Starting VCE Next Year (Year 10) - any tips?

[geminii]

Hi everyone,
I'm starting VCE next year and I'm planning to do Biology 1&2 (my own choice) and Maths Specialist 1&2 (compulsory for me, unless I want to go down to the mainstream maths group and learn everything I've learnt this year all over again next year). I have a few questions:
- When should I start studying? I'm a really big procrastinator  And how long should I spend studying each day.
- Any good websites with information? I don't want to go spending money on VCE practice books 
- I think I might want to be a clinical geneticist OR a business lawyer when I'm older (I'm really torn). Any advice? And also, what subjects should I take to become a clinical geneticist/business lawyer?
Thanks so much! I'm halfway through year nine this year, so I'm new to everything, and any help would be appreciated. 
Thanks again!!

[walkec]

- When should I start studying? I'm a really big procrastinator  And how long should I spend studying each day.
Start studying a bit in year 10, more for your 1/2 subjects and a bit before year 10 exams (if your school has them). Work out what study techniques work best for you. I'm in year 12 this year and I spend about 3.5 hours on average a day studying. My advice is to not study too much in year 10 because year 10 is a year where you should be enjoying yourself before things get more serious. Maybe 2 hours of study a day at the most, because if you study too much now, you will probably burn out and then this makes it hard to recover.

- Any good websites with information? I don't want to go spending money on VCE practice books 
Google is an awesome resource, because many schools have Wikipages where you can access notes from other schools and access their old SACs. This forum is also great There are lots of people willing to help you out. Also, check out vTextbook too!

- I think I might want to be a clinical geneticist OR a business lawyer when I'm older (I'm really torn). Any advice? And also, what subjects should I take to become a clinical geneticist/business lawyer?

My advice is to not be so definite in what you want to do when you're older. When I was going into Year 11, I was toying with doing Occupational Therapy but I wasn't planning on doing any science, so I ruled it out. But I ended up picking up Biology and now I can't imagine doing anything else. A lot can happen (and will happen) between now and when you put in VTAC preferences, so don't aim to become something, because it will probably change. Instead, choose subjects you like and think might be useful for pre requisites. But equally at the same time, if there is a subject you hate that is a pre requisite for a course (for example, chemistry), then that course and pathway probably isn't for you because the content is only going to get harder and more difficult. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that enjoyment of your subjects is essential. If you enjoy what you pick, you'll be more motivated and more positive about school.

[geminii]

Thanks walkec, your advice really helped!!
Any advice on finding out what study technique is best for me? I know I'm more of a night person than a morning person, but I think that'll make it harder for me when I start VCE and even for my tests and assignments this year.
Organisation is also not my thing - I don't have a study schedule or anything and always end up doing my assignments the night before and study for a test the night before too (surprisingly, cramming works for me!!) I know I need to change how I study because it's very inefficient, and yet I'm in the top three in my class, and I frequently score great marks.   
Thanks so much!! 

[walkec]

Thanks walkec, your advice really helped!!
Any advice on finding out what study technique is best for me? I know I'm more of a night person than a morning person, but I think that'll make it harder for me when I start VCE and even for my tests and assignments this year.
Organisation is also not my thing - I don't have a study schedule or anything and always end up doing my assignments the night before and study for a test the night before too (surprisingly, cramming works for me!!) I know I need to change how I study because it's very inefficient, and yet I'm in the top three in my class, and I frequently score great marks.   
Thanks so much!! 

The only way you will find out what works is to try different things. Over the years I've tried making podcasts of my notes, annotated posters, flashcards, making songs out of my notes, summarising summaries. Some of these work for me more than others, so it's really just a matter of trial and error! Also working at night doesn't have to be the enemy. My brother was very much a night person and did very well in VCE, but I'm the complete opposite. I can not function at night. I'll have the motivation to get up at 7am on a Saturday morning to do study before I go to work in the afternoon and I can work so efficiently then, but I cannot write a practice essay at 11pm at night. But others can, so make the most of the time that you work best in.

Honestly, it's great and all to be in the top of your class now, but don't get too comfortable. I have a couple of friends with this attitude in my year and I can see that they aren't working at their full capacity because they are in this mindset. It's quite dangerous really.

In terms of changing your habits, I would recommend trying out different ways of organising your time next year so you can refine this by Year 11. I started off using a study timetable, but now I work better with to do lists. So once again, it's a matter of trial and error!

Biggest piece of advice - enjoy the rest of this year and year 10. I'm not saying you can't enjoy VCE, because I certainly do, but just relax and chill out for the rest of this year and the next because especially come second semester of year 11, things really step up.

[geminii]

Thanks heaps, this'll help a lot! 

[AngelWings]

- When should I start studying? I'm a really big procrastinator  And how long should I spend studying each day.
This is really up to you and your habits at the moment. If you don't like them, change them bit by bit. Don't be drastic.
Also, as a big procrastinator myself, I can personally recommend you check up productivity apps to stop yourself going on unnecessary sites and stuff. On that note, I'd say getting the best out of planners/ school diaries are best, because it's made for a reason. I still procrastinate a bit, I'll admit, but you can always fine tune it over and over again. However, do what you think is best for you and chill.

- Any good websites with information? I don't want to go spending money on VCE practice books 
I didn't really buy any for Unit 1 and 2 subjects, really just 3/4 subjects. Don't worry. I would advise AGAINST using VCAA practise exams until the end of your Unit 3/4 subjects. Searching it up on Google is usually helpful. If you're doing English, there's a multitude of resources online. Same goes for Maths, Sciences and well... most subjects. Borrowing from a family friend or relatives who have done it also helps and your library (local and school) may be the hidden treasure trove you're after. Talk to your teachers and I'm sure they'd love to help find extra stuff to practise with as well. (Best of all, it's most likely to be FREE!)

- I think I might want to be a clinical geneticist OR a business lawyer when I'm older (I'm really torn). Any advice? And also, what subjects should I take to become a clinical geneticist/business lawyer?
Probably study a diverse range of subjects that will lean towards these. Something like Chem or Bio, paired with Legal Studies or Business Management sounds like a way to go. Definitely check up VTAC Course search on Google and see the pre-requisites, and do those subjects. Don't forget to have a bit of leeway though, because you may end up wanting to be something else in the future. (When I was in Year 9, I wanted to be an architect. I gave up after a while, because I realised I didn't really like it.)

I tell a lot of younger students to choose appropriately for what they're considering and get a general overview on the pre-requisites on VTAC Course search before they choose. It helps to be broad and it helps if you have all the general pre-requisites. Some to consider: English (duh), Methods, Spesh, Further, Chem, Bio, Psych and LOTE subjects. These are some of the wider subjects that you might use as a middle-band (basically up your position when it comes to university/ other institutions) or pre-requisite.

[pi]

- Any good websites with information?

Welcome to ATAR Notes

[geminii]

Haha lol 

[Reus]

Enjoy year 11 while it lasts haha.

[Edward Elric]

Some tips
- study consistently throughout the year
- pay attention in class
- always do the homework set by your teachers
- take fridays off, so you can chill and unwind
- listen to instrumental music when studying
- try to get at least 8 hours of sleep everyday
- dont study too late
- make a to do list, and tick them off as you finish tasks

Hope that helped

[nerdmmb]

Don't let anyone underestimate you. Prepare yourself for criticism, lots of criticism and never feel discouraged. Use the feedback you receive to improve your performance.

The one thing that I knew before I started grade 10 was that failures are natural- and remember a failure is not necessarily <50. Depending on your standards, a failure may be anything below 90. I highly recommend watching this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AD-1J7tH4I (Arnold Swarzenegger's 6 rules of success)

I love the fact that you're so keen and motivated- always try to maintain your excellent attitude. ACER/VCE have a habit of crushing students' confidence so don't let this happen to you

Also, note that year 10 is a stepping stone to year 11. Don't rely on other student's study skills- up until year 12, try to experiment with various study styles so that in year 12, you are well prepared and use the technique that works for you
For example, various teachers told me that unless i develop a study timetable allocate time slots for certain activities, i won't succeed but i found that this method ruined my flexibility and made me stress even more. So i stuck with making a list of the things/tasks that i needed to complete and found that it worked perfectly for me

Best of luck and please feel free to pm me for any thing you need

[geminii]

Is there anything I can do during Year 9 that will prepare me for next year? Also is there like any website that teaches you the course material so I can get a basic knowledge of the course before I start it? (For Psychology, Biology and Spec Maths)
Haha I know I'm a little early but it's always better to be prepared 
Thanks for all the great points!!

[walkec]

Is there anything I can do during Year 9 that will prepare me for next year? Also is there like any website that teaches you the course material so I can get a basic knowledge of the course before I start it? (For Psychology, Biology and Spec Maths)
Haha I know I'm a little early but it's always better to be prepared 
Thanks for all the great points!!

In short, no. Years 9 and 10 act as a good foundation for year 11, so there is really not going to be anything you can do which will "prepare" you for next year. If you really want to learn some of the course, I'd recommend Mr Barlow and Douchy's Biology podcasts for Bio.

Not really sure why you're so keen. Year 10 is a great year because it's the last year you can stuff around a bit and just enjoy it in its entirety.

[pi]

Enjoy year 11 while it lasts haha.

Enjoy year 12 while it lasts