I really want to do art in school but I can’t because it’s in the same block as chemistry as art

abbiegurl

So I’m currently in 5th year and I’m doing chemistry but I really wanted to do art since I’m really good at it but I still want to do a medical course so I was wondering if their is anyway I can do chemistry outside of school

Princess Calla

There is a teaching forum , you should probably post there, though I'd say a mod will move this for you once you confirm your email.

Do you not have to do practical lab work for chemistry?

I would say it's easier to do the art outside school than chemistry.

I know the leaving cert has changed since I sat it a million years ago, but the consensus then was not to do art unless you actually planned on going on to ncad or the likes, as art was a pure time sink relative to amount of points you could achieve in proportion to amount of time you'd spend doing the course work.

mikewest

Do art yourself, I did it as a self taught subject, did portfolio (not for leaving) and art history as part of the art exam for leaving. Don't know how things are now for the leaving but I didn't have the option either. Donkeys years ago.

Victor

I concur with the above. I did art and business studies as extra subjects and to be honest, doing two extra subjects probably cost me some points.

When I did chemistry (got a B honours), we had to do a laboratory diary. If this still applies, it probably makes chemistry one of the hardest subjects to do outside school. Can I suggest doing chemistry in school and art outside? The art history part of art will be an issue, but much easier than doing lab outside school.

Depending on the course you are looking at, it may offer extra points for doing science subjects. My niece did chemical engineering (now an engineer!) in UCD and bonus points for having done science subjects took her from something like 420 to 635 points.

the_amazing_raisin

They both involve some degree of practical work so not sure if that combo will work

Maybe you can do one outside school by going to a grind school like the institute of education (assuming it still exists)

Honestly at this point I'd be looking to cut subjects rather than increase them, better to have 6 or 7 subjects you know well rather than 8 or 9 and spread yourself too thin

I think the practical option might be to follow the money and do the subject which gives you better prospects in the CAO

That's probably chemistry rather than art

Not saying there's no money in art, but it's definitely an uphill struggle for most professional artists, and with things like AI squeezing them out of paying jobs it's likely to get worse

But that's no reason to despair, you said you like art and are good at it. No problemo, take it up as a hobby. Do a few night courses (maybe after your exams) and develop your skills in your own time

A lot of universities can have part time classes you can do outside your course as well, so you could continue your learning at third level

Having a good hobby is really important to mental health and despite what your careers guidance counselor tells you, the things you do for money and the things you enjoy doing don't have to be the same thing. You can do stuff just for fun sometimes 😁

HazeDoll

The thing is that for somebody who is very good at art it's a fairly easy 100 points to get in the exams. Somebody who might not have much interest in, for example, Irish, might opt for ordinary level and instead use their time to get a high mark in higher level art.

Obviously you'd have to consider the requirements of your chosen third level course but there's no harm in being a little bit cynical about how you spend your time.

thecelt

Did you get to do art? Did you do art for the junior cert?