too late, years into a degree, or further into a career, rather than at 15 when it’s easier to change course,” Latilla-Campbell said.
For pupils considering international universities, subject selection becomes even more significant.
Latilla-Campbell said SA universities place considerable emphasis on an applicant’s admission point score (APS), while international institutions look deeper at subject choices, academic performance, and the overall profile.
He said in the UK, admission depends heavily on alignment with intended degrees, whereas US universities consider subject difficulty alongside leadership and involvement outside the classroom.
Depending on the institution, applicants may also complete admissions tests such as the SAT, TMUA, or UCAT.
“Overseas universities read marks very differently to SA ones, they work off raw percentages rather than grade bands. Admissions officers assess the whole person, your subjects, leadership positions, and how you engage with your community.”
Parents can support pupils by researching options together, speaking to industry professionals, and exploring job shadowing. For those who fear they made the wrong decision, options remain.
“It’s never too late to have this conversation,” Latilla-Campbell said, advising pupils to start with the future and work backwards.
“Think about what you thrive and enjoy doing, research what career options there are in the field.”
