ATAR Notes: Forum

HSC Stuff => HSC Subjects + Help => HSC Science Stuff => Topic started by: jinbae9292 on May 10, 2019, 12:05:16 pm

Title: CHEM OR PHYS !! please help :(
Post by: jinbae9292 on May 10, 2019, 12:05:16 pm
Hi !!

I am currently in yr 11 and doing one science which is phys.
I know it is term 2 but after discussions with my deputy, it is still not too late to change one of subjects back to chem.
I originally did both phys and chem but then later changed chem to IPT as a family friend of mine told me IPT is very easy to achieve band 6.
Everyone I ask, half says chem is harder, half says phys is harder. So... I don't really know who to believe as many 4u students told me they find chem harder even though it uses less maths and other 4u students who tell me phys is harder.
I am very conflicted as I don't know what I should do and if I should change IPT back to chem as IPT is very very boring for me and rather get a lower mark in chem than do IPT.

Maths wise, I excel far better in english so phys does get quite difficult for myself time to time and I do struggle but I enjoy learning physics a lot and would like to keep it... but I guess for the benefit of my atar I am willing to change phys to chem if I need to.

Which option would be most beneficial for me ?
- Both chem and phys
- Just phys
- Just chem
Thank you :(
Title: Re: CHEM OR PHYS !! please help :(
Post by: jamonwindeyer on May 10, 2019, 12:25:08 pm
Hey there! Welcome to the forums ;D my answer is pretty simple: Never do something for the benefit of your ATAR. That will look after itself! If you hate IPT you'll probably do worse in IPT than you would in a subject you enjoy. For that reason, I'd say keep Physics and swap back to Chem, get back to enjoying your classes! :)
Title: Re: CHEM OR PHYS !! please help :(
Post by: DrDusk on May 10, 2019, 09:03:37 pm
I'll provide a bit of a different perspective :)
IMO if you excel in English, you would be better off in Physics, because HSC Physics is basically an English course. Now I know its the new syllabus and all but the sample paper still has like 9 marker essays haha. Even if you get a bit of Physics you could ace it because even the math type questions are nothing but the same thing repeated in a different format.

I don't agree that HSC Phys OR Chem are 'hard' courses, if you study hard, practice your essays, you'll ace it. It doesn't require much critical thinking or problem solving.

Rest I agree with Jamon, take Chem and Phys because you'll most likely not do well in a course you hate!
Title: Re: CHEM OR PHYS !! please help :(
Post by: stella_atarnotes on May 11, 2019, 12:19:37 pm
Just a few things I want to share from my experience doing the HSC.

Never do a subject for the scaling. Rather choose a subject you think you will do better at. Relying on scaling can be risky, particularly if you are doing badly at a subject or if your cohort at school is doing badly in the subject as a whole.

Also, its good to look into what topics you will be studying for the year 12 course as this differs from the year 11 course. For example, I loved physics in year 11 because of the kinematic calculations and mathsy aspect, but this changed in year 12 where I was really struggling with quantum physics and really didn't like physics after that.
Title: Re: CHEM OR PHYS !! please help :(
Post by: mango8 on May 12, 2019, 04:40:04 pm
Hello there!

I can't tell you what subjects to do, in the end that is your own decision, but I will provide my own view on this. Asking people for their takes on subjects is both beneficial and confusing, because you get so many different perspectives with some people saying chem is easy, physics is easy, IPT is easy. While you should take it all into account, you are the only one who truly knows your own abilities the best. If you do find IPT that boring, unless you think it will be useful for you in the future (remember there are always various pathways to get somewhere), then it may be best to swap it for chem. But take into consideration how confident you are in chem and the time you will have to improve if you aren't as confident in it (because some Year 12 concepts require prior knowledge and if you have gaps there, you will find it very difficult, but, a lot of concepts are new as well). Check out the study designs for year 12 course, and talk to teachers in that field. All in all, if you feel like you can prepare yourself and set yourself up for a great year in chem, then do chem! But you will need to have a fairly solid understanding before next year.

I think from what you’ve said, I would encourage you to keep physics, but not to do so ‘for the sake of your atar’, because no matter how good scaling can appeal to everyone, I’ll put it bluntly, if you don’t do well, or your cohort sucks, scaling is not going to save you. BUT since you enjoy physics so much, you will put in the effort and time into it, because you want to do well and have more motivation to do so when you enjoy a subject, and it’s okay, when you do come across difficult concepts, just ensure you clear it up with your teacher straight away rather than letting it all pile up (Year 12 experience, definitely do so right away). Everyone rabbits on about the importance of chem being a prereq and to just do it, but there are always a whole bunch of ways to get to your desired career.

Do you know what you want to want to do later on (might help make the decision easier)?

Just take into account whether doing something may benefit you in the future, as well as your own strengths and weaknesses but can I stress DO NOT WORRY about how subjects will affect your atar, in the end, if you are happy with your subjects, and you do the best you can in all of them, the rest will take care of itself and fall into place.

Hope I helped you! Let me know if there is anything else you need help with at all! 😊