Deciding which subject to drop? (1 Viewer)

[LoveHateSchool]

So I've been mulling this over in my head, and it's driving me insane! I don't have my final Yr 11 report yet, otherwise I'd post all my final ranks. I may update it when I do.

What factors are most important in deciding to drop a subject in your opinion?

You see I've consistently done well in English, I enjoy writing, talking and reading and based on my Yr 11 results (1st in both Adv and Ext), the English teachers would really like me to take Extension 2 English. I have done well on all my creative tasks, one story I wrote got 100% at school and a certificate of Highly Commended from the SMH writing competition. I'm thinking I really want to do EE2 and do a one long creative story, I'm sure an idea would strike me soon enough-I did consider critical study but couldn't think of an aspect I'd want to do it on. But then I do have this fear of its subjectivity externally-though I think internally I'd get a good mark.

Mathematics, well I'm doing average in it. I was doing badly in it in Yr 10, but with much more effort and work in Yr 11 I'm doing average in it. But it pales compared to my other subjects, and I spend the most time on it. Pros to it are that it is completely non subjective though. But honestly, I think it won't count to my ATAR, even if I did get tutoring and improve a bit. And it'd be a relief to drop it. And in a few weeks I have a 25% weighted task on calculus that is the scariest in the world. But seeing as I have improved this year (my yr 11 teacher is really good), I could improve more again in Yr 12.But, it is a pre requisite for so many courses. Especially, for courses in Victoria. Who would know what the bridging requirements are and if they are accepted as pre req? I'm considering a Bachelor of Science or Biomed at Uni of Melb and I want to know if they'd accept a NSW bridging of maths or me bridging in methods down there to furfill pre reqs?

Biology I do well in, it caters to my good memory for content and the Yr 12 course is all the human stuff that I love. I adore genetics and anatomy and all that stuff. My bio teacher is super amazing too.

Chemistry, I like a lot as a subject. I find it really incredibly interesting. I just love science in general, I've been accepted to NYSF. So I'm actually envisaging a science related career. My yr 11 results in chem weren't fantastic, but still decent. ANd I have a feeling with my enthusiasm I'd be able to improve the results in Yr 12. Oh and yes dropping it? It's a pre req for perhaps even more things than maths.

Modern History, well I've always enjoyed history. It was my fav subject along with science at end of yr10. I did go through a patch of dislike, but the Yr 12 topics all seem pretty decent to study. I did extremely well in history in yr 11, despite being one of the subjects I least studied for. And I've been reccommend to do history ext, and it sounds highly complementary to me. Source, case study and historiography part would surely make my source analysis better. And a history project on whatever I want? Not sure what I'd do it on yet, but I've always managed to get passionate and absorbed into assignments and do well with the independent learning.

And last of all, there's Economics. Now this is a subject I essentially gave up on part way through Yr 11. But I still came out with good results. We have an outstanding new teacher now, and looking other the HSC course, much more to my taste. I don't envisage studying anything eco related post high school, but I have a feeling with application I can own this subject. And I think I can find the motivation now. Also another pro with this class is that it is very small, so lots of individual attention.

Also, I feel that on the whole my school has more strength in the humanities, and there are much more competitive students in the humanities to keep me on my toes and studying. So please BOSers, guide me. If I pick up even one of the two EX2 or Hist Ext, I'd want to drop a 2u subject. The only way I wouldn't want to drop one is if I kept everything the way it is. I want to do 12 or 13 units first in the HSC, as I could always drop a unit later on.

Rep for anyone that can give me some solid info to help this very conflicted student.

 

[enoilgam]

Well, some subjects can change from year 11 to year 12, and so can your abilities. Like for me, I was topping economics in year 11 and really loved the subject. In year 12 it became really boring for me and it was my weakest (after english of course). So dont feel the urge to drop straight away. Just go into year 12 with all your units and wait before making a decision, because you will be better informed once you have done some HSC work in your subjects then you are at the moment.

 

[asianese]

In order to clearly see the pro/cons of each subject, do a PMI for each subject! I being for how much you love it!

I don't want to give an opinion as I don't do many of those subjects. Good luck.

 

[LoveHateSchool]

^What is a PMI? Is that a pros and cons list?

To enilogram, but it would be ridiculous to have 15 units at once if I pick up both Ext 2 Eng and Ext History. Unless you recommend, I just stick to my current 13?

 

[enoilgam]

^What is a PMI? Is that a pros and cons list?

To enilogram, but it would be ridiculous to have 15 units at once if I pick up both Ext 2 Eng and Ext History. Unless you recommend, I just stick to my current 13?

You could try 15 for at least a term and begin dropping from there. I know it sounds excessive and ridiculous, but many people have employed this strategy before. Wendybird (the writer of that "you can get any ATAR with any combination of subjects" thread) started year 12 with 16 units and began dropping from there and she ended up getting 99.95. I'm not suggesting that you keep the subjects for the whole of year 12, just do them for now and drop once you have a more clear idea. I remember one guy I knew who did modern with me was bent on dropping it for the whole of year 11. The teacher convinced him to stay for a couple weeks in term 4, and he ended up keeping it. So keep all your options for now and narrow them once you have a better perspective.

 

[Magical Kebab]

So I've been mulling this over in my head, and it's driving me insane! I don't have my final Yr 11 report yet, otherwise I'd post all my final ranks. I may update it when I do.

What factors are most important in deciding to drop a subject in your opinion?

You see I've consistently done well in English, I enjoy writing, talking and reading and based on my Yr 11 results (1st in both Adv and Ext), the English teachers would really like me to take Extension 2 English. I have done well on all my creative tasks, one story I wrote got 100% at school and a certificate of Highly Commended from the SMH writing competition. I'm thinking I really want to do EE2 and do a one long creative story, I'm sure an idea would strike me soon enough-I did consider critical study but couldn't think of an aspect I'd want to do it on. But then I do have this fear of its subjectivity externally-though I think internally I'd get a good mark.

Mathematics, well I'm doing average in it. I was doing badly in it in Yr 10, but with much more effort and work in Yr 11 I'm doing average in it. But it pales compared to my other subjects, and I spend the most time on it. Pros to it are that it is completely non subjective though. But honestly, I think it won't count to my ATAR, even if I did get tutoring and improve a bit. And it'd be a relief to drop it. And in a few weeks I have a 25% weighted task on calculus that is the scariest in the world. But seeing as I have improved this year (my yr 11 teacher is really good), I could improve more again in Yr 12.But, it is a pre requisite for so many courses. Especially, for courses in Victoria. Who would know what the bridging requirements are and if they are accepted as pre req? I'm considering a Bachelor of Science or Biomed at Uni of Melb and I want to know if they'd accept a NSW bridging of maths or me bridging in methods down there to furfill pre reqs?

Biology I do well in, it caters to my good memory for content and the Yr 12 course is all the human stuff that I love. I adore genetics and anatomy and all that stuff. My bio teacher is super amazing too.

Chemistry, I like a lot as a subject. I find it really incredibly interesting. I just love science in general, I've been accepted to NYSF. So I'm actually envisaging a science related career. My yr 11 results in chem weren't fantastic, but still decent. ANd I have a feeling with my enthusiasm I'd be able to improve the results in Yr 12. Oh and yes dropping it? It's a pre req for perhaps even more things than maths.

Modern History, well I've always enjoyed history. It was my fav subject along with science at end of yr10. I did go through a patch of dislike, but the Yr 12 topics all seem pretty decent to study. I did extremely well in history in yr 11, despite being one of the subjects I least studied for. And I've been reccommend to do history ext, and it sounds highly complementary to me. Source, case study and historiography part would surely make my source analysis better. And a history project on whatever I want? Not sure what I'd do it on yet, but I've always managed to get passionate and absorbed into assignments and do well with the independent learning.

And last of all, there's Economics. Now this is a subject I essentially gave up on part way through Yr 11. But I still came out with good results. We have an outstanding new teacher now, and looking other the HSC course, much more to my taste. I don't envisage studying anything eco related post high school, but I have a feeling with application I can own this subject. And I think I can find the motivation now. Also another pro with this class is that it is very small, so lots of individual attention.

Also, I feel that on the whole my school has more strength in the humanities, and there are much more competitive students in the humanities to keep me on my toes and studying. So please BOSers, guide me. If I pick up even one of the two EX2 or Hist Ext, I'd want to drop a 2u subject. The only way I wouldn't want to drop one is if I kept everything the way it is. I want to do 12 or 13 units first in the HSC, as I could always drop a unit later on.

Rep for anyone that can give me some solid info to help this very conflicted student.

In my personal opinion you should do;
- X2 English
- X1 History + Modern
- Biology
- Economics OR Chemistry
I say pick up X2 given that you are good in english and you enjoy it. You seem to also be good creatively and that helps.
For history, pick up X1 as I have heard its great, its kinda philosophy. (Drop it if you don't enjoy it).
Considering that you have a great Biology teacher and you're into the anatomical side of biology, do it because I have heard biology improves so much more in year 12, so much.
Now for Eco vs Chem, look into them and choose what you like more. Research on them, look at the syllabus and deconstruct it down and list down the pro's/con's (this can clear up your mind onto choosing). Economics can benefit you since you are good at english and thus making your essay writing in Eco strong. On the other hand, you say you love Science and with a lot of uni courses (especially the sciences) chemistry is a pre-req.

Nonetheless, talk to your teachers/head teachers and careers teacher and get there advice on the matter.

Good Luck.

 

[Bored_of_HSC]

Yeh i know, there's just so much to choose from. But you can't have everything in life.

As enoilgram said you can try and do as many subs as you can and drop. I'd recommend you make your mind up early year 12 though as it will get really rough and the workload may affect your atar. Do the sub's you're most passionate about and do the best in. Don't listen to anyonelse.

Just an idea. For maths you could just go to a tutor but not do it at school. I know a couple of guys doing this. Or do you need actual certificates to get into the course?

 

[LoveHateSchool]

Just to clarify Magical, are you supporting me not doing maths and deciding eco or chem for 11 units?

And to bored_of_HSC, I think I'm going to visit the careers teacher because she should know if I'll just need to bridge it or physically do it for HSC to get into Uni of Melb. I'm well and fine doing a bridging or tutoring course before uni if that will satisfy entry requirements.

 

[Magical Kebab]

Just to clarify Magical, are you supporting me not doing maths and deciding eco or chem for 11 units?

And to bored_of_HSC, I think I'm going to visit the careers teacher because she should know if I'll just need to bridge it or physically do it for HSC to get into Uni of Melb. I'm well and fine doing a bridging or tutoring course before uni if that will satisfy entry requirements.

Yeah, I think you should drop Maths unless you will need it for a uni course or you think otherwise.
And yes, weigh up Economics and Chemistry. Trust me, ask as much people as you can on this because every bit of info helps. Going to your careers teacher will help.

Bored of HSC is right, don't do what anyone says, but consider their opinions. Find out what you like, what your good at and what you'll need in the future and do that.

Good Luck : )

 

[LoveHateSchool]

^Thank you so much MagicalKebab, today I had a breakthrough and the gut feeling I'd picked the right set.

So I weighed up the pros and cons. Any of the HSC subjects I'm going to have to work hard at right? So with that in mind, I realised doing maths and chem had the massive pro of being pre requsites, and who wants to not get into a uni course or spend their uni holidays bridging when they could be working for money instead? And I can improve in them both. After all, my maths has improved this year from last (my rank last year was 14th), my overall rank wasn't that bad (8th out of 40 something), which meant I actually beat the bottom end of the ext maths class. So I don't think it's impossible to bring it up to a better ranking again this year. Chem I don't know my final rnark, but I like chem and know I can achieve good results in from half yearly even though my yearly wasn't great.

So in the end, I decided eco looks really content heavy and I would lose enthusiasm trawling through all the content. I know I'm never going to do commerce or that at uni, and even so, eco's never a pre req. The others I have incentive that not only will they contribute to my HSC but furfill pre req requirements for dream courses. I also decided to pick up Ext 2 because I love writing and Hist Ext because I am good at history and like independent research. So I have received all the paperwork and I'm determined and I'll be able to get the year advisor and head teacher to approve for each case, as I'll be able to explain I've mulled this decision carefully and it's not anything against economics, just I want to try both those above extensions.

And then with my 13 units, later in the HSC I could easily drop a unit or two after some assessment if one subject shows to be significantly weaker So thank you for all your help, and maths isn't too bad at the moment because I actually understand calculus