✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE✩

[ArtyDreams]

Hi Choco - and yay its another update!!

And congratulations on doing awesome in chemistry! I love chem too and its so great to see you're happy with how is going! 

SAC is in two weeks and I really need to lift my studying game. It’s worth 22% which is crazy! Also, it’s so much more challenging than my other subjects (if anyone has any tips on how to approach a 5 hour SAC, much appreciated!)

Honestly I feel you!! I almost forgot I had a SAC for spec until the date was announced - I believe in you though!!

I have realised how much I MISS biology (I mean you don't miss something till you don't have it do you?) Now I 100% know that this is the subject I want to pursue and it really sucks having to spend an entire year studying all these other subjects that are not my true passion (except chemistry, which is a close second to bio I suppose). Anyway, just a thought of the day and I'm really looking forward to finishing high school so that I can go into university level depth into this incredible subject

Okay now this is a mood. I did methods last year (can't say I liked it that much but I def didnt hate it) - but I actually MISS it now! I'm so glad that I did spec now, and doing diff in spec actually made me feel nostalgic to methods last year (lol). Well at least next you will be able to truly fall into your passion and do bio again!

Sometimes, it honestly doesn’t feel real that I’m in year 12. Next year, I (or we if you are in yr 12 too) will have finished school   

This strange year has almost made me forget I'm in year 12 as we havent had real life school - but its so crazy to think this! I still feel so so young inside ah ha.

Anyway, awesome to see an update Choco and cant wait for another one! Hope you have an awesome week 

[eloisegrace]

Sounds like you have had a good week! Congrats about your chem score!

How's methods and french going for you? I am in y11 doing methods 3/4 and french 1/2 and I would love some advice esp for french haha. When is/are your methods SACs? I am super scared as mine are this week and next week and are worth 22%. French is super chill at the moment but I feel like I don't put enough effort in. How much extra French study do you do a week!

eloise x

[J_Rho]

I have realised how much I MISS biology (I mean you don't miss something till you don't have it do you?) Now I 100% know that this is the subject I want to pursue and it really sucks having to spend an entire year studying all these other subjects that are not my true passion (except chemistry, which is a close second to bio I suppose). Anyway, just a thought of the day and I'm really looking forward to finishing high school so that I can go into university level depth into this incredible subject

Giiiiiiiiirrrl! That is a MOOD (hence my lousy but great decision to do it again)...you could come help me with the Bio TYU thread? 

Your journal is everything. I honestly relate so much and yet we don't even do the same subjects, congrats on your chem mark and enjoy your quiet week before SACs.

[ashmi]

Hey hey Choco!
Oh goodie it's an update!

English
My love-hate relationship with english grows everyday. I’ve been writing so much english lately just to try and stay on top of the huge amount of work our teacher sets, yet every essay takes so much energy. I literally have to tie myself to my chair to even start writing, otherwise it will never get done. Sometimes I feel like all these hours are just a waste and I still will fail, simply because the work I put it is never enough and I will never be able to write well under pressure. Also, upcoming sac in 2 weeks (I only just realised how SOON it was). I’m terrified because text response is terrifying and they haven't given us too much information on how it will work at home (another home sac, ergh)

Are you me? Are we the same person? Because I really feel you on this one. Every day my hate (AND love) for English grows and manifests itself in my frustration and inability to produce a great essay within an hour. And that's IF I decide to sit down and write an essay...

Ok, seriously, I think we are fragmented pieces from the same person or something cause this is something that I can relate too spiritually🤣. (English in one word is just = No)

Congrats on the amazing score in your Chem SAC!! Give yourself a pat on the back and go CELEBRATE .

Sometimes, it honestly doesn’t feel real that I’m in year 12. Next year, I (or we if you are in yr 12 too) will have finished school   

I still feel like I'm in primary school...
This year has been so weird that I sometimes forget that Year 12 is actually a thing, let alone, the idea of graduating and starting something new next year.

Thanks for updating us Choco and have an amazing week!

[brothanathan]

Science-bound, keep those wheels turning Choco!! Remember the name, Chocolatemilkshake 

[Chocolatemilkshake]

Wow so many replies! Thank you! 

I will forever be mad at VCAA for taking all the really cool organic chemistry stuff out of the study design though (you suck VCAA, I was really looking forward to learning about that stuff).

Me too whys  It was going to be great and crossing off all that from the study design broke my heart a little. 

Are you me? Are we the same person? Because I really feel you on this one. Every day my hate (AND love) for English grows and manifests itself in my frustration and inability to produce a great essay within an hour. And that's IF I decide to sit down and write an essay...

Ok, seriously, I think we are fragmented pieces from the same person or something cause this is something that I can relate too spiritually🤣. (English in one word is just = No)

Yep, that's right we MUST be fragments of the same person, split and divided up among different schools (mm THAT must be why I feel so proud when you guys ace sacs  ) And yes, english in one word IS No. I will forever be jealous of some of my friends who do both english and literature and are smashing it 

This sounds exactly like me with psych. (I have thereby concluded we are the same person). I can't wait to learn a bit more about the human psyche in uni too! I miss it, and honestly helping all my friends that also do the subject gives me joy (that sounds like a really nerdy thing to say but it's true).

Haha if that's nerdy then I must be a nerd too! Thanks for reply whys, hope you have a fantastic week.

And congratulations on doing awesome in chemistry! I love chem too and its so great to see you're happy with how is going! 
Honestly I feel you!! I almost forgot I had a SAC for spec until the date was announced - I believe in you though!!
Anyway, awesome to see an update Choco and cant wait for another one! Hope you have an awesome week 

Thank you! Also, you are so lucky to have already done methods, sometimes I feel like juggling two maths is so hard! When's your spec SAC? I'm so nervous that I'm literally not going to know anything but thank you for the seed of confidence! Can't wait to hear how your SAC goes, I'm sure you'll do fantastic! Have an awesome week too Arty thanks for the reply 

Sounds like you have had a good week! Congrats about your chem score!
How's methods and french going for you? I am in y11 doing methods 3/4 and french 1/2 and I would love some advice esp for french haha. When is/are your methods SACs? I am super scared as mine are this week and next week and are worth 22%. French is super chill at the moment but I feel like I don't put enough effort in. How much extra French study do you do a week!

Hi eloise, methods is going okay. Unfortunately, I barely have any time to spend on it at the moment after spending so much time doing spec, english and french. At the moment, I'm really just completing set exercises in class (which are super easy and take me hardly any time) rather than doing exam practice questions (I wish my school had let me take this subject early!) My SAC is not for another month though. Good luck for yours! I'm sure you'll do fantastic (I remember doing 3/4 SACs in Yr 11 and they were terrifying, so all the best!)

J'aime le français mais je le trouve très difficile. J'ai besoin d'améliorer ma grammaire, mon vocabulaire, mon écriture, mon oral, il y a trop de choses auxquelles je dois penser! D'après moi, je ne suis pas la meilleure personne pour donner des conseils, parce que mes compétences françaises sont "meh". Cependant, j'étais la même comme toi en 1ère et je crois que je n'ai pas assez travaillé (je me suis concentré sur la biologie et les autres matières que je trouvais plus facile). Je conseille que tu travailles constamment sur ta grammaire et ton vocabulaire. Est-ce que tu regardes les films français? J'aime écouter de la musique française et des podcasts. Je sais que cela peut être difficile avec tes autres matières, mais si tu veux réussir l'année prochaine, je suggère que tu as un emploi de temps (par exemple, tu apprendras le vocabulaire 30minx 3 par semaine). En ce moment, je travaille probablement 3-5 heures supplémentaires par semaine pour le français (cela n'est pas assez, mais je n'ai pas le temps de faire plus avec mes autres matières.)

Sorry for the bad french grammar (haunts me forever). Essentially my aim in french is pretty low (I'd honestly be happy with a 30 but hopefully I can hit 35) so my advice is not too great Anyway, enjoy French, it is a pretty awesome subject, and try to stay consistent with practice.

Giiiiiiiiirrrl! That is a MOOD (hence my lousy but great decision to do it again)...you could come help me with the Bio TYU thread? 
Your journal is everything. I honestly relate so much and yet we don't even do the same subjects, congrats on your chem mark and enjoy your quiet week before SACs.

THANK YOU J_Rho. Sure I can do this coming Monday if you want? I probably can't commit to regular days though, due to SACs and when life goes back, I'll be pretty busy 

Hey hey Choco!
Oh goodie it's an update!
Congrats on the amazing score in your Chem SAC!! Give yourself a pat on the back and go CELEBRATE . I still feel like I'm in primary school...
This year has been so weird that I sometimes forget that Year 12 is actually a thing, let alone, the idea of graduating and starting something new next year.
Thanks for updating us Choco and have an amazing week!

THANKS Ash (the legend replies, aha), I'm sure you're smashing chemistry as well, and I did celebrate with some delicious chocolate cake and an extreme amount of cream.
I know, yr 12 what even is this! Hope you have an INCREDIBLE week too ashmi 

[eloisegrace]

J'aime le français mais je le trouve très difficile. J'ai besoin d'améliorer ma grammaire, mon vocabulaire, mon écriture, mon oral, il y a trop de choses auxquelles je dois penser! D'après moi, je ne suis pas la meilleure personne pour donner des conseils, parce que mes compétences françaises sont "meh". Cependant, j'étais la même comme toi en 1ère et je crois que je n'ai pas assez travaillé (je me suis concentré sur la biologie et les autres matières que je trouvais plus facile). Je conseille que tu travailles constamment sur ta grammaire et ton vocabulaire. Est-ce que tu regardes les films français? J'aime écouter de la musique française et des podcasts. Je sais que cela peut être difficile avec tes autres matières, mais si tu veux réussir l'année prochaine, je suggère que tu as un emploi de temps (par exemple, tu apprendras le vocabulaire 30minx 3 par semaine). En ce moment, je travaille probablement 3-5 heures supplémentaires par semaine pour le français (cela n'est pas assez, mais je n'ai pas le temps de faire plus avec mes autres matières.)

Your grammar is excellent to me! I like watching french films and I have about 10 songs that I like to listen to on repeat. Do you have any song/podcast/movie recommendations?

[Chocolatemilkshake]

Your grammar is excellent to me! I like watching french films and I have about 10 songs that I like to listen to on repeat. Do you have any song/podcast/movie recommendations?

I listen to SBS french and coffee break french on podcasts. For music, I like a variety of different artists including Lou, Angèle and Zaz. In terms of films, I mainly watch cartoons in french that I've seen before in english. Mostly because then I can still understand what is going on without any subtitles and really improve my listening skills.

[Chocolatemilkshake]

Chapter 8: a little frustrated but happy that there’s a plan
14/05/20

I know, is this two updates only 10 days apart? (The days go so slow yet so quick, it’s a very strange feeling). I’m a little stressed at the moment because due to the new plan to get year 12s back on the 26th (which I’m really excited about) a lot of my SACs have been pushed back. I like this because it means we get to do them at school, however, it also means I have three sacs in the space of 20 hours. Also, french and spec on the same day, make me sad

Chemistry
I’ve been tutoring my friends in chemistry and I think it’s really helping me learn the content! Our AOS 2 SAC is ages away so this subject is the least stressful (although maybe more stressful in the fact that I have really high expectations for it).

English
I’m really annoyed, because our english SAC got pushed back 2 entire weeks! It’s been on my mind for so long and I was really looking forward to getting it over and done with. Also, the weirdest thing is that they are allowing us to use our notes. I feel like this is more of a disadvantage to me because some people will do significantly better with access to quotes, etc, but I’m not used to using english notes to help me. It’s a very strange. Other than that, I’m definitely proud of the consistency I’ve kept up in writing essays. If anyone has some free time and enjoys marking essays I’d love some feedback on them (I’m doing Station Eleven)

French
Next SAC is soon but it’s a writing task so I’m not too worried (at least I can’t fully stuff it up like I did with the listening  ). I have been trying to listen to french news every day! I’m starting to enjoy this subject more and really appreciate how learning another language is changing how I perceive my own language. Still haven’t received french SAC marks (dreading but also at the same time, I just want to get it over and done with).

Specialist
The way we are doing the SAC is very strange, we have to do a poster (well, three posters) and I just don’t know how I feel about it. Also, it's not at all under test conditions, we just have to submit it at a certain time. In class, we just finished integration, which was not too bad. Sometimes I just want to give up on this subject because it feels too hard. 

Methods
This class is so slow and the teacher never does any interesting questions. I need to start doing more for this subject (gosh, pretty sure I say this every update and then never do anything to change my habits).

Well, that's about it. Are you guys all looking forward to going back to school? Have a great Thursday, Friday and weekend AN.

CM

[Geoo]

Yay another update, who cares if it is two in ten days
I feel the same, the week goes by so slowly yet super fast at the same time, weird.

three sacs in the space of 20 hours

Good luck, I can't believe they would space everything so closely, but I know you will do great, even if the spesh SAC is a bit odd with the posters. I personally like to think the teachers are somehow conspiring in the staff room of SAC torture methods for their students, but who knows what they get up too.

although maybe more stressful in the fact that I have really high expectations for it).

Yes! Honestly, I feel like most subject pressure just comes from wanting to do well. That's awesome that can tutoring is helping you learn the content, I feel the exact same. I don't have anyone to teach it too, although I do annoy my family with random chem knowledge....

Anyway, good luck with your upcoming SACs, i'm sure you'll do great! Enjoy your last week and a bit of remote learning!

[Evolio]

Hey Chocolatemilkshake! 
YESS, ANOTHER UPDATE!!

I’ve been tutoring my friends in chemistry and I think it’s really helping me learn the content!

It's really good that this technique is working for you! I agree that it's very helpful! When I was preparing for my psychology sac, I was continuously teaching my brother (even though he wasn't really listening)and it boosted my confidence heaps!!

Other than that, I’m definitely proud of the consistency I’ve kept up in writing essays.

That's so good!! Please give me your motivation to write essays because I have none...

The way we are doing the SAC is very strange, we have to do a poster (well, three posters) and I just don’t know how I feel about it. Also, it's not at all under test conditions, we just have to submit it at a certain time. In class, we just finished integration, which was not too bad. Sometimes I just want to give up on this subject because it feels too hard.

That's interesting...at least it's not under test conditions and it's not time-limited. HAHA, ME. I've been feeling like that a lot lately about Spec. Some of the concepts questions are insanely hard, aren't they? I keep questioning myself, 'why, why, why did I pick this subject?'. But seriously though, I know you can push through! You can do it!!  By the way, which topic is your favourite in Spec (that you've covered so far)? 

Good luck with your upcoming SACs and have a great rest of the week!! 

[ashmi]

Hey hey Choco!
I honestly love it when you update frequently💖

I like this because it means we get to do them at school, however, it also means I have three sacs in the space of 20 hours. Also, french and spec on the same day, make me sad

Literally some of the two hardest subjects on one day...
HOWEVER, I know 100% that you will be AMAZING and smash those two subjects out of the park. It already sounds like painful to do one of those subject's SACs, let alone both on the same day sounds like absolute chaos. The poster SAC sounds a bit interesting? Let us know how it goes!

Thank you for keeping us updated Choco and massive good luck to the upcoming SACs you have soon! Hope you enjoy the rest of the week before we get back to school soon.

[Chocolatemilkshake]

Yay another update, who cares if it is two in ten days
Good luck, I can't believe they would space everything so closely, but I know you will do great, even if the spesh SAC is a bit odd with the posters. I personally like to think the teachers are somehow conspiring in the staff room of SAC torture methods for their students, but who knows what they get up too!

Thank you Geoo! Your confidence gives me confidence    Yeah, it's a little bit annoying but the term will be over soon! Haha, methods, what a subject (I shall be studying for methods in the two days after my spec french and english sacs oops). Good luck for methods though, you can DO IT!!!

I don't have anyone to teach it too, although I do annoy my family with random chem knowledge....
Anyway, good luck with your upcoming SACs, i'm sure you'll do great! Enjoy your last week and a bit of remote learning!

Gosh I can relate! At the start of the year we were filling up at the petrol station and I was trying to explain to them all the different types of fuels and where they come from. They weren't too happy about it after the first 3 minutes...

All the best with your SACs too and thanks for your constant support! Enjoy your remote learning (for the rest of the year  )

Hey Chocolatemilkshake! 
YESS, ANOTHER UPDATE!!
Please give me your motivation to write essays because I have none...

That's a relatable mood, essays really drain my energy. You definitely would not want my not-at-all-english-inclinded brain, but here's some of the motivation ✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩, you CAN DO IT!!!

That's interesting...at least it's not under test conditions and it's not time-limited. HAHA, ME. I've been feeling like that a lot lately about Spec. Some of the concepts questions are insanely hard, aren't they? I keep questioning myself, 'why, why, why did I pick this subject?'. But seriously though, I know you can push through! You can do it!!  By the way, which topic is your favourite in Spec (that you've covered so far)? 
Good luck with your upcoming SACs and have a great rest of the week!! 

True, it's very strange. Thanks for the encouragement though (You can do it too, in fact, you'll smash it!) (yes, why why why did I pick this subject?, I could have chosen HHD or psych but NO, something in my brain said "do two maths, it'll be fun")
I think my favourite topics are complex numbers and integration (I actually understand them and they make me feel super smart) and I even enjoyed differentiation! Vectors aren't too hard (except proofs which are  ) but I really dislike circular functions.
Good luck for your SACs too Evolio and thanks for the reply. Have an awesome week and weekend.

Hey hey Choco!
I honestly love it when you update frequently💖
Literally some of the two hardest subjects on one day...
HOWEVER, I know 100% that you will be AMAZING and smash those two subjects out of the park. It already sounds like painful to do one of those subject's SACs, let alone both on the same day sounds like absolute chaos. The poster SAC sounds a bit interesting? Let us know how it goes!

Aww really? Wow that makes me so happy (same with you journal, every time I see it on recent posts I get excited) Thank you, I'll let you know how the posters go once I finish them, it'll be really interesting given our whole class is kind of left in the dark (although the spec sac on the day of french is a timed conditions "test-like" one and not the poster. Then they combine the poster and test together for a final mark).

Thanks for checking in Ash, hope you enjoy the rest of the week too and good luck with everything as well! Your support and reply means a lot 

[Snow Leopard]

French
Next SAC is soon but it’s a writing task so I’m not too worried (at least I can’t fully stuff it up like I did with the listening  ). I have been trying to listen to french news every day! I’m starting to enjoy this subject more and really appreciate how learning another language is changing how I perceive my own language. Still haven’t received french SAC marks (dreading but also at the same time, I just want to get it over and done with).

Hey chocolatemilkshake,
Great work with that listening practice! Also, congrats your amazing 95% in the speaking SAC. Any tips?

[Chocolatemilkshake]

Hey chocolatemilkshake,
Great work with that listening practice! Also, congrats your amazing 95% in the speaking SAC. Any tips?

Thank you Snow Leopard! Honestly, mostly just a lot of practice with different questions and finding a balance between memorising and being spontaneous. Try to memorise a few sentences with good grammar that you wouldn't be able to quickly make up on the spot. But obviously don't try to memorise whole paragraphs, just the general gist of each question and a few phrases that will come in helpful. Also, record yourself! As much as I hate listening to my own voice, it's really helpful in picking up pronunciation issues. Finally, I'd suggest actively practicing pronunciation and asking your teacher to help you with any words you struggle with.