Is Specialist Maths worth it? *Unique Situation*

[mandyqu1112]

I'm currently in year 12 doing 4 subjects: English, German, Methods, Further. I really regret not picking spec and have recently started working through the SM textbook myself. I have been sitting in on one of my school's SM classes during my private studies and I really enjoy it. Right now I spend about 3 hours every night on spec trying to catch up to the class.

Everybody thinks this is a terrible idea and a waste of my time because I should be focusing on subjects that I'm actually going to receive a study score for. But I hate English and can't bring myself to do the work for it, whereas I look forward to doing exercises in the SM textbook. I've been slightly disheartened because nearly all the reactions I've received from friends and family are negative.

I'm hoping on getting some unbiased opinion from everyone - should I keep on self-learning the spec course or give up? Would it be beneficial for uni(commerce related degree)? Thank you for your input.

[Sine]

I'm currently in year 12 doing 4 subjects: English, German, Methods, Further. I really regret not picking spec and have recently started working through the SM textbook myself. I have been sitting in on one of my school's SM classes during my private studies and I really enjoy it. Right now I spend about 3 hours every night on spec trying to catch up to the class.

Everybody thinks this is a terrible idea and a waste of my time because I should be focusing on subjects that I'm actually going to receive a study score for. But I hate English and can't bring myself to do the work for it, whereas I look forward to doing exercises in the SM textbook. I've been slightly disheartened because nearly all the reactions I've received from friends and family are negative.

I'm hoping on getting some unbiased opinion from everyone - should I keep on self-learning the spec course or give up? Would it be beneficial for uni(commerce related degree)? Thank you for your input.

Hmm I agree that It's just wasted time if you are spending 3 hours a night studying something that doesn't contribute to your atar and effectively bringing it down. You can always learn spesh during the summer holidays. However, it would also depend on how important your ATAR is to you.

Is there any positive outcomes from it for you? (outside of learning)

[mandyqu1112]

Hmm I agree that It's just wasted time if you are spending 3 hours a night studying something that doesn't contribute to your atar and effectively bringing it down. You can always learn spesh during the summer holidays. However, it would also depend on how important your ATAR is to you.

Is there any positive outcomes from it for you? (outside of learning)

The only measurable positive outcome I can think of would be the chance of the SM content complementing what I'm learning in Methods and possibly help boost my methods score. Maybe I'll skip over chapters that don't overlap with the MM course and try to consider it as a hobby instead of spending too much time on it per night.

[Aaron]

I think it is impractical to study something that won't contribute directly to your study score/ATAR. You have holidays, after you finish year 12 (a long 3 or so months) to engage with the content in SM.

Realistically you only have one shot at this (VCE) so keep focusing on the subjects that will make a difference.

Right now I spend about 3 hours every night on spec trying to catch up to the class.

Catching up in a class that has no weighting on your ATAR/study scores.... it doesn't make sense. These 3 hours could be trying to improve English (as an example). You would be better off putting these 3 hours to methods if you still want to keep it math-related.

I've been slightly disheartened because nearly all the reactions I've received from friends and family are negative.

Of course what you do is up to you.... and I get you enjoy it.... but you need to be realistic.

I think your remaining time should be spend relaxing, leisure activities etc. If you study all the time, how can you de-stress and be in the best state of mind?

So in terms of "is it worth it".. i'd say no, given your current context.

Just my thoughts.

[Professor Polonsky]

Concentrate on your VCE, do spesh over summer / at uni.

Only exception would be if you think you're an absolute shoo-in for the course you want to get into, and don't think you have a chance (or are willing to forgo the chance) of any ATAR-based scholarships.

[Sine]

The only measurable positive outcome I can think of would be the chance of the SM content complementing what I'm learning in Methods and possibly help boost my methods score. Maybe I'll skip over chapters that don't overlap with the MM course and try to consider it as a hobby instead of spending too much time on it per night.

still would not be efficient since that time could just be 100% put into methods and boost your methods score more.

Anyway you shouldn't be using  spesh maths techniques in maths methods as a lot of the time most of the marks will be "method" marks and you shouldn't needd to. Some people will say you can use any type of math as long as it is correct (citing their teacher or an assesor) but if at least 1 assesor in the state doesn't agree there really is not point to take that chance.

[TheAspiringDoc]

Spec helps Methods a lot in my opinion. Mainly because it just helps with the general understanding of maths, and things like recalling trig values or making methods diff/antidiff seem easy. And it helps you learn to use your CAS, spending many extra hours every week doing spec. My thoughts are - do a practise test for spec covering everything the class has done so far, and if you get a decent mark (maybe 70%+?), then pick up spec!

[Orb]

For a commerce related degree, unless you want to major in Actuarial studies, the mathematics in Specialist is generally more complex than the ones you'll encounter. If you do well in Methods, then you'll be more than fine for the Maths in BComm at Melb and Monash

[sarangiya]

...if you get a decent mark (maybe 70%+?), then pick up spec!

Unfortunately the cut-off dates for Unit 3/4 enrolments and withdrawals was the 30th of April, so picking up a subject isn't an option
Good advice for any year 11s feeling a similar way though.