Unsure of dropping (1 Viewer)

[minimalistik]

Hey there,
Well I got my results back for the premlinary exams and Im not to happy about them. Currently im doing:

Maths Ex. 1
English Advanced
Legal Studies
Studies of Religion 1
IPT
IT

Now im only concerned about English and Maths right now because I have an initial 2 weeks now if I want to drop. English I didnt do well because pretty much I didnt enjoy Much Ado about Nothing and Heart of Darkness. For Maths, I got only 40% for 2unit and 27% for extension which is bad. Now im really unsure whether I should drop down to 2unit or not. So many of my friends have advised me to stay with 3unit because I would have 12units, I have the "right mind" for 3unit and if I stuff up in some other subject, 3unit could save me but on the other end, my teacher recommedened me to drop to 2unit because I could have more time concetrating on 2unit and since some students previously, who stayed with 3unit, did not do well in their HSC Trials. What im afraid of is that if I stay with 3unit, I wouldnt be able to cope and still have low marks even if I work hard. If I go down to 2unit, I would be more comfortable (of course) but I would have to work hard so that my UAI is still high overall. I was always able to do the 3unit homework but could not do the exam. The prelim exam was the only thing I really went bad in. Topic tests I did alright, passed but never up there. Now for anyone that is in a similar situation, could you please tell what what you think? Should I stick to 3unit or drop? What will the contents of 3unit be next yr?

With English, im not doing well either but really I think, because I didnt enjoy the texts that we were given and because it was on Change. I think with Journey, I can relate better. But you see, im ranked 72/75 for the english adv. Again, the head coordinator advised me to drop and stick with eng standard. But I realised that if I dropped, that I wouldnt get a high uai overall because Eng Stand, you can only get Band 5 (highest) and that not many people were able to get a Band 5 (most got band 4 in my school). He also told me that the texts are easier since there is no Shakespeare and in Standard, you do texts like "The Club", "The Removalists". The English exam, I got 12/15 for the 1st part and I did get higher that the usual high mark people. But the others, I got C and D. Its hard for me to see me drop Maths particulary because my parents are expecting me to do well. As well as im asian, its also hard. A friend my mine was not always up there last yr but this yr somehow hes gone up and I have gone down in marks.

I also realised that I have spent over the last few months, alot of time on the Internet. Sometimes it leads me astray form work. Im working on that now but it clashes with the consideration of dropping. Its particulary due that im fairly interested in web/graphic design and I spend time visiting design portals and participating in forums. I picked up that interest since the start of the yr. Maybe if I leave it for a while, I can do better? I would really like to do well next yr because I do want to make it to USYD or UTS because I want to do something along the lines of IT, visual communcations/digital media and/or IT.

Guys, please give me advice on what should I do with Maths and English im currently doing. Should I stay with both, drop one, keep doing it and drop later, anything that is needed. If you were or are in a similar situation, I would like to hear about it.

Thanks.

 

[waterfowl]

Maths Ex. 1
English Advanced
Legal Studies
Studies of Religion 1
IPT
IT

Firstly about spending a lot of time on the internet...stop now or you never will. If you want to get into USYD you can't sit around wasting time on the net.

And further if you want to get into those Unis you should keep Advanced English for sure, and Advanced maths. I don't think it is necessary to keep ext maths if you do badly.
I dropped from Advanced Maths to General and it was the best decision I ever made. I went from coming near last and only getting 20%, to coming first.

My opinion::drop ext but keep the other two. And besides if you have been doign Adv English for a few years standard would be very boring!

 

[wisequaker87]

Well i'm in pretty much teh same predicament as you are... I am doing 3u maths but only got 48% for 2u and 25% for 3u... I think for now I will stick with it - as I am enjoying the course and with more than 10units i can drop it whenever I want... maybe you should do the same?
With english advanced - if you think you can hang in there with Adv stay there, it will challenge you and help you to improve...on the other hand if you are not wiling to put in the effort drop down ... coz a band 4 in standard is better then a band 2 in advanced...

Hope I helped a bit.
ciao ciao

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

I'm not in a similar situation, but I am Asian (if that helps) and I'll just lend my advice anyway.

In my opinion, Ext 1 Maths in Year 12 is easier than that in Year 11. I'm not sure how many would agree, but my marks were much better this year.
If you feel uncomfortable doing Ext 1, then my advice is to drop it. If it is going to be your "worst" subject, the likelihood is that it won't contribute to your UAI and hence it may be useless. That isn't to say that you should just reject it. If you believe you can sacrifice your Internet time and get your head down and work, then by all means continue with Ext 1. It is worse to regret not doing it than to have tried and dropped it (my philiosophy).

As for English, stick with Advanced. While it isn't true that you can't get a Band 6 for Standard English, it is difficult (from past years). Just as with Maths, hard work and perservence will get you through. As for Shakespeare, it isn't so bad when you do it. If you really loathe Shakespeare then give it a go and see what you think.

Parents: don't worry too much about the pressure. By all means listen to their advice as they are the most valuable source of assistance. But in the end, it is your decision. So try not to do subjects just to "please" your parents, because you'll probably end up getting better results having just chosen them yourself.

And finally, the Internet: sacrifice. You need to sacrifice some of that time. That's not to say that you have to Internet-starve yourself. Suppose you use it for 5 hours, cut it down to 45mins-1hour, or however much time your study routine permits. Web design is an interest, so do it for a bit of "time-out" from your work but don't take it overboard. You have university and time after the HSC to further your pursuits in web design.

 

[minimalistik]

Thanks so much guys for the advice. I will keep both at Advanced level since I have already done King Lear a short while ago and Rench, yes I also believe Yr 12 Extension is easier. I also do know that I can really downtime my internet usage. In the past yr or so, I guess because I thought the hsc wasnt a concern as yet so I didnt put much effort in. I know now, I can decrease my internet usage and concentrate on the upcoming HSC. Once after the HSC, then I can reall focus on my career in Digital Media. Especially because Rench, you are asian it gives me alot of confidence because you do know the expectations of our parents and how they like to brag about how we go to other parents and also you do know I feel.

Thanks again.

 

[minimalistik]

I dropped from Advanced Maths to General and it was the best decision I ever made. I went from coming near last and only getting 20%, to coming first.

My opinion::drop ext but keep the other two.

I have confidence that I can achieve high in Ext 1. Gotta believe in myself, work hard and stop fooling around.

 

[mattsta]

Hey there,
Maths Ex. 1
English Advanced
Legal Studies
Studies of Religion 1
IPT
IT

Drop religion, what a waste of time. You going to become a priest or something? I know this is compulsary (well nothing is compulsary but english) at some private schools. Go to a public school (and im being serious).

Drop Maths ext 1. and just do 2 unit Mathematics. You would have covered a lot of the stuff in 2 units and will probably be more ahead of the other students. Therefore you will probably be able to go over the stuff which you don't understand (as they will probably be doing it down the track).

In all seriousness, drop the religious school and stop doing that religion class.

 

[astro]

Hey there,
English I didnt do well because pretty much I didnt enjoy Much Ado about Nothing and Heart of Darkness. .

I did 'Heart of Darkness' for ext eng....it was a killer for such a thin book...

 

[minimalistik]

In all seriousness, drop the religious school and stop doing that religion class.

Go to a public school? pftt you got to be joking. I take it you go to a public school. Well Im catholic so I go to a catholic private school. I wouldnt drop it since its easy than eng and maths put together and we got a good teacher.

 

[astro]

Have you got something against public schools?

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

Thanks so much guys for the advice. I will keep both at Advanced level since I have already done King Lear a short while ago and Rench, yes I also believe Yr 12 Extension is easier. I also do know that I can really downtime my internet usage. In the past yr or so, I guess because I thought the hsc wasnt a concern as yet so I didnt put much effort in. I know now, I can decrease my internet usage and concentrate on the upcoming HSC. Once after the HSC, then I can reall focus on my career in Digital Media. Especially because Rench, you are asian it gives me alot of confidence because you do know the expectations of our parents and how they like to brag about how we go to other parents and also you do know I feel.

Thanks again.

Hehe.
To be entirely honest, my parents give me a fair bit of freedom in choosing subjects. But I can relate to the pressure - whether it's created by me, my teachers or my parents I don't know but it's something that will always be there.

Being Asian...well, I guess most Asians receive a fair bit of pressure from parents. One amazing thing about being Asian is that your parents don't even have to physically "apply pressure", but you just assume it to be there because you know Asians are "meant to do well".

But do the best you can. When you've studied and done all you can, then you know you have done well. You don't have to come in the top 5 of your grade to recognise your achievement (despite Asian belief ), but it's mainly the comfort of knowing you've done the best you can that is most rewarding.

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

Drop religion, what a waste of time. You going to become a priest or something? I know this is compulsary (well nothing is compulsary but english) at some private schools. Go to a public school (and im being serious).
In all seriousness, drop the religious school and stop doing that religion class.

I think that's a bit drastic, particular at such a late stage in his education. It's hard enough dealing with the HSC, let alone a new environment, new friends and different teachers.
Religion isn't that bad anyway - it occupies about 4 periods a cycle (for me anyway), and isn't overly difficult.

And for Astro, I'm in a similar position to minimalistik in regards to being Catholic and attending a private Catholic school. I believe that it provides a good environment as opposed to some public schools (not being discriminatory here), and the students are often friendlier and at least have their religion in common which makes life somewhat easier.

 

[astro]

And for Astro, I'm in a similar position to minimalistik in regards to being Catholic and attending a private Catholic school. I believe that it provides a good environment as opposed to some public schools (not being discriminatory here), and the students are often friendlier and at least have their religion in common which makes life somewhat easier.

how are you not being discriminatory when you're saying that public schools don't have a good environment and students are not friendly....
I've been to a public school since kindy and religion during my time, religion doesn't make life easy or hard, it's just there and nobody cares what religion another person follows...
jeez, i hope what i said just made sense

 

[minimalistik]

I can seem to relate to you well Rench I dont have anything against public schools and that depends on what public school. I can't deny the fact that I know that some public schools have students that dont work hard, skip school, smoke, take drugs and just dont bother coming to school. I have had a few friends that came from Belmore Public school and they said the atmosphere was really downgrading. Its why they move to my school before I came. Since im catholic, I go to a private catholic school. There are some public schools that are good and some others that are not. I have been educated and brought up ever since Primary and Private College. And I do believe theres a much better atmosphere and students at my school are more open, friendly which ties into a better place to learn and study. Its also why Im doing SOR. Its not hard, as I have said, I have been doing RE since practically Kindergarten.

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

how are you not being discriminatory when you're saying that public schools don't have a good environment and students are not friendly....
I've been to a public school since kindy and religion during my time, religion doesn't make life easy or hard, it's just there and nobody cares what religion another person follows...
jeez, i hope what i said just made sense

"As opposed to some public schools".

I'm not making a general statement for all public schools. All schools have students who take drugs, smoke, wag etc, but its occurrence seems to be more prevalent in public schools. And Astro, you cannot deny that. I have never attended a public school, so I can't speak for such students but I can say that Catholic schools provide a good learning environment. I have friends and have spoken to people who attend a public school, and who comment on the prevalence of truancy/drug-taking at public schools - in comparison, I must say that it hardly ever happens on my school grounds.

And I never said that public schools students weren't friendly or that it didn't provide a good environment. I simply said that I believe a Catholic school provides a better environment, because our religion tends to promote such behaviour.

 

[astro]

I can seem to relate to you well Rench I can't deny the fact that I know that some public schools have students that dont work hard, skip school, smoke, take drugs and just dont bother coming to school..

...some private school kids do the same thing, if not worse...

And Rench, just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Moreover, i'm not denying that those things don't happen at public schools...

 

[Jago]

all school have that.

 

[minimalistik]

Rench, what did you get for your Preliminary Exam for 2u Maths and 3u Maths? and how do you feel about them?

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

...some private school kids do the same thing, if not worse...

And Rench, just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Moreover, i'm not denying that those things don't happen at public schools...

Some private school kids do the same thing - very true, if not worse - also true. But the frequency of it occurring in public schools is undoubtedly greater.

Aside from the argument, I don't want to get into another Latham/Howard-type debate. It boils down to personal preference - I'm happy in my Catholic school, you're happy in your public school - we're both happy, problem solved

 

[~ ReNcH ~]

Rench, what did you get for your Preliminary Exam for 2u Maths and 3u Maths? and how do you feel about them?

I'm accelerating maths at the moment, so I did Prelim. stuff last year (I'm starting Year 12 for other subjects as of next week). I can't tell you off-hand what I got in my Prelim. exams, but I remember Ext 1 was pretty poor and 2U I was very happy with.