Would my workload be too heavy?

[InNeedForHelp]

I plan on taking English, Math Methods, Specialist Maths, Psychology/Legal Studies and Chinese SL in year 12.

I could take CSL a year earlier to reduce my workload but I'm not sure if I'm capable even though I'm just aiming for 30 raw.

I'll also most likely continuing my sport, I train 2 days a week and competition is on Saturdays. If I'm not getting the results I want, I'll be focusing on my studies only.

[Aaron]

In regards to your sports, continue doing that. Don't hold off doing that for VCE, because it's good to get away every so often and just do something other than study.

Do you find maths easy or challenging? At the moment I think your workload is OK, but if you find maths difficult I'd question whether two math subjects is the right choice.

[lolalol]

Do your LOTE early! Best decision I ever made. Took a lot of stress off year 12 and the scaling is pretty sweet. If it's your only 3/4 subject, then working hard at it can definitely net you a 30 raw. I'm also doing specialist this year, and it's a really time-consuming subject. Especially with your other subjects, I'd be hesitant to mix spesh AND a LOTE in your final year unless you find one of them particularly manageable/have exceptional time management. Then again, this is just my two cents - you and your teachers will know best Good luck!

[InNeedForHelp]

In regards to your sports, continue doing that. Don't hold off doing that for VCE, because it's good to get away every so often and just do something other than study.

Do you find maths easy or challenging? At the moment I think your workload is OK, but if you find maths difficult I'd question whether two math subjects is the right choice.

I find year 9 maths find I average around 85% on my tests, I also take weekend year 10 math classes but they are only one hour long so I'm not sure if it's an accurate reflection of my actual math ability.

I chose two maths since I found engineering as an appealing career option, but I'm not so sure if I want to go down that route.

Do your LOTE early! Best decision I ever made. Took a lot of stress off year 12 and the scaling is pretty sweet. If it's your only 3/4 subject, then working hard at it can definitely net you a 30 raw. I'm also doing specialist this year, and it's a really time-consuming subject. Especially with your other subjects, I'd be hesitant to mix spesh AND a LOTE in your final year unless you find one of them particularly manageable/have exceptional time management. Then again, this is just my two cents - you and your teachers will know best Good luck!

Thanks, that's what I'm thinking as well. I'm taking physics a year early.

What LOTE did you do? How was it, if you don't mind?

[Aaron]

I find year 9 maths find I average around 85% on my tests, I also take weekend year 10 math classes but they are only one hour long so I'm not sure if it's an accurate reflection of my actual math ability.

Well your grad year is still a while away, so you can always trial it out at Units 1 and 2 and see if you can easily manage both (e.g. do GMA and Methods).. If that's the case then ok. If not, then you can easily drop one of them. 85% is a good indicator but Year 9 is very different to VCE level mathematics - so the only way to find out is through actually doing it and witnessing for yourself the difficulty.

But the main point of what i'm saying is regardless of your situation, continue with your sport. If you study continuously you will drive yourself crazy. Exercise/Sport a good way to escape the demands of study.

[InNeedForHelp]

Well your grad year is still a while away, so you can always trial it out at Units 1 and 2 and see if you can easily manage both (e.g. do GMA and Methods).. If that's the case then ok. If not, then you can easily drop one of them. 85% is a good indicator but Year 9 is very different to VCE level mathematics - so the only way to find out is through actually doing it and witnessing for yourself the difficulty.

But the main point of what i'm saying is regardless of your situation, continue with your sport. If you study continuously you will drive yourself crazy. Exercise/Sport a good way to escape the demands of study.

I plan on taking weekly 1/2 MM classes that only run for an hour on Sundays next year. I guess you can call it a trial? Do you think that's a good idea?

[strawberries]

This is just my opinion.

I am in year 11 and I took CSL this year. I really wish I took it last year as it would significantly reduce my workload this year, and plus I would put more effort into my 1/2s so I could develop the foundations into 3/4.

That being said, only take a subject if you think you'll get a satisfying score. If I did CSL last year I probably would've only gotten worse than what I will get this year, but part of me still wishes I did it last year so that I could get better scores on all my other subjects.

As to your sport, don't stop doing it! It's good to get a balance between school and outside-of-school life!
I used to do music and my parents made me stop (I only do a couple of school things now) and I wish they didn't because I procrastinate a hell lot.

Good luck! 

[InNeedForHelp]

This is just my opinion.

I am in year 11 and I took CSL this year. I really wish I took it last year as it would significantly reduce my workload this year, and plus I would put more effort into my 1/2s so I could develop the foundations into 3/4.

That being said, only take a subject if you think you'll get a satisfying score. If I did CSL last year I probably would've only gotten worse than what I will get this year, but part of me still wishes I did it last year so that I could get better scores on all my other subjects.

As to your sport, don't stop doing it! It's good to get a balance between school and outside-of-school life!
I used to do music and my parents made me stop (I only do a couple of school things now) and I wish they didn't because I procrastinate a hell lot.

Good luck! 

How good is your Chinese and how well do you think you'll go in your Chinese exam/s?

I'm kind of in the same boat, I want to take it early and most likely get a lower score than if I took it in my last year. But I'll have more time for my other subjects  . It's makes me so nervous.

[Aaron]

I plan on taking weekly 1/2 MM classes that only run for an hour on Sundays next year. I guess you can call it a trial? Do you think that's a good idea?

Yes. Unit 1/2 as i've said in other posts is a time for testing and exploring subjects that you're prepared to do during Year 12. So I think it's a good idea to test yourself under a normal environment to see if you can handle it. Does your school offer GMA as well? I think doing your classes alongside GMA would really identify whether it suits you or not.

If for some reason you aren't happy with it at Unit 1/2 level, you can drop one and take something else at Unit 3/4.

[Auralee]

There is no such thing as an 'easy VCE subject'. I would argue that art can be as difficult as specialist mathematics, however, obviously requiring a different kind of discipline.

Choose subjects you enjoy, and go for quality rather than quantity.

[shadows]

It's not too difficult to do well in all those subjects, and have a life outside of VCE. Some people forget that you can do extremely well, and have many other co-curriculars outside of school.

The key is to study efficiently. When you study, make sure you get rid of distractions (a 1 hour task can easily stretch to 3+ hours- based on personal experience lol) . When you are tired, no point staying up studying, just go to sleep or have a break, and study consistently throughout the year.

I see you still have heaps of time till 2017. If doing well is important to you, try hard in English now (it will really help in Year 12), and practice your Chinese regularly.

[InNeedForHelp]

Thanks everyone! I've decided to take physics and CSL early 

Edit: I think my orals will drag my ss down dramatically and I'm not willing to take CSL 3/4 in year 12 unfortunately 

[InNeedForHelp]

It's not too difficult to do well in all those subjects, and have a life outside of VCE. Some people forget that you can do extremely well, and have many other co-curriculars outside of school.

The key is to study efficiently. When you study, make sure you get rid of distractions (a 1 hour task can easily stretch to 3+ hours- based on personal experience lol) . When you are tired, no point staying up studying, just go to sleep or have a break, and study consistently throughout the year.

I see you still have heaps of time till 2017. If doing well is important to you, try hard in English now (it will really help in Year 12), and practice your Chinese regularly.

How do I improve my English in time for VCE aside of reading books? I might take an English writing elective next year to help with my writing skills for VCE. Good idea?

[archenemy]

I think writing, writing, writing is very beneficial (wish I knew this earlier) Find random (& relevant) articles to work on your language analysis skills (there are some articles in the english board I believe), find prompts and do practice essays etc and make sure you get a teacher/tutor/someone else to correct and give you feedback/make sure you understand areas for improvement etc Read the newspaper, books and whatever else interests you (to expand vocab etc). I hope this helps! good luck in your endeavours

[lolalol]

I find year 9 maths find I average around 85% on my tests, I also take weekend year 10 math classes but they are only one hour long so I'm not sure if it's an accurate reflection of my actual math ability.

I chose two maths since I found engineering as an appealing career option, but I'm not so sure if I want to go down that route.
 Thanks, that's what I'm thinking as well. I'm taking physics a year early.

What LOTE did you do? How was it, if you don't mind?

I did French and scored 45. Having the extra time in Year 11 was definitely an advantage. Good luck with whatever you choose!