J_Rho :)
Hi J_Rho! Thanks so much for reading my journal!
Your journal, and the way you strive to achieve your goals are every single positive adjective I can think of!
I find Bio and Psych to be quite interesting most of the time. I'm a bit behind in Bio because I had a SAC when we covered transcription and translation, and it looks like something that will take a while for me to wrap my head around! I just finished all of my U4 Psych SACs which has been quite relieving!
Entry #2I think it’s time for another
update dose of Word Vomit!
I’ve been trying to write something for the past couple of weeks but I haven’t thought of anything decent. What tends to happen with me though, is that when I start writing, ideas begin to flow. Not great ideas, but ideas. I’ve got to convince myself that sometimes, those ideas are enough.
Year 11 has been a bloody weird year. I’ve experienced ups and downs, but have mostly learnt a lot. Some of the things I’ve learnt (or already knew but realised the importance of):
- I think I know how to revise for my subjects (including maths haha)… so why don’t I do it properly? Fear of failure can lead to failure itself.
- Exercise, exercise, exercise – for the production of those ‘feel good’ beta-endorphins. Even just a short run or walk.
- SLEEP IS PARAMOUNT. As I have learnt during remote learning, sleeping at 2am and waking up 7/8am is not good for your mental health and functioning, no matter how much work you have to do. After plenty of weeks of sustained wakefulness and not having a set sleep time, I went from being a night person to an I-need-to-sleep-when-my-creative-energy-peaks-at-night-but-I-choose-sleep person.
- Drink plenty of water and get enough micronutrients like iron and vitamin D, deficiencies are not nice.
- Come up with ways to pick yourself up when you have reached a low point in any aspect of life, before it becomes too difficult to manage.
Today I had a Psychology SAC and Methods SAC. I think the Psychology SAC went mostly well but Methods, oh boy. That’s a different story. Seeing as I have four SACs this week, I decided to put methods on the backburner and I know I could’ve tried a bit harder. Then there’s the question of whether or not I should switch to further. I don’t need methods for most of my top preferences (science at Melbourne is my second or third choice but I could always do arts and transfer, or science at Monash) but I don’t just want to drop it either, because I don’t think I’ve tried hard enough overall this year to say that I’ve given it a far go. I feel like if I drop it, I’m just giving up. My aim is to start doing the methods textbook for next year after I finish VCAA exams for this year and do every question (or at least do some basic ones until I’ve got a grasp on a concept and then move onto the advance ones). I could even start now and do one chapter a week, but the problem is that I might forget the material by the time I actually get to next year and will have to relearn it. Maybe it’s a better idea if I do more past SACs than textbook questions.
Particularly with Methods and Chem, if I take the time to understand a concept and why certain steps are performed, then it tends to stick with me. It's amazing how many of my friends went into the Methods SAC and didn't really understand the concepts (I was one of them haha). I’ve been trying to improve my understanding by watching YouTube videos in the non-procrastinate-y and asking my Chem teacher clarifying questions and she’s been nice to me about it which is nice. I usually hate asking for help but if I ask questions, I gain more knowledge, right?
Psychology has helped me to become aware of my cognitions, mental health and just how my brain works. I’ve been ruminating a lot about school, which has lead me to some maladaptive behaviours such as revising at the last minute even though I do know the importance of spaced repetition. I just want to pick myself up again. Anyway. I really enjoy Psych and how you can come up with an example for just about any concept. I saw an example in the textbook about being chased by a horse and seeing as the example was meaningful, it helped me to remember what memory bias was through elaborative rehearsal.
I’m towards the end of a workout challenge with a friend (has anyone tried YouTuber Chloe Ting’s workout programs?!) and now I’m starting a running program on an app called “Couch 2 5K”, where, as described in the name, it aims to get you off the couch and running 5km in around 8 weeks. Day 1 started with a 5 minute brisk walk, then alternating with a 1 min run / 1.5 minute walk eight times. I found it to be alright overall but my calves did not! Good thing my bio teacher taught me some stretches!
I’m also in the middle of a social media detox, basically with no Instagram or the like. I’m allowing YouTube every second day for entertainment. It’s been going somewhat well so far, but the last time I did a social media detox a month ago, I was a lot more strict (e.g. if I hadn’t done any work at all, not going on YouTube even if it was a designated day). I plan to implement that strictness again, especially seeing as we’re heading close to exams.
Around this time of the year, there’s a big emphasis on subject selection and future plans. The subjects I’ve chosen for next year are Bio, Chem, Methods, EngLang and Further. My school lets people do four subjects if they get over 40 in both 3&4s, Even if I do get over 40 in both, my plan is to either replace methods or further with a uni extension program like Deakin Accelerate or UMEP. In the case that I don’t get into any of these programs, I might do PE (just to prove to the PE teachers that I can do their subject and wear PE uniform
. plus learn a bit about the human body). Normally, when people ask me what I want to do after high school, I tell them science. That’s the only thing I’m sure about. With careers, it always comes down to me asking myself, “Am I good enough for X career?” or “Would I make a good _____?”
Another pathway I haven't considered is research, in science, education or something health-esque. This partially stemmed (STEM - get it?) from when I recently spoke with someone who was interested in med and did biomed. They realised that they were interested in research after studying wet specs and are now striving to do a PhD. Research honestly seems like a great pathway – writing a PhD is almost like writing a difficult-to-understand coffee table book. A story perhaps. Weird comparison I know. There’s also the option to work while doing a PhD in fields such as education and clinical trials, which seems cool.
Enough about me! Now for the good stuff.
doggo
I have hundreds of doggo pics, but for now, please enjoy this poor quality picture.
He doesn’t really like having his picture taken but he gave me the okay to uploading this one.
Here’s a quote I got when first trying to write this entry from the browser extension Momentum (comes up with a new quote and a stunning picture of a location around the world each day):
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”
Remember - you've come so far. Have a look at what you've achieved this year alone! Only a little bit of this year to go! Keep at it
Have a great week everyone!