"High-risk, high-reward" is a term that gets thrown about here and there without really any meaning or purpose. Generally, the two rules with any subjects are:
- If you work hard (or rather, hard and smart), you will do well.
- If you like a subject, you'll usually do well in it (unless of course, you like the subject because you bludge all day haha)
That being said, there is scaling and all that, which is important, but not everything.
Physics and Chemistry can be pretty demanding, especially in the coming years. Not sure about photography but I think that's more focused on the quality of your work, rather than how much knowledge you know...?
My advice is to drop to 10 units - it'll be easier on yourself. If you really like German, take it! I would also advise you to pick up 4u maths (if you're good at it), and you can decide between chem, phys, and photography.
Haha, 13 units must be tough. Handling the workload well?