Choosing your subjects at the end of Grade 9 can feel like a difficult task, especially if you do not have a plan of which subjects to choose. Here are some things to consider and some tips to help you make the right decision for you.
Importance Of Choosing Subjects In Grade 10
Choosing your subjects is an important step toward the end of your high school. These are the subjects you will most likely have until the end of your Matric year. So, it is important to make sure you are making the right choices for yourself.
Foundation Of Your Career
The subjects you choose at the end of Grade 9 will influence what courses you can apply to at university after Matric. For example, most universities require at least 50% final Matric mark for Maths Literacy, but you will still be unable to study certain subjects.
However, you only need 30% for Maths to pass Matric and get into university, and you will be able to study many more courses with Maths than with Maths Literacy.
Aligns With The Courses You Want To Study After School
Make sure you check the requirements for the course you would like to study. Also be sure you check at more than one university. This way, you can aim to achieve as many of the entry requirements as possible, so that you have options for where to study after Matric.
The Choice Is Yours
It is important to take these things into consideration when choosing your subjects, even if you do not want to go to university after Matric. It is always better to keep your options open. This is one of the first major decisions you will make, so think carefully before deciding.
How To Choose Subjects In Grade 10
There are many things to consider when choosing your subjects. Some things will narrow down your choices for you, such as:
- The subjects your school offers
- Which subjects can be taken together and which cannot
- What career you want to go into after Matric
It All Starts With Your School
Not all schools will offer all the elective subjects. First, check which of the official subjects your school offers. This will keep you from choosing a subject that your school does not offer and having to change your choice.
Which Subjects Can Be Taken Together
Many schools will offer different subjects at the same time, which means there will be certain subjects that you cannot study together.
Check with your school which subjects are offered at different times, and which are offered at the same time, to know which subjects you cannot choose together.
Keep Your Career In Mind
Check the requirements for the courses you want to study after school. Some courses will have specific subject requirements, which you will have to meet to be eligible to apply.
If you do not have an idea of what you want to study, try to choose subjects that are generally good. For example, Dramatic Arts can help you with confidence in front of others, and with things such as public speaking. These skills will be useful for job interviews.
Focus On Your Strengths
Subjects get much more difficult as you move from Grade 9 into your final phase of school. So it is very important that you think about which subjects you are good at, so that you have the best opportunities
Things To Avoid When Choosing Subjects
Make sure you pick your subjects based on what you are good at. Picking subjects that are not your strengths may cause difficulty in keeping your marks high enough. This will then ruin the fun for you. Rather keep these as extra mural activities, and study subjects that will help you achieve more.
Make sure you choose subjects for your benefit, and for spending time with friends. You will make new friends in your new classes, and you can expand your circle. However, if you choose subjects simply based on where your friends are going, you may end up taking subjects you struggle with, or really do not like.
Can You Change Your Subjects?
Yes, you can change your subjects if you find the ones you have chosen are not working for you, however, you and your teachers must have a good reason for you to apply to change your subjects.
You may change a maximum of two subjects in Grades 10 and 11. In Matric, you may change one subject up to 31 July. Once you are in August, you cannot change your subjects in Matric. It is also important to note that some schools do not allow this change of subject in Matric.
What Are The 4 Compulsory Subjects?
The four compulsory subjects are as follows:
- One official South African language at the Home Language level
- One official South African language at the First Additional Language level
- Maths OR Maths Literacy
- Life Orientation
You will then have three subjects that you can choose. This will make a total of seven subjects that you will take to Matric.
What Happens After Matric?
If you complete your Matric with the wrong subjects, or you want to change your subjects, you can either re-enrol for your Matric year, or you can do a Matric Upgrade after you turn 21.
You can also choose to study accredited courses without Matric, or further your studies at a college, such as Skills Academy, instead of a university.
You can speak to one of the course experts at Skills Academy about their courses and what your options are. There are two ways to contact them:
- Call us on 0800 39 00 27
- Fill in our contact form for a callback
What Have We Learned?
- It is important to choose the right subjects for you so that you have the best opportunities
- You must choose subjects according to your strengths
- You must choose subjects that will help you get into your chosen career
- You can choose generally good subjects if you do not know what you want to study after school
Let us help you choose the right subjects for you. Chat to one of our course experts to decide which subjects would benefit you the most. Join Skills Academy today!
Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 29, 2022