Starting to study for year 12

[Mr Keshy]

On one hand, I do agree that students shouldn't stay home to prepare for a sac (as I remember having 3 sacs + house debating final on the same day) but the reality is, some people do it. It works for them, and they may not view it as cheating.

Paulsterio,

Is your view informed from your narrow perspective of someone who did not SERVE his school with an average 15 hour per week commitment throughout his VCE year in representative and extra-curricular DUTIES as I did?

Let me get this straight. It is OK for me to SERVE my school, but you think it's unfair that I should care about my academic results? What else do you want me to do to even out my unfair advantage? Sit my VCAA exam blind-folded perhaps?

If your school were to ask you why you decided to take a day off, would you openly say "I took a day off to study for a SAC" - if this were the case, some schools would have issues with that or would you pull an excuse like "I was unwell"? If it's the latter, why is it justified to lie to your school?

If I took a day off school and explained to them that I was studying for a SAC, they ARE perfectly happy with that explanation. Maybe it is just my school, but they understood especially in the Term 3 crunch times. Hell, I've not gone to class before (told the teacher I am studying in a quieter environment) and they were happy about it. In the end of the day, they want the best result from you, and if you cannot get it in the environment you are in, at least you are being proactive to change the scenery to better your own progress.

My perspective has changed on this a little bit since reading all these replies. Didn't think that would happen!

While I did view taking a day off as "unfair" I never thought it was cheating as such. But now that Russ mentioned it, you do miss out on whatever was taught in class that day, so it does sort of balance out.

The way I think of it now is basically, the SAC(s) you have the next day would have a straight and direct impact on your SS and subsequently your ATAR. The things you miss the day prior to the SAC can be either retaught or you can simply seek assistance for whatever you missed out on the next day...  It's worth it, given that missing a class won't affect you in the long run because you can pretty much learn what the teacher taught the very next day if you wish. But because you took the day off, you're more confident for the SAC and will perform better as a result.

At my school, they've always explicitly stated that leave can only be taken if ill, and you have a med cert, or if a family related issue has come up (death etc). I think, if they do know the student is a hard worker, they would definitely allow them to take the day off tbh... It's just that if you take more than 4 days, you'll reach under the 90% required attendance.

Interesting can of worms this

[pi]

The short answer to your question is 'now'.

Honestly, I agree with this.

You only have one shot at getting your ATAR, why not start as early as possible to make those four digits the best that you could possibly get.

As for the amount of study you do right now, that's really individualistic: a person-by-person thing depending on your own personal strengths/weaknesses/interests. If people have to tell you what and how much to study, you're doing it wrong. Study should be done because you want to.

On another note, I'm finding that some posts in this thread are being really nit-picky (and I honestly think a few posts are targeting argonaut just because he is "argonaut" which isn't fair imo), the tl;dr is that everyone has a different approach to VCE and a different approach to studying for SACs. I applaud a strategy that works for them without directly and intentionally putting others down along the way.

That's my 2 cents on the matter. Best of luck

[jaydee]

Pacing yourself out consistently is the key. Having completed year 12 I realise that it is not as stressful as everyone says it is if you work consistently. The amount of time you get is more than enough imo. Working ahead is fine but don't get your head stuck in the sand. Remember to study/prepare for SACs even if you learnt the knowledge for it two months or whatever in advance.

[Dejan]

Pacing yourself out consistently is the key. Having completed year 12 I realise that it is not as stressful as everyone says it is if you work consistently. The amount of time you get is more than enough imo. Working ahead is fine but don't get your head stuck in the sand. Remember to study/prepare for SACs even if you learnt the knowledge for it two months or whatever in advance.

You don't want to over do it especially at the beginning of school because you need to fresh, mentally ready and prepared to take on a hard year of school or else you will keep burning yourself out and it makes things alot harder and worse for you as it really stress you out, become behind in class for most subjects etc.. The key is balancing out all subjects instead pacing yourself out meaning there's would be no need to pace yourself as you made time for all subjects therefore allowing small amounts of time for rest from work rather pacing yourself out and therefore become tired much more quickly. Preparing 2 months for a SAC (I'm assuming that is what you are saying ) is a bit excessive

[LOLs99]

What I want to say here is to study without stressing out or else it won't do good. I usually study when I feel like it because I can learn  much more  effectively. 
Everyone has different opinions so appreciate them

[werdna]

I think it's perfectly fine to take a day or two off nearing the end of the last term for year 12s since it's all assemblies and pointless classes. Not so much during the year though.

Argonaut, you've raised some good points, but your aggression isn't very leadership like...

[Genericname2365]

Pacing yourself out consistently is the key. Having completed year 12 I realise that it is not as stressful as everyone says it is if you work consistently. The amount of time you get is more than enough imo. Working ahead is fine but don't get your head stuck in the sand. Remember to study/prepare for SACs even if you learnt the knowledge for it two months or whatever in advance.

You don't want to over do it especially at the beginning of school because you need to fresh, mentally ready and prepared to take on a hard year of school or else you will keep burning yourself out and it makes things alot harder and worse for you as it really stress you out, become behind in class for most subjects etc.. The key is balancing out all subjects instead pacing yourself out meaning there's would be no need to pace yourself as you made time for all subjects therefore allowing small amounts of time for rest from work rather pacing yourself out and therefore become tired much more quickly. Preparing 2 months for a SAC (I'm assuming that is what you are saying ) is a bit excessive

Preparing more for exams 2 months or whatever in advance, not SACs, is what I presume he meant.

[Dejan]

Pacing yourself out consistently is the key. Having completed year 12 I realise that it is not as stressful as everyone says it is if you work consistently. The amount of time you get is more than enough imo. Working ahead is fine but don't get your head stuck in the sand. Remember to study/prepare for SACs even if you learnt the knowledge for it two months or whatever in advance.

You don't want to over do it especially at the beginning of school because you need to fresh, mentally ready and prepared to take on a hard year of school or else you will keep burning yourself out and it makes things alot harder and worse for you as it really stress you out, become behind in class for most subjects etc.. The key is balancing out all subjects instead pacing yourself out meaning there's would be no need to pace yourself as you made time for all subjects therefore allowing small amounts of time for rest from work rather pacing yourself out and therefore become tired much more quickly. Preparing 2 months for a SAC (I'm assuming that is what you are saying ) is a bit excessive

Preparing more for exams 2 months or whatever in advance, not SACs, is what I presume he meant.

Oh it was for exams, then it is fine haha

[Planck's constant]

The short answer to your question is 'now'.

Honestly, I agree with this.

You only have one shot at getting your ATAR, why not start as early as possible to make those four digits the best that you could possibly get.

This is the sort of good, honest advice that will be most helpful to the class of 2013.

[brenden]

Every post this guy writes makes me want to write a language analysis.

[Mr Keshy]

Every post this guy writes makes me want to write a language analysis.

So it wasn't just me? Looking back at some of my posts, I could write a LA on it too.

[Planck's constant]

Every post this guy writes makes me want to write a language analysis.

So it wasn't just me? Looking back at some of my posts, I could write a LA on it too.

Here are a few hints to get you started, kesh.

I would describe my writing style as persuasive and authoritative with frequent use of irony, anecdote and metaphor.

Good to see you are getting your VCE off to a solid and EARLY start, kesh.

[Mr Keshy]

Every post this guy writes makes me want to write a language analysis.

So it wasn't just me? Looking back at some of my posts, I could write a LA on it too.

Here are a few hints to get you started, kesh.

I would describe my writing style as persuasive and authoritative with frequent use of irony, anecdote and metaphor.

Good to see you are getting your VCE off to a solid and EARLY start, kesh.

haha alright mate!! I'm going to read all my texts this month, then on Jan I'm going to start on all my other subjects.

[pi]

Keep it friendly -_-

[paulsterio]

Keep it friendly -_-

Alright, alright, but it's inappropriate to speak in a condescending manner