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Author Topic: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE✩  (Read 18637 times)

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Chocolatemilkshake

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✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE✩
« on: January 01, 2020, 07:20:00 am »
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✩ Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond ✩

Chapter 1: An Introduction

Good morning and happy new year to all of my fellow AN readers,

About time I created one of these, not just to document 2020 but also to reach out and get to know all you guys on the forums better. I’m officially in year 12 this year and have been on Atarnotes for the past 2 years (mostly hanging around the bio forum, a big thank you to all the users who have answered so many of my questions). And if you are wondering, yes, I am definitely the type of person that starts a journal on the 1st of January simply because it gives me some sort of aesthetic pleasure.

Subjects
So, my subjects, I figure I better do the generic thing and write them all down, with a little description if you feel like reading :)

Biology (2019): I adored biology last year, it was absolutely one of my favourite subjects. I was lucky enough to receive a study score of 50 (check out my guide here ). It really confirmed that my passion lies within the sciences. I particularly loved the immunology unit and learning about the adaptive immune response (which is just incredible! I still can’t get over how perfectly such a system is designed!). If you guys have any questions about how to study for bio or content questions, feel free to ask ;).

Chemistry: Chemistry is my favourite subject and I’m really hoping it will be my best next year. One of the reasons I enjoy chemistry so much is because it interweaves both application questions and content-based questions. Skill-wise, it is almost like a mix of bio and maths, both of which I’m fairly good at. Stoichiometry is also strangely satisfying.

English: I absolutely love reading, but such a love unfortunately does not transfer to writing english exams. However, I believe myself to be relatively competent in constructing fluent essays, I simply need to do way more practice under timed conditions. In fact, English ended up being one of my best exam results last year (2019 is officially a thing of the past!).

French: French is my hardest subject by far. It is challenging for me personally because it lacks one simple answer, unlike the majority of my other subjects. Nevertheless, I’m determined to prove myself wrong and hope to work really hand next year in French in order to achieve even a tiny bit of fluency in the language.

Methods: All through school I have always loved maths and been mostly top of my class. However, this year, I don’t really know what to expect, especially since my school isn’t particularly strong in mathematics. I’ll just give it my all and see where it takes me.

Specialist: I’m a little terrified of specialist, mostly because I know that it is highly competitive and also because I wasn’t accelerated or pushed to do better early on like many of those who are strong in mathematics. I also didn’t do Unit 1 and it’s hard to know if I’ve missed any important concepts. I guess all I can do is try my best (any tips for Specialist or French would be much appreciated).

Spare time
I adore gymnastics but don’t do it super competitively, I mostly do it for fun and because my life wouldn’t be the same without it. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have the ability to just flip on the grass every once in a while? Gym is a fantastic way to relax and forget about the stresses of school. I also love Doctor Who (10 is the best, 11 is a close second. The Ponds are my favourite, but I will never forget Rose or Donna), reading (fantasy and sci-fi mostly, but I can appreciate a good classic) and walking. I’m an earlier riser (always up at 6am), I play the violin and am in multiple school bands. I also work at a cafe.

Goals and Ambitions
My goal for this year is to walk into my exams satisfied with the amount of effort I have put in throughout the year. Atarwise I’m aiming for a 99.00+ but I understand that circumstances can change and that it’s okay if this goal changes throughout the year too. I don’t really know exactly what I want to study in university, most likely biomedicine as I know that I’ll really enjoy the biology and chemistry focused subjects. But right now, I’m totally open and am not even near having a set pathway.

And thus, my journal commences.
I'd love to answer some questions to get to know you guys better!

✩Chocolatemilkshake ✩
« Last Edit: March 20, 2020, 06:18:26 pm by Chocolatemilkshake »
2021-2025: BMedSci/M.D @ Monash

Coolgalbornin03Lo

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2020, 08:38:33 am »
0
✩ Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond ✩

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

Good morning and happy new year to all of my fellow AN readers,

About time I created one of these, not just to document 2020 but also to reach out and get to know all you guys on the forums better. I’m officially in year 12 this year and have been on Atarnotes for the past 2 years (mostly hanging around the bio forum, a big thank you to all the users who have answered so many of my questions). And if you are wondering, yes, I am definitely the type of person that starts a journal on the 1st of January simply because it gives me some sort of aesthetic pleasure.

Subjects
So, my subjects, I figure I better do the generic thing and write them all down, with a little description if you feel like reading :)

Biology (2019): I adored biology last year, it was absolutely one of my favourite subjects. I was lucky enough to receive a study score of 50 (check out my guide here ). It really confirmed that my passion lies within the sciences. I particularly loved the immunology unit and learning about the adaptive immune response (which is just incredible! I still can’t get over how perfectly such a system is designed!). If you guys have any questions about how to study for bio or content questions, feel free to ask ;).

Chemistry: Chemistry is my favourite subject and I’m really hoping it will be my best next year. One of the reasons I enjoy chemistry so much is because it interweaves both application questions and content-based questions. Skill-wise, it is almost like a mix of bio and maths, both of which I’m fairly good at. Stoichiometry is also strangely satisfying.

English: I absolutely love reading, but such a love unfortunately does not transfer to writing english exams. However, I believe myself to be relatively competent in constructing fluent essays, I simply need to do way more practice under timed conditions. In fact, English ended up being one of my best exam results last year (2019 is officially a thing of the past!).

French: French is my hardest subject by far. It is challenging for me personally because it lacks one simple answer, unlike the majority of my other subjects. Nevertheless, I’m determined to prove myself wrong and hope to work really hand next year in French in order to achieve even a tiny bit of fluency in the language.

Methods: All through school I have always loved maths and been mostly top of my class. However, this year, I don’t really know what to expect, especially since my school isn’t particularly strong in mathematics. I’ll just give it my all and see where it takes me.

Specialist: I’m a little terrified of specialist, mostly because I know that it is highly competitive and also because I wasn’t accelerated or pushed to do better early on like many of those who are strong in mathematics. I also didn’t do Unit 1 and it’s hard to know if I’ve missed any important concepts. I guess all I can do is try my best (any tips for Specialist or French would be much appreciated).

Spare time
I adore gymnastics but don’t do it super competitively, I mostly do it for fun and because my life wouldn’t be the same without it. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have the ability to just flip on the grass every once in a while? Gym is a fantastic way to relax and forget about the stresses of school. I also love Doctor Who (10 is the best, 11 is a close second. The Ponds are my favourite, but I will never forget Rose or Donna), reading (fantasy and sci-fi mostly, but I can appreciate a good classic) and walking. I’m an earlier riser (always up at 6am), I play the violin and am in multiple school bands. I also work at a cafe.

Goals and Ambitions
My goal for this year is to walk into my exams satisfied with the amount of effort I have put in throughout the year. Atarwise I’m aiming for a 99.00+ but I understand that circumstances can change and that it’s okay if this goal changes throughout the year too. I don’t really know exactly what I want to study in university, most likely biomedicine as I know that I’ll really enjoy the biology and chemistry focused subjects. But right now, I’m totally open and am not even near having a set pathway.

And thus, my journal commences.
I'd love to answer some questions to get to know you guys better!

✩Chocolatemilkshake ✩

Yay you made one! I can’t wait to join you on this journey and see how Year 12 treats us both. I like reading a lot to and it is a bit of a dame it doesn’t (completely) translate into writing essays perfectly.
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2020: English | Methods | Biology | Chemistry |              Psychology | ATAR: 0
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Bri MT

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2020, 09:07:32 am »
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Hey :)

I like reading sci fi & fantasy too, although at the same time I don't read much anymore so even though reading was a big part of my identity growing up it feels kinda weird referring to myself as a book worm or similar.

As someone with no gymnastics ability, I completely agree with "who wouldn't want to be able to just do a flip on the grass?" & - although this isn''t related to gymnastics - appreciate the aesthetic of starting a journey journal on 01/01/2020

Why biomedicine rather than science if you don't have a set path yet?

Chocolatemilkshake

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2020, 09:26:42 am »
+1
Hey :)

I like reading sci fi & fantasy too, although at the same time I don't read much anymore so even though reading was a big part of my identity growing up it feels kinda weird referring to myself as a book worm or similar.

As someone with no gymnastics ability, I completely agree with "who wouldn't want to be able to just do a flip on the grass?" & - although this isn''t related to gymnastics - appreciate the aesthetic of starting a journey journal on 01/01/2020

Why biomedicine rather than science if you don't have a set path yet?

Haha thanks!

I think because I most likely will want to go into medicine, unless I change my mind, I'm open to doing science as well though   ;D. In all honesty I probably need to do a lot more research before I decide whether to do biomed or science. But a lot of my friends do biomedicine and really enjoy it so I suppose I've been exposed to how the course works through them :) :).
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K.Smithy

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2020, 10:27:37 am »
+4
Welcome to this section of the forums - I hope you enjoy your stay :) (also, I appreciate you starting this on the first day of the year)

Congrats on the 50 in bio! That is such a wonderfull achievement :D
By the end of this year, what science do you think will be your favourite, bio or chem?

Heeeeyyyy, another book lover! I'm more of a non-fiction kinda gal - I love me some Stephen Hawking, Michio Kaku, etc. :) There was this fantasy series I read a couple years ago that I absolutely Adored, and to this day it is still one of my all time favourites - Septimus Heap Wizard Apprentice by Angie Sage (highly recommend reading it if you haven't already). But I've never read sci-fi so maybe I'll have to get on to that.

Oh man, wouldn't a 99+ be a dream. I myself am aiming for a high ATAR (98+) - but I'm not thinking about it too much because I know I'll just end up stressing myself out (and I don't want to be too disappointed come December this year when I look at my results).

I'm excited to see where this journal goes! Good luck :)
QCE 2020: Physics (92) || Psychology (96) || Biology (93) || Methods (79) || English (98) || SOR (91)
ATAR: 98.40
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Uni Journal ; U3 Bio ; U3 Psych ; U3 Physics

Chocolatemilkshake

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2020, 10:50:27 am »
+3
Welcome to this section of the forums - I hope you enjoy your stay :) (also, I appreciate you starting this on the first day of the year)

Congrats on the 50 in bio! That is such a wonderfull achievement :D
By the end of this year, what science do you think will be your favourite, bio or chem?

Heeeeyyyy, another book lover! I'm more of a non-fiction kinda gal - I love me some Stephen Hawking, Michio Kaku, etc. :) There was this fantasy series I read a couple years ago that I absolutely Adored, and to this day it is still one of my all time favourites - Septimus Heap Wizard Apprentice by Angie Sage (highly recommend reading it if you haven't already). But I've never read sci-fi so maybe I'll have to get on to that.

Oh man, wouldn't a 99+ be a dream. I myself am aiming for a high ATAR (98+) - but I'm not thinking about it too much because I know I'll just end up stressing myself out (and I don't want to be too disappointed come December this year when I look at my results).

I'm excited to see where this journal goes! Good luck :)

Thanks so much! I actually have no idea which science will be my favourite, but I’ll let you know at the end of the year! Also it’s so cool that you read non-fiction books, that’s awesome and I’ll definitely take on your recommendation!

I’m more using my goal as motivation to study efficiently. As cliché as it sounds I’m always reminding myself that scores don’t actually mean much, what’s more important is what the subject has actually taught me about life and how much I’ve enjoyed it  ;D
2021-2025: BMedSci/M.D @ Monash

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2020, 10:51:14 am »
+3
Yay! You finally made a journal!!

I cant wait to see what this year brings for you!

Are you planning to work during Year 12? How do you find it? I was questioning getting a job for this year but kinda backed out last minute, am curious to see how you find it! Is it a good break from schoolwork?

Chocolatemilkshake

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2020, 11:44:45 am »
+1
Yay! You finally made a journal!!

I cant wait to see what this year brings for you!

Are you planning to work during Year 12? How do you find it? I was questioning getting a job for this year but kinda backed out last minute, am curious to see how you find it! Is it a good break from schoolwork?

Thank you! You too! Yep I'm planning to work in year 12, I usually only get 1-2 shifts a week which suits me. Sometimes it's a little stressful, but considering I've worked there for over a year now, I feel comfortable enough asking to have my shift covered if I really need to. I enjoy it and it's fantastic experience! It is a good break from school work, but it's not my only break (gymnastics is more of a mental break to because I literally never think about school at training, while at work, sweeping is the perfect time to reflect on what I have to get done later on in the day).

I think whether or not it's a good idea to have a job depends on your personal situation, how much you do outside of school as well as the type of job you have.  ;)
2021-2025: BMedSci/M.D @ Monash

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2020, 06:00:06 pm »
+1
Hello Chocolatemikshake!
I'm so happy that you've started your own VCE Journal and am excited to follow along on your journey.

Quote
I’m a little terrified of specialist, mostly because I know that it is highly competitive and also because I wasn’t accelerated or pushed to do better early on like many of those who are strong in mathematics. I also didn’t do Unit 1 and it’s hard to know if I’ve missed any important concepts. I guess all I can do is try my best (any tips for Specialist or French would be much appreciated).
Same! I am so scared about Specialist sacs! I've looked at the VCAA exams and I can't relate to any of the questions. So much stuff to learn.
To check if you've missed any topics, you could always look at the Unit 1 dot points of the study design and see if they cross over in Units 3 4 so that you can focus on those topics and not worry about the ones that aren't even relevant in 3 4. To brush up on those unit 1 concepts, you could always practice those concepts in the 3 4 book if they have those topics.

Quote
I adore gymnastics but don’t do it super competitively, I mostly do it for fun and because my life wouldn’t be the same without it.
That's so cool! I've always admired gymnasts because they look so calm and collected and graceful! It's inspiring especially when they do those crazy flips in the air. Can't wait to see gymnastics in the Olympics! Are you going to watch?

I admire you for achieving a raw 50 for biology but still keeping up with your job and all your extracurriculars. Truly inspiring.  ;D

It was nice meeting you. Looking forward to the next entry!
 ;D ;D ;D


eemmaa

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2020, 07:38:26 pm »
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Hey! I absolutely loved your bio guide so I'm so excited to see you've started a journal! Can't wait to hear more from you as the year progresses  :D

Chocolatemilkshake

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #10 on: January 01, 2020, 08:15:04 pm »
+2
Hello Chocolatemikshake!
I'm so happy that you've started your own VCE Journal and am excited to follow along on your journey.
Same! I am so scared about Specialist sacs! I've looked at the VCAA exams and I can't relate to any of the questions. So much stuff to learn.
To check if you've missed any topics, you could always look at the Unit 1 dot points of the study design and see if they cross over in Units 3 4 so that you can focus on those topics and not worry about the ones that aren't even relevant in 3 4. To brush up on those unit 1 concepts, you could always practice those concepts in the 3 4 book if they have those topics.
That's so cool! I've always admired gymnasts because they look so calm and collected and graceful! It's inspiring especially when they do those crazy flips in the air. Can't wait to see gymnastics in the Olympics! Are you going to watch?

I admire you for achieving a raw 50 for biology but still keeping up with your job and all your extracurriculars. Truly inspiring.  ;D

It was nice meeting you. Looking forward to the next entry!
 ;D ;D ;D

Thanks Evolio, particularly for your Specialist advice (nice to have a specialist buddy to struggle with this year  :-[) ! I'll definitely watch the Olympics this year. Also, while the gymnasts on TV look super calm, collected and graceful, 80% of the time at training someone is falling over  ;D

Hey! I absolutely loved your bio guide so I'm so excited to see you've started a journal! Can't wait to hear more from you as the year progresses  :D

Glad you found it useful emma! Thanks, you too, all the best for Bio this year!
2021-2025: BMedSci/M.D @ Monash

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2020, 06:04:05 pm »
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I'm so happy, you finally made a journal!
Can't wait to see more of it ;))
somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2020, 07:04:23 pm »
+1
Spare time
I adore gymnastics but don’t do it super competitively, I mostly do it for fun and because my life wouldn’t be the same without it. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have the ability to just flip on the grass every once in a while? Gym is a fantastic way to relax and forget about the stresses of school. I also love Doctor Who (10 is the best, 11 is a close second. The Ponds are my favourite, but I will never forget Rose or Donna), reading (fantasy and sci-fi mostly, but I can appreciate a good classic)
Hey Chocolatemilkshake!!! What's your favourite classic novel that you've read and your favourite author?

Chocolatemilkshake

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2020, 07:39:20 pm »
+1
Hey Chocolatemilkshake!!! What's your favourite classic novel that you've read and your favourite author?

Mm that's a difficult one. I think I would have to go with The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. However, I definitely need to explore the genre more, maybe after year 12.

My favourite novel of all time has to be All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I read it in 2017 after finding it at an op shop when I went camping on a family trip. I literally remember reading for hours in the camper van. Incredible plot, composition and style, I would definitely recommend  :D.

YA-wise, I love Strange the Dreamer by Lani Taylor.

Not sure if I have a favourite author, I feel like that's way too tricky to decide.

Haha that was a lot, what about you?
2021-2025: BMedSci/M.D @ Monash

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Re: ✩Chocolatemilkshake cartwheels through VCE and beyond✩
« Reply #14 on: January 03, 2020, 09:05:24 pm »
+1
Mm that's a difficult one. I think I would have to go with The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. However, I definitely need to explore the genre more, maybe after year 12.

My favourite novel of all time has to be All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I read it in 2017 after finding it at an op shop when I went camping on a family trip. I literally remember reading for hours in the camper van. Incredible plot, composition and style, I would definitely recommend  :D.

YA-wise, I love Strange the Dreamer by Lani Taylor.

Not sure if I have a favourite author, I feel like that's way too tricky to decide.

Haha that was a lot, what about you?
The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens is such a beautiful book (so sad though).
I also really enjoy reading novels by Jackie French and novels in the form of diary entries.