Three 3/4s in year Eleven?

[Photon]

Hey guys, recently I have started year eleven with the subjects: English 1/2, Methods 1/2, Specialist Maths 1/2, Chem 1/2, Physics 1/2, Bio 3/4 (I skipped 1/2 bio) and Extended Investigation 3/4. The work load is significantly more than what I am used to but nevertheless I manage to finish it all on time.

The other day I contemplated the idea of doing Arabic 3/4 as a VCE subject (as I have studied the language before) so I decided to look at the vcaa exam for Arabic and it's actually really easy. Now I want to do Arabic via VSL but I don't know if I will be able to cope with the added workload given. If I'm hoping for a high SS in Arabic then I would say that I need around 2-3 hours of work a week. Also I am not interested in doing Arabic 1/2 at all.

I just want to know people's advice/experiences with doing three 3/4s in year eleven or if anyone out there has done Arabic 3/4 (though I know most of them went extinct). I need to make a decision by Saturday so a reply before then would be great, any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

p.s: I'm also doing Methods and specialist 3/4 so that by the time I get to year 12 I can immediately start with the practice exams.

[qazser]

Hey guys, recently I have started year eleven with the subjects: English 1/2, Methods 1/2, Specialist Maths 1/2, Chem 1/2, Physics 1/2, Bio 3/4 (I skipped 1/2 bio) and Extended Investigation 1/2. The work load is significantly more than what I am used to but nevertheless I manage to finish it all on time.

The other day I contemplated the idea of doing Arabic 3/4 as a VCE subject (as I have studied the language before) so I decided to look at the vcaa exam for Arabic and it's actually really easy. Now I want to do Arabic via VSL but I don't know if I will be able to cope with the added workload given. If I'm hoping for a high SS in Arabic then I would say that I need around 2-3 hours of work a week. Also I am not interested in doing Arabic 1/2 at all.

I just want to know people's advice/experiences with doing three 3/4s in year eleven or if anyone out there has done Arabic 3/4 (though I know most of them went extinct). I need to make a decision by Saturday so a reply before then would be great, any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

p.s: I'm also doing Methods and specialist 3/4 so that by the time I get to year 12 I can immediately start with the practice exams.

What's the third 3/4?

A mate of mine has done 3: Methods[46],Chinese[45],Chemistry[47]

So its definitely possible to get good SSs if thats what you mean

[Photon]

What's the third 3/4?

A mate of mine has done 3: Methods[46],Chinese[45],Chemistry[47]

So its definitely possible to get good SSs if thats what you mean

Whoops, I accidentally put Extended Investigation as a 1/2 when it doesn't even have a 1/2 for the subject.

Nice! Did he ever struggle or was he producing constant good grades?

[upandgo]

hey! i did two 3&4's last year, so maybe my experience can help 

taking more than one is definitely beneficial, as it decreases the stress and pressure in yr 12. if you don't perform as well as you expected this year, you always have another opportunity next year, or if you choose to take <5 subjects in yr 12 you'll have ALOT more time to focus on them and get a high study score!

although my school absolutely hated me doing 2 subjects, i learned so much in terms of exam preparation/organisation skills/study habits. it IS a little stressful at times (depending on what subjects you take, of course)! although it's important to note bio is a content-heavy subject that does require a considerable amount of time for consolidating concepts/practice exams. from what i remember, some of what's taught in 3&4 doesnt need unit 1&2 (eg, evolution), but i'd recommend looking at stuff like cell replication as that may be tricky to understand without unit 1&2 knowledge.

something i faced difficulties with last year was balancing between my year 12 and 11 subjects- i'd say prioritise your 3&4's in terms of being ahead (beneficial but you dont have to!), prac exams, preparing for SACs, etc, but make sure to complete homework & other tasks in year 11 subjects, as what you learn in units 1&2 sets the foundations for 3&4.

ps: i noted that you're studying methods/specialist 3&4 to prepare for next year, which is great! but you'll have lots of time next year to do practice exams for them, so rushing through the whole course now isn't necessary. of course that's just my opinion, but spending as much spare time on your 3&4's this year will assist in ensuring that you achieve a high study score!

[Swagadaktal]

Yes yes yes, 1000x times yes
I wish I could have done 3 3/4s. I also contemplated picking up arabic 3/4 but the VSL school commute was too long so I decided against it.
Doing 2 3/4s in year eleven, I found that I enjoyed my subjects thoroughly compared to my 1/2s. I think the fact that the things you are learning will a) directly benefit your future, and b) are examinable, you take more time to learn the content. And as with everything, the more you know the more you enjoy it. Even if you may not particularly enjoy the subject, mastering a subject is fun regardless.
+ The added responsibility of having 3 3/4 subjects makes your time worthwhile, as you can score well in all your subjects this year and make year 12 a breeze!
If things go to shit you can also relax knowing you have year 12 ahead of you. And I think most schools make you pick up 4 subject s in year 12 because of administrative crap so if one of your subjects dont go to plan, it will be your 7th subject and not even in your bottom two..
So I'd do it, try see how comfortable you are
Btw if you finish all the methods content before year 12 (not sure about spesh) you'll find year 12 extremely boring. I finished the content a term early and I just absolutely bored myself to death doing practice exams, they're just so boring once you finish the VCAA ones because some companies are just so stupid tbh - so dont add that stress onto yourself to complete the entire course.

[Photon]

Yes yes yes, 1000x times yes
I wish I could have done 3 3/4s. I also contemplated picking up arabic 3/4 but the VSL school commute was too long so I decided against it.
Doing 2 3/4s in year eleven, I found that I enjoyed my subjects thoroughly compared to my 1/2s. I think the fact that the things you are learning will a) directly benefit your future, and b) are examinable, you take more time to learn the content. And as with everything, the more you know the more you enjoy it. Even if you may not particularly enjoy the subject, mastering a subject is fun regardless.
+ The added responsibility of having 3 3/4 subjects makes your time worthwhile, as you can score well in all your subjects this year and make year 12 a breeze!
If things go to shit you can also relax knowing you have year 12 ahead of you. And I think most schools make you pick up 4 subject s in year 12 because of administrative crap so if one of your subjects dont go to plan, it will be your 7th subject and not even in your bottom two..
So I'd do it, try see how comfortable you are
Btw if you finish all the methods content before year 12 (not sure about spesh) you'll find year 12 extremely boring. I finished the content a term early and I just absolutely bored myself to death doing practice exams, they're just so boring once you finish the VCAA ones because some companies are just so stupid tbh - so dont add that stress onto yourself to complete the entire course.

Hey Swagadaktal!

I want to pick up the extra 3/4 but I'm really worried that it might have an affect on Bio (aka my most important 3/4). I mean that instead of getting a high score in Bio, I'll end up getting decent scores in all three 3/4s which is something I am not okay with. This is pretty much the only thing stopping me from taking up Arabic.

Also for doing Methods 3/4 and Spesh 3/4, I want to make sure I'm ready for year 12 so that I can pick up Bio as a Uni subject. So instead of doing 5 subjects in year 12, I'll do 4 year 12 subjects + University Bio.

[Swagadaktal]

Hey Swagadaktal!

I want to pick up the extra 3/4 but I'm really worried that it might have an affect on Bio (aka my most important 3/4). I mean that instead of getting a high score in Bio, I'll end up getting decent scores in all three 3/4s which is something I am not okay with. This is pretty much the only thing stopping me from taking up Arabic.

Also for doing Methods 3/4 and Spesh 3/4, I want to make sure I'm ready for year 12 so that I can pick up Bio as a Uni subject. So instead of doing 5 subjects in year 12, I'll do 4 year 12 subjects + University Bio.

Sounds good, by the looks of it you have a plan in mind so that's good.

I guess everything boils down to the fact that next year you're doing 5 VCE subjects - and this year if you have 3 3/4s + methods and spesh (which you arent going to get examined on so let's clump them into 1 3/4 subject) + 1/2 English - that's a manageable load. Given that you do well this year, next year will become easier and in fact your year 11 is actually your year 12...
Sooo do whatever feels right fam - im all outta advice

[Teba]

Heyy!
I done 3 subjects too last year (year 11). Arabic, legal and Further. In total I was doing 7 subjects.
From my expierence I think putting that much pressure on ur self isn't really worth it. I tried to juggle all of my subjects together but it didn't turn out the I wanted it. I would def go with Arabic if you are naturally good at it and enjoy the subject.
Personally, I think if I dropped Legal (which was an unnecessary subject for me) I would've definitely done better with my other subject.
It all depends on how related the subjects you r doing to your future career and whether or not you enjoy the subject.

[Teba]

But if u r up for the challenge I would say def go for it!! I certainly believe if you put the effort it requires (which is a lot) you can manage it!
PS time management is the key