Starting Year 11

If you are starting Year 11 you and your parents/caregivers will have already made an important decision about whether to continue your education. However, you need more than the encouragement of your parents or caregivers and teachers to succeed in Year 11. To succeed, you need to accept responsibility for your own education. Self-motivation is vital in Year 11.

You start to prepare for your HSC in Year 11 so it's important to get settled into a good study routine at the beginning of the year. Homework and study requirements will increase markedly in Year 11 and even more so in Year 12. The amount and quality of effort will be directly reflected through HSC achievement outcomes. However, studying doesn't have to be a drag. If you have some sound study strategies and time management skills you'll find it easier to manage your homework.

Deciding which subjects to study in Year 11 is extremely important. The main factors to consider are:

• your abilities
• your interests
• your career choices

It's advisable not to base your subject choices on:

1. Friends: Your friends often have different abilities, interests and motivation from yours.
   
2. Teachers: Don't select a subject because your favourite teacher may be teaching it. Teachers are often given other classes or change schools. Choose for you!
   
3. Excursions: Many subjects have interesting excursions. Don't endure two years of misery for one particular excursion if you are not suited to that subject.
   
4. Rumours: It is pointless to study a subject you are NOT interested in, or NOT good at, because of rumours about jobs or marks.
   
5. 'Easy Subjects': None of the subjects you will be able to select from are 'easy' subjects. Your success in any subject depends on your commitment and enthusiasm.
   
6. Boys' Subjects / Girls' Subjects: There are NO separate subjects for boys or girls. If you are good at or interested in a subject then it is for YOU.

If you wish to enter the workforce after completing the HSC consider:

• The subjects you choose in the Senior School may be very important in determining the career direction you take.
  
  
• The subjects you take may influence an employer to select you for a particular position. In particular consider VET Framework courses which are dual accredited vocational courses such as Information Technology, Retail. These courses give you specific competencies which are valuable in the workplace.
  
  
• If you are certain that you will not be applying for entry to a university you may consider applying to NOT have a UAI.

If you wish to pursue tertiary study after completing the HSC consider the following:

• Prerequisite Subjects: Particular school subjects are sometimes compulsory for studying certain tertiary courses. These are called prerequisite subjects. Entry to these courses without HSC results in these subjects is not permitted. Some courses require that you achieve a prescribed standard in a specified HSC course before an offer of a place is made.
  
  There are also Subject Prerequisites - some particular subjects within a university course require that you achieve a prescribed standard in a specified HSC course before you are allowed to enrol. If you do not have the required subject prerequisite but do have a suitable UAI you may still be selected for the course but may be unable to take the particular subject within the course.
  
  
• Assumed Knowledge: Particular school subjects are often assumed knowledge for certain tertiary courses - that is, university lecturers will assume students have studied this subject for the HSC and their lectures will not cover these subjects again. Study at tertiary level without background knowledge can be extremely difficult.
  
  
• Recommended Subjects: Specific school subjects are often recommended for tertiary courses, but your chances of selection are not affected if you haven't studied these HSC courses. This course information is outlined in the Tertiary Entrance Requirements - 2005: Year 10 Booklet available from the school Careers Adviser.
  
  
• University Admissions Index: This score is used to select students for courses at university. An explanation of the UAI is outlined in the Tertiary Entrance Requirements Booklet.

Essential research:

1. Prerequisites, assumed knowledge and recommended HSC courses are listed by the universities in the UAC Tertiary Entrance Requirements.
   
   
2. Discuss your subject selection after the explanation of the HSC requirements with the school Careers Adviser.
   
   
3. Discuss your selection of subjects with your parents or caregivers.
   
   
4. Discuss subjects you may like to do with Head Teachers, teachers and senior students.
   
   
5. Investigate career and employment opportunities, appropriate training courses at university and TAFE levels.
   
   
6. Find out about courses and 'on the job' training. Use the School Careers Resources, visit Open Days at Universities and TAFE Colleges.
   
   
7. Talk to employers, tertiary personnel and ex students.