I'm a second year Physics student at a UK university. I just learned I barely passed this year (and actually failed Maths course) and I need to think about my choices for the third year of my degree. I've talked to my tutor and he is very unhelpful because he didn't think I would pass so he has written off me getting a good degree at the end (only the final year counts).

In addition to the core Physics, I have a choice between an essay subject (History of Science) that is considered easy and of course requires no calculations, but I have no experience of writing essays at a university level, or taking Materials which will be harder than any past class but it fits my degree better and it's a known quantity for me.

- Do you think it's OK to take an easy class because you know it's easy? I feel it would devalue my degree..

- If anyone has experience doing an essay subject at degree level, how hard would it be to start since I haven't written essays in years. How much time is spent studying for this kind of thing, compared to what I spent doing practice problems and homework for a science subject?

- I have an option to switch to a much less prestigious university, but one I know I could get a good mark (2.1/first, 60-70%) in. Given how narrow my pass was, should I do this or am I likely to regret not sticking with the better name?

If I were you, I would not waste time taking courses that will not be related to your degree. For those side classes, I would try to take something that you MIGHT use rather than something you know you will never use like History or something. I am not sure how college works where you are at, but I am in the states and I am going into the fourth year of my degrees. I am an Electrical Engineering student and I found out during my second year that the course requirement very closely resemble those of Computer Engineering so I decided to double major. In addition, I am double minoring because after taking all the necessary classes for the two majors, I only have to take an additional course for a Math Minor and an additional course for a Physics Minor. I would only take the easy course if you know you will not be able to handle the harder stuff. My first year of schooling required two or three writing courses and the study level was relatively low compared to the math and engineering courses. Lastly, if I were you, I would try one more year at the school and really focus on your work. If you try your best and still come up short, then I would probably consider switching. Personally, I can't stand giving up, so that pushes me to do better at school, especially if I fail a test or something. I usually come back and pass the next three tests at near the top of the class, but that's just me. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your help. I'm surprised you said essay subjects were less work overall, the reading lists are so long it seems like one would need to spend every available hour to finish reading from it. I know it's possible to get a better mark than science when you haven't studied much because you can at least write something.

Do you have the option of repeating the Maths module you failed in? It's amazing the difference a year can make, but obviously it's give you more work next year. Or alternatively, the whole year? It might also be worth looking at changing degree course to a related field that might be better suited to you (I know plenty of people that did this). I always assumed you'd end up in one of the engineering fields considering your posts on CPU/GPUs.

Which Universities are we talking about here?

Most universities should have science essay writing guidelines. I remember in my first year I didn't, but I now know that they were available if you inquire. Check the module though, they may have an Introduction lecture/seminar to guide you through the process. I don't think employers really care which modules you take as long as you have the required base knowledge needed and the required grade (usually 2.1 or above if you want to stay in the field). In that respect, the relevancy of your final year project is the only thing they'll probably look at in any detail. So, I'd suggest going for the easier module. I did Japanese in my second year when I know I suck at languages and came to regret the decision.

A.) Writing courses can range from very little work to an absolute buttload of work. Generally, they will be somewhere in the middle (granted it really depends on how hard you actually try). In my own experience, a paper tends to take about 1 hour per page (double spaced). This includes the research necessary, etc.

B.) Do what you want to do. If this really is what you want, I would hate to see you just give up. But if you strongly feel you are unable to do it, it is rather a waste of your time to keep going at it and then have to redo everything two years from now.

"A.) Writing courses can range from very little work to an absolute buttload of work. Generally, they will be somewhere in the middle (granted it really depends on how hard you actually try). In my own experience, a paper tends to take about 1 hour per page (double spaced). This includes the research necessary, etc.

B.) Do what you want to do. If this really is what you want, I would hate to see you just give up. But if you strongly feel you are unable to do it, it is rather a waste of your time to keep going at it and then have to redo everything two years from now."

Thanks. I guess I'm in this situation because the my mark indicates I should quit but I still want to stay and try it.

You are welcome.  The education in the states here is a joke.  At the school I go to, they kind of push writing/essay courses on the wayside because its a heavy science and engineering school.  The only reason they give you the essay courses is because it is required by law (I think).  

Cambridge is pretty impressive and needless to say, one of (probably the) best university for Physics. From what people who've been to Cambridge have told me, it sounds like the undergrad course are a lot of hard work compared to other UK universities, even the other Russell group uni's. If you think you can stick with it and get a reasonable grade next year then I'd suggest you stick with it because the Cambridge degree will do wonders for your early career prospects.  

Having said that, I think Sheffield has a decent reputation in Physics so I wouldn't discount moving if you find you're really struggling and believe moving would enable you to get a 1st/2.1.

Have you thought about what you're going to do afterwards? Do you think you'll do a post-grad degree/PhD?