Harrison is a current Year 11 student currently studying two 3/4 subjects.
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Completing two Unit 3/4 subjects in Year 11 can be extremely rewarding, yet challenging. This year, I have chosen to undertake both Maths Methods and Biology as Unit 3/4 subjects, while having another four 1/2 subjects. At this point in time, I’ve found the workload to be very manageable and even quite relaxing at times, although, this may be partly because I’ve only had two Biology SACs so far and we don’t have our Methods SAC until the end of term two. However, this isn’t the same for everyone and here are some of the benefits and drawbacks that I had to consider prior to selecting two 3/4 subjects in Year 11.
Pros of studying two 3/4 subjects in Year 11
The main reason why I eventually decided to select two Unit 3/4 subjects in Year 11 is simply because it helps to reduce your workload in Year 12. In some schools, they have a requirement of completing at least six subjects for VCE to help maximise your ATAR. Thus, by completing two of the six subjects required, you only need to undertake four subjects in Year 12, giving you a massive boost in time to spend on other subjects which you find more challenging. Although, it can be noted that at some schools, like my own, it is mandatory to complete at least five subjects in Year 12, and in that case, I’m thinking of picking a uni subject. By picking up a uni subject, you can still benefit from a reduced workload in Year 12 as it might take less work to achieve a good score in a uni subject than undertaking another VCE subject.
The classic 3/4 subject combinations to do in Year 11 generally all include one of the following subjects: Business Management, Biology, Psychology, Maths Methods and a language like Chinese. In most of these subjects, for example Biology and Business Management – they don’t require the completion of Units 1/2 so everyone can just jump to the Unit 3/4 course! However, they are very content heavy subjects, and so you need to spend a lot of time memorising key terms and learning concepts which can be a very time-consuming process if you decide to take the subject in Year 12. Therefore, it’s really beneficial to complete the content heavy subjects in Year 11.
Another advantage of completing two Unit 3/4 subjects is that you get a really good taste of what the Year 12 workload is like – which allows you to develop exemplary work ethic and note-taking skills. The step up from Year 10 to Year 11 is actually pretty significant, so you may struggle to keep up at the start of the year, but eventually you’ll get used to it and adapt. These study and time management skills you develop in Year 11 are pretty useful in Year 12 and allow you to go into Year 12 at the end of the year with a better mindset and much more preparation.
Cons of studying two 3/4 subjects in Year 11
The major disadvantage would be increased stress and pressure on your workload in Year 11, however this varies hugely from person to person. When undertaking a 3/4 subject in Year 11, the general idea is to prioritise those subjects over your 1/2 subjects and thus, over time you begin to neglect you 1/2 subjects and your grades start to suffer. Of course, prioritising your 3/4 subjects over your 1/2 subjects is the right thing to do. Your 3/4 subject scores are the only ones that really matter since all you need to do is achieve a satisfactory in your other subjects. However, in doing so, you miss out on consolidating a lot of the fundamental concepts which prepare you for the 3/4 course. Therefore, you need to do a lot of catching up at the end of the year and beginning of Year 12 which would effectively defeat the purpose of doing two unit 3/4 subjects to decrease your workload.
Another disadvantage is that by completing two 3/4 subjects instead of maybe just one or none at all is that you’re putting a lot of stress on yourself because the gap between Year 10 and Year 11 is rather big. In VCE, you’re not only coming up against other Year 11 students, but also all the Year 12 students. And the vast majority of the Year 12 students have completed the 1/2 course for the subject and therefore have had a lot more practice at exam answering technique, and have a better foundation for the important concepts in the subject. Even if the Unit 1/2 course if not required knowledge, it does make the subject a lot easier. So, lots of people would argue that by taking an extra year to complete the Unit 1/2 course, you get an extra year to perfect particular skills in comparison to those who go straight to the Unit 3/4 course.
