How would you rate 2019 out of 10?6.5/10
What was your biggest academic accomplishment in 2019?Getting in the top 6 of my maths class! This has been something I have been working my butt off throughout year 12, as my prelim ranks were unfortunate (was in the bottom half of the class, barely passing), and I was motivated to do even better.
If any, what's your biggest academic regret for 2019?This goes way back to year 10 subject selection, but I wish I didn't care so much what people thought of my own selection of subjects. In year 10, I wanted to do mainly maths and science subjects because I wanted people to believe I was one of the "smart" people (I just want to point out that your subjects do not dictate or is relative to your intelligence, this was a stupid mentality I had back in year 10), when in actuality, my strengths lay in the humanities side. As a result, I wish I could've gone back and chosen the subjects that I wanted to do (modern, legal, english ext, history ext), so not only would I play my strengths to my advantage but I would always enjoy my HSC workload, and thus be more motivated.
If you had your time again, what would you change from 2019?Better time-management skills whilst juggling the HSC. I wish I was able to balance all these activities and work whilst doing HSC, I believe it would've helped me study smart, and not too hard to the point where my mental and physical health is at stake. I like to have a 'busy' schedule so I could not only maximise productivity but also help me prioritise what needed to be done rather than just procrastinate, and then go in work mode when I intentionally cram.
What's your funniest story/moment from school/uni in 2019?I have about 3 that I cant decide which was funnier tbh
In one of my prelim classes, we were talking about different blood types and discussing what out blood type was. One of the students asked my teacher "What's your blood type?" and he replied "O negative". However, there was this kid that wasn't listening and when he looked up, he looked confused, and said, with confidence "WAIT WHAT THERE'S MORE THAN ONE BLOOD TYPE? I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST RED". I swear, if you were in that classroom, you could hear everyone's palm slapping their forehead in disappointment.
Someone in year 9, actually put a fart bomb during a Romeo and Juliet play. Yup, you read that right. Basically, a few years ago, the easter show would have these fart bombs and someone actually brought it to the school. In the scene where Romeo is calling out to Juliet's balcony, someone put a fart bomb. And everyone from the right side of the hall (where the play was commenced), basically gagged and got out of their seats. It was a chain reaction, and watching it from the left side of the view, made it hilarious. The smell was so bad that we all had to be evacuated.
This was actually during this year! During the first hour of paper 2 English, we were all in the hall. All of a sudden, a song plays and it is the worst song to play during a HSC exam. What was the song you ask? "Under Pressure"! I remember looking up and seeing about 5 students aside me trying to hide their snickers and the HSC Examiner hiding theirs as well. And it was in the middle when I forgot one of my quotes and as I was trying so hard to recall it, the background has "PRESSURE!! PRESSING DOWN ON ME PRESSING DOWN ON YOU!!"
Were your exams as expected?English Advanced: Paper 1 short answers.... I felt so disappointed with myself, especially with that 'boomerang' question (ngl, the hsc memes made me feel instantly better). The essay was doable, I did like the question. Paper 2 was alright, my themes were able to suit to the question. Overall, I'm hoping I did well, since this was the subject I maintained a high rank in
Investigating Science: lol. that was an extremely random exam I have to say. Honestly, I feel like I failed it, and I have not one positive thought going through that makes me believe I did well in it. i hope I did though.
PDHPE: Was happy with to be honest, it was everything I predicted, and I felt semi confident walking out of that exam. Hopefully my results reflect my study
Mathematics: I was extremely disappointed with myself in this. Despite everything I studied for, and was the most consistent studying I did out of all my subjects, I never felt more ashamed of my performance. I walked in and in reading time, I had a panic attack so bad I had to be escorted out of the hall. Even though I was in a different room, doing the questions, I never felt more stupid in my life. I almost felt like crying after that exam, because I couldn't do question 16 and probably misinterpreted some of the questions. At this point, I'm praying for a pass.
Studies of Religion: Now, after that horrendous ordeal of maths, I was determined to do better in this exam. I wanted this unit to count to compensate for my experience with maths. This exam was everything I expected and I felt confident walking out of that exam, knowing I knew how to effectively answer the questions given
Chemistry: I was happy with this exam, and hopefully I can get a good mark in my exam. I was mainly happy that this exam was mainly skills based, since I preferred it over content. However, I felt that there were of course some last questions that I felt like I didn't get full marks in, which is what I'm extremely disappointed in. Overall, it was decent
What's your best advice for younger year levels studying in 2020?Do subjects that you know are good at and love, this was my biggest regret going into Year 11 and 12. Keep questioning and don't afraid to go beyond the classroom. Work hard, but don't sacrifice your mental and physical health over it. Most importantly, love and support your friends. In these coming up years, they are vital and can be emotionally damaging to you, so always have time for your friends, and show your appreciation for them. This is, inevitably a hard time, but if you have someone who hears your ups and downs, your proud moments and your disheartening failures, and still believes in you and your goals, in the end, everything will be much more easier and will be ok
Outside of school/uni, what were the best and worst parts of 2019?
Best- socialising more, doing more things for leisure without the academic pressure
Worst- lack of routine and structure. For 13 years, we have taken for granted how much school consumes our times and actually dictates how out day will be planned out. Can't go out. Why? School work, homework, studying for upcoming exams etc. Now, just graduated, it feels....weird, I almost feel guilty for having so much free time