Spec or Health

Philo_math

Hi guys,

I am currently in Year 11 and did Eng 1/2, Gen 3/4, Bio 3/4, Spec 1/2, Chem 1/2, and Art Making 1/2 this year. Im going to keep doing Eng, Chem from this year and pick up methods from year 10, but I dont know if I should continue doing Spec with my marks this year.

I averaged 80% this so far (sem 2 exams not included) but I know for sure my marks are dropping even further for next year plus every time I do a test or SAC i feel confident but get end up getting way below what I expect (Tbh the teachers at my school aren't that great either and there's a bunch of asian kids who do so well regardless).

I was thinking of moving into a subject that i can do without doing year 11 (or i can catch up quickly during the summer break) and health seemed the best option, but im open to suggestions if there are any. I also heard that if you do Spec it really helps with methods, but what if i dont - like does it affect my chance of getting 40+ or smth?

Let me know what y'all think!

Koala4444

Hello!
I personally haven't done specialist maths, but my school has a rule that students cannot study specialist without mathematical methods, so there is definitely a connection between the two. My suggestion is that you speak to your teachers about both math subjects and take a very good look at the study designs to decide which math to do next year. Also, consider why you are taking a math subject. Is it something you are interested in or a prerequisite for your dream university course? That might make the decision slightly easier.
Next, onto subjects that you don't need to have studied units 1&2 for! I couldn't find the list that VCAA has somewhere (I'm sleep deprived at the moment) so I'll go off memory.
Legal studies (I've heard it's difficult and heavy, so maybe not, there's a lot of reading and analysing involved.)
HHD (my friends loved it and it's pretty easy)
Psychology (it's similar to biology (as in how to answer questions), has KSS and a little extra ethical stuff, less complicated and less content than bio.)
Business management
Accounting
PE
A language subject if you already know one (I did one, but it is my first language so..., without previous fluency and knowledge, I don't recommend it.)
Environmental science
Geography
History (reddit said revolutions?)
The availability of the subjects will depend on your school and I didn't include everything. So base your decision on either interest or familiarity of the subjects after checking out study designs of interesting subjects that your school offers.
If you want something familiar and easy, go with psychology as you've done biology so no need to learn a whole new set of skills for answering questions. (I finished both this year side by side.)
If you want to explore some other area like commerce or humanities, then research what you'd like to study.
TLDR: Talk to your teachers about math options. Look at study designs, think about what interests you in a new subject and know that whatever decision you make, you have made the right one for your circumstances!