ATAR Notes: Forum
National Education => Tuition Companies and Services => Tuition and Education Services => VCE (and related) Businesses => Topic started by: XLL_Academy on January 06, 2010, 04:32:42 am
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WE'RE NOW TAKING ONLINE ENROLMENTS! SIGNUP AT
https://xllacademy.wufoo.com/forms/xll-academy-signup-form/
Hey everybody.
We've finally got our website online at http://www.xllacademy.com.au
We'd like to take the time now to thank all of you in helping us with our logo design in the previous thread, especially danieltennis for coming up with these excellent creations. We'd also like to thank all of you for your continued support and enthusiasm for this idea. We greatly appreciate it all!
And now for all the juicy details you've been waiting for.
In semester 1, we are offering 2 classes each for the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics. Every course bar Physics (16 lessons) will be 17 lessons long and will run from the week beginning the 25th of January, and will run right up to the week before mid-year exams. There will be a one week break over Easter. Each lesson will be 90 minutes long, and will cost an amazing $20 each.
More information on our courses may be found here: Our Courses and here: Our Classes
We're keeping class sizes small, at a maximum of 10 students per class, to ensure the quality of the course. That means there are only 20 places per subject, so we advise you to get in quick! Enrolment instructions may be found here: Enrol
These courses are a lump-sum deal, however. You must commit to the full semester of lessons for a place in the classes. Thus, it will cost you $340 for Methods, Specialist and Chemistry, and $320 for Physics. We realise that as we are new, you might be a bit apprehensive, and so we are offering a money-back guarantee of a full 2 lessons of no-commitment in which you may claim a complete refund. Afterwards, there will be an administration fee.
We're really excited about this and we hope to see you in our classes! Thanks again for all your support, and we can't wait to get started in 3 weeks time!
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The website is AMAZING guys. Well done!
All the best with XLL Academy, I am sure it will bring you, and many others, great success. :)
Edit: Just a couple of errors on the FAQ that need fixing:
-What closely does your curriculum relate to my school curriculum?
Will you give indicators and estimates for my scores?
- We encourage you to try your best, but we will not give you estimates for your subject study scores.
Where do you get your course materials from? (needs separating/bolding)
- Our course materials are written exclusively by our highly experienced tutors, following guidelines of VCAA Study Designs, and referencing materials that we found most useful in our learning.
You may also want to link the XLL Academy ad on the forum to your website instead of the thread.
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Well done on your efforts!
the site looks very decent except for a few minor spelling errors
but looks pro :coolsmiley:
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Amazing site!! So pro~~
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I reckon the site looks great!
Best of luck guys.
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Find us now on facebook!
[img]http://www.facebook.com/badge.php?id=242078096432&bid=2515&key=100333339&format=png&z=990581619[/img]
Invite your friends :)
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awesome work guys, hope it all goes well =]
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i read through it all, how exciting, but i don't think i can make either of the meth times =[
(englang after school wed, then compulsory sport on sat morning in term 2... i may try and get out of it lawl but i dont think i can.)
btw, make sure you write CAS after methods just so people don't get confused >.< even though CAS is the only course running next year hha.
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This is amazing, guys! Well done :) Really looking forward to this.
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Are there any set revision lessons approaching the end of each program? If so, how many?
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Are there any set revision lessons approaching the end of each program? If so, how many?
Very good question. This has now been included in the FAQ
Are there any set revision lessons approaching the end of each program? If so, how many?
- Yes, there are usually at least 2 to 3 revision lessons, incorporating at least 1 practice exam/test and thorough revision.
- We also include review sessions within the semester, these sessions will link topics together and have example questions that uses concepts from multiple topics.
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reserve my spot for chem on fridays
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Awesome site :)
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do you offer individual tutoring?
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do you offer individual tutoring?
you may have to ask one of the three individually for that..
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what if we sign up and send payment, but miss out on a spot due to allocation already being exhausted?
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what if we sign up and send payment, but miss out on a spot due to allocation already being exhausted?
If you go on the enrollment form here:
http://www.xllacademy.com/images/enform.pdf
and read the second line, says you will get full refund if no places are available.
Looks like a good idea. Interested :). Pm-ed you Mao. I have a couple of questions
thanks
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Assuming I'm a highly capable student with the capability to grasp all of the content by myself (which, of course, remains to be proven over the coming year), what does your program have to offer me?
I'm somewhat tempted, but I have a prevailing opinion that tuition has negligible advantages to good students. If you can present a compelling argument (which I'm hoping you can), you may see my application in the next week.
More specific to my situation, I want a perfect ENTER/ATAR of 99.95 and with my subjects (English, chemistry, physics, methods, accounting, MUEP accounting; I have an interest in the progrma for all 3 subjects you offer), I essentially need 50s in all of them. My question to you is, do you have the conviction that you can assist in furthering this goal, and if so, by what means?
Note, I'm not asking you to guarantee me 50s in my subjects. That responsibility ultimately lies with me and I'm not trying to delegate it to someone else. Rather, I would like to know how you might assist me in doing it.
Oh, and my compliments on XLL, it looks great.
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Big goals! Gogogo equal Derrick Ha and get five 50's plus 5.5 in uni subject!!
Best of wishes, Akirus.
From my personal experience, I riposte your opinion that tuition has little advantage to good students. Although there are 99.95s who do not do tuition, tuition can largely extend your current understanding of a subject, provided that the tutor that is tutoring you suits your learning habits/style. This is especially so in tutors that have selected top-tiers who already have a grounded foundation. Although you may think you are excelling in subject now, do not forget that in VCE, it is you against the state, which incoorperates a few tens of thousands of people under it. Even if you are highly capable, there is bound to be someone who excels more than you in any one subject area, and this is where tutors come in handy. At school, you are restricted to the learning space of your school environment. You only know the comparison between you and your fellow classmates. However, tuition such as XLL Academy (especially with its tenacious link with VCENotes - a union of students that, like you, want to go that extra more to do better in VCE) can offer you a more lucid idea of where you stand among other capable students in the state. Also remember that no matter how excelled you are in a subject area, there is always room for improvement. There is no one perfect essay. This is where tutors can help you, offering you a new perspective in your subject area in lieu of the style you are comfortable with back at school.
One last thing to mention is that, as many people have said throughout VN, a study score of 50 does not fully rely on intelligence, but also luck and, more than ever, exam technique. You may be the smartest guy on earth, but have the tendency to become nervous in exams, get affected by exam pressure, make silly mistakes, etc. Going to tutors such as XLL Academy can train you to develop appropriate exam techniques that would allow you to perform at your best without psychological hindrance in your VCE exams/SACs.
The rest of the questions are left in the hands of XLL members.
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I was just wondering what happens if someone needed help on a sac they received at school for example the methods and spesh analysis sacs go for more than 1 day and they manged to 'somehow' take the questions out of the classroom (yes we're not supposed to but u know it happens). Does the 90 minutes cater for individual needs or will it be simply be teaching off the whiteboard with a set of notes. Will there be time after class when the student can privately ask the tutor for help?
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I was just wondering what happens if someone needed help on a sac they received at school for example the methods and spesh analysis sacs go for more than 1 day and they manged to 'somehow' take the questions out of the classroom (yes we're not supposed to but u know it happens). Does the 90 minutes cater for individual needs or will it be simply be teaching off the whiteboard with a set of notes. Will there be time after class when the student can privately ask the tutor for help?
You can find out more about that in our FAQ :)
http://www.xllacademy.com/?page_id=33
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Assuming I'm a highly capable student with the capability to grasp all of the content by myself (which, of course, remains to be proven over the coming year), what does your program have to offer me?
I'm somewhat tempted, but I have a prevailing opinion that tuition has negligible advantages to good students. If you can present a compelling argument (which I'm hoping you can), you may see my application in the next week.
I am interested to hear your response to this. I have been having similar thoughts.
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well done guys the site looks great!!!
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Assuming I'm a highly capable student with the capability to grasp all of the content by myself (which, of course, remains to be proven over the coming year), what does your program have to offer me?
I'm somewhat tempted, but I have a prevailing opinion that tuition has negligible advantages to good students. If you can present a compelling argument (which I'm hoping you can), you may see my application in the next week.
I am interested to hear your response to this. I have been having similar thoughts.
i'm also curious about this too - for chem - i'm really unsure if it is unnecessary or not to do a subject at XLL i will most likely already be good at (mainly due to MUEP chem). since of course it will definitely be helpful to consolidate knowledge again at XLL, but would my spot in the course be better for someone else who would need it more?
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Assuming I'm a highly capable student with the capability to grasp all of the content by myself (which, of course, remains to be proven over the coming year), what does your program have to offer me?
I'm somewhat tempted, but I have a prevailing opinion that tuition has negligible advantages to good students. If you can present a compelling argument (which I'm hoping you can), you may see my application in the next week.
More specific to my situation, I want a perfect ENTER/ATAR of 99.95 and with my subjects (English, chemistry, physics, methods, accounting, MUEP accounting; I have an interest in the progrma for all 3 subjects you offer), I essentially need 50s in all of them. My question to you is, do you have the conviction that you can assist in furthering this goal, and if so, by what means?
Note, I'm not asking you to guarantee me 50s in my subjects. That responsibility ultimately lies with me and I'm not trying to delegate it to someone else. Rather, I would like to know how you might assist me in doing it.
Oh, and my compliments on XLL, it looks great.
Hello Akirus/m@tty, I am the subject coordinator for Physics and Chemistry. Back in the days, I received a 50 (premier's award) for Chemistry, and a 46 for Physics. And I shall speak on behalf of Simon (TrueTears).
One thing that sets us apart from ordinary tutors is that our knowledge in the subjects we teach don't stop at VCE level. We have continued to study these subjects at university, and our understanding of the fundamentals and applications of the subject can offer you insights to how it all fits together.
You may have noticed by now that many explanations offered by textbooks and teachers do not 'satisfy' your understanding, certain small things don't add up if you think too carefully. Our teaching is different in this respect, we focus on the fundamentals to give you a structure to base your thought processes, with this structure, you can explain any phenomenon you come across, you can understand why things happen in this way, and the most important thing is you would come to that conclusion yourself with our guidance, as opposed to we telling you it works that way.
This focus is valuable to both good and struggling students. Additional insights could mean the difference between a 42 and a 50 for an excellent student, and fundamental understanding could mean the difference between a 25 and a 38. I have witnessed both of these scenarios in my tutoring experience.
So yes, as brightsky has said, we will give you an edge that most people don't have. We hope to facilitate you with an environment so you can find the missing links between pieces of knowledge. You will possibly generate many very interesting and complicated problems, some we can discuss in class, some may be unsuitable, and we'll be more than happy to help you outside of class (we don't disappear as soon as class finishes).
And on the last note: why a small class and not private? Students who are already excellent don't really need much one-on-one help, they are capable of figuring out (or using the right resources to figure out) questions they can't answer. However, you will only be looking at the question from your perspective, and the insights gained from class discussions will be most valuable to your success.
Does that convince you? :)
Mao, on behalf of the XLL Academy Team
PS - brightsky, please check your inbox
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I'll also add that for every single one of my 34 specialist maths classes (17 per semester per class), the opening 15 minute quiz will contain an extended response question (or two).
These quizzes will be passable with a small amount of study. They will be almost impossible to get 100% on without learning something new.
I will attempt to go through EVERY trick in the Spec Maths trade. In all VCE Exams, they try to catch you out with those damned trick questions. My exploration of the Specialist Mathematics curriculum will be nuanced and thorough. That, I can guarantee. Whether you think this will benefit you is entirely up to you!
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Hello Akirus/m@tty, I am the subject coordinator for Physics and Chemistry. Back in the days, I received a 50 (premier's award) for Chemistry, and a 46 for Physics. And I shall speak on behalf of Simon (TrueTears).
One thing that sets us apart from ordinary tutors is that our knowledge in the subjects we teach don't stop at VCE level. We have continued to study these subjects at university, and our understanding of the fundamentals and applications of the subject can offer you insights to how it all fits together.
You may have noticed by now that many explanations offered by textbooks and teachers do not 'satisfy' your understanding, certain small things don't add up if you think too carefully. Our teaching is different in this respect, we focus on the fundamentals to give you a structure to base your thought processes, with this structure, you can explain any phenomenon you come across, you can understand why things happen in this way, and the most important thing is you would come to that conclusion yourself with our guidance, as opposed to we telling you it works that way.
This focus is valuable to both good and struggling students. Additional insights could mean the difference between a 42 and a 50 for an excellent student, and fundamental understanding could mean the difference between a 25 and a 38. I have witnessed both of these scenarios in my tutoring experience.
So yes, as brightsky has said, we will give you an edge that most people don't have. We hope to facilitate you with an environment so you can find the missing links between pieces of knowledge. You will possibly generate many very interesting and complicated problems, some we can discuss in class, some may be unsuitable, and we'll be more than happy to help you outside of class (we don't disappear as soon as class finishes).
And on the last note: why a small class and not private? Students who are already excellent don't really need much one-on-one help, they are capable of figuring out (or using the right resources to figure out) questions they can't answer. However, you will only be looking at the question from your perspective, and the insights gained from class discussions will be most valuable to your success.
Does that convince you? :)
Mao, on behalf of the XLL Academy Team
PS - brightsky, please check your inbox
Firstly, let me just say that my interest mostly stems from the impressive credentials of the tutors. The key thing is I get the impression that you guys actually have a genuine interest in the subject area and not just big numbers on your study scores, which is a big selling point. After having read through your profiles on the XLL website, I am very curious to meet some of you.
I can also see the benefits you describe from having such tutors. I agree that having a fundamental understanding is an important asset. The question I would like to pose, though, is this: how much further would you be able to take my knowledge of the material than if I were to study myself using various resources (for example, I very often refer to the internet to find things the book does not adequately explain) while still staying within the borders of relevance in regards to VCE?
There is also the matter of time efficiency. It would take me 2 hours to travel there and back, which most likely comes out of personal study time. Does the program offer enough to justify this expense? i.e. is the lesson worth at least as much as 3.5 hours of personal study?
I would also like you to reconsider my hypothetical and respond directly (I request a suspension of disbelief at this juncture):
More specific to my situation, I want a perfect ENTER/ATAR of 99.95 and with my subjects (English, chemistry, physics, methods, accounting, MUEP accounting; I have an interest in the program for all 3 subjects you offer), I essentially need 50s in all of them. My question to you is, do you have the conviction that you can assist in furthering this goal, and if so, by what means?
Oh, and to answer your closing question... I'd say you're pretty close.
I'll also add that for every single one of my 34 specialist maths classes (17 per semester per class), the opening 15 minute quiz will contain an extended response question (or two).
These quizzes will be passable with a small amount of study. They will be almost impossible to get 100% on without learning something new.
I will attempt to go through EVERY trick in the Spec Maths trade. In all VCE Exams, they try to catch you out with those damned trick questions. My exploration of the Specialist Mathematics curriculum will be nuanced and thorough. That, I can guarantee. Whether you think this will benefit you is entirely up to you!
Should I expect similar benefits to entail from the other courses?
I concede that picking up on the small tricks in the VCE is the most difficult aspect to prepare for by yourself, so I would expect tutoring yields relatively higher results in this area.
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To your first question, although searching for extraneous material on the internet may, to an extent, increase your understanding and/or clear up any ambiguity in your studies at school, in the end, you must realise that they are all material resources. Although they can somewhat give you an insight into a different perspective to your concerns, more often than not, they can provide you as much help as merely reading another textbook. You cannot ask any further concerns that may arise once you have read the material. What's more, there is a high probability that the internet may confused you more. With a tutor, this would never happen, as you can always have someone to chuck your questions at.
Another worry I have for you when I read that you are searching for things you do not understand in books is that the internet does not always give you a justified answer, nor does it always give you the "right" answer. All internet users are ignorant to the real accreditations of the person who posted the material on the internet. Unrefutably, at XLL Academy, the answer is always brought to you in the best fashion, and you can guarantee that as you already know what the tutors have achieved and you are SURE that they know what they are talking about.
Does the program offer enough to justify this expense? i.e. is the lesson worth at least as much as 3.5 hours of personal study?
I humbly throw this question back at you. You must remember that tutors can only do so much in your academic development. With XLL Academy, the most they can offer you is high quality information that is readily available at your leisure, but the real learning part resides in you. So the REAL question is, would you be willing to make this justification to your 2 hours travel? ]
I would also like you to reconsider my hypothetical and respond directly (I request a suspension of disbelief at this juncture):
Can I ask you, without meaning to offend anybody, what are you in disbelief of? Through my interpretation (and it may as well be wrong), you are not believing that the tutors can give you the 50 you want to achieve 99.95. Again, what you must understand is that tutors cannot guarantee you anything. The LEARNING resides in you. The TEACHING and the GIVING is what the tutors can offer. How much you receive you TOTALLY depended on you. No meaning for any personal attacks, but the ambiguity of your questions are impossible to answer directly.
I shall end my post here.
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I'm in a bit of a rush, so I'll just clarify on the last part for now.
First, let me quote myself:
Note, I'm not asking you to guarantee me 50s in my subjects. That responsibility ultimately lies with me and I'm not trying to delegate it to someone else. Rather, I would like to know how you might assist me in doing it.
What I meant by the parenthesized part is I would like for you to consider my hypothetical situation without regard for whether you think I am capable of achieving perfect 50s (in other words, hypothetically assume that I am), which I understood may be difficult for people who don't know me to believe. In no way am I expecting tutors to "give" me the perfect grades, which is without doubt a highly unreasonable request.
In an attempt to make my question more concise, I will reiterate:
Assuming I can actually get a 50 for each chem/methods/physics, do you have the conviction that as a tutor, you can assist in this endeavor?
I would like to place emphasis on conviction: what I am interested in is the confidence and mind-state, if you will. While I do not ask for guaranteed results, I do expect tutors to take on the responsibility associated with the job. I believe this to be an important factor to success which I expect from myself and those I would place my trust in.
If my posts have come off excessively conceited (which I am well aware they may), I apologize.
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I'm extremely interested in the Chemistry 1 class. But I cant write a check/money order.
Can I transfer it to your bank account via internet banking or something?
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I hope my answers do not come through as substitutes for the XLL tutors...
Like I have alluded in previous posts, tutors, and in particular XLL Academy, can not only benefit you in respects to academic endeavour, but can also allow you to compare against other top-tier students so you can more effectively discern your weaknesses and the position you are against other potentially top-scoring students. This factor would come through as imperative, I believe, especially for high aiming students like yourself. This is one of the major reasons why I recommend you to take on XLL.
The rest, I believe, still lies in the hand of the tutors, and now that you have provided the clarity that I sought in your sometimes ambiguous posts, I believe it would be more reasonable for the tutors to have a go at answering.
If my posts have come off excessively conceited (which I am well aware they may), I apologize.
To be honest, I see no relevance between your tone of voice and the questions you are asking. So in this case, I have no petulance at your grandiloquence.
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I would like to place emphasis on conviction: what I am interested in is the confidence and mind-state, if you will. While I do not ask for guaranteed results, I do expect tutors to take on the responsibility associated with the job. I believe this to be an important factor to success which I expect from myself and those I would place my trust in.
Each of us are very passionate in the areas that we choose to teach and thus we will take on the responsibilities associated with the job.
We will encourage you and support you since we have been in your shoes not so long ago and understand the things that you are going through.
Should I expect similar benefits to entail from the other courses?
I concede that picking up on the small tricks in the VCE is the most difficult aspect to prepare for by yourself, so I would expect tutoring yields relatively higher results in this area.
Yes, for Methods, I will be taking on a similar approach with quizzes to reinforce the material learnt.
Simon - On behalf of the XLL Team.
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I'm extremely interested in the Chemistry 1 class. But I cant write a check/money order.
Can I transfer it to your bank account via internet banking or something?
Online facilities are coming in the next few days :)
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I'm extremely interested in the Chemistry 1 class. But I cant write a check/money order.
Can I transfer it to your bank account via internet banking or something?
Online facilities are coming in the next few days :)
That will be great... if there are still places left.
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I am one who is keen to join this tuition service. Just awaiting the arrival of the bank transfer details. hopefully spots will still be available!
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Hey guys,
For those who would like to transfer money via internet banking, here are the details:
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
BSB: 063-001
Account No: 1052 7094
Account Name: XLL Academy
Please remember to note your name in the description so we know who you are, please also email a copy of your enrolment form to [email protected], we will send you confirmation as soon as we have received the payments.
Online payment options should also be open soon (by PayPal/visa), most probably tomorrow.
There are some questions that are still unanswered, we will get to you very shortly. =]
Cheers,
XLL Academy Team
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looking good :D
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How many applications have you received so far?
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WE NOW HAVE ONLINE ENROLMENTS!
WITH PAYPAL!
You can still pay with cheque/money order, but every enrolment will now be processed with this form:
https://xllacademy.wufoo.com/forms/xll-academy-signup-form/
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haha just coz i'm tutoring physics doesn't mean i have to be cheaper ;) joking.
seriously, just from a colleague perspective, this group is entirely dedicated to the enhancement of student knowledge for VCE.
hehe. physics classes are awesome =]
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Thanks for the cooperative responses from everyone. I don't have time to write full replies to all of them (or I'll find myself spending too much time on VN), but I've taken all your replies into consideration. At the very least, I think I'm willing to give it a shot; I'm going to discuss with some other friends first, but I think it's very likely I'll be applying within the next day.
As I understand, after the first two lessons, I can choose to discontinue and receive a refund? I would just like to say in advance, if I find the lessons to be ineffective, I can't afford to keep going with it just for the sake of courtesy. I'm taking this (both my own responsibilities and you as tutors) seriously; if it proves inefficient, then I'll do what must be done. I'll be treating you guys like professionals, which is an indicative of my respect. In that event, no hard feelings. Of course, we don't know what will happen yet (after reading this you may feel that I'm skeptical of your abilities. That is not the case, or else I wouldn't bother enrolling), so this is really just a precaution I felt I had to voice. I hope you guys understand.
With that aside, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone. Hopefully I'll be seeing all of you soon.
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Hey sorry is this tuition service for year 11 or year 12 subjects?
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Akirus, we perfectly understand. It's good you did post. Generated a bit more activity in this thread and gave us a chance to explain ourselves in greater detail :)
Looking forward to seeing you in our classes!
@Master, this service is only for year 12 students at this point.
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Okay thanks guess I'll have to wait 'til next year to enrol. Nice job though on the designs.
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Yay online enrolment, i'm gonna enrol online very soon!
Not that i really care who, but is it possible to find out who is taking each class? Just curious hah.
(your all good, so i dont mind just want to know :P )
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As I understand, after the first two lessons, I can choose to discontinue and receive a refund?
I'm sure they wouldn't have put that in the terms and conditions if they weren't expecting / okay with some students choosing to discontinue :)
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Hey, is it possible to have Chem also on the weekend, somewhere near Methods..
Im sure a lot more people could make it easier..
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Hey, is it possible to have Chem also on the weekend, somewhere near Methods..
Im sure a lot more people could make it easier..
Seconded.
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Hey, is it possible to have Chem also on the weekend, somewhere near Methods..
Im sure a lot more people could make it easier..
Seconded.
PLZ XLL