There have been many studies of the reasons why female students do not take physics. However, all scientists know that the measurement in any experiment is influenced by the act of measurement. Perhaps this is also true when undertaking surveys to assess why girls do not choose physics. Here a female A-level student who achieved grade A* at GCSE and grade A at AS and at A-level but opted not to go further in physics offers her thoughts on the reasons why. This is followed by a short piece from a current female AS student who achieved A* in Physics at GCSE but dropped Physics AS within 4 weeks of starting. The insights are fascinating.