Choosing subjects for high school can feel like one of the most momentous decisions of your life, but what you choose may not be as life-defining or restrictive as you think.

What subjects do I choose if I don’t know what to do after high school?

Lots of people have no idea what they want to do after high school and this can affect what subjects they choose. If this sounds like you, ask yourself: 

• What am I naturally good at, and what have I become good at?
• What am I interested in and what makes time pass really quickly for me? Think of things unrelated to school, too.
• Do I like to work with others and bounce ideas around a team or am I better flying solo?
• What skills and education do I need for jobs I like the sound of?
• Can I do work experience to help me see what an industry or career is really like?

Take maths for example, you may love this subject, but why? Is it the simplicity of wrong or right answers, the thrill of problem solving, or you’re just really good at it and you enjoy the sense of achievement?

This may seem like a decision on a subject, but really, it’s a decision on what you enjoy, and the reasons ‘why’ paints a good picture on who you are and where you could take your studies and career.

It often takes time and experience to find out what you want in a career, so don’t worry if you don’t know yet.

Do I need to study prerequisite subjects?

A prerequisite means a subject you must do to be eligible to apply for a certain course at university. At Murdoch University we have recommended subjects, not prerequisites, and even if you don’t do a recommended subject, you’re still able to apply for your preferred course.

While you don’t have to take them, recommended subjects are good to experience because they can firstly help you define if this is an area you’re passionate about and, secondly, prepare you for the topics that may be covered once you get to uni.

What if I struggle with my subjects?

If you struggle with your subjects, start by asking yourself, “why?”

Maybe you don’t connect with how your teacher is approaching the subject. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to speak to them and ask for clarification or guidance. Or, perhaps it’s because you’re not thriving in that learning environment. Are you finding it too distracting or are working in groups when you typically do better on your own?

Maybe – as hard as it can be to admit this – do you not like the subject, university course, or career as much anymore? You may feel like because you’re known as the sporty person in your friend group, or the artist in the family, or you’ve just always been good at science, you always felt as though you should pursue one of those paths

There could be extenuating circumstances outside your control. If so, have a chat to your school. They might suggest reducing your subject load, changing courses or exploring a VET qualification.

Can I change my mind?

Absolutely! If you’re not enjoying your subjects, it’s a good idea to take a step back and reevaluate what it is you want to do. Plenty of people change their mind about what they want to study - even at uni, students can choose to change their degrees.

What if I need help choosing my subjects?

If you need help choosing your school subjects, you can:

• Think about what subjects interest you. You could even talk to your parents and teachers, as they may have some great insights on your skills and talents – some you may not have even thought of yet!
• Have a brainstorm of what job you may want and look at what kind of subjects or course options relate to it.
• There are also many different pathways to university now, so if you realise your school subjects weren’t ideal or your marks weren’t as strong as expected, there are other options available to help you start your uni journey.

Need a little help deciding on your high school subjects for uni? Reach out to our friendly Meet Murdoch team for a chat today.