Whether you’re looking forward to picking your first electives or you’ve already done so multiple times, subject selection can be an intimidating (and confusing) process.
To demystify the world of high school subject selection and get you on the right track, we’ve partnered up with Findex to bring you our top tips and tricks for making great subject choices! If you want to discover the difference between areas and subjects, our best advice for academic planning, and insights into Findex’s super cool culture, this one’s for you!
Introducing Findex
Findex wants to improve the lives of their clients, employees, and future employees, so it comes as no surprise that they’re offering top tips to help you navigate the tricky world of subject selection!
Despite being all about professional services, Findex’s expertise extends far beyond number crunching. Rather, their employment opportunities span across multiple disciplines (meaning you don’t have to choose all those math subjects if you don’t want to)!
With a tonne of professional opportunities to kickstart any career journey, a hybrid working model, and a strong community spirit, Findex is a company you’ll love working for. If you want to learn more, and we know you do, head over to their employer profile today!
Areas vs. Subjects: What’s the Difference?
When you’re first approaching the task of subject selection, it can be a little tricky to figure out all the terminology. However, once you have the basics down, it really isn’t that hard!
In short, areas are the broader categories that subjects fall into. For instance, Classical Studies is a subject, whereas Humanities is the area it falls under. While it can vary a little from state to state, there are generally about nine key learning areas, and according to Victorian Government Schools, these include:
- English
- Languages (other than English)
- Science
- Mathematics
- Technology
- The Arts
- Humanities
- Business Studies
- Health and Physical Education
There are over 90 subjects that fall under these learning areas, but not all of them will be offered at your school. Instead, you’ll pick from a curated selection of subjects that can change from year to year.
Choosing Your Subjects
While you won’t have the entire 90+ subjects to choose from, you’ll still be spoiled for choice. In fact, it can feel a little overwhelming to pick your first set of electives, but with a solid plan in place, you’re guaranteed to make the right decision!
Choose Subjects with Prerequisites in Mind
If you’re unfamiliar with the term ‘prerequisite,’ it simply refers to things you need to complete to gain access to something else. For example, if you wanted to take Chemistry in year 12, you’ll likely need to take science until your final year. In this context, year 10 and 11 science classes are prerequisites.
When choosing your subjects, it’s important to consider what you’ll want to do in the future and ensure you’re making choices that align with your ambitions. This doesn’t just apply to year 12 subjects either; some of the subject choices you make will impact what you’ll be able to study at university, too.
If you have an idea of what you want to do in the future, figure out what subjects will set you up for access to relevant courses or valuable skills.
Consider Your Passions
When filling out your subject selection forms, you’ll want to keep your passions and strengths in mind. Choosing subjects that get you excited is the best way to thrive at high school and keep your mind focused on your academic pursuits!
If you have a keen interest in a certain subject or area but feel as if you lack the skills, remember that your teachers are there to support your learning! Now is the time to try things out and test new waters. Trust us, they try to keep things introductory in high school; if a subject requires tonnes of prior knowledge, there’ll be a prerequisite for gaining entrance anyway.
Don’t Give in To Pressure: Choose Subjects That You Want to Do
When your best friend is choosing a certain set of subjects, it can be tempting to choose the same ones just so you’ll get a chance to hang out in class. The same thing goes for parental pressure; you might also have a guardian encouraging you to take a certain academic route that you’re not so sure about.
While it’s hard to stand your ground, it’s also super important! You’re the one who’ll be completing all the classwork, homework, and assessments, so you may as well choose subjects that appeal to you. Don’t worry about what others say; we’re sure you’ll make the right choice!
Chat with Your School’s Career Advisor
While this goes against what we advised in our last top tip, it’s a super important step in the subject selection process! Career Advisors are unbiased, and their job is literally to support you.
Run through your choices with a career advisor before locking them in. This way, you can be sure that your subjects will get you where you need to go (and you’re not missing out on any sneaky prerequisites)!
Trust Your Instinct and Chase Your Passions
With a solid understanding of the difference between areas and subjects and our top tips for subject selection under your belt, you have all the necessary tools to make great decisions that will kickstart your future career!
Since you’re so organised, you may as well plan even further ahead and start thinking of a career with Findex! Who knows, checking out their employer profile might just inspire some subject selection decisions!
