Help, should I take Jap continuers if I feel like I won't do it for yr 12? (1 Viewer)

[gracegrape13]

I've been doing Japanese for all my high school years and I've always gotten really good grades. I always get A's and often get high 90s and sometimes even full marks. However, I'm in year 10 now and my subject selection is soon. Despite getting good grades and enjoying Japanese I've always had it set in my mind that I won't do Japanese for year, but I'll still do it for year 11 and drop it after. But now, I'm beginning to doubt whether doing it in year 11 is useful if I know I am going to drop it. So I was contemplating whether I should pick something like economics instead. I'm not a big fan of economics but I feel like I have a chance of continuing with it into year 12, whereas I would drop Jap in year 12. I still need 2 more units which is why I'm asking. However, I know that in Year 12 we will have to drop 2 units anyways to be under the maximum units and I was thinking that I could just take Jap and drop it afterwards. But, what if economics would come in useful for me. It also scales really high and I know that Japanese does not. Does anyone have any advice about it?
Thanks!

 

[gracegrape13]

I already know jimmy is gonna comment on this one

Jimmy?

 

[jimmysmith560]

Scaling should not be the primary concern when thinking about which subjects you should take. Of course, Economics scales relatively well, particularly when compared to other HSIE subjects, such as Business Studies. However, your priority should be to consider which subjects you feel you would enjoy as well as which subjects you can perform well in. From the information you've given, I fail to see why Japanese Continuers isn't one of your main options, considering the fact that you like Japanese and have been performing consistently well in it throughout your high school years. Generally speaking, taking a subject in year 11 with a predetermined intention of dropping it in year 12 is an ineffective/inefficient way of determining an optimal final subject combination that you will have in year 12. What if you end up wanting to drop a subject you wouldn't have previously thought of dropping? This is something I have personally experienced with Information Processes and Technology and Earth and Environmental Science near the end of year 11. I was determined to drop IPT at the end of year 11 when I realised what I was doing was wrong at the last minute, which is when I decided to continue with IPT because I realised that I had way more potential in IPT than I did in EES, not to mention that I was more interested in technology than science. I ended up receiving a band 6 for IPT.

Based on this, I am curious to know why you seem determined to drop Japanese in year 12? Another thing I'd like to mention is that Continuers language subjects tend to scale well, so I'm not entirely sure of the accuracy of the information you have about Japanese Continuers. Also, if you are worried about its difficulty, have you thought about taking Japanese Beginners instead? I believe that with your current academic level, you would be able to perform very well and achieve great results in Japanese Beginners and doing so will most likely negate any effects that scaling might have on your mark, as Beginners language subjects don't seem to scale as well.

I hope this helps!

I already know jimmy is gonna comment on this one

Time traveller detected!

 

[gracegrape13]

Scaling should not be the primary concern when thinking about which subjects you should take. Of course, Economics scales relatively well, particularly when compared to other HSIE subjects, such as Business Studies. However, your priority should be to consider which subjects you feel you would enjoy as well as which subjects you can perform well in. From the information you've given, I fail to see why Japanese Continuers isn't one of your main options, considering the fact that you like Japanese and have been performing consistently well in it throughout your high school years. Generally speaking, taking a subject in year 11 with a predetermined intention of dropping it in year 12 is an ineffective/inefficient way of determining an optimal final subject combination that you will have in year 12. What if you end up wanting to drop a subject you wouldn't have previously thought of dropping? This is something I have personally experienced with Information Processes and Technology and Earth and Environmental Science near the end of year 11. I was determined to drop IPT at the end of year 11 when I realised what I was doing was wrong at the last minute, which is when I decided to continue with IPT because I realised that I had way more potential in IPT than I did in EES, not to mention that I was more interested in technology than science. I ended up receiving a band 6 for IPT.

Based on this, I am curious to know why you seem determined to drop Japanese in year 12? Another thing I'd like to mention is that Continuers language subjects tend to scale well, so I'm not entirely sure of the accuracy of the information you have about Japanese Continuers. Also, if you are worried about its difficulty, have you thought about taking Japanese Beginners instead? I believe that with your current academic level, you would be able to perform very well and achieve great results in Japanese Beginners and doing so will most likely negate any effects that scaling might have on your mark, as Beginners language subjects don't seem to scale as well.

I hope this helps!



Time traveller detected!

Thank you so much for the advice! The reason I have trouble deciding subjects is because I feel like I don't enjoy any subjects. In comparison to other subjects such as history, Japanese is one that I don't doing. I don't necessarily have a passion for it, but I've never felt stressed or struggled a lot with it. So, I started to contemplate over economics because there is a higher chance of it being useful for me in contrast to Japanese, as (although I don't know where yet) I know I'm not leaning towards a direction in university or the workplace where I would need Japanese. It would be useful for travelling to Japan but Covid is stopping that too. I feel like Japanese has also been more of a hobby because learning languages is something I don't mind doing, but it isn't a subject I want to dedicate my year 11 and year 12 studies to.

I only have space for 2 more units now so I'm not sure whether to decide over something that has a higher chance of being useful, or something I won't be using but wouldn't mind doing. Even if I took Japanese in year 11, I would have to drop 2 units in year 12, and if I know I want to drop Jap, I won't have the ability to drop something else if I find out I don't enjoy it anymore. I'm just finding it difficult because there are no subjects I am 100% on right now. Like adv or ext eng, and whether I will be doing ext 2 maths in year 12, or if I'm going to drop a science. Sorry for the ranting but I've always been indecisive because unlike my friends or family, I've never been the person who has been naturally drawn to a subject or have a passion for anything. I've always been in between, neither hating or liking it, which is why I'm really lost.

 

[jimmysmith560]

Thank you so much for the advice! The reason I have trouble deciding subjects is because I feel like I don't enjoy any subjects. In comparison to other subjects such as history, Japanese is one that I don't doing. I don't necessarily have a passion for it, but I've never felt stressed or struggled a lot with it. So, I started to contemplate over economics because there is a higher chance of it being useful for me in contrast to Japanese, as (although I don't know where yet) I know I'm not leaning towards a direction in university or the workplace where I would need Japanese. It would be useful for travelling to Japan but Covid is stopping that too. I feel like Japanese has also been more of a hobby because learning languages is something I don't mind doing, but it isn't a subject I want to dedicate my year 11 and year 12 studies to.

I only have space for 2 more units now so I'm not sure whether to decide over something that has a higher chance of being useful, or something I won't be using but wouldn't mind doing. Even if I took Japanese in year 11, I would have to drop 2 units in year 12, and if I know I want to drop Jap, I won't have the ability to drop something else if I find out I don't enjoy it anymore. I'm just finding it difficult because there are no subjects I am 100% on right now. Like adv or ext eng, and whether I will be doing ext 2 maths in year 12, or if I'm going to drop a science. Sorry for the ranting but I've always been indecisive because unlike my friends or family, I've never been the person who has been naturally drawn to a subject or have a passion for anything. I've always been in between, neither hating or liking it, which is why I'm really lost.

No worries! If we consider the fact that you don't enjoy any subject, you should probably use reverse psychology to address this issue, i.e. instead of thinking about which subject you like/enjoy (which obviously is not something that applies to your particular case), thinking about which subject you are least likely to find unenjoyable would be a good approach to decide which subject to take. To help you further, let's explore what Japanese Continuers and Economics can help you do beyond the HSC:

Japanese Continuers:

As we all know, learning a language may potentially make a number of opportunities available to you, whether it be in Australia or overseas. For example, learning a language may open the door to a career in teaching, such as becoming a Japanese teacher for example. In addition, you can take your linguistic skills beyond the HSC, and study a Bachelor of Arts and specialise in Interpreting and Translation, where you can further develop your Japanese language skills and eventually become a translator/interpreter.

Economics:

What does Economics entail? Preliminary Economics covers concepts such as consumers, markets (including labour and financial markets) as well as the government. HSC Economics expands on those concepts by introducing you to the global economy, Australia's place in the global economy, economic issues as well as economic policies and management. There is quite a bit of writing in Economics, particularly when considering Section III and Section IV essays, meaning there is also quite a bit of content to be covered. If you take Economics, you need to make sure you are regularly studying and staying up to date with the content, and seeking assistance with any concepts/aspects of the subject that you feel you are struggling with.

Studying Economics allows you to gain foundational knowledge relevant to the field of economics, one of the many areas of business. You can take this knowledge beyond the HSC and study a degree such as a Bachelor of Business/Commerce with an Economics major, a Bachelor of Economics and (potentially) a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies. With such degrees, you could be looking at career opportunities such as economist, actuary and (possibly) accountant.

I'm just finding it difficult because there are no subjects I am 100% on right now. Like adv or ext eng, and whether I will be doing ext 2 maths in year 12, or if I'm going to drop a science.

If you feel you'd like to take English Extension 1 for year 11, you should consider your performance in English throughout year 10, i.e. whether you have been performing consistently well. If that is the case, then English Extension 1 may indeed be a good subject to take.

Whether or not you'll be doing Mathematics Extension 2 in year 12 is something that is determined by your year 11 results in Mathematics Advanced and Mathematics Extension 1, so it's probably not a good idea to think about Mathematics Extension 2 this early, particularly when you seem certain that you want to take Mathematics Extension 1.

Whether or not you will end up dropping a science is also something that will be determined by your year 11 results as well as your own opinion in terms of whether you feel you have enjoyed that particular subject, meaning it's not useful to speculate this early.

Some additional subjects you may wish to consider are Business Studies and Information Processes and Technology (IPT). Although they are not considered to be the best in terms of enjoyment (some students describe Business Studies as "dry"), the content taught in those 2 subjects is relatively easy to learn and understand, meaning you are likely to achieve great marks in either of those 2 subjects, provided you are regularly studying and staying up to date with the content, allowing you to perform well in assessment tasks/exams.

All the best!

 

[gracegrape13]

No worries! If we consider the fact that you don't enjoy any subject, you should probably use reverse psychology to address this issue, i.e. instead of thinking about which subject you like/enjoy (which obviously is not something that applies to your particular case), thinking about which subject you are least likely to find unenjoyable would be a good approach to decide which subject to take. To help you further, let's explore what Japanese Continuers and Economics can help you do beyond the HSC:

Japanese Continuers:

As we all know, learning a language may potentially make a number of opportunities available to you, whether it be in Australia or overseas. For example, learning a language may open the door to a career in teaching, such as becoming a Japanese teacher for example. In addition, you can take your linguistic skills beyond the HSC, and study a Bachelor of Arts and specialise in Interpreting and Translation, where you can further develop your Japanese language skills and eventually become a translator/interpreter.

Economics:

What does Economics entail? Preliminary Economics covers concepts such as consumers, markets (including labour and financial markets) as well as the government. HSC Economics expands on those concepts by introducing you to the global economy, Australia's place in the global economy, economic issues as well as economic policies and management. There is quite a bit of writing in Economics, particularly when considering Section III and Section IV essays, meaning there is also quite a bit of content to be covered. If you take Economics, you need to make sure you are regularly studying and staying up to date with the content, and seeking assistance with any concepts/aspects of the subject that you feel you are struggling with.

Studying Economics allows you to gain foundational knowledge relevant to the field of economics, one of the many areas of business. You can take this knowledge beyond the HSC and study a degree such as a Bachelor of Business/Commerce with an Economics major, a Bachelor of Economics and (potentially) a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies. With such degrees, you could be looking at career opportunities such as economist, actuary and (possibly) accountant.



If you feel you'd like to take English Extension 1 for year 11, you should consider your performance in English throughout year 10, i.e. whether you have been performing consistently well. If that is the case, then English Extension 1 may indeed be a good subject to take.

Whether or not you'll be doing Mathematics Extension 2 in year 12 is something that is determined by your year 11 results in Mathematics Advanced and Mathematics Extension 1, so it's probably not a good idea to think about Mathematics Extension 2 this early, particularly when you seem certain that you want to take Mathematics Extension 1.

Whether or not you will end up dropping a science is also something that will be determined by your year 11 results as well as your own opinion in terms of whether you feel you have enjoyed that particular subject, meaning it's not useful to speculate this early.

Some additional subjects you may wish to consider are Business Studies and Information Processes and Technology (IPT). Although they are not considered to be the best in terms of enjoyment (some students describe Business Studies as "dry"), the content taught in those 2 subjects is relatively easy to learn and understand, meaning you are likely to achieve great marks in either of those 2 subjects, provided you are regularly studying and staying up to date with the content, allowing you to perform well in assessment tasks/exams.

All the best!

Thanks!
I am planning on taking business studies already and as I need 2 more units I think I might choose Japanese. Although, I personally don't think I want to go into teaching or being an interpreter, I might still take Japanese and drop it the next year as I would be required to drop 2 units to fit the min and max range of units for year 12. I think that way I will be able to do it for one more year but drop it and focus on other subjects such as business studies, maths, english and sciences.

I got full marks for my last English essay which I'm proud of and I tend to get good marks for English essays, but sometimes it fully depends on the marker. Some teacher like my work, whereas some don't which is why my marks always vary. I try to change my writing skills and style so that both markers will like it but sometimes different marker preferences just fully contradict with each other. Although I am getting good grades majority of the time there still is that risk. I've heard that English ext is a lot harder but it does scale much higher. If I play it safe and get good marks for Eng adv I think I will be able to focus on developing my essay writing more and if I get good marks for it, scaling won't matter as much.

Thank you!

 

[jimmysmith560]

Thanks!
I am planning on taking business studies already and as I need 2 more units I think I might choose Japanese. Although, I personally don't think I want to go into teaching or being an interpreter, I might still take Japanese and drop it the next year as I would be required to drop 2 units to fit the min and max range of units for year 12. I think that way I will be able to do it for one more year but drop it and focus on other subjects such as business studies, maths, english and sciences.

I got full marks for my last English essay which I'm proud of and I tend to get good marks for English essays, but sometimes it fully depends on the marker. Some teacher like my work, whereas some don't which is why my marks always vary. I try to change my writing skills and style so that both markers will like it but sometimes different marker preferences just fully contradict with each other. Although I am getting good grades majority of the time there still is that risk. I've heard that English ext is a lot harder but it does scale much higher. If I play it safe and get good marks for Eng adv I think I will be able to focus on developing my essay writing more and if I get good marks for it, scaling won't matter as much.

Thank you!

No worries!

That sounds good! Business Studies will be a great learning opportunity at both Preliminary and HSC level and I'm sure you will be able to achieve great results in this subject.

Congratulations on your mark! Although it does indeed depend on how a marker perceives your writing, one thing is always certain: a high-quality essay will always receive a good mark, irrespective of the marker and how they perceive your writing. As far as I'm aware, English Extension 1 does not scale as high as you think, i.e. Mathematics Extension 1 scales higher than English Extension 1. One thing is for sure, English Advanced scales relatively well. Of course, and as you mentioned, what matters is your ability to achieve good results. If you are able to achieve consistently good marks across all your subjects, the effect scaling has will become minimal.

All the best!