Methods Advice

[xlaiyn]

I'm currently in the middle of a bit of a panic attack. Long story short, I really need Methods for my Uni course in 2015, and after having to deal with terrible math teachers who skip over important coursework the past two years, I'm really not feeling up to doing it next year. Is there anyone who could give me some kind of advice on whether I should go ahead with it and score (at least) a 30, or do Further instead and somehow find another way of getting into my courses?

How are you all coping with it currently? I'm doing Units 1 & 2 and my class is going terribly.

[Yacoubb]

I'm currently in the middle of a bit of a panic attack. Long story short, I really need Methods for my Uni course in 2015, and after having to deal with terrible math teachers who skip over important coursework the past two years, I'm really not feeling up to doing it next year. Is there anyone who could give me some kind of advice on whether I should go ahead with it and score (at least) a 30, or do Further instead and somehow find another way of getting into my courses?

How are you all coping with it currently? I'm doing Units 1 & 2 and my class is going terribly.

It depends - how are you performing? Perhaps find a way to consolidate the work, and work harder to compensate for having such a teacher. You're in year 10, and so you may want to repeat 1&2 next year or continue and do 3/4, and perhaps repeat it if you don't do too well. Its entirely your decision, but I say press on and try your best unless you are really struggling with it.

Good luck!

[xlaiyn]

It depends - how are you performing? Perhaps find a way to consolidate the work, and work harder to compensate for having such a teacher. You're in year 10, and so you may want to repeat 1&2 next year or continue and do 3/4, and perhaps repeat it if you don't do too well. Its entirely your decision, but I say press on and try your best unless you are really struggling with it.

Good luck!

I'm in Year 11, not Year 10. So I don't have a whole bunch of time to choose whether or not I'm going to do it. I might have to, but my major problem is struggling with application questions. The rest of the time I'm totally fine. Thank you, though! I might take your advice.

[Yacoubb]

I'm in Year 11, not Year 10. So I don't have a whole bunch of time to choose whether or not I'm going to do it. I might have to, but my major problem is struggling with application questions. The rest of the time I'm totally fine. Thank you, though! I might take your advice.

Oh woops my bad - sorry I thought you would finish in 2015 (the effects of having a 3/4 Bio SAC at 9:00 PM).

But yeah - press on!

[xlaiyn]

Oh woops my bad - sorry I thought you would finish in 2015 (the effects of having a 3/4 Bio SAC at 9:00 PM).

But yeah - press on!

Haha, no worries, man! I know the feeling. I'm cramming in 3/4 Software Development SAC revision despite really wanting to sleep.

Thank you. That's just what I needed to hear right now.

[lzxnl]

If you want ideas on how to do well on application tasks, I have one simple tip that should enable you to work out most, if not all, questions you face.

Break the question down. It sounds simple, but trust me, it's the most powerful technique ever created by humankind to solve problems, especially maths problems. Most Methods application tasks look forbidding, but if you get a massive question, first ask yourself these questions:

1. What exactly is this question asking?
2. How can I rephrase what the question is asking?
3. What have I learnt that is of remote significance to the question?
4. What information have I been given, and why do I have this information?
5. How can I make use of this information?

I assure you, if you remember to ask yourself these five questions, you'll have a clearer idea of what the heck is going on in Methods. I always asked myself similar questions when I did Methods practice exams at midnight with a mind that was half-asleep. Mind you, I could still finish exams in 90 minutes and get most questions right with this technique. All that remains for you now is to learn the course and gain some confidence. Good luck! There is no reason at all that you should not be able to do well in Methods.

[abeybaby]

if your course requires methods, i think you should do it. also, if you find yourself a good tutor, you wont even need your teacher. its not easy to find good tutors, but AN's tutoring page is full of amazing people

[xlaiyn]

If you want ideas on how to do well on application tasks, I have one simple tip that should enable you to work out most, if not all, questions you face.

Break the question down. It sounds simple, but trust me, it's the most powerful technique ever created by humankind to solve problems, especially maths problems. Most Methods application tasks look forbidding, but if you get a massive question, first ask yourself these questions:

1. What exactly is this question asking?
2. How can I rephrase what the question is asking?
3. What have I learnt that is of remote significance to the question?
4. What information have I been given, and why do I have this information?
5. How can I make use of this information?

I assure you, if you remember to ask yourself these five questions, you'll have a clearer idea of what the heck is going on in Methods. I always asked myself similar questions when I did Methods practice exams at midnight with a mind that was half-asleep. Mind you, I could still finish exams in 90 minutes and get most questions right with this technique. All that remains for you now is to learn the course and gain some confidence. Good luck! There is no reason at all that you should not be able to do well in Methods.

I feel the need to write this down in my notebook. I have methods today, so I'll try that out. Thank you.

if your course requires methods, i think you should do it. also, if you find yourself a good tutor, you wont even need your teacher. its not easy to find good tutors, but AN's tutoring page is full of amazing people

Yeah, I have a friend who offered to tutor me in Methods. He took Spesh, Methods and Physics last year and did really well in all three, so I might give it a shot. And if not, I'll turn to the AN tutoring page. I might press on, but I think it's a big confidence issue for me. Like, if I see a question that I don't understand, I don't want to attempt it because if I answer it wrong, my teacher will scribble all over my notebook and go on about how I "should know this by now", like he does with everyone else in the class regarding stuff he hasn't even taught us. He actually yelled at my friends and I for taking notes.