Contents
1st year BSciP1: Introduction – 2020 Sem 1 Review + some random thoughts
P2: 2020 Sem 1 Results + some random thoughts
Unit reviews:P3: Review of O-week + 1
P4: Review of Week 2 + 3
P5: Review of Week 4 + 5
P6: Mid-sem reflection
P7: Review of Mid-sem break + Week 8
P8: 2020 Sem 2 Review + Results
Unit reviews:P9: Reflection of 1st year
2nd year BSci P10: Review of O-week
P11: Irrelevant segue: How do you study?
P12: Review of Week 1 + 2
P13: Review of Week 3 + 4
P14: Review of Week 5 + Mid-sem break
Uni journal P1.Some random thoughts: I’m currently eating biscuits dipped in tea (this is normal, I think) and listening to some random Jubilee podcast in the background.
This semester was a bit tough for me with a very random but kind of worrying diagnosis in regard to my health but other than that, it has been average. I’m disappointed in missing out on the social and free alcohol aspect of first year but also glad I didn’t have to see too many people (I’m kind of an anxious extrovert). Regardless, I used the extra time for more shifts at work and to reassess my privileges/ fortunate things in my life.
I’ve always been aware of political and social ‘wokeness’ around me, but never have I been as invested in it as this year. I’ve been having active, sometimes flammable, discussions with my family and reading up on history especially in regard to my own culture and people. I had a period of self-loathing and disappointment, about gradually loosing fluency in my native language and being angry at my parents for involving me in cultural events but I’m slowly re-gaining the lost pride in my heritage and plan to go back re-learning the language, (ngl, tiktok had a huge influence on this)
In terms of work, I have been immensely fortunate to still have a job during the quarantine, but I think I’m going to have to venture outwards for a new job, perhaps within science, just to gain some new experiences. As a first year, on the surface level, I’m kind of sad in missing out on the orientation events, joining all these clubs and meeting new pals but putting everything into perspective, obviously, it’s just a case of unfortunate timing and there are definitely much bigger things to worry about right now.
2020 Sem 1: Review - Began a Bachelor of Science after switching around approximately 4-5 times
- Subjects: BIO1011, CHM1011, SCI1020, ATS1338 (check out my reviews)
I started this semester enthusiastically, being type A, I of course had to check out every single review and past unit guide of my subjects, a month in advance, to dot down all the dates, assessment percentages, any tips and things I need to prepare by each week in a massive one note. Actually, I recommend doing that to anyone who likes making too many to do lists, it kept me in check and sane and acted as a massive birds-eye view of the semester. On a side note, I’m also grateful for all the lecturers who put in so much time and effort to make sure, us first years didn’t feel lost and without a support network.
In terms of going into majors… mmm. I’m looking into Physiology and a minor in Biochem as I’m still quite adamant on trying for medicine. So currently, my course plan is organised into fitting the prerequisites for postgrad med and adding a few subjects with lighter content to cushion the harder subjects. I think selecting subjects should be a mix of interest and strategy in a 1:1 ratio, depending on your end goal for your degree. My plan for these holidays is to firstly get some rest, catch up on some shows, maybe get into working out and baking again and read up on GAMSAT prep. Then once it’s a bit closer to semester 2, start preparing my mindset to get organised for the next onslaught of subjects.
Side note: I’ve been reading Atarnotes for a while and wanted to start a VCE journal but was a bit nervous to click that post button. But 2020 is the year of changing it up, plus I really wanted to give back after realising how grateful I am for all the contributors in here.
I plan on updating this every couple of weeks, feel free to ask any qs and Thank you for the platform!