Bell's Journal

[Bri MT]

I've got a friend staying at Mannix and they really like it, if you've got specific questions let me know and I'll ask

[Bell9565]

Exam's are slowly creeping closer and closer yet I have literally 0 motivation to study ... which is a problem.

Earlier this week we had our trial exams (ew), and of course they have to ruin the final sunday of our holidays by whacking an english exam in the middle of it! Prior to that exam, I had written a total of 1 essay (not for each section, like in TOTAL) because I hate english that much and struggle with bringing myself to write essays. Luckily I had done some other revision so I got 3 hopefully half decent essays down.
Spesh results for the trial exam was a bit of a let down - I got 58/80 which is a B+ (obviously an exam 2). I'm a bit annoyed because I just made stuuuppiidddd mistakes which I really shouldn't have but oh well - there's always next time!
Methods is the only other exam I've gotten back and I got 67/80. This was the top mark of my cohort (which I feel means my cohort isnt amazing) so I was fairly happy although I would have liked to have broken 70. We also did another exam 2 for methods (2017 VCAA) which I did a little better in.
Chemistry exam was actually the weirdest exam I've ever done so I'm keen to see how I did on that.

I'm also pretty sick at the moment ... I get told I sound unhealthy like 5 times a day (hacking cough) and I struggle to swallow because my throat is so sore, but I'm seeing the doctors tommorrow.

This close to exams and being sick is also perfect timing also for work to guilt trip you into working an extra 8-10 hours on the weekend when you really need to be studying, but the extra $300/400 will be nice to have. I've pretty much stopped all my other extracurriculars because I physically am just too run down to do sport or anything - I'm so keen to be even able to go to the gym again (I fully get around the Les Mill's classes)

I just need the 14th of November to come sooner - luckily after that I have a month of holidays lined up which i am very very looking forward too (also why I have to work extra atm ahah)

[Bell9565]

ENGLISH EXAM IS OVER
I have never felt so relieved in my life honestly - I hate the subject so much and even though I bombed the exam (okay I probably still did okay but I was hoping for low-mid 40's and that is VERY unlikely - I'd be elated with over 35 at this stage) I am simply glad that I never ever ever have to write an essay about Burial Rites again (the topics on the exams were horrid but I won't have a long rant about that at this present point in time)

I am enjoying my week off exams by not studying to the degree I should be - I just finished the 2016 VCAA Methods exam 2 ... was my best exam 2 mark so far but I still have no idea how to do those questions where they're like 'if x<y and k>2 show why A(k)>5' so if anyone has any tips on how to improve that, that'd be wonderful.

I've given up on spesh officially, I was doing great on practice exams then I took half a week off the subject and my scores have declined so much but if I even get low 30's that scaling is probably better than I'll do in methods if I really really try.

Chemistry .... has anyone done the VCAA 2018 NH exam?? I did it and did TERRIBLY and I didn't think I was doing that bad at chemistry and I really want to do very well in it however, now I have no hope. I hope it was just a harder than normal exam because if not, I am doomed. I love the content and all but its just really hard to not make idiotic errors and to know exactly what they want to know but oh well.

On a more positive note ... I got an interview to Adelaide Medicine! I'm rather excited actually as (please don't judge me) I actually enjoy the challenge of interviews. I also do like talking about myself to a degree so I don't mind and find that bit of it fine. I have no idea what to expect as my careers councillor has mainly brought people who talk about Monash medicine in to talk to us and prepare us for MMI but from what I've heard after exams he may be providing someone to help the few of us out who got an interview there from my school (VIC Based).
It also means I get a little 2 day holiday prior to my 1 month away which is exciting ... and its all this month & next!!

As of yesterday I am now no longer working until after the end of exams (13/11 for me) which is good but bad. I really enjoy it however, I takes a lot of time out of the day and now my chemistry teacher will be quiet about me working when I should be studying chem (jokingly of course).

I hope everyone else's exams have been going well

[Unsplash]

I assume when talk about those questions in methods, the last question on VCAA Methods 2016 is one of them?

If so, I found that thinking about these questions geometrically is best. If you think about what happens as k approaches 1, the x and y intercepts will approach 1. As the function is strictly increasing (established in part d), the area inclosed, by the graph of g and the line y=x must approach the triangle with vertices (-1,-1) , (1,1) and (-1,0). The area of this triangle is 2 and because k>1, that implies A(k)<2.

A very similar question occurs on the VCAA 2017 paper and again is the last question, however this time I would argue it is a bit easier.

Hopefully this helps.

[Bell9565]

I assume when talk about those questions in methods, the last question on VCAA Methods 2016 is one of them?

If so, I found that thinking about these questions geometrically is best. If you think about what happens as k approaches 1, the x and y intercepts will approach 1. As the function is strictly increasing (established in part d), the area inclosed, by the graph of g and the line y=x must approach the triangle with vertices (-1,-1) , (1,1) and (-1,0). The area of this triangle is 2 and because k>1, that implies A(k)<2.

A very similar question occurs on the VCAA 2017 paper and again is the last question, however this time I would argue it is a bit easier.

Hopefully this helps.

Yeah thankyou, I had just done the VCAA 2016 exam prior to writing in my journal so that is the question I was talking about. Can you explain how to do part d of that exam? I don't really get that either (If I didn't drop the 6 marks I did from part d to the end I would have done a lot better so please help ahahah)

[Unsplash]

Yeah thankyou, I had just done the VCAA 2016 exam prior to writing in my journal so that is the question I was talking about. Can you explain how to do part d of that exam? I don't really get that either (If I didn't drop the 6 marks I did from part d to the end I would have done a lot better so please help ahahah)

Ok so I have attached my working. It's not shown in the examiners report (their method seems super weird to me), but I can't see why it wouldn't be accepted. Basically I just show that the gradient is always positive and therefore the function is always increasing.

Going back to the last question, I forgot to mention, if you'd prefer to do it algebraically, you can just use the limits function on your CAS and put in k approaches infinity of the area function and k approaches 1. This will get you the required (not inclusive) bounds of 0 and 2 respectively.

Hope this helps. 
 

[Bell9565]

Ok so I have attached my working. It's not shown in the examiners report (their method seems super weird to me), but I can't see why it wouldn't be accepted. Basically I just show that the gradient is always positive and therefore the function is always increasing.

Going back to the last question, I forgot to mention, if you'd prefer to do it algebraically, you can just use the limits function on your CAS and put in k approaches infinity of the area function and k approaches 1. This will get you the required (not inclusive) bounds of 0 and 2 respectively.

Hope this helps. 

Okay thankyou, that makes a lot more sense now! I often find it hard to know what the questions are asking but those 2 now make a lot more sense! Goodluck for tomorrow

[Bell9565]

So sorry guys in between travelling and the riveting (not) end to my VCE life I kinda took a break from ATAR notes but I'm back - mostly because I'm utterly stumped regarding what to do next year and would love it if some kind souls helped out with my decisions.

Pretty much if anyone hasn't read the last couple of pages I want to do medicine undergrad and have applied to Monash and Adelaide (oh and also tassie where I have a place already YAYY but I realllyyy don't want to move down there because I cannot stand the cold and it is rather south).
My problem comes in deciding which uni I want to go to IF I get into both Monash and Adelaide. I'm not by any means being presumptuous and saying I'll get into both - it's a very real possibility I may not even get into one however, come the 14/15th of Jan I want to have it mapped out in my brain what I would do if I luckily get a place in both.
Throughout this year I was very pro Monash (living at Mannix) and I thought Adelaide would just be a backup. However, after visiting Adelaide and staying at Lincoln college (where I have a place) I fully swapped sides and fell in love with the uni and the whole thing.
But now I'm 50 50 after talking to the Monash kids that used to go to my school who all love it so I'm just very confused.
I have tried to devise a pros cons list but it doesn't help..
People who go to these unis and colleges if possible please let me know your honest opinion because some help for my indecisive self (I've been compared to Chidi for all you The Good Place fans) as its only a couple of weeks now until offers.
Thanks in advance 

[Lear]

Adelaide uni has had a terrible rep in terms of its medical program over the past decade. I would look into that for one.

The biggest thing I would consider in your spot is the costs and difficulty of moving out to another state. Not just the cost of living there, but also things such as travelling back and forth if you were to visit family. However it could actually be a really great experience to find yourself in a brand new city and have to start from scratch with support groups and friends etc.
Also, if you do medicine there you will also have to do your internship there. If you intend to eventually come back to Melbourne after the many years you’ll have to stay there, there may be some difficulties I think.

[Quantum44]

So sorry guys in between travelling and the riveting (not) end to my VCE life I kinda took a break from ATAR notes but I'm back - mostly because I'm utterly stumped regarding what to do next year and would love it if some kind souls helped out with my decisions.

Pretty much if anyone hasn't read the last couple of pages I want to do medicine undergrad and have applied to Monash and Adelaide (oh and also tassie where I have a place already YAYY but I realllyyy don't want to move down there because I cannot stand the cold and it is rather south).
My problem comes in deciding which uni I want to go to IF I get into both Monash and Adelaide. I'm not by any means being presumptuous and saying I'll get into both - it's a very real possibility I may not even get into one however, come the 14/15th of Jan I want to have it mapped out in my brain what I would do if I luckily get a place in both.
Throughout this year I was very pro Monash (living at Mannix) and I thought Adelaide would just be a backup. However, after visiting Adelaide and staying at Lincoln college (where I have a place) I fully swapped sides and fell in love with the uni and the whole thing.
But now I'm 50 50 after talking to the Monash kids that used to go to my school who all love it so I'm just very confused.
I have tried to devise a pros cons list but it doesn't help..
People who go to these unis and colleges if possible please let me know your honest opinion because some help for my indecisive self (I've been compared to Chidi for all you The Good Place fans) as its only a couple of weeks now until offers.
Thanks in advance 

Monash is probably a better option than Adelaide for most people since it is a 5 year degree rather than a 6 year degree. The downside to Monash is that as far as I’m aware, it doesn’t have any proper colleges and it’s quite far out into the suburbs, so your social life will likely be significantly worse than Adelaide. Adelaide also has a really nice new med school and hospital right next to it, and it’s a lot more chill than Monash as internships are not merit based and the entire course is non-graded.

Adelaide uni has had a terrible rep in terms of its medical program over the past decade. I would look into that for one.

The biggest thing I would consider in your spot is the costs and difficulty of moving out to another state. Not just the cost of living there, but also things such as travelling back and forth if you were to visit family. However it could actually be a really great experience to find yourself in a brand new city and have to start from scratch with support groups and friends etc.
Also, if you do medicine there you will also have to do your internship there. If you intend to eventually come back to Melbourne after the many years you’ll have to stay there, there may be some difficulties I think.

Adelaide had a poor reputation a while back since it’s course was not seen as up to standard by the AMA and a lot of students were failing. A lot has changed since then and I’m certain are now meeting the AMA standards as they are planning to change to an MD soon. It’s also very difficult to fail now, even in 5th year when you have your barrier exams.

You make a good point however that you will have to do your internship in SA if you go to Adelaide as it will be difficult to move back to Melbourne.

[Bri MT]

The downside to Monash is that as far as I’m aware, it doesn’t have any proper colleges and it’s quite far out into the suburbs, so your social life will likely be significantly worse than Adelaide.

Monash has a few different residential colleges (Mannix being the most expensive one & being the only catered one afaik).

I can't compare to Adelaide but it's very possible (imo easy) to have a vibrant social life at Monash, especially if you live on res.

I like Monash's vibe and think that not being in the CBD is an asset that creates more of a "community vibe" but this is highly subjective. 


It seems like Adelaide connects to you more, so unless there's a career/opportunities/coursework reason to pick Monash med instead,  I'd have Adelaide as your first preference.

Good luck

[TheAspiringDoc]

Any new thoughts on the Adelaide vs Monash weigh-up?

[Lear]

Any new thoughts on the Adelaide vs Monash weigh-up?

Yeah, Monash is cooler.
(Just hoping the Med admissions team sees this enthusiasm and gives me an offer )