Can't decide subjects for year 11 :(

[chuck981996]

Hey all!

I was looking for some advice on subject selections, as I have to decide soon for year 11. My school requires us to do English and ethics (or texts 3/4) + six other subjects in year 11. I think I'd like to pursue a degree in mathematics/engineering/science, but I'm not sure.

At the moment I'm thinking, for year 11:
English
Methods 3/4
GMA
Japanese SL
Physics
(In order of how keen I am)

But I am having trouble deciding on my sixth subject. You see, my school offers an Aviation program in conjunction with Oxford Aviation Academy, which leads to attainment of your PPL by the end of first term of year 12 (as well as about 3/4 of the hours and 60% of the knowledge required for CPL). It doesn't, however, count towards VCE results. I am currently doing Aviation this year and I really enjoy it. Physics and Methods are co-requisites.

The other subject I am considering is Chemistry. It seems like it is really interesting, and required for a lot of courses. Although I am not that interested in med ATM, I know my sister didn't choose to pursue medicine until start of year 12, and she needed chem to get into biomedicine at Melbourne. I think chemistry is also required for some engineering courses? I want to keep my options open.

Another consideration is the fact that I want/school requires five VCE subjects in year 12. At the moment, I was thinking I would like to do UMEP mathematics, but if I don't, I would need to take up another subject. So I could choose now to do chem instead of methods next year, and complete both spesh and methods (but not UMEP maths, unless I tested in) in year 12.

Anyway, there are so many factors to take into consideration, and I just need some advice!

If anyone could provide any assistance, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Charlie

[charmanderp]

Chemistry is a lot of fun, I highly recommend it! I'm not a maths/science person at all but I've found chemistry to be an amazing subject. It couldn't hurt to try it and then drop it at the end of the year. You won't however be able to pick up 3/4 without having done units 1/2.

Although Year 12 chem is much more interesting than Year 11 chem.

[Special At Specialist]

Sorry but I'm going to have to disagree with charmanderp.

Chemistry (at least at my school) is a very difficult subject which has a huge workload (moreso in year 12 than year 11). Although chemistry is only a +5 subject, you should expect to work harder in chemistry than you would for specialist maths.
That said, it is a prerequisite for a lot of university courses, so if you're thinking of doing science at university, then it would be a good subject to choose. Just don't expect it to be easy.

[ligands]

i don't think chemistry has that large of a workload, im enjoying it at the moment and would recommend it

[Reckoner]

Highly recommend chem, definitely my favourite subject. I was planning on doing accounting in year 11 instead of chemistry, but due to subject blocking at school couldn't fit it in. Took up chemistry, and couldn't be happier. Best "choice" I made in terms of my schooling. 

[charmanderp]

I don't think chemistry has a high workload, nor do I found it particularly difficult (in comparison to Methods). If you put in a lot of work at the start of Year 12 chemistry it's quite smooth sailing after that. Having that solid foundation in principle chemical knowledge is vital. Especially if you borderline failed Year 11 chemistry like me :p

[pi]

I'd disagree, imo: chem is much harder than methods. You need to know theory as well as calculations for chem, whilst with methods, it's all calculations (and not to mention a bound ref for the major exam).



To the OP: I can't recommend strongly enough how much better you will be by not picking physics, it's not the cool subject you think it is.

[charmanderp]

^I'm just woeful at mathematics I guess and I find chemistry a breath of fresh air. It depends on one's strengths and interests more than anything else.

[WhoTookMyUsername]

To the OP: I can't recommend strongly enough how much better you will be by not picking physics, it's not the cool subject you think it is.

heard a lot of bad things about physics. it's not that bad. Depends on what you like.
If you're good at physics and think it can be in your top 4, and you don't dislike it that much you should take it.
on the other hand if you don't think it will be in your top 4 it's probably a little bit dry, and the project type sacs take up tons of time

[Shenz0r]

Chemistry is definitely one of the most interesting subjects in Year 12. Yes it's highly competitive, yes it can be hard sometimes, but it's also the most fun. You can genuinely look forward to Chemistry classes. You make drugs (cough contaminated aspirin), and you play this game where you try to hit the end point exactly during titration. Unit 1 is a bore however.

I'd say that the workload for Chemistry is a lot less than other sciences, such as Biology.