'Doing VCE' - the good, the bad, and the future

[Joseph41]

You know what can be overwhelming? VCE. Year 12. The future. So why don't we try to make it easier on each other, and on future students?

In this thread, what I'm looking for is some general advice. For past students, one or two things that you're glad you did, that you wish you did, and that you think you probably should have done differently. Current students can also contribute to this; in fact, current students will probably have the most relevant advice. And then current/future students can also work off this advice to see what works for them. Everybody wins!

So I'll start us off.

Things I'm glad I did during VCE:
- Chose subjects I thought I would enjoy, rather than what would scale well or had the most prestige (whether or not I actually enjoyed those subjects was something altogether different, haha)
- Established a rough (but not stringent) routine that I could stick to during the year
- To-do lists

Things I wish I did during VCE:
- Ask more questions
- Apply for more extracurricular opportunities (volunteering, leadership sort of things)
- Seek help earlier for stress/anxiety

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
- Played the 'number game' (worry too much about actual SAC results)
- Prioritise VCE over my health
- Take poor results personally (I'm still working on this one)

Over to you, friends!

IMPORTANT: In order to ask a question, you will have to click here and make an ATAR Notes account.

[IndefatigableLover]

Nice thread Joseph41 (time for some procrastination xD)

Things I'm glad I did during VCE:
- Applying for lots of different extracurricular opportunities which really helped me develop those softer skills
- Spend time looking ahead into the future (be it uni or during VCE) to give myself a rough timeline of what I hope to achieve
- Creating SMART goals
- Ensuring I stayed connected with friends whether it be from or outside of school

Things I wish I did during VCE:
- Exercising regularly
- Doing subjects that I would enjoy (though that's starting to change)

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
- Playing the numbers game like Joseph41
- Not having too many group study sessions (or at least have productive friends)

[Cowboy]

Things I'm glad I did during VCE:
- Smart study (more practice papers less making notes)
- Played heaps of inter-school sport.
- Distracted myself occasionally, with movie nights and gaming sessions

Things I wish I did during VCE:
- Investigated a bit more about university
- More extra-curricular activities
- Ask more questions
- Sit at the front

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
 -Wish i didnt develop a crush on a manipulative and psycho person. Still feeling the effects to this day. Wish i could pull out but i went too deep and now its hard.
- Wish i didnt so much time with the wrong people
- Played the numbers game
- Overestimated my abilities and was crushed when they werent realized
- Think that the world owes me something. It doesnt. If you want something badly you need to work hard for it, not expect it to come you for free

[Aaron]

Things i'm glad I did during VCE:
- Took time out for leisure, friendships etc.
- Focused on the subjects I liked and had an interest in, and as a result scored high in them.
- Didn't play the numbers game until right at the end for IT only

Things I wish I did during VCE:
- Researched course opportunities more. I always wondered how my life would be different if I went to a uni such as Melb/Monash for IT/Compsci.
- Chose more appropriate subjects that catered to my interests (this was partially due to the school not offering such subjects)
- Took maths more seriously, given it was featured heavily in my IT course and now i'm going to be a Maths/IT teacher

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
I guess the one big thing for me was 'stuffing around' during Year 12. I went to an average public school and the culture/norm was to not give a crap, so that's all I was ever exposed to. Having now seen it from a different light post-VCE, I appreciate VCE and regret not taking it more seriously. I finished back in 2012, so i'm hoping that I can correct some of my mistakes that I made and share my knowledge with my future students that I teach.

[pi]

I luckily don't have too many regrets from my VCE, but great thread idea

Things I'm glad I did during VCE:
- Had a lot of fun, lots of classroom banter
- Took breaks when I needed to (Friday nights off folks!)
- Decided to sit the UMAT
- Didn't care much for rankings
- Joined AN and asked a lot of questions and hopefully helped a lot of people out

Things I wish I did during VCE:
- Not neglect some subjects as much as I did
- Participated in more clubs and inter-year events
- Took the GAT more seriously (even though I didn't use it)

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
- VCE Physics
- Being a distraction in the classroom, we got pretty rowdy at times

[Swagadaktal]

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
- VCE Physics

LMAO I knew you'd write that

[HopefulLawStudent]

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
- VCE Physics

If only this thread had existed two years ago... but then again, being the naive little munchkin I was, I still woulda taken physics in the hopes that I'd like it. I'm still waiting for that moment where physics becomes engaging and fun and interesting though I suspect that shall never happen.

[Sine]

If only this thread had existed two years ago... but then again, being the naive little munchkin I was, I still woulda taken physics in the hopes that I'd like it. I'm still waiting for that moment where physics becomes engaging and fun and interesting though I suspect that shall never happen.

This existed 3 years ago. 

[Review] VCE Physics 3/4

[Joseph41]

Things I'm glad I did during VCE:
- Took breaks when I needed to (Friday nights off folks!)

Good one!

Or in my case, every night haha.

[stolenclay]

Things I'm glad I did during VCE:
- Exercised far more (was forced upon me, but I'm glad it was)
- Pursued university extension maths (the impact on my current course plan right now was rather significant)
- Not stress

Things I wish I did during VCE:
- Develop a work ethic that I could uphold in all subjects regardless of how much I liked them
- Be more active in seeking insight into career options; but also
- Be more sceptical about career advice given to me
- Consider interstate or overseas university options
- Give some more thought to holistic growth as a person

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
- Coasted on natural ability (which gave very mixed results)
- Settled on an undergraduate course that compromised my interests slightly

[strawberries]

Things I'm glad I did during VCE:
- used AN

Things I wish I did during VCE:
- exercise more + eat healthier (aka not so much junk food) <-- this is important!
- more extracurriculars -- good to have a balanced lifestyle
- have a social life/make friends - this is actually so important, I don't think I walked away from year 12 with a single friend tbh so make sure you have time for this! (and also be nice to others!)
- (controversial) stress/worry a bit more, I was often too calm
- asked more questions in class/not be scared to ask questions
- (controversial) do subjects which I was good at (e.g. maths/sciences) b/c I'd be more likely to get better marks = higher ATAR
- to-do lists
- routine/timetable
- take every SAC seriously b/c if you 'do badly' on one it can really affect your ranking/final SS (that being said, if you don't get a 'nice' SAC mark don't worry about it, focus on where you went wrong/what you can improve for the next one as there's nothing you can change now)

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
- numbers game, worrying about SAC scores/rankings/ATARCalc shit !!!!! (I probably spent more time on this than doing actual work oops )
- writing notes, complete waste of time - instead complete questions/write essays/whatever you need to do (however this may/may not work for others)
- (controversial) going to bed early when I could've stayed up studying
- watching reality TV shows

[vox nihili]

Things I'm glad I did during VCE:
-swapped out of Literature into Biology
-did public speaking
-maintained an interest in the world beyond VCE
-realised that it wasn't a competition
-and for a useful study tip, spent a lot of time explain things to others (or even just a wall!)

Things I wish I did during VCE:
-didn't knock back so many social events
-too methods more seriously, maths is extremely useful!

Things I did but probably shouldn't have done during VCE:
-made a dick of myself at muck-up day
-procrastinated sooo much

[Joseph41]

There have been some really great - and varied - responses thus far! I find really interesting the different perspectives. I would be interested in thoughts of some more current Year 12 students, and also future students!

Thanks for contributing, everybody.

[Glasses]

Things I'm glad I am doing in VCE:
- Using ATARNotes.
- Not getting caught up with/obsessing over study score calculations (this year).
- Using to-do lists (rather than study timetables [as was recommended by my school]).
- (Glad I did) two 3/4 subjects last year.
- Using and adding to "feedback compilation" word documents (one per subject) after completing practice essays/practice SACs (and actual SACs).
- Completing subjects I enjoy and find interesting.
- Legal via Distance Ed.

Things I wish I did (last year)/wish I was doing in VCE:
- Didn't obsess over one bad SAC mark and let it throw me off.
- Wish I was managing my stress better.
- Improving on completing SACs/exams within time constraints.

Things I did/am doing, but shouldn't have done/be doing in VCE:
- Not exercising.
- Not getting enough sleep.
- (Last year) underestimated the power of VCAA SAC moderation.

[Swagadaktal]

Things I'm glad I am doing in VCE:
- Using ATARNotes.
- Not getting caught up with/obsessing over study score calculations (this year).
- Using to-do lists (rather than study timetables [as was recommended by my school]).
- (Glad I did) two 3/4 subjects last year.
- Using and adding to "feedback compilation" word documents (one per subject) after completing practice essays/practice SACs (and actual SACs).
- Completing subjects I enjoy and find interesting.
- Legal via Distance Ed.

Things I wish I did (last year)/wish I was doing in VCE:
- Didn't obsess over one bad SAC mark and let it throw me off.
- Wish I was managing my stress better.
- Improving on completing SACs/exams within time constraints.

Things I did/am doing, but shouldn't have done/be doing in VCE:
- Not exercising.
- Not getting enough sleep.
- (Last year) underestimated the power of VCAA SAC moderation.

brah the first 3 things are the exact same thing for me.