ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => Victorian Education Discussion => Topic started by: saba.ay on January 21, 2013, 12:36:46 am
-
Hey guys,
So, the year hasn't 'officially' started yet and I'm already panicking. Just thinking about the coming school year gets me all nervous and I'm terrified of burning out/procrastinating/disappointing parents, teachers, etc.
If I don't find ways to calm myself, I'm probably going to have a mental breakdown sometime in the year. Any advice on how to prevent this? How did those who previously completed VCE or anyone who has completed a VCE subject cope with the pressure/stress?
Please and thanks for any/all advice.
-
Falling asleep at the keyboard, so I'll keep it brief:
- Sleep at least 8-9 hours each night
- Don't drink coffee regularly
- Try to eat 3 meals a day
- Exercise when possible
- Pace yourself, don't try to do all your homework at once in a night; do a couple of hours, take a break until you feel refreshed enough to keep working. If you need to, call it a night and go to sleep
- If you fall behind in work, don't panic, it'll only make things worse. Consult with your teachers to work out ways to catch up
- Find a group of motivated friends to study with, set out a group study plan
- DON'T ban yourself from things like Facebook, etc unless it's really a problem. You need to have ways to take a break.
- If you feel guilty not studying at all, pick up one of your English texts/textbook from a subject you enjoy, and have a casual read of it.
-
Falling asleep at the keyboard, so I'll keep it brief:
- Sleep at least 8-9 hours each night
- Don't drink coffee regularly
- Try to eat 3 meals a day
- Exercise when possible
- Pace yourself, don't try to do all your homework at once in a night; do a couple of hours, take a break until you feel refreshed enough to keep working. If you need to, call it a night and go to sleep
- If you fall behind in work, don't panic, it'll only make things worse. Consult with your teachers to work out ways to catch up
- Find a group of motivated friends to study with, set out a group study plan
[/b]
- DON'T ban yourself from things like Facebook, etc unless it's really a problem. You need to have ways to take a break.
- If you feel guilty not studying at all, pick up one of your English texts/textbook from a subject you enjoy, and have a casual read of it.
I really wish I could do this. My friends are smart, but they probably wouldn't do study groups.
-
I think being organised is very important, I'm one of those people who can't study unless everything is neat and orderly. I even made a timetable where I would do one subject each hour and take a break every two hours. During my breaks I would do things like cleaning. I also organised my timetable so I did't do the same type of subject consecutively (ie. methods and spec did not go together). I found this really useful because I wouldn't feel guilty for not studying and I could keep track of my hours.
If I was getting stressed out, I'd do things like watch tv to get my mind off things. You don't want to be studying all the time and it's okay to take a day off.
With burning out, I think everyone burns out during VCE. I know I did at the end of term 3 and I sat around watched tv without actually processing anything for a whole two weeks while doing minimum study and I thought it was okay because the best cure for burn out is doing nothing.
I found that I was a lot happier not comparing my results on SACs, etc with anyone because then I didn't feel cocky if I did better than others and I wasn't upset if I did worse since I didn't know.
-
chicks...
-
I found that I was a lot happier not comparing my results on SACs, etc with anyone because then I didn't feel cocky if I did better than others and I wasn't upset if I did worse since I didn't know.
I wish i could do that but you see the type of school i go to, its like every second person asks what you got and if they got higher its like i feel so bummed, did anyone have the same problem .... how did you get over it because it ticks me off :(
-
Falling asleep at the keyboard, so I'll keep it brief:
- ...
- Don't drink coffee regularly
- ...
Argh, was hoping to drink more coffee this year. lol. But wow, thank you so much for all the advice. :) Hopefully will keep itin mind throughout the year.
I really wish I could do this. My friends are smart, but they probably wouldn't do study groups.
Same, though not for the same reasons. My friends won't do study groups because they're competitive. :P Sharing ideas, having discussions/arguments and trying to 'bounce off each other' will NEVER happen with my group of friends. xD Often times, we just sit in a group and do homework separately.
I think being organised is very important, I'm one of those people who can't study unless everything is neat and orderly. I even made a timetable where I would do one subject each hour and take a break every two hours. During my breaks I would do things like cleaning. I also organised my timetable so I did't do the same type of subject consecutively (ie. methods and spec did not go together). I found this really useful because I wouldn't feel guilty for not studying and I could keep track of my hours.
If I was getting stressed out, I'd do things like watch tv to get my mind off things. You don't want to be studying all the time and it's okay to take a day off.
With burning out, I think everyone burns out during VCE. I know I did at the end of term 3 and I sat around watched tv without actually processing anything for a whole two weeks while doing minimum study and I thought it was okay because the best cure for burn out is doing nothing.
I found that I was a lot happier not comparing my results on SACs, etc with anyone because then I didn't feel cocky if I did better than others and I wasn't upset if I did worse since I didn't know.
Great advice, though I doubt I'll be able to keep to a timetable. Then again, won't actually know until I try, so I will give it a go. :) And won't be telling anyone my SAC scores from here inwards, because I do often get cocky if I end up getting higher, which makes me complacent with future assessments. :/
chicks...
.... ok.?
I wish i could do that but you see the type of school i go to, its like every second person asks what you got and if they got higher its like i feel so bummed, did anyone have the same problem .... how did you get over it because it ticks me off :(
Just don't tell them your mark?
In year 11 for some time, I just stopped telling people my mark, because it was just easier that way, and refused to listen to what they got. When you refuse to tell your mark, I'm sure some people will bitch, but they'll get over it. I mean, it is your mark after all. :)
-
chicks...
Because that would help most females...
-_-
-
My VCE was a bit of a roller-coaster, albeit a very quick one.
I was more in the less-confident side, because there would be all these freaky smart people around me and I felt like I had to do a lot more work AND still got crappier results. That kinda killed my motivation until I just didn't even care about scores/numbers anymore and just focused on learning and doing all the work I was supposed to do.
After UMAT results came out, some people just cbf'd studying anymore because they were just too disappointed with their score. But some used it as fuel to study even more. One of my best friends, who got 83rd %tile in the UMAT, was pretty cut seeing his result because he really wanted to get into Monash MBBS. He was pretty sad the entire night too. But the next day, he rebounded so fast, told me he was going to try get 99.90, immediately started doing Spesh and Methods exams, in the end he got 50s for both Spesh and Methods, got 99.85, and ultimately, a bonded offer for Monash MBBS.
In other words, learn to persevere in the face of disappointment. :)
Of course, if you don't feel comfortable telling your marks to other people, you're not obliged to. It's probably good to gauge where you are in the cohort, but a rough idea is already good enough.
-
chicks...
That is a really dumb answer, even if it is just a joke.
OP, To be honest, don't think too much about the work. I remember vividly of my time throughout VCE being that of 'SACs, Exams, Homework, Tests, Rankings, Help' and as a result, I felt way too overwhelmed. Remember, this was before year 12 had begun!
My advice for you would be to just take it 'one step' at a time and instead of worrying about all the little details, just worry about yourself and how you can achieve the best marks that you want.
And regarding your 'mental breakdown' question, I think it's great to talk about anything that is stressing you out with your friends or teachers. I know it can feel awkward talking to your teachers about your problems but remember that they are their to help you, both academically and emotionally.
EDIT: Fixing grammar/punctuation.
-
My advice is to enjoy yourself, but don't enjoy yourself too much.
-
Argh, was hoping to drink more coffee this year. lol. But wow, thank you so much for all the advice. :) Hopefully will keep itin mind throughout the year.
Try green tea or other types of herbal teas. I only did this before exams.
Same, though not for the same reasons. My friends won't do study groups because they're competitive. :P Sharing ideas, having discussions/arguments and trying to 'bounce off each other' will NEVER happen with my group of friends. xD Often times, we just sit in a group and do homework separately.
I had a friend with whom i would debate essay ideas. It really helped me form my arguments but English was the only subject I had in common with my group of friends.
Great advice, though I doubt I'll be able to keep to a timetable. Then again, won't actually know until I try, so I will give it a go. :) And won't be telling anyone my SAC scores from here inwards, because I do often get cocky if I end up getting higher, which makes me complacent with future assessments. :/
Just don't tell them your mark?
In year 11 for some time, I just stopped telling people my mark, because it was just easier that way, and refused to listen to what they got. When you refuse to tell your mark, I'm sure some people will bitch, but they'll get over it. I mean, it is your mark after all. :)
A lot of people judged me because I wouldn't share my results. Everyone just got used to it after a while and stopped asking because they knew I wouldn't share. In all honesty, I didn't even look at my mid year exam results until the end of the year. I knew what I was doing and what I could have improved on, I didn't need a letter to tell me how I was going. Near the end of the year, I stopped getting SAC scores because there wasn't much I could change and a bad result would just make me feel worse.
My advice for you would be to just take it 'one step' at a time and instead of worrying about all the little details, just worry about yourself and how you can achieve the best marks that you want.
This exactly!
-
It's best just to find the right balance that works for you. For most people shutting themselves up for the entire year and just studying isn't going to work, and is only going to make you burn yourself out and ultimately not perform to your best.
What I used to do once I got home from school each day was make a 'to-do list' with boxes that I couldn't check off until I'd done whatever the study I needed to do. This way I knew what I wanted to accomplish that night, and when they're all ticked off, I knew I'd put enough effort in and learnt what I needed to learn. I try'd to make the activities on the to be specific, so say 'I'm going to do exercises 3D, 3E, 3F'. Most of the time the work got done and I understood what I needed to learn. With that being said, you still need to find a time to take a break somewhere. Something I've been doing lately (didn't do in year 12, I should have though), is going for say 45-60 minute walks/jogs. Its a bit of fresh air, you don't get yourself couped up at home all the time, and can just go and refresh yourself. Then when I get back home I can get back into studying with a fresh mind again (plus my fitness is going up a little bit over time).
On the comparing marks and such, if you want to compare, then do it, but if someone else doesn't want to tell you what they got, then thats their decision, and people should (and will unless they're douches) stop asking. For some subjects it wasn't good for me to compare, for others it was but only with close friends which I knew were at similar levels. Although most of the time for spesh and methods everyone found out what I got since I was getting the highest for most of the time..... teachers... anyway. If it really bugs you comparing, then don't and don't let other people make you feel bad for not comparing. Its your decision and your mark, not theirs.
A few of us helped each other out over the whole year (I swear I spent more time in methods classes helping others than actually doing my own work, which I did mostly at home, but then that was kinda practise for tutoring I guess). It depends on the culture of the school you'er at I guess. If people keep to themselves and don't help others, then its hard to form study groups. BUT it only takes a few people to start off doing that, and when your marks go up from helping the others, everyone else may eventually realise and change. The culture needs to shift, its just a matter of starting that shift. There probably is someone there willing to do the same thing you want to do with helping each other, you just have to find them :P
(gotta try and rap this mess of ideas up :P) In the end its just keeping a balance between studying and life I guess, which for this year may be shifted towards studying a bit more, but you have to maintain other things aswell.
EDIT: Oh and as said previously, keep a good sleeping pattern! Don't sacrifice too much sleep! My friends wondered how I could pick up ideas and such so much more quickly than they could, but it was more due to them having very low hours of sleep, and well they couldn't learn efficiently because of this.
-
What I used to do once I got home from school each day was make a 'to-do list' with boxes that I couldn't check off until I'd done whatever the study I needed to do. This way I knew what I wanted to accomplish that night, and when they're all ticked off, I knew I'd put enough effort in and learnt what I needed to learn. I try'd to make the activities on the to be specific, so say 'I'm going to do exercises 3D, 3E, 3F'. Most of the time the work got done and I understood what I needed to learn.
The checklist method works very well, it's a lot more efficient than saying stuff like "Oh I have to do an hour of Bio, and two hours of Chemistry tonight".
When I finished off what I'd set myself to do, I'd just spend the rest of the night relaxing. Or passively reading some Bio if I got bored and had nothing to do (very nerd-like).
-
And if things get really stressful and you feel as though the wheels are falling off, REACH OUT. To friends, to family, to close teachers, to a professional.
-
I'm already panicking.
Rule #1 : Never panic
Rule #2 : Remember Rule # 1
Also, as someone has already mentioned, stay organised. Anticipate the bottlenecks, and start preparing early, and if need be step up the work rate leading up.
-
And if things get really stressful and you feel as though the wheels are falling off, REACH OUT. To friends, to family, to close teachers, to a professional.
^ THIS. Seriously, don't keep anything held up inside for too long, it will only work against you. Talking is one of the best things you can do to just release everything, leaning on each other got me and a few friends through a good part of the year.
-
In other words, learn to persevere in the face of disappointment. :)
That's really good advice. Hopefully, I'll be one the few who strive to improve after getting disappointing marks, rather than one who lets go all together. :)
My advice for you would be to just take it 'one step' at a time and instead of worrying about all the little details, just worry about yourself and how you can achieve the best marks that you want.
And regarding your 'mental breakdown' question, I think it's great to talk about anything that is stressing you out with your friends or teachers. I know it can feel awkward talking to your teachers about your problems but remember that they are their to help you, both academically and emotionally.
I think I might need to make use of the kids helpline services or something, because I'm a very awkward person as it is, so trying to 'talk' to someone this year will be very difficult. It might just be easier talking to a random person. :P
And it's easier said than done to take it 'one step at a time', but I will definitely try. I think it will become easier when school eventually does start and I don't have so much spare time to sit around and stress myself out. xD
My advice is to enjoy yourself, but don't enjoy yourself too much.
Will have to find a way to give myself a break from studying, although I have no clue as to what I should do, seeing as I can't watch TV/movies ( will get addicted to watching new episodes, etc) and can't read for the same reason. I'll probably go to the park or something. :)
Try green tea or other types of herbal teas. I only did this before exams.
I had a friend with whom i would debate essay ideas. It really helped me form my arguments but English was the only subject I had in common with my group of friends.
I'm already an avid green tea drinker, but thought coffee might be a bit more appropriate seeing as I'll have difficulty getting up in the mornings, etc. :P And I think we're all a bit scared that the other will 'steal' our ideas in English, so we're a bit hesitant in sharing, including myself. It shouldn't be this way, but not much that can be done to change it.
-
What I used to do once I got home from school each day was make a 'to-do list' with boxes that I couldn't check off until I'd done whatever the study I needed to do. This way I knew what I wanted to accomplish that night, and when they're all ticked off, I knew I'd put enough effort in and learnt what I needed to learn. I try'd to make the activities on the to be specific, so say 'I'm going to do exercises 3D, 3E, 3F'. Most of the time the work got done and I understood what I needed to learn. With that being said, you still need to find a time to take a break somewhere. Something I've been doing lately (didn't do in year 12, I should have though), is going for say 45-60 minute walks/jogs. Its a bit of fresh air, you don't get yourself couped up at home all the time, and can just go and refresh yourself. Then when I get back home I can get back into studying with a fresh mind again (plus my fitness is going up a little bit over time).
On the comparing marks and such, if you want to compare, then do it, but if someone else doesn't want to tell you what they got, then thats their decision, and people should (and will unless they're douches) stop asking. For some subjects it wasn't good for me to compare, for others it was but only with close friends which I knew were at similar levels. Although most of the time for spesh and methods everyone found out what I got since I was getting the highest for most of the time..... teachers... anyway. If it really bugs you comparing, then don't and don't let other people make you feel bad for not comparing. Its your decision and your mark, not theirs.
A few of us helped each other out over the whole year (I swear I spent more time in methods classes helping others than actually doing my own work, which I did mostly at home, but then that was kinda practise for tutoring I guess). It depends on the culture of the school you'er at I guess. If people keep to themselves and don't help others, then its hard to form study groups. BUT it only takes a few people to start off doing that, and when your marks go up from helping the others, everyone else may eventually realise and change. The culture needs to shift, its just a matter of starting that shift. There probably is someone there willing to do the same thing you want to do with helping each other, you just have to find them :P
EDIT: Oh and as said previously, keep a good sleeping pattern! Don't sacrifice too much sleep! My friends wondered how I could pick up ideas and such so much more quickly than they could, but it was more due to them having very low hours of sleep, and well they couldn't learn efficiently because of this.
I've tried the checklist method, and it did work in Year 11, until I became lazy and just stopped, thinking I could keep track in my head. BIG Mistake! So, I will be doing that again, hopefully. :) My marks for my maths subjects too are publicly announced, though I tell the teacher not to. I don't want my marks known by everyone because it actually puts pressure on me to do well. I mean, people begin to have expectations of you, and it becomes difficult to try and live up to that. That's what happened with Further this year, and I'm just dreading seeing the teacher, because she's going to be SO disappointed. :/
Again, with the study groups, everyone is just competitive and doesn't want their ideas copied. I understand that, seeing as I'm scared of that too, but I guess in year 12, the more help you can get, the better. So will try to get my friends to form a study group, even if others refuse to do it. :)
& I've been trying to form a sleeping habit over the holidays but have failed MISERABLY. Sleep at 2am, wake at 11-1. Awful, I know. But this will surely change with school starting in less than 2 weeks. :)
And if things get really stressful and you feel as though the wheels are falling off, REACH OUT. To friends, to family, to close teachers, to a professional.
I really can't reach out to family/friends or teachers because my family aren't very open about feelings. (Don't know if that makes sense) We just don't talk- full stop. I can't see the school counselor either because she's probably going to get the family involved and that'll be awkward again. :P So I'll probably need to talk to randoms, if I ever do feel the need to talk, which I probably will. :)
Rule #1 : Never panic
Rule #2 : Remember Rule # 1
Will do, though it is going to be difficult. :D
-
I really can't reach out to family/friends or teachers because my family aren't very open about feelings. (Don't know if that makes sense) We just don't talk- full stop. I can't see the school counselor either because she's probably going to get the family involved and that'll be awkward again. :P So I'll probably need to talk to randoms, if I ever do feel the need to talk, which I probably will. :)
And thats when we here on AN comes in handy again :P
-
I really can't reach out to family/friends or teachers because my family aren't very open about feelings. (Don't know if that makes sense) We just don't talk- full stop. I can't see the school counselor either because she's probably going to get the family involved and that'll be awkward again. :P So I'll probably need to talk to randoms, if I ever do feel the need to talk, which I probably will. :)
You've got an extremely supportive community right here on AN. Seriously. The people over here have supported one another through horrible times, absolutely horrible times. So do not be afraid to open up here on AN - because I guarantee it, you have no idea of the extent of care shown here...I've seen an example of where someone was suicidal and reached out to AN for help, and you should have seen the scene - so many people rushed in to help out and pull this person out of her rut.
I've been there, done that. I've had horrible moments during my year 12 too - there were times when the stress threatened to overwhelm me. The same has happened with me in first year uni. In fact, I think it's about time that I admit that the person Kesh was talking about in the "My friend is disintegrating thread" was me. AN has done so much for me, and it can do the same for you too.
You've got us as a safety net, and you can goddamn guarantee that we are a reliable safety net.
-
I think I might need to make use of the kids helpline services or something, because I'm a very awkward person as it is, so trying to 'talk' to someone this year will be very difficult. It might just be easier talking to a random person.
(I am not too sure how to quote the original author)
But I had actually used Kids Helpline last year and despite it being awkward for myself, the individual on the other line genuinely cared for me. She passionately consoled me and, afterwards, gave me advice on what to do.
So if you really do not feel as though there is no one out there to help you, give them a call.
-
And thats when we here on AN comes in handy again :P
You've got an extremely supportive community right here on AN. Seriously. The people over here have supported one another through horrible times, absolutely horrible times. So do not be afraid to open up here on AN - because I guarantee it, you have no idea of the extent of care shown here...I've seen an example of where someone was suicidal and reached out to AN for help, and you should have seen the scene - so many people rushed in to help out and pull this person out of her rut.
I've been there, done that. I've had horrible moments during my year 12 too - there were times when the stress threatened to overwhelm me. The same has happened with me in first year uni. In fact, I think it's about time that I admit that the person Kesh was talking about in the "My friend is disintegrating thread" was me. AN has done so much for me, and it can do the same for you too.
You've got us as a safety net, and you can goddamn guarantee that we are a reliable safety net.
Wow, well thank God for AN. :) Will be sure to get help throughout the year when I'm feeling low. :)
-
Some really awesome tips here! Thank you guys!
-
That is a really dumb answer, even if it is just a joke.
I meant, hanging out with my female friends not what you thought ~_~
-
Yes... thats why you needed the dots after it... 'we believe you'... :P
-
To be fair, if "chicks..." gets you an ATAR of 97.35, then by all means :P
-
To be fair, if "chicks..." gets you an ATAR of 97.35, then by all means :P
LOL! b^3, pass on your awesomeness to the next generation? hahah
-
I felt the same when commencing year 12. I was all by myself...and there were tonnes of people expecting high achievements from me...And believe me, I spent the whole year with the idea 'what happens if I fail?' I cried many nights because this was my only chance (yes only chance) and I didn't know what I would do if I didn't meet the expectations...I had a terrible start in 2012 by getting 67% in my english sac...and then I had already decided what to do...(getting into a course with 20 in esl..there are a few of them) But then in april or may, I said to myself I gotta do this, not that I can do this..but I have to..no way out...I already bought couple of inspirational biographies in 2011..so I sat down and read couple of pages from each book...day after i borrowed the article we were doing for english from my teacher..after copying every single detail, I spent my whole weekend about how to write a good piece...and I scored 37/40...Once again I felt I could do this..but no..in mid year break, I couldn't even write a single essay...I was so despair...Even though my teacher was motivating me, I knew I was going to get a low score...but at the same time, I was constantly working my way towards the exams...Day in and out I was studying for the English exam...I was confident that I could get adequate mark for the math subjects to get into an engineering course..so my only focus was english...2 weeks before the exam, I was studying like an animal; I had two showers in two weeks and my beard was so long...On the exam day, I was still hopeless..but once I turned the page, I saw the question for the reading and responding part..And guess what..same question as my practice sac question..I did that question and scored a decent mark and my teacher provided me some sample responses...And yeah, by the end of it, I was so relaxed that I did so bad for the math subjects..careless mistakes and so on..but I got into my first preference..
My advise is that: No matter what everyone else says or thinks about you, or expects from you, make your way through this by just studying..there are times when you feel depressed..just grab a cup of tea, and review your dreams...Then ask yourself..Can you do it or do you have to do it? Many people who think they can do it, are the ones who fail..I know from myself
-
Can you do it or do you have to do it?
I don't think that's such a good advice. I mean, of course working is a must but if you mean working towards something you don't want to do in the future, then that's a different issue.
I'm starting this year and my mindset is that it will be okay, alright and that I know I will be able to do it. Move on from negativity because seriously, the more you think about it, the more you become negative. Before you entertain negative thoughts or doubts, think that it's just nerves and move on. It will be only for a little while; everybody has nerves but then you gotta move on and be positive because believe it or not, positivity is a shield. It protects you. If you are positive then you are more likely to be happy and you turn negativity to positivity, which means less stress for you.
The big thing is, sometimes you gotta stop thinking and start feeling. The more you think, the more you doubt, the more you doubt, the more you stress, the more you stress, the more likely for you to become depressed and so on..
-
please read the whole sentence..after reviewing your dreams, we come to your point, positivity...That's what I did..I thought myself as an engineer working for nasa..and then I asked myself: can you do it or do you have to do it? There is a difference..I know from myself...I had such times where I thought I could handle things very easily..but I was destroyed in the end...maybe personal..because I had no other option than VCE
-
What I'm really worried about is, being unable to balance studying/homework between subjects. Last year, I put all my time into my 3/4 and didn't even touch my 1/2s, hence really shit grades there. But I can't afford to do that this year with 5 3/4s!
Any advice there on how to devote equal time and work to all your subjects?
-
What I'm really worried about is, being unable to balance studying/homework between subjects. Last year, I put all my time into my 3/4 and didn't even touch my 1/2s, hence really shit grades there. But I can't afford to do that this year with 5 3/4s!
Any advice there on how to devote equal time and work to all your subjects?
As I suggested earlier in this thread, keep a study timetable.
I made a timetable where I would do one subject each hour and take a break every two hours. During my breaks I would do things like cleaning. I also organised my timetable so I did't do the same type of subject consecutively (ie. methods and spec did not go together). I found this really useful because I wouldn't feel guilty for not studying and I could keep track of my hours.
-
As I suggested earlier in this thread, keep a study timetable.
I've heard that structuring by time isn't the best idea. Rather, structuring by content is the way to go. So instead of saying, "I want to complete an hour of this", work by aiming to achieve x amount of questions.
-
Yeah timetables don't work for me.
-
Yeah timetables don't work for me.
[/quote
+1
-
I've heard that structuring by time isn't the best idea. Rather, structuring by content is the way to go. So instead of saying, "I want to complete an hour of this", work by aiming to achieve x amount of questions.
Yep, I agree with this.
-
I felt the same when commencing year 12. I was all by myself...and there were tonnes of people expecting high achievements from me...And believe me, I spent the whole year with the idea 'what happens if I fail?' I cried many nights because this was my only chance (yes only chance) and I didn't know what I would do if I didn't meet the expectations...I had a terrible start in 2012 by getting 67% in my english sac...and then I had already decided what to do...(getting into a course with 20 in esl..there are a few of them) But then in april or may, I said to myself I gotta do this, not that I can do this..but I have to..no way out...I already bought couple of inspirational biographies in 2011..so I sat down and read couple of pages from each book...day after i borrowed the article we were doing for english from my teacher..after copying every single detail, I spent my whole weekend about how to write a good piece...and I scored 37/40...Once again I felt I could do this..but no..in mid year break, I couldn't even write a single essay...I was so despair...Even though my teacher was motivating me, I knew I was going to get a low score...but at the same time, I was constantly working my way towards the exams...Day in and out I was studying for the English exam...I was confident that I could get adequate mark for the math subjects to get into an engineering course..so my only focus was english...2 weeks before the exam, I was studying like an animal; I had two showers in two weeks and my beard was so long...On the exam day, I was still hopeless..but once I turned the page, I saw the question for the reading and responding part..And guess what..same question as my practice sac question..I did that question and scored a decent mark and my teacher provided me some sample responses...And yeah, by the end of it, I was so relaxed that I did so bad for the math subjects..careless mistakes and so on..but I got into my first preference..
My advise is that: No matter what everyone else says or thinks about you, or expects from you, make your way through this by just studying..there are times when you feel depressed..just grab a cup of tea, and review your dreams...Then ask yourself..Can you do it or do you have to do it? Many people who think they can do it, are the ones who fail..I know from myself
Thanks for that! I like the idea of inspirational biographies. I think I will do that. :) And congrats on finally getting through; guess all the hard work payed off.
I don't think that's such a good advice. I mean, of course working is a must but if you mean working towards something you don't want to do in the future, then that's a different issue.
I'm starting this year and my mindset is that it will be okay, alright and that I know I will be able to do it. Move on from negativity because seriously, the more you think about it, the more you become negative. Before you entertain negative thoughts or doubts, think that it's just nerves and move on. It will be only for a little while; everybody has nerves but then you gotta move on and be positive because believe it or not, positivity is a shield. It protects you. If you are positive then you are more likely to be happy and you turn negativity to positivity, which means less stress for you.
The big thing is, sometimes you gotta stop thinking and start feeling. The more you think, the more you doubt, the more you doubt, the more you stress, the more you stress, the more likely for you to become depressed and so on..
Oh God, that soo sums up me. I always over think things and end up psyching myself out. Hopefully, I'll be able to stop this for Year 12 and take things one step at a time :)
What I'm really worried about is, being unable to balance studying/homework between subjects. Last year, I put all my time into my 3/4 and didn't even touch my 1/2s, hence really shit grades there. But I can't afford to do that this year with 5 3/4s!
Any advice there on how to devote equal time and work to all your subjects?
I'm going to be having the same issue. Though I didn't overly neglect any subject in Year 11, seeing as I needed to maintain an A+ average to get a scholarship (:P), I procrastinated a lot and found it extremely difficult to balance my time. I think the best way to manage your time IS in fact to monitor how much time you dedicate to each subject using a timetable. Also, try and make use your of your 5th and 6th subject. Be aware of the fact that they only contribute 10% so dedicate your time accordingly. :)
I've heard that structuring by time isn't the best idea. Rather, structuring by content is the way to go. So instead of saying, "I want to complete an hour of this", work by aiming to achieve x amount of questions.
Agreed. I tried organizing my timetable by hours, and it did not work. I mean, when I first wrote it all out, I was happy as hell because I could see how much work I could complete and I was excited to actually finish it all. But then when I actually started doing everything, I went over time, more often than not. :P So, I'm back to just writing out which subjects I want to do for the day and how much of each I want completed. I then fit this into my day however I can. :)
-
Don't mind me... I don't really have anything helpful or constructive to say but, I've been reading through this thread, and just wanted to say to everyone who's posted: there's some amazing advice here and so many candid stories, you guys are so supportive of each other, it's lovely! Also, all of this is so pertinent, not just to year 12 and VCE, but to uni and life in general :)
-
study for one subject and if you can't be botherd anymore get to the next one. For timetables, I would have a essay-timetable if I'd redo vce
-
please read the whole sentence..after reviewing your dreams, we come to your point, positivity...That's what I did..I thought myself as an engineer working for nasa..and then I asked myself: can you do it or do you have to do it? There is a difference..I know from myself...I had such times where I thought I could handle things very easily..but I was destroyed in the end...maybe personal..because I had no other option than VCE
I did read it.
This is what you said "Then ask yourself..Can you do it or do you have to do it? Many people who think they can do it, are the ones who fail..I know from myself"
And I just said that if you feel that you NEED to do something, then it's wrong. Sorry if I interpreted it incorrectly but there were so many ellipses and to be honest, it wasn't phrased well.
-
I did read it.
This is what you said "Then ask yourself..Can you do it or do you have to do it? Many people who think they can do it, are the ones who fail..I know from myself"
And I just said that if you feel that you NEED to do something, then it's wrong. Sorry if I interpreted it incorrectly but there were so many ellipses and to be honest, it wasn't phrased well.
yea I got you..no problem :)
-
I did read it.
This is what you said "Then ask yourself..Can you do it or do you have to do it? Many people who think they can do it, are the ones who fail..I know from myself"
And I just said that if you feel that you NEED to do something, then it's wrong. Sorry if I interpreted it incorrectly but there were so many ellipses and to be honest, it wasn't phrased well.
I love your username! I'm just wondering, do you have red hair? :-P
-
I love your username! I'm just wondering, do you have red hair? :-P
Tsssk. I wish.
-
Tsssk. I wish.
LOL :(
-
LOL :(
haha. I got the name from Harry Potter. Jean is from Hermione's middle(?) name and Weasley came from Ron (:
-
haha. I got the name from Harry Potter. Jean is from Hermione's middle(?) name and Weasley came from Ron (:
How did I not get that!
Use Harry Potter to keep you sane. And do not do a Hermione. :P
-
How did I not get that!
Use Harry Potter to keep you sane. And do not do a Hermione. :P
I thought you knew because you said something about red hair. haha
-
I thought you knew because you said something about red hair. haha
I thought it was either you doing a HP reference with the Weasley (but I didn't know what the Jean meant!) or your real name is Jean Weasley :P
-
I thought it was either you doing a HP reference with the Weasley (but I didn't know what the Jean meant!) or your real name is Jean Weasley :P
Oh, lol. You've got a nice name too! :P
-
Oh, lol. You've got a nice name too! :P
:D
-
How do you guys manage your time to avoid procrastination? Did you set yourself a timetable?
-
chicks...
Top notch mate well in
-
How do you guys manage your time to avoid procrastination? Did you set yourself a timetable?
I just write a list of the things I have to complete each night, and If I manage to finish everything i'll allow myself to watch an episode of a tv show or something.. :)
-
How do you guys manage your time to avoid procrastination? Did you set yourself a timetable?
UNINSTALL LEAGUE OF LEGENDZ
-
There's nothing wrong with a bit of procrastination haha.
I made like 6000 posts on AN during my year 12 and still did alright :P (not to mention all my other procrastination)
-
There's nothing wrong with a bit of procrastination haha.
I made like 6000 posts on AN during my year 12 and still did alright :P (not to mention all my other procrastination)
Some say... This is how you got your mod position. :P
I love how you guys are so conservative.. "Yeah, I did alright". *looks at sig. MBBS
-
Well mods have to be pretty active on the forums, all of them have a heap of posts :P And the vast majority of my posts are helping others or are in the VCE boards haha
-
Well mods have to be pretty active on the forums, all of them have a heap of posts :P And the vast majority of my posts are helping others or are in the VCE boards haha
Unlike me :P hahahaha
I'm only kidding :) :D (as in, what I said to you, the above still stands :P)
-
UNINSTALL LEAGUE OF LEGENDZ
Like you can talk...