ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => Victorian Education Discussion => Topic started by: Greatness on March 20, 2011, 03:49:08 pm
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Before anyone decides to have a go at me telling me that there are already 50 billion threads about this, I'll let you know that i have read through a few of those threads. But what i want to know is how other students study for specific subjects, because there is no point in trying to take advice from someone who does humanities subjects and applying them to chemistry for example.
To be honest i havent really studied at all this year, except for the night before sacs... What i do want to do is make 'studying' a habit.
So for those who are doing Chemistry or Math subjects how do you study? Do you just do questions, revise concepts, do exam questions?? How do you go about studying for a LOTE subject?
Also feel free to add any other tips for other subjects :)
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Chem/Methods/Spesh - Usually do most of it in class, but if I feel that I don't have complete knowledge on the concept then I will have a look at it again, do some more questions on it or go to another book/website in search for a better explanation.
Before SACs, don't really know, I've only had Chem SACs but only up until Volumetric so I don't really see a need for revision of those - I prefer to understand the concepts fully rather than try to cram the questions...
As for Maths, usually will do a select few questions from the chapter - but do this 2 or 1 night before the SAC to ensure I remember as much as possible about it - will probably do the same for Chem when I get into Spectro/Organic...
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OK, below is one of my posts from a while back. I study Legal and BM in the same way, I synchronise the two subjects pretty well as the SACs are on around the same times.
English:
1. Do a sufficient amount of essays progressively throughout the year and get them marked.
English is a language and so you've got to put all your learnt material into action - in the form of a piece of prose. Essay writing not only draws together the grammar, linguistics, punctuation and spelling you've come to learn over the years; it also gathers together your ideas and views on specific novels/films in a literary sense. An essay puts all of this into action - and it's therefore critical that you practice, practice, practice! Keep writing essays progressively until you reach a point of satisfaction. But also make sure you proofread these essays straight after writing, or even better, one or two days later. Get your teacher to mark it as well.
2. If you don't like reading books, get into the habit of reading the newspaper frequently instead.
If you're not confident reading The Age, at least have a crack at the Herald Sun on a frequent basis. Whilst the Herald Sun resembles a gossip magazine in so many ways, there are still some parts of the daily newspapers that can really boost your understanding of current events on a national and international scale. This could be of good use come oral presentation time - or even better, for a more definitive grasp on your context study. Also have a read of the opinion pieces and editorials every now and again - have a look at how writers use 'persuasive techniques' and how you yourself are impacted by what they write and what you read. So, in essence, reading newspapers can really benefit you in all 3 aspects of the English course.
3. Annotate your book like crazy.
If I ever get the time, I'll take a photo of my Interpreter of Maladies book and show you guys. It's been annotated like crazy.. I think I used around 2 stacks of sticky notes (5cm in height to clarify) and wrote notes on characterisation, themes, cultural values, symbols and so on, all on these sticky notes. Also highlight every single piece of information and dialogue that you think might have some deeper meaning behind it.. after a few minutes you'll notice something about that line and this is something abstract that you'll be able to include in essays. No one else will have these pieces of evidence, as you interpreted it all yourself, and that's one of the key criteria in text response - creating your own sophisticated perceptions and interpretations of the text. By annotating your book, you'll have a really good resource that is far, far better than any commercial study guide!
4. Question absolutely everything in VCE English - ask 'why?' at all times!
Why did the writer use the derogatory terms 'idiotic' and 'ineffectual' in his opinion piece? Why did Susie act the way she did in front of Anna? Why does our identity change in a different setting? Why is the reader positioned to feel receptive towards the editor's stance? Why did the film director use photomontages and vignettes in their film, and in what way were the characters therefore perceived? Asking 'why' is so important! When you're having trouble, stop for just a moment and ask 'why' things are the way they are in that editorial, in that film scene, in that sentence, and so on. By asking 'why', you will inadvertently develop your own perceptive view of everything you study!
5. The last one - learn to manage your time!
I know I'm being a hypocrite, talking about time management.. but I learnt it the hard way - you really have to learn to manage your time! Do practice exams in conditions that resemble examination conditions as closely as possible. When writing practice pieces, do them under time constraints. I made a huge mistake with time management - all year, I only made time for single essays at any one time. These essays were achievable under the 1-hour time limit. But I didn't do three essays in one hit - a real practice exam - which was really my downfall. So yeah, manage your time properly!
Legal Studies and Business Management:
1. Read the content, understand it and question it.
Whilst the content in Legal Studies and BM is vastly boring, you need to read it actively and ask yourself questions whilst reading (and try to answer them in your head). There are some aspects of the course that require rote-learning, but most other sections, in my opinion, require understanding. Read over the content two or three times. It's also a good idea to get your hand on another textbook, just so you don't miss anything crucial.
2. Write your own set of notes for every Area of Study.
Follow the study design closely and write your own set of notes for each AoS. If you can, try to put everything into your own words, although it's difficult with a subject like Legal Studies when everything is factual, not interpretive, if that makes sense. Condense the information as much as you can, and cut out the stuff that isn't listed on the study design.
3. Answer as many questions as you can!
I think the key to success in this subject isn't about knowing (or memorising) the content, but knowing how to apply it selectively. This skill can only be mastered if you keep doing questions progressively through the year. Get your hands on as many questions as you can, from other textbooks or from wherever, and get these done. Make sure you understand the key task words and answer the questions in the right way (have a look through the assessment reports).
4. Relate aspects of the course back to real life.
Sometimes we get bogged down, head sunk into the textbook, and forget to relate things back to real life situations. By doing this, you'll develop an awareness and interest in the subject, and you'll also learn to make your own interpretations about different aspects of the course. Maintain a media file and keep newspaper cuttings in there - analyse parts of the articles and see how these can add to your understanding of legal concepts.
5. Stay ahead and review concepts!
I can already see the benefits of learning the stuff in advance of the class. I'm ahead of the class by a chapter only - this is enough IMO, you don't need to go overboard and finish the whole unit or anything. But yeah, doing things ahead of the class can really benefit you, because you'll actually be more attentive in class as I've found, not the other way round. You get to consolidate your knowledge a second time also. Also with regards to reviewing concepts, I keep a track record of when I learnt something and when I need to review it. In the track record, I have to review work 1 day after, 3 days after, 7 days after and 14 days after I first learnt or read it. Last year I covered a concept but didn't look at it again in 2 weeks and my knowledge was really hazy with that concept.. so make sure you keep looking back, whilst moving on.
And yeah, I'm on 2222 posts! No more posting from me (for a while) :P.
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Progressive study + two weeks ahead for Psych.
It's completely necessary due to the sheer amount of content -.-
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Did you get my email wernda?
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Did you get my email wernda?
Will check now :)
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English: Plan essays, Write essays, Talk about books, read the newspaper.
Literature: Plan essays, Write essays.
Economics: Do MC questions, read from the textbook and write in my textbook, Read newspaper.
International Studies: Read Newspaper, Watch channel 24, watch SBS news, look for webdefinitons if I don't understand stuff, read through and highlight my textbook every week or so.
Further Maths: N/A.
Legal Studies: Do short answer questions and read from the textbook and write in my workbook, read the newspaper.
Protip (1): if you have two textbooks, use them both when studying. Often one will neglect one aspect of a concept/idea where another book goes into more detail. It doesn't slow you down very much either, in fact I reckon working with two textbooks makes you work faster (no need to waste time on something you don't immediately understand)... kinda like a ven-diagram (that makes sense to me).
Protip (2): Read the newspaper if you're doing any humanities subjects/buisness subjects/english. I recommend the Australian and I find it very interesting (but if you find The Australian to be shitboring then The Age is usually fairly good).
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- Chemistry/Mathematical Methods (CAS): Q's from the textbook in addition to using other external material like Checkpoints, note-taking. For Maths/Science subjects like Chemistry and Mathematical Methods (CAS) the more questions you do/expose yourself to, the better your results will be.
- English: Read novel and highlight key quotes (Text/Context). For Language Analysis, I just find a heap of articles to analyse.
- Legal Studies: Note-taking and Q's from the textbook. Prior to SACs, I go over my AOS notes. That's really as much as I do.
- Latin: Revising bits of grammar, doing weekly unseen translations. Got no tips for Latin...
- Accounting: Q's from the textbook; comes down to practice - minimising silly errors/mistakes.
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MM: about 30 mins of questions, this usually equates to an exercise per night. No outside material yet
SM: revise school notes + try and do an exercise every night (doing every question without CAS if possible)
Chem/physics: revise notes from school + make more + do some questions from the text
I don't usually keep more than a week ahead (except in MM) because I don't want to learn things in a way prescribed by a book and then get used to it, only to find that my teacher may have a few short-cuts or extra tips.
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Literature: Think, read critical essays, write essays.
Renaissance: Read, comprehend, write essays.
Philosophy: Think.
Methods: Sorry, what? Study? For methods?
Sorry, as you can see, I'm not a very good study-er. I have no set method, I rarely revise and I do a very minimal amount of work in general. Just do whatever works at that point in time, and this can change whenever.
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I don't usually keep more than a week ahead (except in MM) because I don't want to learn things in a way prescribed by a book and then get used to it, only to find that my teacher may have a few short-cuts or extra tips.
I hate this as well :s
LOL @ Menang :P
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I wouldn't advise anyone to adopt my study habits. Let's just say they're highly detrimental to my efficiency.
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Sorry, as you can see, I'm not a very good study-er. I have no set method, I rarely revise and I do a very minimal amount of work in general. Just do whatever works at that point in time, and this can change whenever.
Yet you can still pull a 46 and a 50. Epic stuff. ;)
I wouldn't advise anyone to adopt my study habits. Let's just say they're highly detrimental to my efficiency.
Same goes for you. :P
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With a packet of Red Rock Deli/Kettles/ BBQ Ribs Thins and a Family Pack Kit Kat. Thats how I roll.
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"Sit the f*** down and do it"
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As epic as your IOM book is, I really think this is more than unnecessary. I don't think any prompts would make use of the teeny weeny details you expanded on. Just sayin'...
I will prove it to you in an hour!
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"Sit the f*** down and do it"
OMG yes, I need to learn how to do that properly. :D
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"Sit the f*** down and do it"
OMG yes, I need to learn how to do that properly. :D
+1 Srsly this is a massive task for me :P
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"Sit the f*** down and do it"
OMG yes, I need to learn how to do that properly. :D
+1 Srsly this is a massive task for me :P
+2, wish I could be that self-disciplined
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I encourage my self to study by using 5 minute breaks after every 1 minute of study
LOL! Thats gold.
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does study = homework?
if not then if u do any study, i'd consider you're gonna do pretty well :)
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Personally homework is homework and study is study.
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Personally homework is homework and study is study.
Here I thought homework = study. It appears my concept of study is skewered. Damnit!
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I dont know how some of you just do it, I have to do tonnes of Methods hw etc. day and night and have no time for 'studies'
E.g: Tomorrow, Have to finish Ch5 of Maths Quest Methods including ChReview all questions :(
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For MM this year I get stuff done in class and with what I don't get to do in class I'll spend about an hour per session as homework and listen to instrumental music whilst I do it to kick start my mood to study. Some days I don't do any work other times I may do two sessions in one day or maybe just one. I will often skip some of the Q's so that I can move on a bit quicker.
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by defintion the vic. gov includes homework as study
That sucks.
Homework is defined as the work set by the school to do at home (hence its term as its not done at school)
Study is the work done by a student in order to a) understand the homework or b) to get ahead.
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Starting is the hardest IMO. I recommend setting goals or making a timetable.
Physics: Just keep doing questions. So when it comes to the SAC most questions will be familiar.
Methods: Same as physics
English: Read articles, books and practice writing quality essays on a short amount of time
Business Management: Be ahead of the class, read newspapers, understand concepts and how to apply them in real life
Further: sleep. Jokes :D Probably understand and know how to do questions right when you see them, learn how to ue your calculator.
P.S I don't do any of this lol. This is what I shold start doing though :S
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Personally method hw is so repetitive and boring so I usually do about 3 questions from each exercise and go straight for the application task.
For spesh I set my Sunday afro as my spesh studying session and just do lhs for every single questions.
For physics just do all the questions from the text book
P.s I have a really weird habit of talking to myself outloud when I don't understand a question or a concept and try to somehow teach myself :S Also music helps you to start the study sesh
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Also music helps you to start the study sesh
A bit like me