Making the right choice: paving your path to the HSC

For senior secondary students, choosing their final electives can be a daunting process. The following suggestions offer students and parents some guidance through the process to assist in students making practical and appropriate subject choices.

The final years of school are key to any students’ education and future, as they consider career and education options. During these years, decisions will be made on whether they would rather tertiary education or vocational training and they will discover that there are many options available for both.

Students should prepare for choosing subjects by finding out accurate information required to make informed decisions. As an overall guide, it is suggested that they choose subjects that:

• they enjoy studying
• reflect their personal interests
• provide life skills and develop their knowledge and attributes that will be useful throughout their life
• enable them to work from their strengths
• challenge them to make the most of their capabilities
• are likely to provide them with the required University Admissions Index (UAI) to gain entry to a university course or prerequisites required for vocational paths
• offer a range of study that is manageable (they should consider a balance of practical and theoretical subjects)

David Bonora, careers advisor at St Patrick’s Marist College, Dundas stresses the importance of balance of seeking advice from others and making their own decisions.

‘Throughout the process, it is important for students to engage in ongoing dialogue with their parents, school careers advisors and other teachers who they know well,’ said David.

‘However students shouldn’t feel it necessary to choose what their older siblings and parent necessarily believe to be the right subjects.’

It will also be helpful for students to think about their past achievements. They need to consider which subjects they have done well in, or not so well in, and consider what their achievements demonstrate about their abilities i.e. mechanical aptitude, verbal ability, numerical ability, commitment, enthusiasm, and so on.

The connection between choices in school subjects and career choices is one of the most important factors to consider. Students should identify and investigate areas of interest for possible work experience as well as vocational options that can lead to choosing vocational pathways in school. The subject choices should be able to deliver them the broadest range of choices for further education and training and for meeting employer expectations.

It is helpful if for students to have a few career ideas in mind before choosing their subjects. If they are uncertain about this, they would benefit by selecting subjects that will keep several career options open to them.

Students need to fully understand the content and requirements of each subject before making their decision. Information is available in booklets provided by their school, and the Board of Studies has released a very useful information booklet designed to assist students who are currently in Year 10 in planning their Year 11 and Year 12 studies, (see Useful Resources section).

Students can also speak with course teachers and look at books and materials used in the subject. They also may find it useful to speak to students who are already studying the subject; however it is important to keep an open mind as their opinion is subjective.

If you wish to pursue tertiary study after completing the HSC, consider any prerequisite subjects that may be needed for a particular course. Some school subjects are compulsory for studying certain tertiary courses and entry to these courses without HSC results in these subjects may not be permitted.

Scaling makes some subjects more attractive than others, because it can lead to higher UAIs. The scaling process takes raw marks provided by the Board of Studies and estimates what these marks would have been if all courses had been studied by all students, meaning some subjects are scaled up and others scaled down, depending on how the candidature performs. While it is important to know about scaling, remember that because each year of students is different, the scaling each year is also different. The most important thing to consider when choosing your subjects is to pick things that you are good at and that are related to what you want to work towards in the future.

Students need to be prepared to do some research in order to reach an informed decision. Accurate information can be obtained from the following sources:

• school careers advisers can provide guidance on subject selection and information on HSC requirements for tertiary studies
• teachers who teach specific subjects can provide detailed information on the course
• scheduled university information sessions at school
• school careers resources can provide information about course and 'on the job' training
• open days at Universities and TAFE colleges
• community agencies such as job placement organisations and training providers offer guidance on career choices
• employers or people within an industry or organisation that interests the student
• the University Admissions Centre (UAC) tertiary entrance requirements guide lists prerequisites, assumed knowledge, and recommended HSC courses

Mr Bonora says it can sometimes become overwhelming with the abundance of information available to students.

‘There is so much information for students at their disposal and it is a matter of getting the right information,’ said Mr Bonora. ‘If it gets too perplexing, they should consult their school’s careers advisor as they can often point them in the right direction.’

To succeed, students essentially need to accept responsibility for their own education. There are a number of common traps to avoid.

• Don’t choose a subject because your friends have chosen it as they often have different abilities, interests and motivation from your’s
• Don’t select a subject just because your favourite teacher may be teaching it
• It is pointless to study subjects that you are not interested in because of hearsay, find out the facts first
• Don’t select subjects because they are said to be easy. Your success in any subject depends on your commitment and enthusiasm
• There are no subjects limited to boys or girls. If you are interested in a subject then select it, despite perceived gender issues.

It is not just students who can find the final years of school a very challenging time. During interviews with students, teachers and parents, it was suggested by Charles Sturt University, that family members also need guidance during the final years of their child’s education. They want to help but are often fearful of appearing to interfere.

Be realistic in your expectations as to where the HSC leads. For some HSC students, university study is not the right option. Encourage your child to seek help from teachers or the school counsellor if he or she is having any difficulty with choosing their subjects. Ask your child questions and highlight their strengths and successes.

Making their subject choices is a very big decision for your child. However if they do some ‘homework’ and make an informed decision, they will be better able to make the right decisions for their future.

Useful resources 

Australian Government Job Guide 

Board of Studies, NSW 

This website offers many useful online resources offering information on individual HSC subjects and support for parents.

Career Development Association of Australia 

Find a career counsellor in your area using the Australian Association of Career Counsellors website.

Centrelink Career Information Centres

Career Information Centres can help customers make informed decisions about education, training and employment options and pathways.

Graduate Careers Australia 

Graduate Careers Australia's information and contact details for university career centres in Australia and New Zealand.

My Future 

A joint initiative between Australian State and territory governments that provides Australian career information and an exploration service.

University websites

University websites offer useful resources for future students

Year 12 - what next? 

A guide to help students plan their post-school education and training.

Youth Pathways 

Under Youth Pathways, eligible young people will receive services to support them to achieve their goals and better equip them to successfully make the transition through school and from school to further education, training or employment.

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