I have a dilemma, I have to choose some of my subjects again for Y11 because of the timings and class issues

Initially I chose:
Literature
Maths Methods
Specialist Maths
Psychology 3/4
Biology
Health & Human Development

However, I can’t have both Biology and HHD. Some other choices I would have to change into is:
• Biology and Economics
• HHD and Economics

Ultimately I have to choose Economics, although I didn’t choose this subject at all as my backup and so I have no idea about what to expect for this subject and whether I would have any interest in this class. Does it have a lot of memorisation? Or formulas, or writing? How are the SACs like?

For Biology, I only really chose it for the genetics, alleles, Punnett Squares etc, which I’ve been really interested in learning more about. However I don’t think I’ll find learning cells and other topics enjoyable for me.

For HHD, it was meant to be my “easy” subject to rest in. I’m not sure if I would find it entirely interesting, I just know there’s a lot of memorisation, which I can manage.

So I don’t know which combination of subjects would help me excel the best in VCE, so if you have any advice, please send them! 🙂)

    YXQ from what you've said, I would personally go with biology. This is only because you already find genetics interesting, which is a big topic in year 11 (+ a bit in year 12). Ultimately, you want to pick a subject that you're interested in. No VCE subjects are "easy". It depends on so many factors, and enjoyment is a huge one. Biology also doesn't just go look at cells, but it explores things like the immune system, enzymes, genetic modification and gene study techniques, stem cells and development, environmental biology, evolution, how species form (which ties in with genetics), regulating cells in the body to prevent things like cancer, immunotherapy and other medical treatments, etc. I will say, year 12 bio is better than year 11, but that is my personal opinion haha (I feel like the topics are more interesting and applicable, since you have the foundations from year 11/likely do). Biology also involves memorisation too, although of course understanding the content is key. HHD is a really well loved subject, but I've heard it can be very challenging when it comes to answering questions to get the marks(i.e. you can know something, but it doesn't mean you can apply it properly -> Important in bio, but I've heard it's more difficult in HHD) and very content heavy (same for bio though). Basically, just don't assume any subject is "easy" because they all have pros and cons, and plenty of challenges.

    Of course, you have to make the final call. Ultimately, choose what excited you more in terms of the content. Read through the study design and maybe ask a few older students about it.

    The only other thing to consider is what you want to maybe do after school, since this could impact which subject you'll want to pick.

    P.s. Just letting you known that I'm probably a lil bit biased because I studied bio in VCE and study it at uni haha.

    • YXQ likes this.

      YXQ In my (very negative) experience with VCE bio, understanding won't get you anywhere if you're not willing to memorise the pedantic stock responses so that VCAA doesn't steal marks from you. I thought I could survive on understanding but got under 40, while I did well in biomed units in uni as they're more understanding based. Call me jaded or disillusioned, but VCE bio is just a test of obedience to see if you'll kiss up to the examiners by parroting back their preferred responses.

      Also you mentioned that you like genetics, bio 3/4 doesn't have much of that. There's some gene expression stuff, but you won't see alleles and Punnett squares again

        Hi Michelle! I did Economics U1/2 and studied genetics in uni (it’s a a lot more than Punnett squares and alleles!), but did NOT take VCE Bio nor HHD, so I may not be able to help much. (Also I did Year 12 almost 10 years ago now, so a lot has changed and there’s a lot I don’t remember.)

        My main advice for you is check the study design. The study design is your curriculum and you will find out more about each subject and what you’ll learn in each unit in detail.

        YXQ Ultimately I have to choose Economics, although I didn’t choose this subject at all as my backup and so I have no idea about what to expect for this subject and whether I would have any interest in this class. Does it have a lot of memorisation? Or formulas, or writing? How are the SACs like?

        I found that economics was more about understanding and applying the content, and being able to write proper answers (often using their definitions) for assessments. There are few formulas.

        Again, look at the study design to determine how it will work and what you will study as I actually don’t remember much from these units and didn’t do Economics U3/4.

        YXQ For Biology, I only really chose it for the genetics, alleles, Punnett Squares etc, which I’ve been really interested in learning more about. However I don’t think I’ll find learning cells and other topics enjoyable for me.

        For HHD, it was meant to be my “easy” subject to rest in. I’m not sure if I would find it entirely interesting, I just know there’s a lot of memorisation, which I can manage.

        Personally, I have two main questions for a subject: (1) Is it a prerequisite for what you want to study after year 12? (This will make your life easier later.) And (2) do you like the subject? Most people will perform better on subjects they enjoy.

        For prerequisites, both Bio and HHD are not usually prerequisites for courses, although I’ve seen Bio being a prerequisite once before in a health-related course (I forget which).

        For enjoyment, I’d highly recommend you read through the study designs for each subject to find out which is better suited for you. Study designs can be found here.

            5 months later

            hello, i have been given a choice to do economics and legal studies for vce in year 10, should i do this? is it recommended?

              harry2mey if you get the chance to do an accelerated subject, definitely do it, you will not regret it. You'll have 6 subjects scores contributing to your atar instead of 5, and you'll learn many useful things (such as study strategies. managing workload etc). I completed an accelerated subject last year, and it has given me a lot of experience for Year 12.

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