Choosing your grade 10 subjects

Choosing the right subjects for your grade 10 is an important decision. This is so because it can determine what you can do in future. Make the correct choice.

Grade 10 is an important milestone for a student. It is important because that is when you will need to choose the subjects that will study for your Matric. The subjects that you choose can determine what you can do in future. 

How Do I Choose The Right Subjects In Grade 10?

To make the right subject choices for your grade 10, you need to make certain considerations to determine subjects that are right for you. Here are some of the considerations that you will need to take into account:

  • Who you are as a person
  • Career choices
  • Further education
  • Identify subject requirements for further education
  • Understand your subject choices

Who You Are As A Person

When choosing your Grade 10 subjects, first and foremost determine who you are as a person. If you can determine the kind of person that you are, then you can be in a position to choose the right subjects. To know yourself, the following questions can come in handy: 

  • What are my values? – Your values can determine the kind of career that you may want. For example, some professions can take away from home for a longer period. If you value family relationships, such a career may not be the right one for you.
  • What skills do I possess? – The skills that you possess or are willing to acquire can also determine the career choice that you can take and hence your subject choices. For example, if you have good communication skills you can consider a career as a journalist, broadcaster or in public relations.  
  • What are my strengths and talents? – your strengths and talents can come in handy when choosing a career. What makes it unique. For example, are you athletic? If you are, it can be possible to consider a career as a firefighter, policeman or in the army.
  • Where do I want to live? – Are considering living abroad, if so, then your career choices can be limited perhaps to a career that is readily available to where you will be relocating to. Your subject choices can be influenced to suit what you anticipate to happen in future. 

Career Choices

When you have found out who you are, you now have to consider the career choices that are available to you. Do some research on all the possible careers that you will have listed. In your research, consider the following:

  • Fields of specialisation – Are there any specialisations in the career choice. For example, if you want to be a Doctor, you can be a  specialist in one of the following:

    • Oncology – The treatment of cancer
    • Ophthalmology – The treatment of eyes
    • Paediatric – Medical care of children
    • Psychiatry – Mental health
    • Urology – The treatment of the urinary tract
    • Dermatology – The treatment of skin diseases

  • Related careers – Find out the related careers in your chosen one. For example, the following are related to a marketing career:

    • Advertising 
    • Branding
    • Customer services
    • Sales management
    • Public relations

  • Possible employers – You may also want to do some research on the possible employers of graduates of the careers that you wish to consider. This can give you an idea of the job opportunities in the careers that you may wish to consider.
  • Talk to professionals – In your research, you may also need to talk to people who are already professionals in the carers that you are considering. This can give you an idea of the day-to-day activities in the profession. 

Further Education

You will need to consider the requirements needed r to qualify for your possible career choices. Here is what you will need to consider when you explore further education requirements:

  • General requirement for the qualification that you want to achieve for your possible career (Bachelor’s Degree, National Diploma or National Certificate) – This can also guide you on the choice of your subjects
  • The specific subjects required for your course – This will guide you on your subject choices
  • Minimum pass mark that you need to achieve in specific subjects
  • APS, as required by the institution

Identify Subject Requirements For Further Education

Identify subject requirements for the course that you want to pursue. Some tertiary courses may require you to have specific subjects as well as specific performance in the subjects. Also, note that there are subjects that are recommended for certain professions. 

These subjects can give some exposure to a field that you would like to train for. Here are the subjects and the careers that they are associated with: 

CORE SUBJECTPOSSIBLE CAREERS 
Mathematics 
  • Medical Doctor
  • Teacher
  • Pharmacist
  • Physicist
  • Actuary
  • Dentist
  • Town Planner
  • Engineer
  • Technologist
  • Technician
  • Architect
  • Scientist
  • Aeroplane Pilot
  • IT Specialist
Maths Literacy
  • Teacher
  • Computer programmer
  • Social Worker
  • Sales Executive
  • Business Manager 
  • Caterer 
Physical Sciences 
  • Medical Doctor
  • Teacher
  • Pharmacist
  • Actuary
  • Dentist
  • Engineer
  • Technologist
  • Technician
  • Architect
  • Scientist
  • Pilot
  • IT Specialist
Computer Application Technology (CAT)
  • Database designer
  • IT Specialist
  • Computer Technician
  • Software Engineer
Life Sciences
  • Marine Biologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Biochemist 
  • Ecologist 
  • Physiotherapist
  • Botanist
  • Zoologist
  • Pharmacist 
Economics
  • Chartered Accountant
  • Economist
  • Tax Consultant
  • Auditor
  • Stock Broker
  • Budget Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Investment Analyst
  • Market Researcher
Accounting 
  • Chartered Accountant
  • Financial Accountant
  • Bookkeeper
  • Banking Services
  • Production Manager
  • Industrial Buyer
  • Retail Sales Executive
  • Systems Analyst
  • Chief Financial Officer
History 
  • Journalist
  • Public Relations
  • Researcher
  • Archaeologist
  • Historian
  • Lawyer
  • Politician
  • Diplomat
  • Librarian
Geography 
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Journalist
  • Town Planner
  • Rural and Urban Planner
  • Meteorologist
  • Conservationist 
Languages
  • Interpreter
  • Journalist
  • Broadcaster
  • Author
  • Publisher
  • Editor
  • Tour guide
  • Translator 
Hospitality
  • Tour Guide
  • Tour Information Officer
  • Flight Attendant
  • Purser
  • Restaurant Manager
  • Hotel Manager
  • Chef
  • Bartender
  • Waiter 
  • Food and Beverage Manager
  • Banqueting Manager
  • Entrepreneur
  • Events Manager
  • Travel Agent
  • Fashion Designer

Understand Your Subject Choices

It is also important to be aware of what you will learn in the subjects that you will study. Your teachers can help you to understand the type of content in each of the subjects that you will study. Furthermore, your teachers can also give you a good idea of what you will, need to study for the specific careers that you have in mind 

What Is The Best Subject To Choose In Grade 10?

The best subjects to choose in Grade 10 are those subjects that meet your career requirements. The table above shows careers available and the subjects that are associated with those careers. For example, if you want to be a Medical Doctor, you can not choose History as one of your subjects. 

What Are The 4 Compulsory Subjects?

Compulsory subjects are those subjects that you will have to study for Matric. Here are the four compulsory Matric subjects:

  • Home Language
  • First Additional Language
  • Maths or Maths Literacy
  • Life Orientation  

What Are Elective Subjects In Grade 10?

Elective subjects are subjects that are not compulsory, and you can choose whichever one you want. When you are in Grade 10, you can choose one subject from the following group of subjects:

Commerce

  • Business Studies 
  • Economics
  • Accounting

Life Science

  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Computer Application Technology (CAT)

Travel and Tourism

  • Hospitality Studies
  • Tourism

How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Matric?

You need six subjects to study Matric if you are writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC). To meet the requirements of a Matric, you will need to pass five subjects if you write under the Senior Certificate (Amended) programme.

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor:
Razeen Dollie
Date:
June 20, 2022