Should I do Specialist Maths next year?

[DoctorPrincess]

I really like mathematics and I'm really good at it. I've kind of had my heart set on doing Specialist Maths next year. However, I experienced severe uveitus, in both eyes. Basically I couldn't see and was in a lot of pain.

This, combined with the side effects from the steroids I was put on to make it go away impacted my studies quite severely. (I basically couldn't read my textbook or see the whiteboard for months, and then I was sleeping all the time, I missed quite a lot of school.) So I've gotten very behind on Methods this year and while I'm confident I can catch up over this term I'm not sure I'll get an A. I'm planning on catching up on Methods over the summer holidays to prepare for next year. I'll also only be doing 4 subjects so will have extra time to devote for specialist. Basically, I'm wondering if I should do specialist maths if I don't get an A in Methods.

[pi]

Sorry to hear about your health, hopefully you're on the way up! I think your grade this year won't be a true reflection of your ability - you have been quite ill for much of it.

I think you should go for it and do spesh

[Orb]

Liking something already puts you ahead of at least 75% of the other students that do Specialist. Most of them are only there for the scaling, after all.

You'll find it so much more enjoyable than something that you didn't like, so you'll probably put more effort in it too!

Do it, you won't regret

[TheMereCat]

I really like mathematics and I'm really good at it. I've kind of had my heart set on doing Specialist Maths next year. However, I experienced severe uveitus, in both eyes. Basically I couldn't see and was in a lot of pain.

This, combined with the side effects from the steroids I was put on to make it go away impacted my studies quite severely. (I basically couldn't read my textbook or see the whiteboard for months, and then I was sleeping all the time, I missed quite a lot of school.) So I've gotten very behind on Methods this year and while I'm confident I can catch up over this term I'm not sure I'll get an A. I'm planning on catching up on Methods over the summer holidays to prepare for next year. I'll also only be doing 4 subjects so will have extra time to devote for specialist. Basically, I'm wondering if I should do specialist maths if I don't get an A in Methods.

I say go for it!

Given that you seem like you enjoy mathematics, and you're only doing 4 subjects, it's definitely something you should do!

Even if you don't get an A in methods, just take into account you fell behind because of something that wasn't in your control so don't take it upon yourself too harshly. Yeah, and what hamo mentioned, 80% of the kids will do it for the scaling, but if you're doing it because you enjoy it, you're guaranteed to do well and better than most kids.

[keltingmeith]

I'm going to be devil's advocate and pull a "no, don't do it."

HOWEVER, I'm not saying this because I don't you'll be capable. IMHO, if you've been disadvantaged this much over the year (and assuming you'll still be recovering next year - I know how much painful eye problems can be, and it sounds like you hit a beauty of one), maybe you should do year 12 over two years. In which case, if you do year 12 over two years, I reckon it would be better to put off specialist for the next year.

That being said, if there's some particular reason you're not doing it over two years (eg, already done two 3/4 subjects), then go for it. Not knowing all of methods won't be too disadvantageous - it'll be an issue if you're not caught up by term 2, but otherwise the courses are quite different, and you'll probably find doing specialist brings you up to speed for methods, rather than the other way round.

[DoctorPrincess]

Thank you, everyone, I'll do it next year. I think I'll be able to handle year 12 next year so I'm not going to do it over 2 years. I'll make sure to keep your post in mind though Euler and if I find I can't do it, I can do year 12 part time.