01 Mar 2021

So you're thinking about dropping a HSC subject? You may have been deterred by some or rather encouraged by others saying "you'll have so much more time to focus on classes you prefer" and "why bother if you don't need it."

So what do you choose? Here are some things to consider when dropping HSC subjects.

1. Ask yourself... "am I being dramatic?"

In most cases, yes. But when it comes to school and mental health, nah fam.

One sloppy mark can feel like the end of the world. You may think you're now going to fail the HSC, get a shocking ATAR and be left with zero life prospects... But ponder for a second, do you want to drop out of a subject or are you just overreacting? 

For whatever reason, really sit down and wonder, why do I want to drop out? Look at the bigger picture, talk to your careers guidance councillor, your 'rents and your friends. Most importantly, take your time and a breather.

2. Or do you actually hate it?

Now, if you genuinely hate a certain class with every fibre of your being, that's another story. 

If the class you are considering dropping is so challenging or time-consuming that it is causing your grades in other classes to suffer, it might be time to let the burden go. The same goes if it's causing you stress, anxiety and worry, maybe because you feel so far behind or you just can't make yourself vibe with it.

3. Do you need it for your HSC?

Even though most of us aren’t lucky enough to be in the position of having a clear cut idea of what we want to do after school, it’s a good idea to still think ahead.

A lot of uni degrees, for example, have prerequisite subjects or assumed knowledge such as a certain level of maths or a particular science. So obviously if you think you might be keen in going into a particular field, like engineering or medicine to name a few, then make sure to keep in mind what the entry requirements are before dropping a subject.

Keep in mind that there are other options available, like bridging courses and first-year units - trust us, most of the time you can get into uni regardless of your ATAR. I know, shock horror.

That being said, I knew that I wanted to be a writer and you best believe I was beaming when I dropped maths. It felt like a waste of time, sitting in class and hating on poor Pythagoras when I could have been studying for the classes I actually liked.

4. What units will you be left with after dropping a HSC subject?

What kind of workload will you be left with if you choose to drop a subject or two? 

Obviously, if you drop down to 10 units, you don't have that 'safety net' of the extra class. But, if you were struggling with time management with all the classwork, 10 units may just be perfect. You can really hone into them and give more focus and time to each and every one of them.

5. Do you want a backup subject?

Your ATAR is calculated from your best 10 units, so if you complete more than that you’ll give yourself a bit of leeway: if your results for one course are lower than you anticipated, they won’t necessarily be counted. So, if you only complete 10 units, all your results will have to contribute to your ATAR. 

Is it worth having a backup class? Or would you rather have more time to study for your five favourite subjects?

Now I've given you a lot to ponder, but take your time and make an informed decision on what's right for you.