18 tips on completing two Units 3&4 subjects in Year 11 through VCE

Doing one unit 3&4 VCE subject in year 11 can seem daunting, with the notion of completing two of them at the same time appearing even more intimidating. But fear not, as below are 18 tips aimed specifically at helping you to achieve success in both of your VCE Unit 3&4 subjects during year 11!

1. Find your motivation.

It is important that you choose two unit 3 and 4 VCE subjects that you are passionate about, so that you are much more likely to stay motivated and much less likely to burnout.

2. Be prepared.

Being mentally prepared to work harder is helpful since the workload of two unit 3 and 4 VCE subjects in year 11 can be significantly heavier than year 10.

3. Understand VCE.

Have a general idea on how the VCE system operates, including the weighting of your SACs and external exams. This prevents the unwanted scenario of not studying hard for a SAC without realising that it contributes to your study score significantly. I highly recommend reading through the Study Designs of your VCE subjects, available from VCAA’s website.

4. Set goals.

Goals that are realistic will help to boost your motivation, whereas unrealistic ones will only undermine your confidence.

5. Prioritise.

It is reasonable to focus a bit more on your unit 3 and 4 VCE subjects compared to your unit 1 and 2 VCE subjects, especially before the SACs of the unit 3 and 4 subjects.

6. With that being said, do not ignore any of your VCE subjects!

It is vital that you keep up with your unit 1 and 2 VCE subjects to lay a solid foundation for year 12.

7. Strive for balance.

Whilst studying two unit 3 and 4 VCE subjects at the same time does not necessarily mean that you should devote the same amount of time and effort to both subjects, it is absolutely true that both subjects require your attention and hard work, and neither of them should be overlooked.

8. Stay organised.

Personal journals and to-do lists can really help you to stay on top of things.

9. Have confidence.

Trust in your ability to ace the subjects as a year 11 and never doubt yourself even when competing against year 12s!

10. Use a variety of study methods.

Try using flash cards. Try teaching the content to others. Try typing up your notes. Doing two unit 3 and 4 subjects is the perfect opportunity for you to explore a wide range of study methods and decide which ones work for you so you can continue to employ them in year 12!

11. Procrastinate wisely.

Instead of aiming to avoid procrastination entirely and beat yourself up whenever you find your attention drifting, try to accept that losing your focus during a really long study session is understandable. Try having shorter study sessions and giving yourself around five minutes to refocus by doing some stretching or having a quick snack.

12. Be friendly to your teachers.

Remember your teachers are always there to help you! They can provide you with a lot of resources as well as invaluable advice.

13. Make friends.

Studying 2 unit 3 and 4 subjects in year 11 most likely means that many of your classmates will be in year 12. Talk to them, share your VCE experience and maybe you will find yourself making new friends in class!

14. Take it easy.

Doing two unit 3 and 4 subjects during year 11 can be stressful, but keep in mind that regardless of your final results, this experience can really help you to become familiar with the VCE system to best prepare you for year 12 success.

15. Take care of yourself.

This means that you should have adequate diet and sleep, as well as strategies to help you cope with the stress of schoolwork.

16. Stay positive.

Feeling that you have messed up that SAC or exam? Chances are you did much better than what you expect. Furthermore, even if it turns out that you did not perform as well as you had hoped, remember to keep things in perspective, and remember that you definitely have the chance to redeem yourself on the next SAC!

17. Learn from this experience.

The knowledge you acquire by completing two unit 3 and 4 subjects in year 11 remains relevant in year 12! Use this experience as an opportunity to find out what works for you and practice time management skills.

18. Finally and importantly, use ATAR Notes!

There are heaps of free resources available and you can receive helpful advice by posting any questions you have about your VCE subjects!

I hope that you find these tips useful and good luck with everything!

Elsa