bustinjustin
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2004
- Messages
- 371
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2005
I realise that a thread about subject selection already exists but here is a more general guide...
1. CHOOSE A SUITABLE LEVEL OF...
MATHS
(Too) many students each year make misguided calculations (excuse the pun) on their mathematical abilities, more so than English. The day when myths about the great wonders the scaling in Extension Maths courses can do for one's marks cannot come any sooner.
Only select Ext 1 (and later, Ext 2) Maths if:
- You achieved a Band 5/6 and a mark of 80+ in Year 10 Advanced Maths (students at my school who scored less than 85% in Year 10 were strongly advised, nay even banned from extension maths and even the whole subject altogether)
- If you are of moderate ability (like myself) when it comes to maths and don't know , from personal experience it's best to start wit 2U Maths and stick with it (unless you really want to keep your options open). However,
3U Maths students finish most of the 2U course in Year 11. Whether this helps you or not is a different matter.
- Depending on your ability, generally 2U Maths has about an 1hour of homework after each lesson, 3U has about 3 hours (triple), 4U Maths well...let's just say many 4U students spend whole evenings on Maths
-Genera Maths is a hell of a lot easier than 2U Maths. The difficulty and workload increases exponentially with the Maths courses. General Maths is inadequate for uni preparation.
- All in all, only pick Maths (and Extension Maths) if you're performing well in it. If a certain uni course states that it is assumed knowledge and you're not really good at Maths(remember, prerequisties are long gone), then maybe its best to rethink your uni ambitions.
ENGLISH
- Unless you're scoring in the mid to low 70's or less in English, its best to opt for Advanced. Note that the Dux of Standard English in 2004 wasn't even awarded a Band 6 (I realise I'm perpetuating the whole 'dont do this because of scaling' idea, but this is a one off)
- Advanced is not all that difficult as its name may imply (though it's easier said than done).
- Extension English 2 is not as laborious as it's Mathematical equivalent...not until July and August anyway when the MW is due straight after the Trials.
- Often Extension English 2 is easier (and always a lot more enjoyable) than Ext1.
- Extension English 2 requires a lot of self-discipline and creative flair. A guy who came 3rd in Advanced was strictly advised against Ext 2 when he submitted a sample as his abilities as a composer weren't as good as his analytical skills. Some students who were famous for their science abilities were even dismissed for having a too 'technical' a writing style.
2. ABLE HUMANITIES STUDENTS SELECTING ONLY MATHS AND SCIENCE SUBJECTS
Another mistake many students make year after year. Before refusing to select any History or Social Science subjects in favour of more technical fields of study, please oh please consider your abilities in these areas (if you have them) as high marks in these subjects
2. TRY TO HAVE A MIXTURE OF SUBJECTS
There will be of course students who's subjects are all of the same type, like myself (I am doing humanities subjectsand only - 4U English, Modern History, Art, Geo...oh and er, 2U Maths). However:
- Try not to pick subjects that all require you to produce a major work. A general rule is to cap it at 2 Major Works. If not, your time management better be up to scratch in July and August of Year 12
ALSO
GEOGRAPHY
-Where there are SMALL CLASSES, seize the opportunity to study that subject. Small class of less than ten are often the case with languages, Art and Geography. It's almost like having a private tutor and the teacher can spend more time on each student.
- Geography is brilliant but underrated subject, a far cry from the Year 9/10 course.
HISTORY
- History can get boring and there is plenty of reading to do, but it's one of the few subjects that provide useful research skills for tertiary study. Ancient should be more interesting, Modern supposedly more useful at uni level (many topics are covered in several first year courses). It also provides great flexibility
LEGAL STUDIES
- Legal Studies is a great complement to History subjects. However you need not do Legal Studies to be a lawyer. It will 'acclimatise' you to the terminology but superior English skills are more important
ECO
- Before you do Economics, go through an economics textbook and think twice, even three times about it, especially if you're doing it because it supposedly sets you up for an eco/commerce degree and, subsequently, a rich career in business.
The general consensus amongst many students is that Eco is boring, tedious and laborious. Otherwise, cross your fingers for an incredible teacher. Not for the faint-hearted
LANGUAGES AND OPEN HIGH
-If you're passionate about it, pick a language if you can - even though it's a humanities subjects, there are usually no hefty essays to write or research projects to complete (unless you do extension), and the extra-curricular activities are great - you will however have your speaking exams during your trials
BUT
Often languages must be studied through distance education
If there is no class for your preferred language (as was the case with me and French) - think twice about the OPEN HIGH. Unless you have a really motivated companion, it can be very difficult to push yourself to keep up to date with the work in your 'study periods' rather than waste the time assigned and just bum around (I chose a Geo class over French by Distance - there's so much more support and it's easier and more enjoyable too).
Beg your friends to take up a language with you.
- PD is a lot more theoretical than one might assume it to be.
VISUAL ARTS
- Visual Arts is one of the most fulfilling subjects you can study - try not to let myths about low-scaling get you down. Just to be safe, do 12 units if doing VA then. Though the months of July and August are incredibly stressful for Art students, you've earned 75% of your marks come the end of trials when the works are due...
Any other comments feel free to post
1. CHOOSE A SUITABLE LEVEL OF...
MATHS
(Too) many students each year make misguided calculations (excuse the pun) on their mathematical abilities, more so than English. The day when myths about the great wonders the scaling in Extension Maths courses can do for one's marks cannot come any sooner.
Only select Ext 1 (and later, Ext 2) Maths if:
- You achieved a Band 5/6 and a mark of 80+ in Year 10 Advanced Maths (students at my school who scored less than 85% in Year 10 were strongly advised, nay even banned from extension maths and even the whole subject altogether)
- If you are of moderate ability (like myself) when it comes to maths and don't know , from personal experience it's best to start wit 2U Maths and stick with it (unless you really want to keep your options open). However,
3U Maths students finish most of the 2U course in Year 11. Whether this helps you or not is a different matter.
- Depending on your ability, generally 2U Maths has about an 1hour of homework after each lesson, 3U has about 3 hours (triple), 4U Maths well...let's just say many 4U students spend whole evenings on Maths
-Genera Maths is a hell of a lot easier than 2U Maths. The difficulty and workload increases exponentially with the Maths courses. General Maths is inadequate for uni preparation.
- All in all, only pick Maths (and Extension Maths) if you're performing well in it. If a certain uni course states that it is assumed knowledge and you're not really good at Maths(remember, prerequisties are long gone), then maybe its best to rethink your uni ambitions.
ENGLISH
- Unless you're scoring in the mid to low 70's or less in English, its best to opt for Advanced. Note that the Dux of Standard English in 2004 wasn't even awarded a Band 6 (I realise I'm perpetuating the whole 'dont do this because of scaling' idea, but this is a one off)
- Advanced is not all that difficult as its name may imply (though it's easier said than done).
- Extension English 2 is not as laborious as it's Mathematical equivalent...not until July and August anyway when the MW is due straight after the Trials.
- Often Extension English 2 is easier (and always a lot more enjoyable) than Ext1.
- Extension English 2 requires a lot of self-discipline and creative flair. A guy who came 3rd in Advanced was strictly advised against Ext 2 when he submitted a sample as his abilities as a composer weren't as good as his analytical skills. Some students who were famous for their science abilities were even dismissed for having a too 'technical' a writing style.
2. ABLE HUMANITIES STUDENTS SELECTING ONLY MATHS AND SCIENCE SUBJECTS
Another mistake many students make year after year. Before refusing to select any History or Social Science subjects in favour of more technical fields of study, please oh please consider your abilities in these areas (if you have them) as high marks in these subjects
2. TRY TO HAVE A MIXTURE OF SUBJECTS
There will be of course students who's subjects are all of the same type, like myself (I am doing humanities subjectsand only - 4U English, Modern History, Art, Geo...oh and er, 2U Maths). However:
- Try not to pick subjects that all require you to produce a major work. A general rule is to cap it at 2 Major Works. If not, your time management better be up to scratch in July and August of Year 12
ALSO
GEOGRAPHY
-Where there are SMALL CLASSES, seize the opportunity to study that subject. Small class of less than ten are often the case with languages, Art and Geography. It's almost like having a private tutor and the teacher can spend more time on each student.
- Geography is brilliant but underrated subject, a far cry from the Year 9/10 course.
HISTORY
- History can get boring and there is plenty of reading to do, but it's one of the few subjects that provide useful research skills for tertiary study. Ancient should be more interesting, Modern supposedly more useful at uni level (many topics are covered in several first year courses). It also provides great flexibility
LEGAL STUDIES
- Legal Studies is a great complement to History subjects. However you need not do Legal Studies to be a lawyer. It will 'acclimatise' you to the terminology but superior English skills are more important
ECO
- Before you do Economics, go through an economics textbook and think twice, even three times about it, especially if you're doing it because it supposedly sets you up for an eco/commerce degree and, subsequently, a rich career in business.
The general consensus amongst many students is that Eco is boring, tedious and laborious. Otherwise, cross your fingers for an incredible teacher. Not for the faint-hearted
LANGUAGES AND OPEN HIGH
-If you're passionate about it, pick a language if you can - even though it's a humanities subjects, there are usually no hefty essays to write or research projects to complete (unless you do extension), and the extra-curricular activities are great - you will however have your speaking exams during your trials
BUT
Often languages must be studied through distance education
If there is no class for your preferred language (as was the case with me and French) - think twice about the OPEN HIGH. Unless you have a really motivated companion, it can be very difficult to push yourself to keep up to date with the work in your 'study periods' rather than waste the time assigned and just bum around (I chose a Geo class over French by Distance - there's so much more support and it's easier and more enjoyable too).
Beg your friends to take up a language with you.
- PD is a lot more theoretical than one might assume it to be.
VISUAL ARTS
- Visual Arts is one of the most fulfilling subjects you can study - try not to let myths about low-scaling get you down. Just to be safe, do 12 units if doing VA then. Though the months of July and August are incredibly stressful for Art students, you've earned 75% of your marks come the end of trials when the works are due...
Any other comments feel free to post
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