01 Mar 2021

Dropping a HSC subject can be a perfect choice for you for a multitude of reasons!

If the class is:

  • Too challenging or time-consuming that it's causing your grades in other classes to suffer
  • It's causing stress and anxiety
  • Not your vibe
  • Is a colossal waste of time

Then dropping this subject may just be the perfect idea for you!

In saying that, sometimes we can be a little rash with our choices. Rather, it might be a cause of I need to drop out of a class because I failed one assessment or because our mates are running for the exit gates too.

Here are five reasons why you maybe shouldn't drop out of that HSC subject.

1. Right before an assignment

You might be absolutely buggered and frazzled by all the assignments you need to do and this particular one from this particular subject might just be pushing you over the edge. 

If you're just trying to avoid doing that one assignment by dropping out, that may be a little impulsive. I mean, if we all gave in to our impulses when our workload all got a bit much, we would have dropped out of school months ago. Heck. Even years ago!

You got this!

2. Because of one assignment

I know the feeling. When your gut drops and you awkwardly try to seem like you don't care when your mates ask what your marks were. Wrenching stuff. 

But one mark won't bring down your HSC/ATAR! One bad mark doesn’t make you a failure, anymore than one good mark gets you into university.

Take a breather and strive to do better next time! It's all g.

3. Without actually trying

You might think a subject just isn't for you because your grades aren't too red hot. That's fine! We all have our strengths and weaknesses. 

But here's a question I want you to answer real quick.

Have you really tried?

Some of you would say "yes, of course!" and roll your eyes as you remember the countless all-nighters you spent studying. But others wouldn't be so sure...

Have you really given it your best shot or did you just decide from day one that you weren't good at it? Maybe you could try to hone in on this subject more, perhaps with some tutoring or chats with your teacher. You never know, you could just be unreal at it.

4. Because you hate the teacher

I know that hate is a strong word, and that's why I use it when talking about my music teacher in high school. They genuinely had a vendetta against me and would give me detention if I so much as looked at them in the wrong way. 

Look, I had been playing the violin since I was three years old and loved music to my core and even though this teacher made some classes unbearable, at the end of the day, I loved music and I wanted to study it.

See if there's anything you can do about this. Can you maybe act like less of a class-clown (in my case)? Can you talk to the careers guidance councillor and see what they can do? 

5. Because your mates are

When it comes to choosing if you should drop a subject, it shouldn’t really be based on what your mates are doing. Sure, you may miss taking the absolute mick out of everything and anything, but if you're genuinely interested in this subject, or you might need the subject for your Post-School Plan, dropping out of a HSC subject because your mates are isn't the best idea.

So have a deep think and look at the big picture. It's fine to yeet out of a subject but make sure you have valid reasons why.