When you are in year 10, I suspect many of you are still too young to know what course you will be doing at university. Even if you have a course in mind, you may change your mind when you have finished your HSC.
My particular concern is for those who may wish to pursue Engineering. Then let me suggest to you that you should do at least Maths Ext 1. I believe Engineering require a strong background in maths. If you do no maths or only General, then you are extremely unlikely to be able to handle Engineering. You should also have chosen Physic. If doing Petroleum or Chemical Engg, it would be most useful to have Chemistry as well.
Over the years, I've observed many cases of students wanting to do Engineering with just a background of General Maths. Some would offer encouragement by suggesting something like: 'Don't worry. You can do bridging course. You have not done Physics? Don't worry - you will find your HSC physics irrelevant, because Uni physics is very different'. In my view, such advice provide false hope. Bridging courses can only provide so much - and give you only inadequate foundation.
Just think - if you choose, or drop to General - why? Is it not because you are unable to handle higher maths? Or if you choose General, instead of 2U, because you think it is easier and you can ace it, then you are asking for it. If you cannot handle 2U maths, do you think a short bridging course in 2U or 3U maths, can be achieved in a few weeks, what you cannot handle over 2 years?
So if you may ever have a need to do Engineering make sure you have at least 3U Maths and Physics. Do not choose subjects because just you love them (a prevailing way of thinking here), but because you may need them.
If you have only General Maths, you can forget Engineering and any other courses that require a strong background in maths.
Edit
Those who have just completed year 10 - please take note.
My particular concern is for those who may wish to pursue Engineering. Then let me suggest to you that you should do at least Maths Ext 1. I believe Engineering require a strong background in maths. If you do no maths or only General, then you are extremely unlikely to be able to handle Engineering. You should also have chosen Physic. If doing Petroleum or Chemical Engg, it would be most useful to have Chemistry as well.
Over the years, I've observed many cases of students wanting to do Engineering with just a background of General Maths. Some would offer encouragement by suggesting something like: 'Don't worry. You can do bridging course. You have not done Physics? Don't worry - you will find your HSC physics irrelevant, because Uni physics is very different'. In my view, such advice provide false hope. Bridging courses can only provide so much - and give you only inadequate foundation.
Just think - if you choose, or drop to General - why? Is it not because you are unable to handle higher maths? Or if you choose General, instead of 2U, because you think it is easier and you can ace it, then you are asking for it. If you cannot handle 2U maths, do you think a short bridging course in 2U or 3U maths, can be achieved in a few weeks, what you cannot handle over 2 years?
So if you may ever have a need to do Engineering make sure you have at least 3U Maths and Physics. Do not choose subjects because just you love them (a prevailing way of thinking here), but because you may need them.
If you have only General Maths, you can forget Engineering and any other courses that require a strong background in maths.
Edit
Those who have just completed year 10 - please take note.
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but the teachers say pick the subjects you like because you can will enjoy school a lot more and end up doing a lot better if you picked subjects you didn't like. 