ATAR Notes: Forum
National Education => Tuition Companies and Services => Tuition and Education Services => VCE (and related) Businesses => Topic started by: vexx on October 01, 2009, 02:34:39 am
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Hellooo
I'm really considering doing the summer school program at either TSFX and TSSM before year 12 starts next year:
* Methods (CAS) so i will be able to understand most of the concepts before school starts, as it can take me a little while/ a few tries to initially understand
* Bio/Chem - I don't think it's really as necessary since i naturally understand concepts of both these subjects well. But it could be beneficial to go to and get the comprehensive study notes and then have an understanding of all concepts/ideas before school starts and use these to refer to constantly during school.
* Literature - basically not so good at english subjects, not a good essay writer among everything you need to be good at to do well... (doing lit next year)
My questions: is it worth doing the summer school for the subjects above? how much will i benefit? will doing it for lit help at all -- what is done in those and what sort of notes will i be receiving?
and finally, if i were to go to summer school which should i go to: TSFX or TSSM for each subject to suit my needs (excluding lit as thats only at tsfx)
Sorry this is long but i'm really keen on doing well next year & even though i will study hard anyway, i would love to have an advantage with prior knowledge!! haha thanks :)
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I have been to TSFX Methods and Chem Summer School. I suggest you don't go as
You will forget basically everything you learn. The cramming rate of those things is crazy
The notes they give at Summer School are incomplete anyway compared to their revision lectures
In other words, you probably won't gain an advantage. You would be better off just reading the textbook imo. TSFX End of Semester/Year revision lectures are pretty good though
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I have been to TSFX Methods and Chem Summer School. I suggest you don't go as
You will forget basically everything you learn. The cramming rate of those things is crazy
The notes they give at Summer School are incomplete anyway compared to their revision lectures
In other words, you probably won't gain an advantage. You would be better off just reading the textbook imo. TSFX End of Semester/Year revision lectures are pretty good though
Oh okay thanks. But we don't get our textbooks till a few days before we go back to school which is annoying...
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im going to get my books in december sometime... im pretty sure you can get them yourself at anytime from the bookstore your school uses... if you haven't already given in the forms...
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oh and for the summer school i did it this year for year 11 and the only thing i found useful about them is that they do give you pre-warnings to what topics you will be covering, what you should most pay attention to etc.. but im pretty sure you could figure that out yourself by looking through the textbooks like SmRandmAzn said..
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im going to get my books in december sometime... im pretty sure you can get them yourself at anytime from the bookstore your school uses... if you haven't already given in the forms...
we get our forms towards the end of the year i thinks & since we our books from campion, apparently the closest store to me is 50minutes away.
so it's more beneficial that i just try and get my books early (even if driving out 50minutes) to read over then going to the summer course (bio/chem)?
even if i did read over my book for methods, i won't understand it until i'm explained, so i'm thinking of going to one for that.
but does anyone know anything about the lit summer school?
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so it's more beneficial that i just try and get my books early (even if driving out 50minutes) to read over then going to the summer course (bio/chem)?
even if i did read over my book for methods, i won't understand it until i'm explained, so i'm thinking of going to one for that.
id say so and yeah i'd probs go to the methods one too
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so it's more beneficial that i just try and get my books early (even if driving out 50minutes) to read over then going to the summer course (bio/chem)?
even if i did read over my book for methods, i won't understand it until i'm explained, so i'm thinking of going to one for that.
id say so and yeah i'd probs go to the methods one too
thanks:) i'll most likely go for that then, what do you think i should go for methods, TSFX or TSSM?
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You can get more done (for free!) at home by yourself. For Chem/Bio if as you said you're naturally good at grasping the concepts then really, stay at home. Firstly, go through the text book. And then, blast through Checkpoints.
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You can get more done (for free!) at home by yourself. For Chem/Bio if as you said you're naturally good at grasping the concepts then really, stay at home. Firstly, go through the text book. And then, blast through Checkpoints.
hmm thanks, i guess you're right. isn't checkpoints just a book of practice exam questions? is there a store in melbourne that sells them or do you buy them off the internet? if the latter, would they deliver during the december holidays? this actually sounds like a pretty good idea!
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IMO for methods, no need for summer school, a textbook, some exams + VN is all you need to grasp the concepts.
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IMO for methods, no need for summer school, a textbook, some exams + VN is all you need to grasp the concepts.
i'd do that if i was capable but unfortunately i've tried in methods and it didn't turn out so well. i need someone to explain how to do before i am able to, sometimes more than once :P.
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IMO for methods, no need for summer school, a textbook, some exams + VN is all you need to grasp the concepts.
i'd do that if i was capable but unfortunately i've tried in methods and it didn't turn out so well. i need someone to explain how to do before i am able to, sometimes more than once :P.
I'm also incapable at Methods, but Summer School didn't make me any more capable >_> Perhaps a private tutor would be better if you really need explanation
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IMO for methods, no need for summer school, a textbook, some exams + VN is all you need to grasp the concepts.
i'd do that if i was capable but unfortunately i've tried in methods and it didn't turn out so well. i need someone to explain how to do before i am able to, sometimes more than once :P.
I'm also incapable at Methods, but Summer School didn't make me any more capable >_> Perhaps a private tutor would be better if you really need explanation
hmmm i guess you are right. (also what you said before), perhaps i will rethink doing it for methods, maybe just stick with a tutor or do those weekly classes they have at tsfx/tssm they seem really useful and it could be good as revision, has anyone here had much luck with them?
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IMO for methods, no need for summer school, a textbook, some exams + VN is all you need to grasp the concepts.
i'd do that if i was capable but unfortunately i've tried in methods and it didn't turn out so well. i need someone to explain how to do before i am able to, sometimes more than once :P.
Yeah I agree with SmRandmAzn, if you find you can not grasp the concepts yourself no matter how hard you try, it's probs best to find a tutor. Although I've never had a tutor so I can't really give my opinions on it, but at least it will be better than sitting there and getting confused by yourself.
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hmmm i guess you are right. (also what you said before), perhaps i will rethink doing it for methods, maybe just stick with a tutor or do those weekly classes they have at tsfx/tssm they seem really useful and it could be good as revision, has anyone here had much luck with them?
I also went to TSFX weekly classes (although in year 11). I had a dud teacher, I forgot her name though. It didn't help me, but I was half sleeping through the classes (Friday after school session). Basically all my teacher did was write down the answers for the questions in the book for you to copy down, which isn't really that hard to do.
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Yeah I agree with SmRandmAzn, if you find you can not grasp the concepts yourself no matter how hard you try, it's probs best to find a tutor. Although I've never had a tutor so I can't really give my opinions on it, but at least it will be better than sitting there and getting confused by yourself.
Haha, i'm jealous that of you not needing one! Thanks anyway:)
I also went to TSFX weekly classes (although in year 11). I had a dud teacher, I forgot her name though. It didn't help me, but I was half sleeping through the classes (Friday after school session). Basically all my teacher did was write down the answers for the questions in the book for you to copy down, which isn't really that hard to do.
haha. oh really.. so they only really go over questions? did you do any relearning of the concepts each week?
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hmm my memory of it was mainly just going through questions >_>
Bad memories. Of course it might depend on the teacher. My teacher was really lazy.
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don't go to them. get a private tutor if you need major help.
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^ hmmm thanks to the above. i wont go to any summer school thing then, except lit... does anyone know anything of it? (i've asked this a few times sorry :P )
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I'm actually a teacher at TSFX as well as in a normal school so it you want any specific questions answered about their services you can email me and I'll be happy to help if I can
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well im actually a student of TSFX, i find that the classes for maths methods are very very inefficient.
Why are we always sitting in class doing some questions and then copying answers off the board, it isn't hard, i've been copying things off the board since grade 2.
I can also write answers from books on to the board as well.
I mean i spend 2 and a half hours at school doing this for maths methods.
Why would i need to do it again? Instead of focusing on where people go wrong we're focusing on the basics, i mean for some its fine but wouldn't it be more useful if we actually went through the areas where people go wrong? SAC preparations? Something along those lines rather then just rushing things trying to follow the program set out by the head of TSFX Maths.
Because when you set out a certain schedule, it forces my teacher in TSFX to rush, and when he rushes it isn't good. Ever tried rushing in a shopping centre while trying to shop? You miss things.
For Example, my teacher goes we need to finish X-Pages today, and if we're falling behind he'll rush things causing frustration because of the inability to cope with the move from slow to fast.
That book is 100% fine, don't get me wrong. But i can do those questions at home, it is pretty much another text book with solutions.
I find that the statement in TSFX's brochure contradicts with the program itself; taken from http://www.tsfx.com.au/vic/vceprograms/intenseworkshops/TSFX-IW2-Yr12-2009-FINAL.pdf
Page 3.
-Specialised instruction in examination techniques and problem
solving strategies, with significant emphasis on examination tricks
and common student errors.
I do agree that TSFX does give some suggestions on how to tackle questions but this is rare, its often covered once or twice a lesson. I have asked a few other friends in other classes, therefore this isn't an all based on my opinion. It's not exactly contradictory, BUT if your going to put that statement in, might as well make it honest and write 1 or 2 specialised instructions etc a lesson.
-Personalised attention and instruction when required.
-Question time opportunities after each class.
We go through material that is repetitive, we finish 10minutes early, what questions can i ask?
There are a few more things that are not exactly true on that brochure, i could sit here and type you a essay but i got exam papers to do. I could type you a 800 word essay on how TSFX is ineffective and a waste of money after my exams. I once did think it was good, after 2 lessons it is pretty much useless.
Biolstar, if you think my opinion is unreasonable, please speak to me personally. I am [removed, unnecessarily now]
For anyone else, if you want any further questions on my opinions i will be more then happy to respond. Help you save your money and spend it where it should be spent.
hope this constructive opinion helps.
edit; fixing the typos. i type fast ;) .
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how come you keep going then
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because i've already paid for it. Can't take my money back. If i could i would have taken it a long time ago.
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Hi
I hear lots of frustration in your post and I don't know much about the maths at TSFX as obviously I am biol but the reason why I give up my spare time and work there is not because of the money (no teacher is in it 4 money believe me) but because I am fortunate enough to work in one of the bet schools in Melbourne with access to the best resources and the best professional development and wish to share it with a broader class of students. I think VCE is so tough on you all and I really want to help where I can. I really believe in TSFx and their philosophy and honestly think their heart is in the right place. TSFX is there for you. You are paying alot of money and as a valued paying customer you have every right to question the service being provided to you if you are not happy about it. There are so many maths teachers there and I know myself how tough they are with the recruiting. You should immediately ask to try another teacher as even though the materials are the same the approaches all vary. But please don't sit in class after class if you are miserable, do something about it. I'm rarely on this forum, just browsing tonight looking for some resources but please if I can help you out email me. All the best of luck!!!
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hi, fair enough.
i had no intentions of directing those questions at you, just my opinion. i will voice out my opinion tomorrow.
just one question, who is the head of maths at TSFX?
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Your opinion is very valid and you need to get these frustrations out. There is no head of maths as such but rather than talking to reception people who can be very busy with students questions etc, ring up and speak to someone. The big boss is Irena. Or go in early when there's not a rush at the desk. But do try another class. I always say to my students that that's one of the great things about TSFX in that it's not like school-if you don't like me or my approach please try out someone else. You can shop around for a teacher that suits you and like I said, there's many to choose from. These last few weeks are far too important and it's all about you, not the teacher.
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oh okay. I will try another class next week as it is a bit late this week. I will call them up on Friday Night, after my SACS. Thanks for your help ;) .
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oh okay. I will try another class next week as it is a bit late this week. I will call them up on Friday Night, after my SACS. Thanks for your help ;) .
Thanks for letting me know about it before, i'm slightly put off-- let's hope it's just your teacher:S. Let me know how the new teacher goes!
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Your opinion is very valid and you need to get these frustrations out. There is no head of maths as such but rather than talking to reception people who can be very busy with students questions etc, ring up and speak to someone. The big boss is Irena. Or go in early when there's not a rush at the desk. But do try another class. I always say to my students that that's one of the great things about TSFX in that it's not like school-if you don't like me or my approach please try out someone else. You can shop around for a teacher that suits you and like I said, there's many to choose from. These last few weeks are far too important and it's all about you, not the teacher.
Anyone else reckon that it sounds like a TSFX representative?
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Your opinion is very valid and you need to get these frustrations out. There is no head of maths as such but rather than talking to reception people who can be very busy with students questions etc, ring up and speak to someone. The big boss is Irena. Or go in early when there's not a rush at the desk. But do try another class. I always say to my students that that's one of the great things about TSFX in that it's not like school-if you don't like me or my approach please try out someone else. You can shop around for a teacher that suits you and like I said, there's many to choose from. These last few weeks are far too important and it's all about you, not the teacher.
Anyone else reckon that it sounds like a TSFX representative?
this.
I'm actually a teacher at TSFX as well as in a normal school so it you want any specific questions answered about their services you can email me and I'll be happy to help if I can
?
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so does anyone know much about / done / know someone whose done the literature summer school at TSFX?
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literature summer school at TSFX?
you could try it with them only subject i found useful was psychology. compared to mm they suck =p .
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literature summer school at TSFX?
you could try it with them only subject i found useful was psychology. compared to mm they suck =p .
Depends who you get. They've refined the notes for the lectures this time round and they've got a new lecturer. Irena does one group and another guy called Joe does another group.
I was lucky enough to be in Joe's group and I reckon the Methods lectures were worth it.
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i just got my result for my trial exam, and i got full marks for short answer, and lost all my marks on multiple choice. i got 82% :( i hate multiple choice!
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i always lose my marks in short answer :(
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i always lose my marks in short answer :(
:( atleast you can improve short answer! :)
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how can i improve short answer? i have tried :(
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how can i improve short answer? i have tried :(
the short answer for this unit isn't too hard. just memorise everything :S and that's it really.. i did that before i tried to do practice exams.
and when you get a short answer wrong, write out the correct response in a separate book and read over it!
YAY! i just did a prac exam and only got 4 multi-choice wrong :D
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you are going to ace this exam haha
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Thanks for bumping a 4 year old thread -_-