Should I do spec?

[clarissa1234]

hi,
I'm a year 10 student who really likes maths but I'm not very good at it... I am doing Methods1/2 this year (3/4 in year 11) and I'm not sure if it is a good idea to do spec. I am a 60% student and my parents think that it's too much because i also want to do a language and a science next year. They say that I should enjoy year 12 and not spend all of it studying. I don't want to spend the entire year studying but I want to do subjects that I like. Also, I'm afraid that if I don't do spec, I won't do well in Methods.
What do you think? Spec or nah?

[^^^111^^^]

hi,
I'm a year 10 student who really likes maths but I'm not very good at it... I am doing Methods1/2 this year (3/4 in year 11) and I'm not sure if it is a good idea to do spec. I am a 60% student and my parents think that it's too much because i also want to do a language and a science next year. They say that I should enjoy year 12 and not spend all of it studying. I don't want to spend the entire year studying but I want to do subjects that I like. Also, I'm afraid that if I don't do spec, I won't do well in Methods.
What do you think? Spec or nah?

What is your science? If it was physics I would actually recommend that u do specialist maths. Specialist Mathematics is different from Maths Methods as it focuses more on applying mathematical knowledge. In terms of difficulty, I would probably say that as long as you have a strong maths foundation you should be fine with specialist mathematics.

Don't worry.  If you don't do specialist mathematics that doesn't mean you won't do well in Methods. I know plenty of people who did great in mathematical methods without the aid of knowledge from specialist mathematics. You might struggle a bit in the beginning, but that's not unfamiliar and through help from teachers, parents, peers etc. you'll eventually catch up.

[Sine]

hi,
I'm a year 10 student who really likes maths but I'm not very good at it... I am doing Methods1/2 this year (3/4 in year 11) and I'm not sure if it is a good idea to do spec. I am a 60% student and my parents think that it's too much because i also want to do a language and a science next year. They say that I should enjoy year 12 and not spend all of it studying. I don't want to spend the entire year studying but I want to do subjects that I like. Also, I'm afraid that if I don't do spec, I won't do well in Methods.
What do you think? Spec or nah?

Specialist Maths won't necessarily help you with methods - yes there is some overlap between the subjects but no concept/knowledge from specialist maths needs to be used for Methods. It is actually preffered for methods students to stick to whatever is in the methods course when answering questions - especially to obtain the "method" marks.

I wouldn't read into marks before year 11/12 too much because everyone changes and it is not uncommon for students to improve a lot when vce starts since it is the years that actually counts. However, you are the student so most likely knows better than anyone your ability and potential.

[sara.vce]

I'm hoping to do similar subjects to you next year and I'm also wondering if it's going to be too much to do... I find that I spend most of my time on Methods and I wonder if it'll be the same for Spesh.
I think if it's going to be your last chance to do a subject that you like (maths) and that you probably won't do it in university, you should give it a go. You can always transfer into a different subject if you change your mind.
As for doing well in Methods, I think as long as you study for the subject consistently (and do heaps of practise questions  ) you should do well regardless.
Good luck!