ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => Victorian Education Discussion => Topic started by: kikichen on November 28, 2010, 09:17:59 pm

Title: Legal or Psych?
Post by: kikichen on November 28, 2010, 09:17:59 pm
Hey guys, I need help in deciding whether to take up Legal or Psychology? I was told that Legal's new study design is much easier than previous years, and Psychology's harder. I'm leaning towards Psych as I have a gut feeling I would actually enjoy it more because it strikes me as one of those super interesting subjects, therefore I'm more motivated etc etc. However, if the workload's immense I will break down and give up, because I'm also doing Chem, Jap, Methods and Eng.

I've also considered re-doing 3/4 BM, as I already have the notes and all I need to do is basically re-apply it in SAC's. I've also reasoned with myself that the 10% will not be much, if I tried harder and got like a better score or something? Good idea or not?

Opinions? Please? Thank you :) xx
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: werdna on November 28, 2010, 09:42:35 pm
I'd suggest you follow your gut instincts and do Psych.  ;)

Every VCE subject has its challenges.. whilst the content in Legal may seem easy, getting a high study score in it may be a totally different story. (don't quote me ;D)

With regards to Business Management, I'd suggest you don't repeat it unless you get a really disappointing score in it this year. There is also a proclivity to slack off and be lazy in repeated subjects.

I am, by no means, the subject selection guru though... Let me show you my subject selections over the years:

Year 10 2009
- English 1&2
- Methods 1&2
- Biology 1&2
- History 1&2
- Science
- Personal Learning
- Latin

Year 11 2010
- English 3&4
- Methods 3&4
- Chemistry 1&2
- Latin 1&2
- Legal 1&2

Year 12 2011
- English 3&4
- English Language 3&4
- Philosophy 3&4
- Latin 3&4
- Legal 3&4
- Methods 3&4 (repeat)

So yeah.. you'll notice I've dropped many, many subjects. But I'm happy with the final 6 subjects.. it was all a process of elimination.

But I warn all of you year 10s out there.. do NOT follow my subject selection sample!  ;D ;D


Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: eeps on November 28, 2010, 09:45:56 pm
Do the subject you enjoy. You'll more likely do well in the subjects that you enjoy doing and are motivated by.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: darren94 on November 28, 2010, 09:53:35 pm
do NOT repeat a 3/4. You will be bored out of your brain, and additionally the 10% is so important especially if you are 2 points away from your desired course. seriously. I flunked history 3/4 this year, I have realised I might get 35ish or so but I plan to focus hard on my 3/4's next year and use the 10% as history, leaving another 10%. That's the beauty of VCE.
I'm doing both legal AND psych, and I can tell you, they're both equally boring in year 11 but hopefully in year 12 they'll get better as you become motivated to achieve a good score. I prefer psychology more, but Legal CAN be just as fun and handy... besides you're learning about your own country's law.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: eeps on November 28, 2010, 10:02:53 pm
I agree with darren94 - don't repeat your 3/4 subject. The first time is probably going to be your best score. If you did repeat your 3/4 subject again, you'd be bored having learnt all the content already. You might as well move on and focus on your other subjects come next year.

Don't get bummed down, if you don't get the score you want for BM - that should serve as motivation to work harder in Year 12. There have been many cases where students haven't done well in there 3/4 subject in Year 11 and yet, ended up with a really good score at the end of Year 12. There is hope yet.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: kikichen on November 28, 2010, 10:05:43 pm
Bah! Really? I was actually leaning towards repeating BM, and I thought maybe, I could use my time in class to revise for other subjects, etc. But I have early commencement tomorrow, and I did actually pick Legal, so I'll probably do it for a few days and see how I like it? Does it consist of A LOT of memorising? I'm better with subjects that I can actually understand, and apply.

I totally regret not putting effort into BM, so I'm so stupid. I'll probably get like a 37 or less V__V merde.

Thank you!! :) :)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: werdna on November 28, 2010, 10:09:59 pm
In my opinion, if you want to learn Legal Studies properly, you need to actually understand the material... not rote-learning and memorising it all.  ;) So I guess it would still suit you.... but I think you're better off with Psych.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: eeps on November 28, 2010, 10:13:23 pm
Legal is quite an easy subject to do well in if you look at it, though it involves a lot of reading - that shouldn't deter you. As with any subject, put in the time and effort and you'll be duly rewarded at the end of it all.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: kikichen on November 28, 2010, 10:16:31 pm
Yay, Psych it is :) Thank you guys!

Another question is my social life going to take a major toll in year 12? I'm a very social person, and I did go out almost every weekend this year. How can I re-wire myself into partying/going out less?
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: pi on November 28, 2010, 10:17:42 pm
Cambridge0012, are you repeating English 3+4 as well, or doing it over two years?
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: werdna on November 28, 2010, 10:23:11 pm
Cambridge0012, are you repeating English 3+4 as well, or doing it over two years?


Repeating it. I'll get a study score for this year though! :D
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: zomgSEAN on November 30, 2010, 08:18:45 am
Psych FTW. I found it sooooooo much more interesting than legals.

Legals, for me, was just memorizing SLABS of information. It got me good marks, but shit, so boring.

Though I have to admit, the case examples gave me many lulz.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: Ghost! on November 30, 2010, 01:58:08 pm
Another vote for Psychhhhh.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: Slumdawg on November 30, 2010, 01:59:48 pm
Psych will probably be your favourite subject. Do it and work hard and you'll get an awesome score :) :)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on November 30, 2010, 02:03:11 pm
Psych will probably be your favourite subject. Do it and work hard and you'll get an awesome score :) :)
+1. Emphasis on hard work though...already started making notes for AOS1 :)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: darren94 on November 30, 2010, 02:31:26 pm
ALREADY? Wtf! I shall start when all my books arrive in 2 weeks or so
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on November 30, 2010, 02:58:05 pm
ALREADY? Wtf! I shall start when all my books arrive in 2 weeks or so
I'll be flying overseas for 3.5 weeks so yeah...Chapter 3 of the new book can be found here
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: darren94 on November 30, 2010, 09:43:02 pm
Oh. iNerd.. What exercise book are you using? Colorhide? Oh and are you typing/writing notes? :| :D
Edit: for psych!
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: ben_ess12 on December 01, 2010, 05:03:09 am
@Darren94 and inerd...
Are you two both in year 10 2010 and starting year11 2011-just asking cause so am I and I thought I was one of the only few year 10s(well just finished year10s) on this site
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 02:14:06 pm
Oh. iNerd.. What exercise book are you using? Colorhide? Oh and are you typing/writing notes? :| :D
Edit: for psych!
For class work I shall use a 160page exercise book. For personal notes I shall use a 96page exercise book. For questions off my A+ Summary I shall use a 96page exercise book. First I'm typing the notes so I always have a source to go to, and then I will handwrite notes OFF THE STUDY DESIGN, then go to my typed notes and see what I missed.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 02:14:45 pm
@Darren94 and inerd...
Are you two both in year 10 2010 and starting year11 2011-just asking cause so am I and I thought I was one of the only few year 10s(well just finished year10s) on this site
I am Year 10 going into Year 11 2011. I'm 99% sure Darren is going into Year 12 though...
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: darren94 on December 01, 2010, 06:47:15 pm
@Darren94 and inerd...
Are you two both in year 10 2010 and starting year11 2011-just asking cause so am I and I thought I was one of the only few year 10s(well just finished year10s) on this site
I am Year 10 going into Year 11 2011. I'm 99% sure Darren is going into Year 12 though...
Yep, i`m going onto year 12
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: ben_ess12 on December 01, 2010, 07:00:42 pm
Ahh ok sorry darren
Was just a random question :) well goodluck for next year too
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: darren94 on December 01, 2010, 07:05:13 pm
nah its k!! good luck too!! and try ur best for your 3/4's.. It'll take a massive load off in year 12 ! lucky you're doing two, I was so uneducated I only chose to do 1. my mistake
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: ben_ess12 on December 01, 2010, 07:07:28 pm
Cheers for that mate :)
Yeh I hope it will :) had to do alot of persuading to school to let me to do it as well but it's more for sport purposes as I swim and training load is pretty hetic :) if you have any tips or general advice pm, I'd love anything I can get :)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 07:28:39 pm
nah its k!! good luck too!! and try ur best for your 3/4's.. It'll take a massive load off in year 12 ! lucky you're doing two, I was so uneducated I only chose to do 1. my mistake
Ehem. I'm doing 1 and no its not a mistake at all. In fact...I don't think anyone at MHS does two 3/4s, and we fair quite well? :P
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: ben_ess12 on December 01, 2010, 07:33:35 pm
I don't think it's a mistake, I am only doing two for outside of school...I think some people prefer to only have 4 as it ='s more spares and leas subjects to study for at exam time, I think a large majorit of people only do the one and they all seem to do well...guess it would be a personal thing as haven't been through it yet I can't comment on if it is worth it or not ;)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 07:35:13 pm
I don't think it's a mistake, I am only doing two for outside of school...I think some people prefer to only have 4 as it ='s more spares and leas subjects to study for at exam time, I think a large majorit of people only do the one and they all seem to do well...guess it would be a personal thing as haven't been through it yet I can't comment on if it is worth it or not ;)
My one and only reason for taking one 3/4 [ beside school policy ] is the answer to this question:
Would you rather two 'average' scores? [43,43] or one awesome score? [ 47+ ].
Personally, I'd like the higher SS which comes with less workload, and a lighter Year 11 aswell :)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: Souljette_93 on December 01, 2010, 07:36:05 pm
PSYCH all the way.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: pi on December 01, 2010, 07:38:23 pm
I don't think it's a mistake, I am only doing two for outside of school...I think some people prefer to only have 4 as it ='s more spares and leas subjects to study for at exam time, I think a large majorit of people only do the one and they all seem to do well...guess it would be a personal thing as haven't been through it yet I can't comment on if it is worth it or not ;)
My one and only reason for taking one 3/4 [ beside school policy ] is the answer to this question:
Would you rather two 'average' scores? [43,43] or one awesome score? [ 47+ ].
Personally, I'd like the higher SS which comes with less workload, and a lighter Year 11 aswell :)

A 47 does not make yr 11 'light', it takes a hell lot of work

Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 07:39:09 pm
I don't think it's a mistake, I am only doing two for outside of school...I think some people prefer to only have 4 as it ='s more spares and leas subjects to study for at exam time, I think a large majorit of people only do the one and they all seem to do well...guess it would be a personal thing as haven't been through it yet I can't comment on if it is worth it or not ;)
My one and only reason for taking one 3/4 [ beside school policy ] is the answer to this question:
Would you rather two 'average' scores? [43,43] or one awesome score? [ 47+ ].
Personally, I'd like the higher SS which comes with less workload, and a lighter Year 11 aswell :)

A 47 does not make yr 11 'light', it takes a hell lot of work


You misinterpret. I mean taking ONE 3/4 is lighter than taking TWO 3/4s.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: pi on December 01, 2010, 07:40:57 pm
^ That's true, but it may be that getting a 43 in methods and a 43 in further in year 11 might be easier for someone than getting a 47 in psych

(if I had the option, I would take the two subjects)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 07:41:47 pm
^ That's true, but it may be that getting a 43 in methods and a 43 in further in year 11 might be easier for someone than getting a 47 in psych

(if I had the option, I would take the two subjects)
And that my friend is a matter of personal opinion. :)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: pi on December 01, 2010, 07:42:42 pm
^ fair enough


btw, kikichen, go with Psych
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: ben_ess12 on December 01, 2010, 07:44:29 pm
but wouldnt a lighter work load in yr 12 when all the stress is actually there be easier?
and possibly the added stress will allow the individual to work under conditions which will be more relevant in yr 12, hence they can practice the ways to handle them and learn the way in which they work best?

but yes personal opinion would come down to it
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 07:46:38 pm
but wouldnt a lighter work load in yr 12 when all the stress is actually there be easier?
and possibly the added stress will allow the individual to work under conditions which will be more relevant in yr 12, hence they can practice the ways to handle them and learn the way in which they work best?
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: Greatness on December 01, 2010, 07:48:46 pm
but wouldnt a lighter work load in yr 12 when all the stress is actually there be easier?
and possibly the added stress will allow the individual to work under conditions which will be more relevant in yr 12, hence they can practice the ways to handle them and learn the way in which they work best?
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.
what if you were given the option of doing 2 decent scaling subjects e.g methods and a lote - jap. would you take 43s in them over a 47+?
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: darren94 on December 01, 2010, 07:52:42 pm
Ben, you're lucky you got to do two 3/4's... you'll get a taste of year 12 and hopefully you should crack at least a 40+ in one of them, to use as your top 4! I just wished I was more educated and not naive enough to take just one 3/4 subject, because I had the grades to do 2 easily... on top of that I chose a bloody bitch of a subject to do, because I believed that was my only option. Fuck, was I wrong. :)
Anyway, now for me, I'll have to work my ASS off in year 12 and pray to god I get the scores I want, because I coasted along my 3/4, and when it came to the exam, a few questions stumped me because I absolutely hated the subject.
So maintain two things ; passion and determination, both qualities I had none of when doing my 3/4, hence I won't even get that 40.
On the other hand, my 3/4's next year are subjects I love so yeah, hopefully it'll show
Just try your best and make it count
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: Souljette_93 on December 01, 2010, 07:53:51 pm
but wouldnt a lighter work load in yr 12 when all the stress is actually there be easier?
and possibly the added stress will allow the individual to work under conditions which will be more relevant in yr 12, hence they can practice the ways to handle them and learn the way in which they work best?
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.



What's a VET and how does it give you an advantage?
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 07:53:58 pm
but wouldnt a lighter work load in yr 12 when all the stress is actually there be easier?
and possibly the added stress will allow the individual to work under conditions which will be more relevant in yr 12, hence they can practice the ways to handle them and learn the way in which they work best?
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.
what if you were given the option of doing 2 decent scaling subjects e.g methods and a lote - jap. would you take 43s in them over a 47+?
I'm talking 43 scaled. A 43 in Jap would scale to 50 wouldn't it? What type of idiot wouldn't take that :P
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: Greatness on December 01, 2010, 07:56:40 pm
but wouldnt a lighter work load in yr 12 when all the stress is actually there be easier?
and possibly the added stress will allow the individual to work under conditions which will be more relevant in yr 12, hence they can practice the ways to handle them and learn the way in which they work best?
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.
what if you were given the option of doing 2 decent scaling subjects e.g methods and a lote - jap. would you take 43s in them over a 47+?
I'm talking 43 scaled. A 43 in Jap would scale to 50 wouldn't it? What type of idiot wouldn't take that :P
ohhhh LOL explains a lot :P
umm i think you might just miss out on the 50... probs get like 48-49
im doing jap next yr :) gona aim for 37+ scales very nicely
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 07:57:06 pm
but wouldnt a lighter work load in yr 12 when all the stress is actually there be easier?
and possibly the added stress will allow the individual to work under conditions which will be more relevant in yr 12, hence they can practice the ways to handle them and learn the way in which they work best?
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.



What's a VET and how does it give you an advantage?
Brief rundown. VET stands for Vocational Educational Training. It's conducted at a TAFE institute, 3 hours a week. Advantage so far? Frees at school :P
Next thing is, some VET don't have exams. Advantage? No stress...just got to pass.
Next thing is, the average of your primary 4 scaled counts towards your ATAR.
For example: You get a 45,45,45,45 as your top 4.
Average that? 45.
10% of that? 4.5
Total contribution? 4.5/5
Think about it, is your 5th subject going to be a 45? :P

EDIT: And you qualify in the area you do it in with a Certificate 3 or whatever, so you can get a job straight out of Year 12.
Helps with resume and interviews too :)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: ben_ess12 on December 01, 2010, 08:02:10 pm
Ben, you're lucky you got to do two 3/4's... you'll get a taste of year 12 and hopefully you should crack at least a 40+ in one of them, to use as your top 4! I just wished I was more educated and not naive enough to take just one 3/4 subject, because I had the grades to do 2 easily... on top of that I chose a bloody bitch of a subject to do, because I believed that was my only option. Fuck, was I wrong. :)
Anyway, now for me, I'll have to work my ASS off in year 12 and pray to god I get the scores I want, because I coasted along my 3/4, and when it came to the exam, a few questions stumped me because I absolutely hated the subject.
So maintain two things ; passion and determination, both qualities I had none of when doing my 3/4, hence I won't even get that 40.
On the other hand, my 3/4's next year are subjects I love so yeah, hopefully it'll show
Just try your best and make it count

thanks mate :D
i will hopefully get 40+ in both of them as i love p.e, i want a course along those sort of lines at uni... and business management i also enjoy even though it sometimes can be dry, so hopefully i can 40+ in both of them :)
hah yeh AUShist seems like something you would really need to have a passion for but least you can learn from it and move on...
and anyways im gonna need all the spare time i can have in yr12....2012 olympics are gonna be on never ever know ;) :) but end of a day a scores a score and if i bomb out on one of them, i can pick up another subject and have 5 in year 12 (:
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: Ghost! on December 01, 2010, 09:42:00 pm
Quote
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.

I can't believe that iNerd...
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: ben_ess12 on December 01, 2010, 09:44:30 pm
Quote
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.


I can't believe that iNerd...
To be honest...I was thinking the same thing you said ghost
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: darren94 on December 01, 2010, 09:52:08 pm
Quote
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.
I can't believe that iNerd...
To be honest...I was thinking the same thing you said ghost

lol! imo, everyone will have an equal workload considering they try their best.. things can't be easier or harder.. that's where scaling comes in place
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 09:55:46 pm
Quote
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.


I can't believe that iNerd...
To be honest...I was thinking the same thing you said ghost
...Okay lets try a different tact. So...say your aiming 99+. Theoretically 43,43 [scaled] will be your bottom two subjects...so all that work in Year 11, those two counts towards 20% of your ATAR. A 47+ would be part of your primary 4 which counts for 20%, but is one subject. I don't know if that makes sense to you guys...but yeah. Basically your bottom two are negligible in terms of affecting ATAR and I'd rather go into Year 12 with a subject in my primary 4 secured, alongside compulsory English, which basically means I need to smash three subjects in Year 12 whilst you'd have to smash all 4. And finally 47 just looks sexier than 43...aesthetic appeal :)
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: Ghost! on December 01, 2010, 09:57:22 pm
Quote
I'm talking 43 scaled. A 43 in Jap would scale to 50 wouldn't it? What type of idiot wouldn't take that Tongue

Oh and a 43 in Jap would scale to 55, because it's a LOTE.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: ben_ess12 on December 01, 2010, 09:58:56 pm
Quote
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.
I can't believe that iNerd...
To be honest...I was thinking the same thing you said ghost

lol! imo, everyone will have an equal workload considering they try their best.. things can't be easier or harder.. that's where scaling comes in place

+1 well said. I also believe it depends on what the person wants to achieve. I don't see why it's no possible to score high in both 3/4s if somebody wants to achieve highly the only thing stopping them will be their attitude to it all. And end of the day it's a score, it's not gonna make you who you are, it might help but you don't walk around with it plastered on your forehead
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: iNerd on December 01, 2010, 10:02:44 pm
Quote
Doesn't affect me, I have a VET. Either way I have a lighter workload than everyone else. Also personally, I'd go into Year 12 much happier with a 47+ then two 43s. ...personal opinion.
I can't believe that iNerd...
To be honest...I was thinking the same thing you said ghost

lol! imo, everyone will have an equal workload considering they try their best.. things can't be easier or harder.. that's where scaling comes in place

+1 well said. I also believe it depends on what the person wants to achieve. I don't see why it's no possible to score high in both 3/4s if somebody wants to achieve highly the only thing stopping them will be their attitude to it all. And end of the day it's a score, it's not gonna make you who you are, it might help but you don't walk around with it plastered on your forehead
Indeed. All of this is a matter of personal opinion. Personally, I can smash one subject, but not two. Not ready for that yet :P ..You might also like to think on why MHS employs the policy of not taking two 3/4s in Year 11? Its not there to piss us off, its there because they believe the 1+5 route is safer and will achiever a higher ATAR.
Oh and no, everyone will not have an equal workload at all. Why do people take further? To lessen their workload. Trust me, 3 hours a week at VET instead of a 6th subject such as BM which brings homework, 8 SACS, two exams etc. I believe I have a less workload.
Title: Re: Legal or Psych?
Post by: zomgSEAN on December 01, 2010, 10:38:37 pm
psych fo sho