HSC Journey- From Prelims to HSC

[kauac]

Happy Birthday Olivia! Hope your day has been, and continues to be, amazing! 

[Joseph41]

Happy birthday, friend! 🎈🎈🎈

[owidjaja]

Happy Birthday Olivia! Hope your day has been, and continues to be, amazing! 

Happy birthday, friend! 🎈🎈🎈

Happy birthday Olivia
Wishing you many happy returns

Thanks for the birthday wishes

[snowisawesome]

Happy birthday Olivia
Wishing you many happy returns

[owidjaja]

Hey guys,
It's been a very tiring week since I last updated my journal- my main concern is burning out before exams even start. I have a bad record of burning out really quickly. I think last week wasn't a good week in general because I keep passing out at my desk and I have no idea why I'm feeling tired all the time. I've been trying to sleep earlier but the earliest time is 11:30am, and that's the time I turn off the lights, not fall asleep. It takes me around 30 minutes to an hour to start falling asleep. So yeah, my body clock is screwed.

Apart from that, I finally submitted my first chapter of my SAC PIP to my teacher! She gave me some comments to help polish my chapter but at this point, I feel like all the editing will be done towards the end. I found that I tend to write better when I rely on my stream of consciousness- I can't stop and then write a few hours later because I like to be in my mind palace when I write so I can write down everything in one sitting (cookies for those who get that reference )

And that 'technique' on relying my stream of consciousness also applies to writing essays. I am severely uncomfortable in writing History Extension essays- it's gotten to the point that I'm freaking out about how to write them because I still have no clue how to write them. I know how to plan them, it's just writing it. And we never really go through an exemplar essay and point out where you get the marks. And at this point, I'm just freaking out about History Extension because we're not given a lot of opportunities to do practice essays- I was talking to my modern sub teacher and he was mentioning that in one school that he taught, they did practice essays every two weeks; I kinda wish that's what we did because none of us are getting the practice we need in writing History Extension essays. And from my experience in reading those essays, they are extremely different to your standard essay. My teacher treats it like a normal Modern or English essay, but when I do so, I'm not really writing it 'correctly.'

I don't know, I'm just high on stress at the moment, especially since my main concern is math. It's my weakest subject yet it's the subject I invest the most amount of time. I spend around 3 hours a day on math yet I'm not getting the results I want. And at this point, I don't know what I'm doing wrong with my studying. Out of all my exams, math stresses me out the most-  I have a record of having panic attacks after all my math and physics exams (haven't had one for physics in a while though). And counsellors don't help- already seen one and she was useless.

So yeah, here's a moody, pre-exam update. Hopefully, my mood will be a but more uplifted next time I write.

See you soon.

- Olivia

[owidjaja]

Hey guys,
So scholarships have been on my mind as of late. Firstly, UNSW Co-op Scholarship Program. I'm not entirely sure if I can get that minimum 96 ATAR but I will apply for it just to see how I go. My main concern is that the character limit underneath each section scares the hell out of my because I'm not entirely sure if I've done enough to fulfil those character limits, especially the question on 'significant achievement or project' and 'personal development.' With me, there's two extremes when it comes to answering questions that relate to my achievements. I can either just barely say anything because my mind goes blank whenever they ask what I've done in extra-curricular and co-curricular, or I can just ramble on what I've done and what I've learnt which causes me to go over the word limit -_- There's never an in-between for me. I should start drafting my responses but I'm occupied with exam preparation.

And speaking of scholarships, I'm also applying for ANU Tuckwell Scholarship. As I'm answering the questions, it actually freaks me out a bit how this application can basically determine what university I can go to. It also scares me that you need a minimum ATAR of 95 to get the scholarship. On top of that, it's in Canberra. I don't mind living on my own- I consider myself to be a more independent person. I'm much more concerned about that one story I heard about how a college in ANU had this weird hazing/initiation. I won't describe it because it's really disturbing but the actions are quite... misogynistic/anti-consent; it's basically sexual harassment but worse. Even though this scholarship will cover accommodation at a different college, the thought of that story is a bit unsettling.

Just some random thoughts on scholarships at the moment. I really need to finish my ANU application.

See you soon!

- Olivia

[Mada438]

Hey guys,
So scholarships have been on my mind as of late. Firstly, UNSW Co-op Scholarship Program. I'm not entirely sure if I can get that minimum 96 ATAR but I will apply for it just to see how I go. My main concern is that the character limit underneath each section scares the hell out of my because I'm not entirely sure if I've done enough to fulfil those character limits, especially the question on 'significant achievement or project' and 'personal development.' With me, there's two extremes when it comes to answering questions that relate to my achievements. I can either just barely say anything because my mind goes blank whenever they ask what I've done in extra-curricular and co-curricular, or I can just ramble on what I've done and what I've learnt which causes me to go over the word limit -_- There's never an in-between for me. I should start drafting my responses but I'm occupied with exam preparation.

And speaking of scholarships, I'm also applying for ANU Tuckwell Scholarship. As I'm answering the questions, it actually freaks me out a bit how this application can basically determine what university I can go to. It also scares me that you need a minimum ATAR of 95 to get the scholarship. On top of that, it's in Canberra. I don't mind living on my own- I consider myself to be a more independent person. I'm much more concerned about that one story I heard about how a college in ANU had this weird hazing/initiation. I won't describe it because it's really disturbing but the actions are quite... misogynistic/anti-consent; it's basically sexual harassment but worse. Even though this scholarship will cover accommodation at a different college, the thought of that story is a bit unsettling.

Just some random thoughts on scholarships at the moment. I really need to finish my ANU application.

See you soon!

- Olivia

These ATAR cutoffs sound tough! I was under the impression that if you applied for a scholarship and got a semi decent atar like a 60 or something, you'd get it.Not any of these rediculous 95, 96+ cutoffs!

Just answer them as best you can! If you can't think of what to write then don't write much. Better to leave stuff blank then lie about yourself IMO

Don't let one story of a college deter you from that Uni! Like its not representative of that uni at all.
Although i'm curous, what college was it as i am looking at attending ANU and moving intersate myself

Hope all goes well! 

[owidjaja]

These ATAR cutoffs sound tough! I was under the impression that if you applied for a scholarship and got a semi decent atar like a 60 or something, you'd get it.Not any of these rediculous 95, 96+ cutoffs!

Just answer them as best you can! If you can't think of what to write then don't write much. Better to leave stuff blank then lie about yourself IMO

Don't let one story of a college deter you from that Uni! Like its not representative of that uni at all.
Although i'm curous, what college was it as i am looking at attending ANU and moving intersate myself

Hope all goes well! 

Hey there!
Thanks for the word of encouragement I feel like this whole process is just stressing me out. The application is already seven pages long -_-

As for those hazing stories, I'll link you to the article that listed a bunch of disturbing hazing stories. Most of them are at USyd but the one ANU story occurred at John XXIII College.

[jamonwindeyer]

I should start drafting my responses but I'm occupied with exam preparation.

Not sure about the ANU one, but if the Coop one is still due in September then omg don't touch it yet. Wait until holidays or Term 2 when it is less busy

Awesome job applying, lots of people who have gotten Coop don't think they'll get 96. I've heard of people getting in with lower in isolated instances (no idea if true). The Coop scholarship is great because it isn't based on academic merit once you've hit that 96 mark - Purely on your qualities as a future employee

[owidjaja]

Not sure about the ANU one, but if the Coop one is still due in September then omg don't touch it yet. Wait until holidays or Term 2 when it is less busy

Awesome job applying, lots of people who have gotten Coop don't think they'll get 96. I've heard of people getting in with lower in isolated instances (no idea if true). The Coop scholarship is great because it isn't based on academic merit once you've hit that 96 mark - Purely on your qualities as a future employee

Hey there (for some reason I didn't get notified when you responded),
I feel like my career advisor has built up so much hype around this scholarship that I feel like the fact I haven't done anything with it makes me feel like I should at least start doing something with it- takes so much self control to hide that Coop brochure under the piles of past papers xD

As for ANU, since it's a 3-stage scholarship, the student applications were due on 22nd March, and since it was my first time applying for a scholarship, I was just paranoid if I answered any of these questions correctly (even though these questions are open to interpretation lol).

[owidjaja]

Hey guys,
Haven't been updating as much because half-yearlies are next week; I think I'm using this as an excuse to get away from the studying xD At this point, I think doing past papers and writing practice essays should be what I need to focus on during the long weekend. I'm much more concerned about my Modern History essays because I still need to refine it and it's on Wednesday. I'm also not confident in parametrics- we didn't have time to go through everything on parametrics this week so rip. I tried doing a past paper for 3U and I had no clue how to do parametrics so I ended up just sitting at my desk and cry ;-; Surprised I haven't cried myself to sleep but since today is the last day before exams, just hearing my friends say things like 'Have you done anything on Yeats' or 'Are you gonna write your essays' just makes me stressed.

As for my Major Works, I'd like to think I'm where I should be for History Extension. My teacher recommended me to step back and see how my research fits with my question. I made little notes here and there in my research notes how it links to my focus questions but I need to do a bit more reflection on my progress. My PIP is also going well- I submitted by second chapter this week. I will have to put it on hold because I barely started my SAC speech and I need to focus on my exams. 

My Year Coordinator also spoke to me today about me doing 13 units. This is the second time a teacher has approached me about this- the first time being my Acting Curriculum Coordinator. Both of them are concerned over the fact that I'm doing too many subjects and how people generally do better when they have less units. I was supposed to drop SAC but my HSIE coordinator didn't let me because we weren't sure if History Extension was gonna run. Now I've done so much for my PIP, all this effort would be pointless for me. And I love History Extension as well so I don't want to drop that either- plus, one of my experts wants to read my paper when I'm finished, so it would be embarrassing for me to be like 'Oh I'm not doing the subject anymore' and it would be a waste of time for my experts to give me such in-depth responses. Math, on the other hand, stresses me out the most. There are times where I consider dropping it but at the same time, 2U math gets a bit dull to me- plus I need it to do engineering (pretty sure one of the requirements on the Engineering Co-op Program is that we need a sufficient amount of knowledge for 3U math and physics).

Anyway, I should go back to studying for my half-yearlies.

See you soon!

- Olivia

[jamonwindeyer]

If you're doing well then no need to drop right! You're driven, plenty of people do 13 units, you've got this

2U math gets a bit dull to me- plus I need it to do engineering (pretty sure one of the requirements on the Engineering Co-op Program is that we need a sufficient amount of knowledge for 3U math and physics).

^^ There's no hard requirement here, Coop will only care about your ATAR. Though doing those subjects might make you appear more suited to the scholarship, maybe?

In terms of what you actually need to know at uni, they reteach everything you need from Physics. 3U is basically useless. It's really only Calculus

[owidjaja]

If you're doing well then no need to drop right! You're driven, plenty of people do 13 units, you've got this

^^ There's no hard requirement here, Coop will only care about your ATAR. Though doing those subjects might make you appear more suited to the scholarship, maybe?

In terms of what you actually need to know at uni, they reteach everything you need from Physics. 3U is basically useless. It's really only Calculus

At the moment, I'm trying to give an equal amount of attention to my subjects but math basically takes up most of my time and at the moment. I invest more time in math yet I still sit at around the average mark.

I think my main concern is having to catch up in uni. I was talking to one of my engineering friends (who also happens to do electrical engineering at UNSW ) and did 2U math, and he said that he found his first year a bit difficult because he only did 2U math.

[jamonwindeyer]

At the moment, I'm trying to give an equal amount of attention to my subjects but math basically takes up most of my time and at the moment. I invest more time in math yet I still sit at around the average mark.

I think my main concern is having to catch up in uni. I was talking to one of my engineering friends (who also happens to do electrical engineering at UNSW ) and did 2U math, and he said that he found his first year a bit difficult because he only did 2U math.

It is definitely a little tougher if you haven't done 2U, only because the pace you jump to is waaay different. If you come from MX1 you're used to moving a bit faster.

In terms of knowledge though, you'll use very little 3U stuff, it's mainly 2U!

So I guess I'm saying: It's not that not doing MX1 makes things difficult. It's that people who don't do MX1 are likely to find it difficult anyway, because the jump is bigger for them. If that makes sense

[owidjaja]

It is definitely a little tougher if you haven't done 2U, only because the pace you jump to is waaay different. If you come from MX1 you're used to moving a bit faster.

In terms of knowledge though, you'll use very little 3U stuff, it's mainly 2U!

So I guess I'm saying: It's not that not doing MX1 makes things difficult. It's that people who don't do MX1 are likely to find it difficult anyway, because the jump is bigger for them. If that makes sense

As for the requirements for Coop, I was referring to how hit mentioned that 3U math and physics is recommended knowledge. And on top of that, in the FAQ section where it addresses recommended/assumed knowledge, it mentioned how that kind of knowledge is desirable and although it won't prevent me from enrolling, it can put me at a disadvantage.