Graduating as the dux of his school's cohort with an ATAR of 99.70 and a raw score of 48 in Physics, Logan completed VCE in the class of 2022. He pursues his passion for the subject through teaching and resource creation at Complete VCE Education while currently studying a Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) at La Trobe University in Bendigo.

Edited by Eric, General Manager at Complete VCE Education. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science (Physics Honours) and a Master of Teaching in Physics and General Science. He is a VIT-registered teacher with over six years of combined experience teaching VCE Physics in schools, group classes, and tutoring environments.

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It is getting close to the time of year where many must make one of their most important decisions in high school – choosing Year 11 subjects. While this may be simple and straightforward for some students, it can often be a tiring process of elimination and confusion. Your choice of VCE subjects will virtually lock-in the study itinerary of your final two years of school, so it is important to make the best possible choice for yourself.

As specialists in VCE Physics, we will detail all the information you need to know when it comes to making the choice of enrolling in this fascinating subject.

What kind of skills does VCE Physics involve?

Like all subjects, there are of course traits that can heavily benefit a student’s experience in excelling throughout the course of VCE Physics. However, on the flip side, it can also spell an opportunity for those seeking to gain these useful, often lifelong skills under their belt.

This subject does have a heavy focus on application compared to other STEM subjects. As such, some key traits in this regard include:

• An enjoyment of problem solving

• Those of a Mathematical background

• Logical thinking

• Resilience

This is a subject of setback and growth. You will get questions wrong, concepts fumbled, and points misunderstood. Such events nurture strong resilience as regardless of mistakes, there is always ‘light at the end of the tunnel’.

• Being meticulous in your work

• Interest in real-world application

• Scientifically minded

Heavier focus on scientific method compared to other subjects

• Ability to intertwine past topics together

Many of the most difficult questions involve mashing multiple Areas of Study together!

Some of these points may seem a little daunting at first. However, it’s important to note that this is an ideal list, so it would be a miracle if a single student ticked every single box from the beginning. We all must start somewhere, so even just a few of these traits can effectively nurture the seeds of academic growth in VCE Physics. As previously mentioned, even if you do not believe that you bear any of these traits, simply having the desire to adopt such skills is enough foundation for a model Physics student.

Relevance to future pathways:

Physics is of course, not a stagnant pathway. VCE Physics can aid many career pathways, or potentially even be the beginning of one itself with its heavy emphasis on problem-solving and application.

- Engineering

This pathway is one of the most relevant to VCE Physics aside from being a Physicist itself. The skills of real-world application, calculation of an abundance of quantities and strategic problem-solving are all directly related to the skills necessary to an engineer. It also helps that much of the content taught in this subject is directly relevant to content in university, with many institutions even requiring it as a prerequisite.

- Medicine and Dentistry

An incredibly popular option amongst high-achieving students. You will be pleased to hear that not only does Physics help with skills necessary to patient management such as logic and reason, but directly develops the skill of mastering the scientific method, as research is often a large emphasis of medical curriculums.

- Finance and corporate roles

This one may seem a little odd compared to the previous few, but once you sit down and realise the connections, it starts to make a lot of sense. Finance firms and large corporations often end up hiring VCE Physics graduates thanks to the broadly applicable skillset students acquire or improve upon throughout their study in the subject. Whether it be logical-based thinking, a high-affinity for problem solving or a mind suited for application, such skillsets are obviously crucial in the workplace.

- Teaching

For those who love this subject, another pathway it may lead to is teaching. Whether it be Year 12, 11, 10 or even junior years, Physics is an always-necessary teaching position at schools. Not to mention, there is going to need to be someone to mentor the next generation of VCE Physics students!

- Research

Aside from teaching however, another pathway for those truly yearning to become the next Einstein is research in this field, also known as being a Physicist. VCE Physics in this case, quite literally continues following high school graduation and into university for those that major in Physics in a degree such as the Bachelor of Science. For those that do not necessarily plan to specialise in Physics but are still interested in university-level concepts, it’s important to note that postgraduate pathways such as Medicine at the University of Melbourne allow students to study any major they like for the undergraduate portion, and this of course includes Physics!

Final Ideas

You do not need to be a scientist to study VCE Physics. This may not be a subject for everyone, but it can be a highly engaging and rewarding experience for many. For those that…

-   Are interested in researching or teaching Physics

-   Are interested in becoming an engineer or studying medicine

-   Already enjoy problem-solving and application of theoretical concepts

-   Want to obtain lifelong skills of resilience, logical thinking and more

-   Just simply wants to learn more about how the world around them works

…this subject may just be for you! VCE Physics will not however, be an ‘easy’ ride and there may be challenges along the course. Such skills and traits are not inherent to individual students and are acquired with time, whether it be before or even throughout the course of studying this incredibly deep subject.

This is where Complete VCE Education comes in.

One of the most beneficial things a Year 10 or even 11 student can do for their academic success in VCE is to gain a head-start advantage over their peers. By enrolling with Melbourne’s only specialist Physics tutoring centre, you will not only be weeks ahead of majority of schools in Victoria but doing so with highly curated complete materials and lessons with high-achieving experts with extensive experience, whether it be in groups or one-on-one.

If you are truly determined to reach your academic pinnacle in VCE Physics, visit our website to learn more and get in touch with us. We look forward to seeing you, whether it be in our physical classroom in Melbourne’s bustling CBD, or from the comfort of home online on Zoom.