ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => Victorian Education Discussion => The VCE Journey Journal => Topic started by: sarangiya on January 05, 2018, 04:11:28 pm

Title: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 05, 2018, 04:11:28 pm
Happy New Year all!
I've decided to make a VCE Journal for Year 12 during the holidays because I'm looking for a way to procrastinate a way to record my thoughts on this year.
I wasn't really sure what to call this thread either, but decided I'd follow the weird username-wordplay trend that has been going on. I actually always planned to change my username. It was made on a whim after watching a Korean drama (lol) called 괜찮아, 사랑이야 (gwaenchana, sarangiya). ...Yet, here I am.
I have never written a diary or a journal before, so I feel really awkward writing to my 'future self'. Therefore, I'm going to write this like I'm addressing someone, even if no-one reads  ;D

I thought I'd use this first post as an ice breaker. So, in the form of commonly asked questions, I'll write my self-introduction.
I put them in spoiler tags so you don't have to bother with things you don't find interesting ;)

Who are you and what school do you go to?
I only realised it after having written this question but it's not that hard to find my name and school lmao.
Nonetheless, I won't reveal either one. I live in a regional town and go to a Catholic school.
For 2017, the median ATAR was 68.
What/when/why/how did you start VCE? etc. etc. (longgg lmao)
I did Unit 2 Japanese in Year 8 when I had Year 8 Japanese classes.
I never intended to do it, but I ended up attending a load of practice SACs and doing well on them so I did all of the actual SACs in like a week and got an S for Unit 2 last minute.

The following year I did Japanese 3/4, but another teacher suggested that I ought to "broaden my horizons" and explore other areas of interest. I didn't really agree but let her pitch her idea to me, which ended up being doing a 1/2 subject through DECV. I thought it sounded alright and so randomly (no joke) picked Philosophy. I did well in that, and got a raw 42 (scaled 48 wowee) in Japanese.

The year after that (we're at Year 10 now... are you keeping up?) I did philosophy 3/4, psychology 3/4 and Japanese SL 3/4 again.
Philosophy was just natural progression. Why not do the 3/4 after doing the 1/2? I ended up getting 36 raw (35 scaled I think) which I was super disappointed with. I had gotten a B+ in the exam, which spoiled the pretty good marks I got in GA1/GA2.
Psychology was because 2016 was the last year of that study design. I always intended to do it and have a great relationship with the teacher who does psychology. So, I ended up getting a 43 raw. Disappointing but I didn't mind too much.
Japanese... again. I actually didn't want to at all. I burnt my cue cards, told my teacher that no matter how much she said I should do it again I wouldn't, and had heated discussions with my mum about why I shouldn't. And then I got the 42. Lmao. In Semester 1, I didn't attend classes at all. In Semester 2, we started doing the detailed conversation, so I came for those lessons. I honestly thought I had bombed the oral exam so hard. I couldn't even speak to my teacher because I was so disappointed in myself lmao. As for the exam, it felt easy (but then again, all of them did at that point), but I felt uneasy afterwards anyway. At the end of it all, I got the 50 (ye boi), perfect oral marks and two marks of the exam.

In 2017, my Year 11 year, I did no 3/4s. I did the UMEP program instead. I was up to Parkville two times a week doing Japanese 7 and Japanese 8. I had actually gotten into the level above "Variations in Japanese" but it wasn't offered in the UMEP program, so I did 7/8. Honestly loved being in Melbourne and fell in love with the UniMelb campus. The classes themselves were average, but boy did I love Melbourne Uni. (This is the origin of one of my biggest points of dissension this year, as you will see should you continue to read). I got H1 average for both Semester 1 and 2 which was great. But overall 2017 was an awful year. I had suffered the effects of 2016, and 2017 was my year of recovery. That's the excuse that I'm going with. But honestly, I'm feeling much better now.

So that's my weird VCE history to date. Hope it clears things up.
When did you start VCE? (TL;DR version)
Year 8. First 3/4 in Year 9. My signature doesn't lie.
Yes, my school allowed me to. Why? There are many reasons I may or may not divulge in the future. Is it because my school is exploiting me for good reputation etc.? No. Does VCAA allow it? Yes. Don't you get 10% of repeated subjects? No. Do people hate you for it? I assume so. Do I regret it? No. Was it hard? Yes.
What are you doing for VCE this year?
3/4: Psychology, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, English Language
and, an apprenticeship (lol). I'll be working in a surgical clinic 7 hours a week and pick up a Cert III in "Allied Health Assistance". I'm actually pretty keen. And yes, it would have contributed to my ATAR. Problem is it only counts when you have under 6 subjects and I will have 8.
Why am I repeating psychology, I hear you ask. I originally was set on doing Religion and Society but our teacher dropped the subject. Didn't know what else to do, so why not.
What are your hobbies?
Language learning and watching foreign dramas lmao.
Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, German (barely) at the moment.
I watch mostly Korean or Japanese dramas, but am getting into cheesy Chinese ones recently.

Things I like but aren't really 'hobbies' are fashion, drawing/arty stuff, reading about medications on Wikipedia or Drugs.com (lol), programming/computer science (bit of a past thing tho :'( ), music (mainly K-Pop not gonna lie) and making schedules/plans/mindmaps (<- I won't delve into this because I'll seem a bit insane tbh).

I don't play instruments or sport. The reason is because I hate practicing. I have tried piano, drums, guitar, singing, recorder, netball, swimming, ballet, karate, tae kwon do, jazz, tap, acting/musical theatre, tennis, golf, yoga, tai chi, etccccc but anything repetitive I cannot stand. All of these probably get less monotonous after you get good at them, but I never got there.
What is your plan for after VCE?
Medicine. ikr how boring.
Already registered for UMAT so we will see if I get into any undergrad courses. If not I'll go to Melb and do BSc and MD after (if I can lmfao).
I first intended to do BSc and then MD without even trying for undergrad but I think if I don't try I'll regret it. Also the older (?) I get the more I want to do practical study (hence my apprenticeship, as well, which I chose over a VCE subject).

If you're wondering why med (and not something to do with language/linguistics as everyone assumes lol):
I did my work experience at the Royal Women's and Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Honestly it was lit. I can't shake it. If I could go back tomorrow, I would.
No joke I don't even know why I went there for work experience. At the time I wanted to do Speech Pathology (after a time of wanting to do translation/interpreting). I was also vegetarian and I cannot touch meat with bare hands when cooking. And yet, I had no qualms about sticking my finger in a guy's hernia lmfao.
So, in the end, a had a flame lit inside me after those two weeks. Since then, everything I do seems to be fanning (adding oil to?) that flame. 加油!!
What are your goals for 2018?
Dat ATAR boi.
I'm not gonna lie, I'm going for the 99.95. Sure, I might not get it. I might, though.
The one thing I cannot stand is people who "aim" for a 35 or a 42, or a 80 or a 65 ATAR or something like that.
Don't get me wrong, I understand. But you should expect a 35 or 73.95, not aim for it. I'm aiming for 99.95, I might expect less. But I really think that anyone doing anything should always aim for the highest. Always, always, always. You're selling yourself short if you don't and even if you don't get it, I daresay you'll get higher than what you would have had you settled for a 34, or a 98.50 at the beginning of the year, or before your final exam.

But yeah, I don't have any other goals for this year because I honestly just want that mint ATAR so I can get scholarships lol. Sorry not sorry.
I'm "in the process" of making a bucket list of sorts for 2018. Because it's the last year of school, I should probably figure out some things that i would no doubt regret if I didn't do them this year. I'll no doubt write about it some time.

[to be updated ;) ]
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: cookiedream on January 05, 2018, 05:07:15 pm
Really excited for future updates!! With your current scores, I'm confident you'll do amazingly well! (get that perfect atar boi)
Best of luck for VCE, UMAT, uni and life in general ;D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: VanillaRice on January 05, 2018, 05:10:49 pm
Don't get me wrong, I understand. But you should expect a 35 or 73.95, not aim for it. I'm aiming for 99.95, I might expect less. But I really think that anyone doing anything should always aim for the highest. Always, always, always. You're selling yourself short if you don't and even if you don't get it, I daresay you'll get higher than what you would have had you settled for a 34, or a 98.50 at the beginning of the year, or before your final exam.

Agree with this 100%. The very reason I do not give advice about what marks someone should be aiming for in SACs and/or the exam to get a certain study score is because you should be aiming to do your very best - why would you settle for anything less? At the end of the day, you can be satisfied that you tried your best, and hold no regrets about what you could or should have done more. A good mentality to have in my opinion :)

Looking forward to reading the rest of your VCE journey!  ;D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: exit on January 05, 2018, 08:39:08 pm
The optimal approach IMO is to aim for the very best but set a lower number that you will be happy with. This way, you will not get dissapointed if you dont get 99.95 lol. Predicting or expecting scores may help with setting a ‘content limit.’
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Maya24 on January 05, 2018, 08:58:55 pm
Best of luck for year 12. Its nice to see a fellow kpop and kdrama fan here in the forums.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Orb on January 05, 2018, 09:57:57 pm
Just going to chime in with my two cents on aims:

Having tutored many students and myself having a lot of experience with setting goals: my personal experience suggests that it's more effective to pick an aim that is both achievable and tangible. Aiming for the 'best' that you can do, from my experience, often drives students into:
1. Never feeling like they've done enough for their 'best' (perfectionist) and thus creating more stress than what's necessary, or
2. Having a lowered perception of what they can do, hypothetically studying 5 'units' of content per night and thinking that's their 'best', when in reality they could feasibly do 7 (hypothetical units).

Ideally, if you're starting off Year 12 with Cs in a subject, you don't want to 'aim for 50', because that's going to put you in the '1' category. Instead, aim for understanding the content and getting Bs/B+s in your next assessments. Once you've achieved that, then raise the bar to As and then A+s and then Rank 1, and then a 50. Having mentored B/B+ students to 45+ raw study scores - they don't get there by thinking "i'll aim for 50" from the very start, they got there by improving slowly but steadily - every time they get better, they raise the bar just that little bit higher.

I just want to chuck on a disclaimer - these are just my experiences and what has worked/not worked for my past students. Everyone has a different style of learning, and Sarangiya has evidently used her perspective to great success :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: peterpiper on January 05, 2018, 10:17:13 pm
I'm not gonna lie, I'm going for the 99.95. Sure, I might not get it. I might, though.
The one thing I cannot stand is people who "aim" for a 35 or a 42, or a 80 or a 65 ATAR or something like that.
Don't get me wrong, I understand. But you should expect a 35 or 73.95, not aim for it. I'm aiming for 99.95, I might expect less. But I really think that anyone doing anything should always aim for the highest. Always, always, always. You're selling yourself short if you don't and even if you don't get it, I daresay you'll get higher than what you would have had you settled for a 34, or a 98.50 at the beginning of the year, or before your final exam.

Agree with this 100%. The very reason I do not give advice about what marks someone should be aiming for in SACs and/or the exam to get a certain study score is because you should be aiming to do your very best - why would you settle for anything less? At the end of the day, you can be satisfied that you tried your best, and hold no regrets about what you could or should have done more. A good mentality to have in my opinion :)

I think why people "aim" anything less than a perfect score is that people don't want to delude themselves that they can achieve such a score. Or that the perfect score gives more grief than it does help. I hope I'm not coming off as a pessimist because I get this mentality (I really do - and it's kind of logic - ), but being realistic is something some people find more comforting than what they could be achieving (the best in this case). I mean, like how do you know if you're performing at your best? It's all too relative and ambiguous.

People have different coping mechanisms, and respond very differently to many things. It may certainly not be something you would think efficient, or even something you would do/say, but it nevertheless is valid in the other person's perspective. I think it's wonderful that you have this attitude. You will do wonders with something like that motivating you, and I think it's serving you well! But these study-attitudes, life hacks and tips rarely come in a one-size fits all. There are many (many) subtexts you're leaving out when you say you don't "get people who aim for 35". Perhaps, the scores itself bear very little value to them in the many millions of other things they have in their lives, and managing them by saying "if I achieve xyz" gives them a sense of possible achievement. And perhaps, it's not even the achievement itself, but rather a sense of control that they're after in the grand scheme of problems they're having outside of school etc. whatever - you get my point lol.

I really sincerely hope I'm not scaring you away! I just profoundly disagreed with the sentiments expressed.

Honestly loved being in Melbourne and fell in love with the UniMelb campus. The classes themselves were average, but boy did I love Melbourne Uni.

Hahah you just captured my infatuations with the uni well. I want to study there less because of what I'll be studying there, but because of the campus lol. Arts West; more like fuck yeah take me hombres ~

Anyway, will look forward to future updates 8)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: VanillaRice on January 05, 2018, 11:25:31 pm
I absolutely agree that everyone has something different that works for them. VCE is indeed a stressful time, and it's important that students are able to find a way to manage the stress and stay motivated. I guess what I intended from my comment was that one should not sell themself short and be discouraged, believing that they are not capable of achieving a score that they are happy with. It's true that not everyone can get a 50 study score or 99.95 ATAR, and I agree that setting achievable goals is important. A stepwise process is a without a doubt a great way of managing your goals, and my belief is that the best results are given when you are 100% commited towards each step in the process.

One's 'best' is indeed a relative term, and I was probably too ambitious in implying that in order for you to have truly done your best, you will have no regrets about something that you could've done more - hindsight really is a wonderful thing, and experience is indeed one of the best teachers. :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 06, 2018, 01:03:51 am
I can't believe I'm using more spoiler tags lmfao.

Really excited for future updates!! With your current scores, I'm confident you'll do amazingly well! (get that perfect atar boi)
Best of luck for VCE, UMAT, uni and life in general ;D
Spoiler
Thank you so much! Such an honour coming from you!!
I absolutely love your guides so far, seriously. I'm anxiously waiting for your next ones!

Agree with this 100%. The very reason I do not give advice about what marks someone should be aiming for in SACs and/or the exam to get a certain study score is because you should be aiming to do your very best - why would you settle for anything less? At the end of the day, you can be satisfied that you tried your best, and hold no regrets about what you could or should have done more. A good mentality to have in my opinion :)

Looking forward to reading the rest of your VCE journey!  ;D
Spoiler
Thank you so much for your reply! We must have similar strategies/mindsets towards VCE :D
I am definitely in the same boat regarding giving advice about goals for SACs and exams. In the end, it isn't my business anyway. Having realistic expectations based on SAC and exam results is important, so I try to encourage that after everything that can be done is done. Before that though, there is always room to strive higher!

The optimal approach IMO is to aim for the very best but set a lower number that you will be happy with. This way, you will not get dissapointed if you dont get 99.95 lol. Predicting or expecting scores may help with setting a ‘content limit.’
Spoiler
Thank you so much for your reply :D
I definitely know where you're coming from!
Setting a content limit would be a fantastic way to avoid the pain from disappointment, which I will more than likely experience.
From my own experience though, striving for higher is great thing. If not, surely I would have been contented with my 42 from Japanese. And I'm really glad that I wasn't, because I would not have tried again if I were.
I think your advice about predicting is great though. After all SACs and exams are over, its probably best to "brace oneself" by having a realistic idea. But for the time when you're striving towards it, I think it's important not too be satisfied too easily or too early.

Best of luck for year 12. Its nice to see a fellow kpop and kdrama fan here in the forums.
Spoiler
Yasss! Do shoot me a message sometime! Thanks for your reply as well! <3

1. Never feeling like they've done enough for their 'best' (perfectionist) and thus creating more stress than what's necessary, or
I have to admit, this is definitely me.
2. Having a lowered perception of what they can do, hypothetically studying 5 'units' of content per night and thinking that's their 'best', when in reality they could feasibly do 7 (hypothetical units).
Spoiler
I actually would have thought this is the result when aiming for a lower score than what is possible! Thinking "surely this is enough to get me a 40", when in reality more work could have earned that person a 45. (as an example)
But, it could be the case that because the goal seems more tangible, motivation increases and people do closer to their best. Quite interesting!
Ideally, if you're starting off Year 12 with Cs in a subject, you don't want to 'aim for 50', because that's going to put you in the '1' category. Instead, aim for understanding the content and getting Bs/B+s in your next assessments. Once you've achieved that, then raise the bar to As and then A+s and then Rank 1, and then a 50. Having mentored B/B+ students to 45+ raw study scores - they don't get there by thinking "i'll aim for 50" from the very start, they got there by improving slowly but steadily - every time they get better, they raise the bar just that little bit higher.
Spoiler
Absolutely! I wasn't very clear in the beginning, but this is definitely how I'd go about striving higher! I think smaller, achievable goals are absolutely necessary. But, just as you say, the bar should be raised higher each time. And my opinion is that the overall goal the smaller goals are working towards, the height to which the bar is raised, is as high as possible. What I say I can't stand is when people stop raising that bar, and become satisfied when really they could have done more. Maybe the bar won't be raised as far as it can go - there are only so many days of Year 12! But if you continually push it higher, at least you know that where it ended up was your best in the circumstances, and not short of your full potential.
I just want to chuck on a disclaimer - these are just my experiences and what has worked/not worked for my past students. Everyone has a different style of learning, and Sarangiya has evidently used her perspective to great success :)
Spoiler
Thank you so much for your reply and your wisdom!!
I also want to make a disclaimer that I don't mean to push my opinion onto anyone (though I did word it pretty strongly lmao).
Especially, I know that some time ago this mentality would not have been practical for myself either. At that time, I was very vulnerable to pain and guilt from not satisfying my perfectionism. Therefore, it was much more important for me to avoid that - which I could have done by setting achievable goals. Our priorities and needs change all the time. Before, I think it was avoiding that disappointment. At the moment, my priority is to keep motivated and try my hardest. Towards the end of the year, I might realise my current mentality is too naive (the beauty of recording it down I guess!).

...being realistic is something some people find more comforting than what they could be achieving (the best in this case). I mean, like how do you know if you're performing at your best? It's all too relative and ambiguous.

There are many (many) subtexts you're leaving out when you say you don't "get people who aim for 35". Perhaps, the scores itself bear very little value to them in the many millions of other things they have in their lives, and managing them by saying "if I achieve xyz" gives them a sense of possible achievement. And perhaps, it's not even the achievement itself, but rather a sense of control that they're after in the grand scheme of problems they're having outside of school etc. whatever - you get my point lol.

I really sincerely hope I'm not scaring you away! I just profoundly disagreed with the sentiments expressed.
Spoiler
Not in the slightest. This is really fantastic post and I admire how thoughtfully and coherently you expressed what needed to be said.
Thank you so much for your post.
My controversial one-liner absolutely did leave out many circumstances in which it is not practical. I wrote in this post too my own experience of when it was not. In those situations, it is more important to do what is best in the circumstances, dependent upon one's priories etc.
However, I still think striving higher each time is an optimistic coping strategy as opposed to avoiding possible disappointment. Ultimately, my belief is that if one does "aim" for something less than perfect, they are more unlikely to reach that goal than they would had they continuously made efforts. That is not to say they should not be satisfied with a 35 in the end if that's what they wanted. It is just to say that while effort can still be made, it is worth making that effort to ensure you can achieve that goal, instead of being satisfied prematurely and being at risk of not achieving it.
But I really do hope that anyone reading takes your message because I absolutely agree. This mentality did not suit me in the past, and it may very well not serve me in the future. As you say, nothing is really one-size-fits-all in terms of advice. Just for now, this what I think is a good way to achieve our best (whatever that may be, and whether or not we can tell it is or not).
Hahah you just captured my infatuations with the uni well. I want to study there less because of what I'll be studying there, but because of the campus lol. Arts West; more like fuck yeah take me hombres ~

Anyway, will look forward to future updates 8)
   
Omf I know!!! I had tutes in Arts West and honestly it was just amaze. I never knew I could actually enjoy something based on the environment I was in lmao
Thank you!!!!

A stepwise process is a without a doubt a great way of managing your goals, and my belief is that the best results are given when you are 100% commited towards each step in the process.
Couldn't agree more with this!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 13, 2018, 12:58:20 pm
The second week of January is almost over! Crazy, isn't it?
I should be getting ready for work at the moment, but I thought I would write a few things down before I left.

I was lucky enough to go to the ATAR Notes lectures on Monday and Tuesday this week! I went to Chemistry and English Language on Monday, and Psychology then Methods on Tuesday. It's kind of surreal thinking that someone reading this might have been in the same room.
The lectures were really great. My personal favourite was chemistry because I had already watched most of the Edrolo videos on Unit 3 (so I wasn't so bewildered) and because my motivation was high. My (motivational) arousal levels have been decreasing ever since lol but they were all fantastic and I'm so glad I dragged a few friends to the train station at half past 7 to go to them :)
On Friday I went out with some friends from work. We smashed out a litre of icecream, some sushi and then dinner afterwards. This morning I went out for a surprise breakfast and shopping for snacks with some friends, in preparation for a music festival tomorrow.

I’ve decided I’ll have to write more frequently, and then make a weekly summary to post on this VCE journal. There’s a lot I want to record for my future self to read, but a lot of it is irrelevant to VCE and perhaps private, so I think I’ll try having another journaling method.
For example
I was going to write about Jonghyun, a member of the South Korean group ‘SHINee’ who committed suicide late 2017. I didn’t think it would affect me so much because I had never invested real interest in SHINee as a group, let alone in Jonghyun himself. Bur for some reason I can’t stop thinking about it. I watched a drama called ‘Andante’, featuring Kim Jong-in of EXO (same company as SHINee). In the drama, Jong-in’s character goes through a mourning period and it really struck a chord. Thinking that Jonghyun’s death must have affected him, and seeing the depiction of mourning was really heartbreaking.

In light of those events, Baekhyun, another member of EXO, also made insensitive comments about depression recently.
I’ve had episodes in my life where I have stood up for what I believe contradicts my personal maxims or values, and times when I have not. Even though recognising I was going against my morals led me to let go of something, I don’t regret doing so. And I promised that from that point I was going to stand by my beliefs, because it felt righteous and dignified. Whether I have been doing that is another thing (haha), but I feel that my thoughts towards Baekhyun should be harsher. Yet, I feel that I want to deny that he had any wrong intentions. It’s difficult to see where my moral compass is pointing, especially in a case that is so far removed from my life.
I'm keeping relatively on top of my study schedule so far, so I've been in a great mood. I ought to knock off the overdue tasks but having work in the evening means I spend my day "getting ready". For this reason alone, I know that reducing my hours for this year is a must.

Anyway, that's a short description of my week so far. I'll update again next week :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 19, 2018, 10:53:31 pm
I didn’t notice it until writing this but there is only two weeks until school goes back.
A lot of friends are nervous to go back but I’m feeling pretty prepared. I’m more ‘unprepared’ for school events and other commitments. But I’m planning to just tackle those one by one - they’ll work out without me thinking over them.

There was a RMIT event on this week where you could ‘drop in’ and ask questions about maths. I was going to go Monday and Tuesday, only to discover I have lost my CAS. Great.
I thought on Tuesday (and Friday) I’d go nonetheless, but my mum was off work all this week, so I decided to stay home. Not going to lie, it was more because I am avoiding methods. But also, I think it worked out well. I still have two weeks to work with so hopefully I’ll face the mass of textbook questions waiting for me.
On math
Honestly, I quite like math and a don’t even mind textbook questions. What stresses me out is getting them wrong. Do I rub it out and do it again? Do I just leave it? Do I cross it out? If most of the page is wrong should I just rip the page out? The lack of organisation kills me lmao. I thought because of that loose leaf is best so I can just dispose of it afterwards, but then I forget which questions I’ve done… etc. So now I’m using a exercise book, but the ones I like are from Japan and about $2. Wasting those stresses me out too. What to do.
My math teacher says “it’s okay, because it is worth it.” I agree with him, but it also just seems like such a shame.
.

On Wednesday and Thursday I studied and had work.
On work antics
My boss introduced her to a Japanese girl who has come for the month. I was initially meant to host her but I couldn’t in the end, so promised to take her around. Problem was, I had no idea she was coming that day. So here I was, no makeup, dirty work apron and on a whopping 4 hours of sleep. Embarrassing! Thursday I made sure to come in looking like a snacc..

Today I went to a market. Not bad. I didn’t buy anything. I did a bit of chemistry.

I’m actually more excited about next week than I am this week. I’ve got the Senior First Aid course on Monday and Wednesday. I’m getting because I will be working in a day procedure clinic for seven hours a week this year (during class hours ayo). And most workplaces require first aid training, but especially my placement. I was told I wasn’t allowed to start until I did it.
On my placement
I’m super excited for my apprenticeship. The more I read about med school interviews, the more I think working in a healthcare setting and getting an allied health qualification will help me give some good responses.
In saying that, I notice that a lot of the questions posted on medstudentsonline are ethics-based. This worries me, but I also think having studied philosophy, I have a good capacity to discuss ethics. In saying that, I’ll really have to do some research and deep thinking lmao. It’s all well and good to get decent SAC marks after studying for terms, but a different thing to come up with a relatively well-versed moral stance within a few minutes.
Someone mentioned on that particular thread that “your career as a doctor could be likened to an endless series of these scenario questions”. Honestly speaking, I was a little shookt, but having thought about it, the idea isn’t too bad. The more you make those kind of ethical decisions, the more you understand about yourself and what is important to you. That’s one of the things I liked about medicine when I began to look at it as a career. I think I could do a lot for other careers, but I think medicine is a career which will do a lot for me as well.

Anyway, I’m off to finish the chemistry I started today and maybe some psychology as well if it doesn’t get too late.
Have a great weekend everyone :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 29, 2018, 05:26:26 pm
I attempted to write something earlier but I feel as though I'm deviating too far from VCE as a discussion topic.
So, this is last week's summary exclusively in regards to VCE and study.

...that being said, I haven't done all that much.
I have a stack of overdues because I'm trying to get textbook and Edrolo for psychology and chemistry finished ASAP.
I can understand if that sounds absurd, but I think it is best to have heard the content at least once before going to class. Going to the chemistry lecture run by ATARNotes, my friend was almost on the verge of crying because it was overwhelming. I remember feeling overwhelmed reading through the textbook/watching Edrolo, but actually thought the lecture was easy to understand and not confronting at all. And I reasoned that it was probably because I had the advantage of prior exposure.
So, with that I have my long list of to-dos. This week I'm meant to be up to Chapter 10 and Chapter 9 in chem and psych respectively, but I'm not there yet. I'll hopefully get there before school starts.
I've also got my holiday homework to do. I haven't not started any but I have yet to finish anything other than psych. Great. Three days left and I've still got this much to do.

I'm thinking that when the term starts it will be easier to discipline myself. I mean, having two months of no commitments makes procrastination and laziness so easy. Having school and impending deadlines will give me a bit of positive pressure, right? I'm not so sure. I'm beginning to think it might have the opposite effect and I convince myself that I "should enjoy the few hours I have to myself". It's not wrong, it just isn't really that productive.
Fingers crossed school will be a source of motivation to work, and not to fob off things that should have been done long before.

At the moment, I'm most looking forward to chemistry. It seems to be not too difficult, but not easy or mundane enough to sap me of vigour. Comparatively, methods seems too difficult and I'm very worried with my track record, while English Language and Psychology are things I'm putting off because the content is "been there, done that".
Who knows. Only a few more days til I do, apparently.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Lear on January 29, 2018, 05:35:18 pm
 Only a few days to go woo!
I also agree that some positive pressure can really kick a person into doing well. I’m just concerned that I might come under too much pressure!
Chemistry really does look enjoyable doesn’t it? Especially unit 3 for me, it’s quite interesting!

What do you think of edrolo? Do you believe hearing and going through questions really helps you? I find it to be a great source for a subject like chemistry but methods and English not so much.

I hope you’ve had a refreshing holiday and good luck for this year :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 29, 2018, 06:31:10 pm
Only a few days to go woo!
I also agree that some positive pressure can really kick a person into doing well. I’m just concerned that I might come under too much pressure!
Chemistry really does look enjoyable doesn’t it? Especially unit 3 for me, it’s quite interesting!

What do you think of edrolo? Do you believe hearing and going through questions really helps you? I find it to be a great source for a subject like chemistry but methods and English not so much.

I hope you’ve had a refreshing holiday and good luck for this year :)
Yeah too much pressure is definitely a worry too! We gotta stick through it together!! Haha
Absolutely! I thought I wouldn't enjoy it but actually it's a lot more interesting than what I had imagined. Not sure how much I'll like equations to do with equilibrium and stuff but the rest is pretty good. Although, I'm pretty excited for organic chemistry as well - admittedly a little moreso.

Edrolo is great! I can feel the memes this year with "hey guys welcome back to another episode of chemistry" and "yeah you can" lmfao.
I'm hoping it will be good as a revision resource because I've made more bookmark note things than I ever have before. Hopefully it's useful.
I don't have it for English (language) but I have it for psych and methods. Psych is a little mundane. I feel like it is already enough to go through the textbook. But methods I haven't touched yet because afaik some videos weren't even uploaded yet. Don't know how I'll like it. I didn't in Year 11 :\

Thanks for your reply by the way!
What subjects are you looking forward to most?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: vcestressed on January 29, 2018, 07:25:35 pm
Edrolo is great! I can feel the memes this year with "hey guys welcome back to another episode of chemistry" and "yeah you can" lmfao.
Oh my god my chem teacher has started saying that at the start and end of lesson too hahahaha. Only the people who watched edrolo understood it.
''If ever you're lost or want to give up, remember, yeah you can'' :'')
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: chooby on January 29, 2018, 07:40:59 pm
Have you guys seen her FB page "YYC"? She's basically posting a bunch of terms and chemistry meanings every once in a while and it seems like a pretty chill group.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Lear on January 29, 2018, 08:04:04 pm
I’m honestly looking forward to every subject honestly. I’m so glad I picked these subjects. Maybe the one i’m looking forward to most is legal studies!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 30, 2018, 01:02:24 am
Oh my god my chem teacher has started saying that at the start and end of lesson too hahahaha. Only the people who watched edrolo understood it.
''If ever you're lost or want to give up, remember, yeah you can'' :'')
HAHAHAHA LAWD too good.
I highly doubt our teacher will because although he is a meme, that's not his style. Bless hahahaha

Have you guys seen her FB page "YYC"? She's basically posting a bunch of terms and chemistry meanings every once in a while and it seems like a pretty chill group.
I hadn't !!! Omg thanks so much. It looks great and she's actually an angel! Wow.
I wish I can get a welcome shoutout bahahaha
Thanks so much for sharing! <3

I’m honestly looking forward to every subject honestly. I’m so glad I picked these subjects. Maybe the one i’m looking forward to most is legal studies!
Legal studies sounds so cool. There are so many things I wanted to try in VCE. I actually think the study designs are fairly comprehensive, so I wish I could have gotten that firm foundation in a whole wide range of disciplines.
Glad things are looking optimistic!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on February 05, 2018, 01:49:27 pm
My first day of Year 12! (On Thursday)
I was lucky enough to not have any classes on my first day back. I spent my day catching up with friends, doing some study during my frees, and preparing for the day after. I went with a friend to ask our methods teacher about a question we both had trouble with on the holiday homework. It felt great to have him go through it with us, although I felt a little bad for imposing on him. My justification is that we are Year 12s and the main priority, but I’m going to try and stick to our lunchtime consultation groups that the teachers run.

On Friday, I had methods, English language and psychology with a few frees scattered around. Methods was great and I felt inspired, I guess you’d say. It’s hard to get hyped about math alone, but my teacher is really great. I’m so lucky this year. English language was good too. I haven’t had this teacher but she seems to really like me and has great flexibility. On the other hand, I met our new teacher for psychology as the previous one took long service leave. She seems pretty chill, but like the previous teacher, she is too anal-retentive in regards to notetaking. I’m not mad on teachers that prescribe a way of working. Like even in English Language, our teacher said most of our work would be done online and uploaded to her using Google Classroom. Yet the mentality in psychology (apparently) is that writing notes helps increase speed and memory retention. Well I’ll be damned if my English teacher is okay with us not writing in pen and paper even though speed and memory retention is undoubtedly more important in EL as compared to psychology.
What is everyone’s opinion on this?

My general impressions are that I’ll enjoy methods and chemistry most this year, followed by English language which I will enjoy if I can motivate myself, and psychology will trail behind in terms of interest. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean I can afford to slack off.

On Saturday, I went up to Monash for a free “introduction tuition class” by Evolve Academics. There were two back-to-back 90-minute classes, one for EL and one for chemistry. Both presented by Calvin Fletcher, who was an engaging presenter. I really liked his EL class. Funnily enough, I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it because I’m generally very comfortable with EL, but it was extremely helpful. Chemistry was great too, but the EL lecture seemed more insightful and ‘strategic’. If anyone reading is thinking of contacting Evolve Academics, I can safely recommend it. Especially for Chemistry, I am so tempted to have him tutor me purely to pick his brain – I reckon there is a lot he would be able to cover that wasn’t in the lecture.

Overall, I’m feeling really great about this year and going to these classes on the weekend and after/during school has really given me a sense of achievement. Hopefully the momentum stays!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on February 11, 2018, 08:53:41 am
Another week done!

I had my first classes of VET and religion (compulsory at my school). I thought I wouldn’t enjoy RE - purely because I wanted more frees, not because I didn’t like the subject matter. But actually, it was a really good class. It has been a while since I actually engaged in philosophical thought but I think the class unanimously agreed it was a lot of fun.

I had a methods test on differentiation (just chain/product/quotient rules) and got 4th in the class – 2 marks under the first. I wasn’t too pleased but I’m convinced it’s a positive start, and feeling relieved that it wasn’t a SAC.

Also, I did my first UMAT practice exam on Tuesday. I started off so stressed I could barely read the first question — completely unlike me. After I got into the swing of things, I did quite well. My strongest area by far is Section 2, then Section 1, and then Section 3. I’ll be working on improving Sections 1 and 3 this week. Fingers crossed we see an improvement.

English language isn’t bad. A little boring, I guess. Psychology isn’t going too well… but surely it’ll be okay. Only time and SAC marks will tell. On the other hand, Chemistry is great.

I’ve been staying after school every day to study, which has worked extremely well. I also only had one shift of work this week, and picked up some Checkpoints books.

Next week I’ll be working on catching up on my to-dos and preparing for my first SAC — psychology.

Have a good week everyone :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Bri MT on February 11, 2018, 09:03:17 am


Imagine how good you'll be at the UMAT once your nerves settle a bit more. Given how much pressure you put on yourself it must've been hard not to just procrastinate it - kudos for actually facing it and getting past the stress.

What's your psych SAC on? The nervous system?


Edit: removed content of quote to aid reading ability
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on February 11, 2018, 04:49:14 pm
Imagine how good you'll be at the UMAT once your nerves settle a bit more. Given how much pressure you put on yourself it must've been hard not to just procrastinate it - kudos for actually facing it and getting past the stress.

What's your psych SAC on? The nervous system?


Edit: removed content of quote to aid reading ability

Thanks so much ! I'm hoping it'll work out that way. Thanks for the encouragement haha
It's daunting but I've got all these practice exams so it would be a waste not to get through them all!

Yeah I think so! I vaguely remember she mentioned testing stress as well but I'm not too sure. We should be getting onto Lazarus and Folkmann's next lesson, so theoretically I guess it's possible. Either way it's a test format (just like the old study design bless lmao) so hopefully a few Unit 3 practice Q's will do the trick!!

Hope you're doing well and thank you
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: grestal on February 17, 2018, 03:27:03 pm
are you preparing for the UMAT using Medentry practice exams? or do you use some other brand.
i'm using the NIE books and i went to a TSSM UMAT lecture last year as well, what about you?
good luck with year 12 and the UMAT!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on February 17, 2018, 03:37:31 pm
are you preparing for the UMAT using Medentry practice exams? or do you use some other brand.
i'm using the NIE books and i went to a TSSM UMAT lecture last year as well, what about you?
good luck with year 12 and the UMAT!
I'm using a variety of exams from different companies :)
I have been to a few iCanMed lectures and I'll be going to a TSFX UMAT lecture this coming weekend (which is free, by the way, if you wanted to check it out!)

Best of luck to you too! :D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on February 17, 2018, 04:01:44 pm
It doesn't really feel like it but I am slowly realising we are now in the thick of Term 1.

I've had quite the eventful week this week - full of ups and downs. Mainly, because I got really ill with gastro. I actually stayed home for a good part of the week.
Before that though, I was able to visit my work placement for VET! It was a lot more intense than I expected, and to be honest I felt a little nervous.
I'm sure that will settle after a few weeks, so I've decided to just take it as it comes for now.
After the gastro, we had our school swimming carnival. We had a clean sweep and it was a fantastic last event for my team. I cheered more than I ever had bothered to, and participated in events I never thought I would. It's cliche, but I wish I had spent my previous years like they were my last as well. But I guess that's the point of making the most of the last one anyway.

My psychology SAC is slowly creeping closer, but I'm quite content with my preparation for that. On the other hand, I heard we are doing a chemistry prac on Monday and the write-up later on - which, apparently, is a SAC task. I'm not entirely sure my sources are accurate though. Surely a SAC wouldn't be sprung on us the week before, right? And surely not a Prac SAC, which is what I am the most worried about in the whole course?
When I caught up with my teacher after being sick, he didn't mention it... fingers crossed that it isn't true.

I've finally caught up with my overdues - so now I'm only three weeks until finishing notetaking for 3/4 Psychology. Then I'll begin doing questions, practice exams, making summary sheets... all of those things which actually make you learn the content. On the other hand, I only just reached Unit 4 in Chem. It'll take me a bit longer to finish notes for that.
For methods, I've decided to spend half an hour a night doing textbook questions. I don't know if it will work but I've barely done any so far, so I better implement some way of adding it to my schedule. It might be a bit ambitious (I'm horrible at "daily" tasks), but I'll adjust it as I go.
English Language seems to be going nowhere. I don't actually know what I'm learning at the moment, so I think I ought to begin scheduling for English next. Notetaking (according to the study design, which will hopefully help with the "I don't know what I'm learning"), and especially a schedule for writing practice analytical commentaries/expository essays. Despite it all, I'm faring well at the moment, though, so hopefully I can hold off on that for a little longer.

This coming weekend I am going to some free TSFX lectures for chemistry, psychology, methods and UMAT. It is free, for anyone who is interested!

Best of luck to everyone and have a good week!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: TheAspiringDoc on February 17, 2018, 04:31:05 pm
You're trying to pre-learn the entire psych and chem courses?!  :o
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on February 17, 2018, 10:35:01 pm
You're trying to pre-learn the entire psych and chem courses?!  :o
I don't know if I'd call it pre-learning. Especially with Chem I think you really have to do a fair amount of questions to see if you actually 'get it's or not. The idea is to have heard/read it before I do in class. Also means I can start "revision" activities all year/doing practice exams over a longer time.
Idk if it's a good idea. Here's hoping
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: DBA-144 on February 17, 2018, 11:09:10 pm
I don't know if I'd call it pre-learning. Especially with Chem I think you really have to do a fair amount of questions to see if you actually 'get it's or not. The idea is to have heard/read it before I do in class. Also means I can start "revision" activities all year/doing practice exams over a longer time.
Idk if it's a good idea. Here's hoping


How do you even find time to learn half the course in term 1? That's some really hard work though! 
So won't you get bored now though in class; actually you could also use that as a form of revision!
Journal's looking really good so far!
Hope you have a great week! Good luck with all your subjects!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on February 18, 2018, 09:04:37 am


How do you even find time to learn half the course in term 1? That's some really hard work though! 
So won't you get bored now though in class; actually you could also use that as a form of revision!
Journal's looking really good so far!
Hope you have a great week! Good luck with all your subjects!
Actually I did most of it throughout the holidays. Part of that was to get me into a steady routine before school actually started to avoid being thrown in the deep end.
It was a little bit inevitable the psychology would be a bit boring. Not only have I gone through the content, but I also did the subject a couple years before. Also, our classes are just focused on the content. We haven't watched any videos, played games or really anything except for going through slides. Hopefully it is just because we are trying to get through a SAC soon. After that if time allows I hope we can do some activities that are more fun than copying notes (which by the way, is even more hellish because it has become the "read through the slide, wait for people to write notes, try to change slides but people are still writing word for word..." pattern).

Yeah, using it as revision is a good idea too! I've been listening to our teacher speak, and been reading the slides trying to see if there are discrepancies between my notes and theirs. Other than that, I use class time to go through checkpoints.

Thank you so much! It has been a great experience writing it so far!
Best wishes to you too :D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on February 25, 2018, 09:58:13 pm
One month into Year 12!

I had my SAC on Friday, which went really well. I'm hoping for close to full marks but at the same time trying to not dwell on what I can't control. I also had a math test on Monday… which didn't know about. Luckily it doesn't contribute as a SAC but I got a positively abysmal score. My teacher said to me, "I have nothing to say to you but ‘what the hell?’"
more about this
I blamed it on the gastro and receiving no notice of a test. In reality, it was my own fault for not checking with the people in my class or my teacher. I had kind of trusted my classmates would fill me in - considering they sent me photos of what they did in class, I thought they already had. In the end, it was my own irresponsibility that lead to a surprise test that reflected far, far less than what my potential was.
The moral to this story is that I ought to address things myself. I have already discovered over and over again that I cannot trust or rely on really anyone in or outside of school, but it seems I was inexplicably optimistic this time.

I did more UMAT practice but discovered the exam I did was incomplete, and moreover, I didn't have the solutions to it. Nonetheless, it served as practice and should be the only one which is a bit dodgy. I am yet to do this week's test…
Frankly, English Language and Psychology are painful. It has been a month with no improvement. I know I could probably do something to make the classes more palatable, but...

Over this weekend I went to the TSFX lectures I mentioned. I went up with a few mates and really botched the whole getting-there part of the trip. Other than that, we had a good time.
My general impressions are great of TSFX. I really felt tempted multiple times to look at that registration sheet.
TSFX lectures impressions
On Saturday, I had methods and methods exam 2, followed by psychology and then UMAT. Methods was intimidating so say the least. Our school is different in that we have done differentiation while other schools seem to be completing circular functions. There was a lot of focus put on trig and I was struggling to recall Year 11 knowledge. The exam lecture following was even more brutal. Just felt like I had any hope of going decently in math sapped out of me. In saying that, there were some good tips.
Psychology was shocking. The only good part I can recall was the memory cues for parts of the brain… which, ironically enough, are not especially important for the new study design. I was a bit confused as to why it was focused on so much. The rest I have covered over and over so I could barely listen without getting a headache.
On the contrary, UMAT was fantastic. It was the best UMAT or medicine-related lecture I have been to. Our presenter was engaging and insightful, and I even got a little ego boost because I could get through the example questions. Even my friend who isn't completing the UMAT said it was the favourite over the two days.
On Sunday, I had chemistry and chemistry prac writing. Funnily, I feel like I gained more insight into practical SAC writing from the former rather than the latter. The presenter for chemistry was excellent. Even though it was intimidating, I really enjoyed the lecture. The later one also wasn't bad - I had probably just hit a wall by then lol.
I'm so happy with the notes provided as well. For any future students, they are filled with notes as well as exam-style questions with answers. Really quality and would recommend highly if they're running next year.

This week I will have the chemistry SAC and find out the result of my psych SAC … wish me luck!!
Have a great week everyone !
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Maya24 on February 26, 2018, 05:19:34 pm
Good luck for the chemistry sac!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on March 05, 2018, 02:33:07 pm
Good luck for the chemistry sac!
Thank you! I read this before taking it and it really cheered me on :)
Good luck for whatever you might have coming up too!!

Big week, to say the least.
I've discovered that because our timetable runs biweekly, one of those two weeks is just a hot mess. Hardly any frees, lots of doubles (and hence, lots of SACs) and just all-around crappy.

So, I am yet to receive word on psychology. On the other hand, I got my results for chemistry the day after I sat the SAC. My result is definitely something to be happy about but if anything I am anxious.

My placement is giving me more grief than I would have expected. Not because of the work or course, but because of the contact-hour requirements that I am not meeting. There were issues with the employer so I'm just lucky to be there, let alone asking for more hours. I'll have to get them though, otherwise I won't be able to to graduate lmao. I’m hoping to do some medical coding if possible. I like what I’m doing at the moment but after about 4PM there aren’t many (not even one last week) patients to attend to so I think some secretarial-type work could be good.

I am feeling increasingly nervous with regard to EL. I feel like there is some degree of creativity in writing Sec B/Cs, but for some odd reason, nothing comes out of my pen when I go to write. I usually have at least one thing in my essays that is original, creative or otherwise setting me apart from the pack. But lately, I can’t concoct something of that nature. Perhaps I ought to read more for leisure. Although, English Language has had a surprising development in which my pieces are going to other schools. Weird, but hopefully beneficial.

I have a methods topic test on Transformations on Friday of this week. I’m looking to make up for the embarrassment of a test sat last time ‘round.
Other than that, I’m falling behind again on working ahead (lol). I’ve decided to take it easy and only complete those tasks when I have free time. It might mean finishing them off during the holidays, but that isn’t the worst that could happen. After I do finish them, I’ll be working on practice questions and possibly exams, as well as “working ahead” for English Language and “revising” for Methods. I figure English Language is a lighter course in terms of workload and Methods is full of skills I need to be keeping fresh as we go through rather than working ahead.

Anyway, that’s all for me for now. Have a great week all!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Razeen25 on March 06, 2018, 01:47:21 am
I know I’m like 35 years late here, and tbh I don’t usually read VCE Journals, but yours really stood out to me!! Especially in your original post, about how one should aim for the highest ATAR even if they expect less. I think that’s amazing. Legit, THANK YOU so much! Also, like others have said it’s nice to see another KPOP fan here hehe.

Will enjoy reading the rest of your journey from all the way here in NSW : D!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on March 06, 2018, 07:04:23 am
I know I’m like 35 years late here, and tbh I don’t usually read VCE Journals, but yours really stood out to me!! Especially in your original post, about how one should aim for the highest ATAR even if they expect less. I think that’s amazing. Legit, THANK YOU so much! Also, like others have said it’s nice to see another KPOP fan here hehe.

Will enjoy reading the rest of your journey from all the way here in NSW : D!
Wow no thank you!! How flattering !! Especially from NSW!
Thank you so much for reading and replying to the thread. Made my morning hahaha
Have a lovely day!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on March 11, 2018, 06:28:48 pm
Only 9 full days of Term 1 left!
I'm not sure whether I'm happy or a little worried about that fact haha.
We have Labour Day holiday tomorrow (woohoo!), our Athletics Carnival next Friday, and Year 12 Retreat for three days in our last week, finishing the term on Thursday. So, surprisingly, there is not long to go now at all.

I had another methods test on Friday for transformations. I managed to get the exact same score as the first test we did. I probably should have done better in retrospect - I literally wrote on the paper 'I don't know how to subtract/add these algebraically' when afterwards a friend told me what they did and I almost fainted it was so obvious. I'm usually relatively good with algebraic manipulation so it is a little worrying that I'm making weird mistakes. I'm going to have to focus more on methods than I have been. Polynomials, huh...

We have a SAC for English Language next week on Friday. I've got this week to prepare for it and I'm really aiming high. I've just got to get over my weird issues with Sec B writing and smash a few practices out, get the content firmly under my belt and really hit this SAC out of the park. Fingers crossed.

Psychology, on the other hand, is still being marked. It's driving me a little bit up the wall, if I'm to be honest. I do think that getting assessments back in a timely manner is really important in VCE. I think it will give people an idea on where they stand (do I need to study more? Did I understand that topic? Should I try harder this topic?), a wake-up call to those who need it, and a bit of a release from tension lol. Hopefully it will be out this week.

Chemistry is going pretty well. We have started redox but progress is slow. I felt really good though because even after writing notes on it in like December of last year, I was able to explain concepts really well to a mate who forgot/didn't know how galvanic cells worked. It's a good sign. I'll make sure to do redox questions over the term break, as well as hopefully finish off notes for Unit 4. How long have I been saying that for? Hahaha. I took some notes on spectroscopy this week and although I was daunted at first (which may have been a contributing factor to the procrastination...) it isn't too bad and actually quite interesting.

In terms of motivation, I feel that I am dropping a bit. For the last two weekends I have just chilled out and done a bare minimum amount of study. But, I'm not really frustrated or feeling guilty because I know that if I push it too hard, I will burn out. It has happened before. I'm happy with just revitalizing at home and leaving study for school-time until I get some momentum back. It has kind of come at a good time because I can use the holidays to rest up and get back into it before Term 2 starts. I'll still make sure to post entries for the holidays because I am going to study. Accountability!

It isn't as interesting, but I've got some things going on in my personal life, too:
probably boring to you, v excite to me
So, I've saved up some money and decided that I'll go back to Japan (with a detour in South Korea!) in November, after exams. Since I went by myself last time, I really want to take my Mum so I can show her where I was, what I did and have her meet the families that generously hosted me for two months. Also, I only travelled to Kobe, Osaka, Himeji, Kyoto, Kanagawa (only residential), Tokyo and Enoshima. So, this time, I'd love to travel to different places and explore further into the North and South of Japan. My plans at the moment include Niigata, Hiroshima, Hokkaido (may be too cold...), Nara, and anywhere the time-frame and JR Pass can take us. The problem is, of course, when to book the tickets for. I'm anxious to get cheap flights but the VCAA Exam Timetable for 2018 doesn't get released until May. I'm thinking that I should just go off my assumption and hope for the best. For those interested, this is my predication for my exam times this year:
1/11/18 9:00-11:45 Psychology
7/11/18 9:00-10:15 Methods I
8/11/18 11:45-14:00 Methods II
13/11/18 9:00-11:45 Chemistry
15/11/18 11:45-14:00 English Language
The reason why, by the way, I'm trying to buy tickets so close to the end of exams in November is because (a) the earlier, the cheaper and (b) provided I actually get an interview, med interviews are held very early January and then O-Week, biology short course, relocating etc. will all have to happen in February. So, it's November to early December or nothing. I am - if you couldn't tell by the erratic planning - very excited.
Also, my cousin had a baby last week who I saw for the first time this week. I'm beginning to think that all the babies are so cute in our family that I'll really get a shock when I see an ugly one hahaha (just kidding!)

Anyway, have a great week everyone!! Hang in there !
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on March 11, 2018, 09:40:16 pm
Keep it up, Sarangiya, it is really good to see that you are trying to improve your motivation, just like me :P . I don't think I've said this yet, congrats on your previous SSs, I don't know what it would be like to do U3/4 subjects before Year 12, but it's great to see the effort you put into them. Keep it up for the coming months of year 12 and you will do well. Good luck :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on March 11, 2018, 11:11:41 pm
Keep it up, Sarangiya, it is really good to see that you are trying to improve your motivation, just like me :P . I don't think I've said this yet, congrats on your previous SSs, I don't know what it would be like to do U3/4 subjects before Year 12, but it's great to see the effort you put into them. Keep it up for the coming months of year 12 and you will do well. Good luck :)
Thank you for your kind words! Right back at you. :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Razeen25 on March 11, 2018, 11:19:30 pm
It's great to hear you're doing well!! And about assessments still getting marked... SAME. That disappointment when you rock up to another lesson hoping to find out how you did but "not yet" LOL. Relateeee
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on March 12, 2018, 09:43:04 am
It's great to hear you're doing well!! And about assessments still getting marked... SAME. That disappointment when you rock up to another lesson hoping to find out how you did but "not yet" LOL. Relateeee
Thanks for your reply! Yessss literally haha
I checked our intranet portal last night and noticed that the assessment had been defined but there is still no score or feedback associated with it hahaha. It's like it was teasing me.
Hope everything is faring well in NSW! It wouldn't be Labour Day there would it?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Razeen25 on March 12, 2018, 09:52:06 pm
Thanks for your reply! Yessss literally haha
I checked our intranet portal last night and noticed that the assessment had been defined but there is still no score or feedback associated with it hahaha. It's like it was teasing me.
Hope everything is faring well in NSW! It wouldn't be Labour Day there would it?

Ahh omg THATS the worst! Smh @ this tease tsk tsk. That’s me too rn in English with my teacher promising results every lesson but not coming thru AHAHA.

Labour Day for NSW is in October actually! Although I wish it was now for dat extra holiday hehe
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on March 18, 2018, 05:22:27 pm
Two more weeks left...! Well, technically only 5 days left :)

This week went by pretty smoothly. We did finally get our psychology SAC back! I got higher than what I did last year but I was still pretty disappointed it was only an improvement of 3%. I ended up getting three multiple choice questions wrong and one mark off short answer. I feel like one of those incorrect MCQs and the lost mark in SA were actually debatable. Well, actually, I had this episode of being like "what, she mustn't be an experienced marker because these are definitely correct!!"... only to calm down, think rationally, research a couple of points and come to the conclusion that I myself had exhibited "psychological projection" - which ironically enough, was one of the MCQ I lost. Blaming others > cognitive distortion > cognitive sign of stress. Sad times.

As for math, last time I said I got the same score as what I did for our first topic test.
the story
Well, after these tests we have to write a report correcting and walking through what we got wrong. A very good idea, in my opinion. But as I was trying to rectify my mistakes I noticed that even though I was sure of the method, I just kept getting my answer. I consulted a friend who just eats through methods like it is breakfast and she thought my answers were right. Off to my teacher I go, hoping to get some closure. Instead, my teacher is adamant that his working was correct and no matter how many different ways I tried to elicit the "well, yeah, that's because -- oh" moment, it didn't come. He even said "this is a weird question - most questions on the exam will be like [insert random question]". Anyway, come later in the week, our teacher tells us to take out our tests and either add or deduct marks for guess which questions.
I am happy to say that my mark this time was 6% higher than the first, and I've got a nice positive trend happening. I won't say I'm too happy about the above, but I think things like this must happen, and it wasn't a SAC so...

A similar situation also occurred with English Language. We did our practice SAC and I came out feeling miserable. I had missed a question, didn't write a whole paragraph that I'd planned out, and wasn't really sure about anything at all.
what happened
I had my SAC rescheduled in another room. However, some students rocked up late. Instead of starting immediately, the supervisors wanted to wait for them until it got late enough that the second just waltzed in after starting time. Of course, they and others had no idea what they were doing so they had assistance given to them loudly. And of course, the supervising teachers had a lovely banter while switching over, one had a nice chat with a student, and when one student needed help with the formatting of her assessment task, the supervisor just said 'I wasn't given any instructions' and after a long, loud dialogue between the two, the student was simply left to her own devices. Possibly the worst SAC conditions I have ever been in. I pride myself on having very good concentration in public, and really do believe that despite any disturbances I usually can keep focused. This time, though, I was hugely affected. And with no clock in the room, caught out early (actually, I wasn't given the full time for that reason as well), and left feeling awful.
But, I ended up getting a good mark and for the essay, only one mark off. Turns out I technically wrote three paragraphs because I squished situational and cultural context into one paragraph, when it should be two. Interesting. I've got the real deal this week. Hope I can pull off an even better mark.

In chemistry we are still going through redox. I had a good VET session learning about the skeletal system. Did you know babies aren't born with the kneecaps? Neither. Also, I am an addict to chiropractic videos on YouTube (check out Dr. Rahim - my fave), and so I was all up with the cervical, thoracic, lumbar lingo hahaha. The assessment we have is on workplace safety. Pretty good, I'm having fun.

Hope ya'll have had a good week, and another good one ahead!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: lazaward on March 18, 2018, 09:33:48 pm

Two more weeks left...! Well, technically only 5 days left :)

This week went by pretty smoothly. We did finally get our psychology SAC back! I got higher than what I did last year but I was still pretty disappointed it was only an improvement of 3%. I ended up getting three multiple choice questions wrong and one mark off short answer. I feel like one of those incorrect MCQs and the lost mark in SA were actually debatable. Well, actually, I had this episode of being like "what, she mustn't be an experienced marker because these are definitely correct!!"... only to calm down, think rationally, research a couple of points and come to the conclusion that I myself had exhibited "psychological projection" - which ironically enough, was one of the MCQ I lost. Blaming others > cognitive distortion > cognitive sign of stress. Sad times.

As for math, last time I said I got the same score as what I did for our first topic test.
the story
Well, after these tests we have to write a report correcting and walking through what we got wrong. A very good idea, in my opinion. But as I was trying to rectify my mistakes I noticed that even though I was sure of the method, I just kept getting my answer. I consulted a friend who just eats through methods like it is breakfast and she thought my answers were right. Off to my teacher I go, hoping to get some closure. Instead, my teacher is adamant that his working was correct and no matter how many different ways I tried to elicit the "well, yeah, that's because -- oh" moment, it didn't come. He even said "this is a weird question - most questions on the exam will be like [insert random question]". Anyway, come later in the week, our teacher tells us to take out our tests and either add or deduct marks for guess which questions.
I am happy to say that my mark this time was 6% higher than the first, and I've got a nice positive trend happening. I won't say I'm too happy about the above, but I think things like this must happen, and it wasn't a SAC so...

A similar situation also occurred with English Language. We did our practice SAC and I came out feeling miserable. I had missed a question, didn't write a whole paragraph that I'd planned out, and wasn't really sure about anything at all.
what happened
I had my SAC rescheduled in another room. However, some students rocked up late. Instead of starting immediately, the supervisors wanted to wait for them until it got late enough that the second just waltzed in after starting time. Of course, they and others had no idea what they were doing so they had assistance given to them loudly. And of course, the supervising teachers had a lovely banter while switching over, one had a nice chat with a student, and when one student needed help with the formatting of her assessment task, the supervisor just said 'I wasn't given any instructions' and after a long, loud dialogue between the two, the student was simply left to her own devices. Possibly the worst SAC conditions I have ever been in. I pride myself on having very good concentration in public, and really do believe that despite any disturbances I usually can keep focused. This time, though, I was hugely affected. And with no clock in the room, caught out early (actually, I wasn't given the full time for that reason as well), and left feeling awful.
But, I ended up getting a good mark and for the essay, only one mark off. Turns out I technically wrote three paragraphs because I squished situational and cultural context into one paragraph, when it should be two. Interesting. I've got the real deal this week. Hope I can pull off an even better mark.

In chemistry we are still going through redox. I had a good VET session learning about the skeletal system. Did you know babies aren't born with the kneecaps? Neither. Also, I am an addict to chiropractic videos on YouTube (check out Dr. Rahim - my fave), and so I was all up with the cervical, thoracic, lumbar lingo hahaha. The assessment we have is on workplace safety. Pretty good, I'm having fun.

Hope ya'll have had a good week, and another good one ahead!

Can relate with psych, I swear some answers to questions are rigged 🤣 probably my way of making myself feel better about losing silly marks. My school is up to electrolytic cells in chem, but my school is going way too fast. Literally did redox in one single period good luck with your upcoming sac! :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on March 26, 2018, 11:40:01 pm
Can relate with psych, I swear some answers to questions are rigged 🤣 probably my way of making myself feel better about losing silly marks. My school is up to electrolytic cells in chem, but my school is going way too fast. Literally did redox in one single period good luck with your upcoming sac! :)
So true! Man, our school still hasn't really moved on from redox. For some reason noone seemed to get it in Year 11 apparently. Thanks so much!

Finally, the last real week of school is over!!
This week I just had a full day Monday, and then will have retreat (a religious camp) from Tuesday to Thursday. I'm pretty excited.

I ended up getting sick (again, sigh) with a viral infection/cold-type illness. It started on Sunday and I ended up taking Monday off. Since I only go to school for one period on Tuesday, followed by placement, I called both off. Unfortunately even though it was only a mild cold, it would have been unwise to work around immunosuppressed cancer patients or people on other kinds of drug therapies. It has really made me think about how much anyone employed in health should care for their own health. I also had a lovely man make me a big, green, octopus balloon animal after having a chat with him last time. It was so sweet. Unfortunately, I think my work ended up throwing it out :( I'm actually really heartbroken but at least I have the photo as a memory. :(((

Wednesday I had half my English Language SAC before school. Because of the placement/VET, it was rescheduled. But honestly, I'll never opt to do that again. I was fortunate enough to be able to read what I wrote in the second half that we had the following day, but boy oh boy I was almost falling asleep in the chair. I did the other half, which wasn't too bad. I also sent off an extra Sec B to be assessed externally. I received it back today (Monday) and had my gorgeous teacher "blanket-wrap" me (her own words) so I wouldn't feel so insulted. In fact, the feedback wasn't harsh at all. I actually thought it was a little less sharp than what she has given me before haha.

On Friday, we had athletics carnival. I only did a few events: 100m, 200m and the egg and spoon race. I got 3rd in the 100m and 3rd in egg-and-spoon (lol) but that's it. I got to wave around our stick used for cheering though, which was fun. The senior division of our House came last, but overall it was our win. Swimming and aths - we've bagged it! :) It was loads of fun, and of course, very sorely farewelled.

I might make an update on this post later on. But for now, hope you all have a great week!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Deliaaa454 on March 28, 2018, 11:20:49 pm
Hey!! New user here but I was reading your journal and your VCE journey just seems awesome, especially your raw 50 in Japanese, that's just amazing! I also did a language last year (Chinese) and didn't do well so to me it's just amazing for you to get a perfect score in a second language. Anyway good luck for VCE and enjoy your upcoming holidays :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on March 30, 2018, 12:21:25 am
Hey!! New user here but I was reading your journal and your VCE journey just seems awesome, especially your raw 50 in Japanese, that's just amazing! I also did a language last year (Chinese) and didn't do well so to me it's just amazing for you to get a perfect score in a second language. Anyway good luck for VCE and enjoy your upcoming holidays :)
Hi there!! Welcome to ATARNotes!! And thank you so much for your reply.
Thanks so much. Yes, it was so suprising to me actually! I think it just boiled down to some good luck.
Chinese is notoriously difficult so don't beat yourself up about it, especially when you've got amazing results for methods and physics! Crazy that you could get that mark in methods in year 10!! I think you'll absolutely smash this year!
Best wishes to you too!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on April 02, 2018, 08:49:53 pm
[lol rip I already wrote this but closed the damn tab #rip]
Last week of term!

We had our last official day of school on Monday which was just spent talking among each other. We also had our retreat, which was another yearly tradition I was sad to farewell. I didn't have any spiritual revelations or epiphanies (lol) but it was nice to spend time with old and new friends.

I have been using Easter and the arrival of extended family to weasel my way out of studying and instead bingeing k-dramas (oops). But not to worry - bar working and hanging around with friends, I should have a break packed with study (bruh).

How was everyone's Easter? Mine was spent entertaining little ones, which is a very draining activity for me. I'm not so enticed by chocolates... oh, the joys of being (mildly) lactose intolerant.

Anyway, I'm going to record down an agenda for these holidays, as well as a little recap. Read if you wish! Otherwise, hope everyone has a fantastic holiday!
Going forward
(https://i.imgur.com/JFxYJAh.png)
Going back
I started this term by creating this Journey Journal! I'm still doing the same subjects, but haven't expanded much on Chinese drama-watching. Although, I am giving my friend the shits by reading her mother's Chinese texts to her and miraculously understanding them - very fun (and a boost to the ego). My interest in fashion is only blooming, but planning has come to a little bit of a standstill. I'm still aiming for Med, that lit ATAR, but have not made my bucket list yet (grr...).
I went to ATARNotes lectures, an independent lecture and some TSFX lectures - all for free, and without really utilizing the notes I got from them :( I'm sure I did unconsciously, right?
I took a Japanese friend around Melbourne and did my First Aid training.
I had my first day of Year 12, and began doing practice exams for UMAT. I had my first SAC - psychology, followed by chemistry. Finally, I had my English Language SAC. I had multiple math tests, but no SACs. I've done reasonably well on them, except for a doozy that I still regret now.
I got pretty sick twice this term, which resulted in a very tired me and some absences from school. More absences were created with Swimming Sports and Athletics Carnival, which were both great memories. Not to mention retreat, at the end.
Looking back, I notice how very little happened. It really seems like such a momentous achievement to get through Term 1, but in reality it is such a small hill. I've had a very good term, crashing a little in the middle but still going strong. I was surprised that even though I worded my posts carefully, most are a mix of "anxious" and other negative emotions. Time to shape up for the next term!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on April 09, 2018, 11:04:52 pm
My first week of holidays have gone and boy, oh boy do I miss them already.

Things went... similarly to how I planned them out? (Oops).
Tuesday and Wednesday were some lit days with good friends. Thursday was not spent in Melbourne, though. I hope I don't regret that later. I found an online UMAT seminar thing that I said I would watch instead, but did I? No. Good going.
Work day #1 was surprisingly one of the best days of the week. I had people randomly tell me I was a "people person" and had a nice smile etc all these really sweet little things. I even got slipped a $20 tip at work. A really good day.

Saturday was at ATARNotes lectures. I had methods then chemistry this time. Methods was a little hard to follow because it was the first session, but I appreciated the effort the presenter took to stay on the ball. A lot of the content I haven't even covered yet so it was just over my head. Towards the end my mate and I were looking for places to eat (lol). I think math is just so hard to put into words. On the other hand, I have to commend the chemistry lecturer. I'm pretty confident with all the material so I will say I got a little bored but every explanation the lecturer gave was in depth and repeated several times, which I think is really great. Sometimes it is just that second or third time hearing it that it clicks for some people. I ended up leaving early because I wanted to be home before 7:30.
The 18th was good except for the music. Some was great but the rest was just club remix. Paired with a strobe light, I didn't last long when I didn't know the song and just sat outside drinking with other friends who had headaches.

I did plan to study the next day but of course, I didn't. I've already mentioned here once that when I have work I procrastinate the whole day. Well, old habits die hard. I really did absolutely nothing.

Today (Monday - I'm a day late), I also did a great job of doing nothing. I'm thinking tomorrow I'll have to get out of the house if I really want to get work done. So, the plan is to go down to the public library and get stuck into it. No excuses.

Overall, I've had a great week socially. Academically... There's definitely room for improvement. Fingers crossed for these last few weeks before we are back to the grind.
Good luck all!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on April 15, 2018, 08:48:12 pm
The end of the holidays... I'm really not happy. These holidays have flashed past and I haven't done much of what I should have.

I spent Monday doing nothing, from memory. Tuesday, feeling guilty, I decided to go to the local library because I decided it was too hard to concentrate at home. In a lot of aspects, if I feel like I am being watched, I'll tend to do "the right thing". Hence, studying in public is what works for me.
Wednesday, I worked at placement and then at my part time job. Same routine Thursday. On Friday, true to my weakness again, I procrastinated because I had been asked at 10am to work later that day. I said yes, but did nothing (#regrets).
On Saturday, we had the ATARNote lectures again. I had a lot of fun this time... but didn't concentrate as much as what i probably should have. I did finish my psychology homework during the psych lecture, though, which I thought was a great idea. I then went to another 18th. Well, I got myself some Little Fat Lambie and you can guess the rest. Sunday, I had wholly intended to be productive but my mum was home, so we spent the day together.

So, I have finished psychology homework. I have done maybe half of chemistry, a negligible amount of methods and no EL work.
As you can see, I haven't been on the ball. I did finally finish Psychology in its entirety though.
I'm feeling nervous about Term 2 and to be honest, I'm just not feeling it. But regardless of my feelings, the show must go on. Here's to another 75 days before the return of freedom.

Have a great return to school everyone and best of luck!

(Oh, also! I found out I got MOTM which was aweomse!! I'll have to try harder to live up to it, but I'm so pleased. Thanks ATARNotes!)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: lazaward on April 15, 2018, 10:58:08 pm

The end of the holidays... I'm really not happy. These holidays have flashed past and I haven't done much of what I should have.

I spent Monday doing nothing, from memory. Tuesday, feeling guilty, I decided to go to the local library because I decided it was too hard to concentrate at home. In a lot of aspects, if I feel like I am being watched, I'll tend to do "the right thing". Hence, studying in public is what works for me.
Wednesday, I worked at placement and then at my part time job. Same routine Thursday. On Friday, true to my weakness again, I procrastinated because I had been asked at 10am to work later that day. I said yes, but did nothing (#regrets).
On Saturday, we had the ATARNote lectures again. I had a lot of fun this time... but didn't concentrate as much as what i probably should have. I did finish my psychology homework during the psych lecture, though, which I thought was a great idea. I then went to another 18th. Well, I got myself some Little Fat Lambie and you can guess the rest. Sunday, I had wholly intended to be productive but my mum was home, so we spent the day together.

So, I have finished psychology homework. I have done maybe half of chemistry, a negligible amount of methods and no EL work.
As you can see, I haven't been on the ball. I did finally finish Psychology in its entirety though.
I'm feeling nervous about Term 2 and to be honest, I'm just not feeling it. But regardless of my feelings, the show must go on. Here's to another 75 days before the return of freedom.

Have a great return to school everyone and best of luck!

(Oh, also! I found out I got MOTM which was aweomse!! I'll have to try harder to live up to it, but I'm so pleased. Thanks ATARNotes!)
Congrats on MOTM! I wouldn’t beat yourself up too bad, it is the holidays after all plus you seem busier than most people. Can totally relate with the procrastination and guilty feelings, just have to find a way to overcome it and focus. How’s your UMAT prep going btw? That’s what’s been scaring me the most, there’s only like 3 months left
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on April 16, 2018, 04:11:49 pm
Congrats on MOTM! I wouldn’t beat yourself up too bad, it is the holidays after all plus you seem busier than most people. Can totally relate with the procrastination and guilty feelings, just have to find a way to overcome it and focus. How’s your UMAT prep going btw? That’s what’s been scaring me the most, there’s only like 3 months left
Eeee thank you.
Oh, thank you for your kind words. I don't know about being busier than most but well, I certainly wish I had more time to throw around.
UMAT prep is going okay. I haven't done any practice exams since last time I mentioned it, but I did a few drills and have been watching the explanation videos on the iCanMed Facebook page. They're not too bad if you wanted to look at them yourself. There are also a few ACER ones available once you register.
Fingers crossed!! Have a great term :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on April 23, 2018, 08:28:33 pm
First week of term, over.
I ended up taking a sickie on Monday though, which was a pretty pathetic way to start the term. Not to worry though, I think it was well worth it and I didn't seem to miss much.

In psychology, we have been revising for our next SAC that is coming up Friday this week. I think we will also start on memory before actually sitting the SAC. I've got pretty high hopes so fingers crossed yet again.

In methods, I had a polynomials topic test which I did, well, pretty awfully on. I only missed one mark on the notes and calculator part of the test, but scored very few marks on the other section… Eek. We are looking into calc a little bit until getting into exponentials and logs. This four-period test is going to be a riot, I can tell already. Apparently they're aiming for June 10 for the start date.

In English Language, we have started formal language and are yet to get out AOS 1 SACs back. It's actually killing me lol. I also can't stay awake in classes. Maybe it was because it was straight after lunch but boy I was sleepy.

In chemistry, we have moved onto equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s principle. I only just realised that these things that I was so clear on when I studied them are actually getting foggy after all this time. Time to get in some revision and pay extra attention in class. My teacher is still the best! Much love for Chem. I think we are doing the practical component for our SAC this week too, which is pretty daunting, though.

My VET is going pretty well. Not much to update on that front. In terms of UMAT, I managed to finally complete another practice exam. I had to do it in parts though. I've seen a relatively small but promising improvement, still with significant time left over. I'm still worried that the nerves are rushing me through and causing some mistakes. I always thought Section 3 would be my worst but it looks like Section 1 is actually presenting the most problems. I never thought those questions were too hard though, so hopefully I will be okay with some practice.

Hope you guys have a great (and productive and reflective ! Haha) ANZAC Day this Wednesday.
Good luck all!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on April 30, 2018, 12:43:48 am
And so the third week starts, with eight to go.

I've had a fairly average week. It was going pretty well but ended with a bang (of my head on the desk tbh).

Most notably, I had our second SAC for psychology. This subject in general is so daunting because I go into it expecting everything to be a walk in the park and always come out very shaken.
tight timing:  the boring backstory
My friends and I usually sit in the psychology room for recess and lunch. I was informed that students were still going on with the SAC during recess because they needed the full 50 minutes. Later on I also get an email saying to come in 5 minutes before class so they can start the SAC on time. Bad signs.
I was rushing towards the end, scared I wouldn't finish it all in time. I'm sure I did decently but still thinking I might be picked on for my laziness. Fingers crossed that results come out soon and I can update you.

We also did our second chemistry prac SAC which was, truth be told, a load of fun. Finally, me and my beloved lab partner managed to get through everything without me botching it up, get accurate results and even be second to finish up! An actual rarity. Our writeup is this Tuesday. I'm hoping for the same mark or better than what I got last time. I'd really like to move from 2nd into the lead rank, but will my lack of effort deserve it? (Hint: if it does, I'll probably feel guilty).

In methods we are doing calculus type stuff we have gone over already in Year 11. The revision is welcome but I just have no idea how I'll scrub up in this subject. I'm still doing like no practice questions so stay tuned to see how that comes back to bite me in the ass.

I had intended to do another UMAT practice exam this week but as you might have deduced from previous comments, I have been exceedingly lazy. This week, though, I'll work through it section by section. VET it's also going well - I'm doing a project on muscles which is pretty neat to be honest. I also managed to work this week and celebrate my best friend's 18th. Apart from those events, there were other causes for my slothenly behaviour. Namely, a new drama I have begun watching…
uh oh
I cannot get enough of it. So much so that I noticed an Indonesian group had already subbed the most recent episode, and so I decided to do the logical thing. Which is, obviously, try to Google Translate all 600 lines of captions. Can you feel my desperation yet? I didn't end up violating the subtitles or the drama that way though, worry not. I shall be patient. It's just so good, even though the plot is just that of a couple trying to keep their relationship a secret from everyone...

Saving the worst for last: English Language. I didn't think I could hate this subject much more, but I guess this year is all about learning. (If you hadn't noticed, I've been trying to restrain myself from saying this in fear that writing it will actualise these counterproductive attitudes). It had been over a month without SAC marks being released. I was chill the whole time, because I was certain I would get my practice SAC mark or higher. I would have been happy with that. Instead, on the final period of Friday, I get back what was as equality surprising as it was disappointing.
The Reason by Hooberstank (SingStar anybody?)
Honestly, I don't think my writing changes all that much. I have been getting consistent marks for almost my whole high school career. So, that much of a discrepancy came as a huge shock. I then am told the green scribbles on my SAC are not my teacher’s, but an external marker’s. I cannot begin to explain how petty the corrections are and how infuriated I am. A classic example is this excerpt, where and I have written: “...they have a…”, and the “have” has been crossed out, with “enjoy” instead the preferred verb. I don't even know what to make of it. Will be updating later
However, I have reason to believe I'm still Rank 1. I have naively persuaded myself that it is all that matters but… sigh.

Good luck to all this week!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on May 06, 2018, 07:27:16 pm
We are half way through the academic year! Another 5 months from now and we will be seeing the ends of our Unit 4 classes. Crazy, right?

Chemistry
We had our SAC, and I ended up doing well. It cured a lot of my mopey feels from last week and has motivated me.
I'm the type of person who is motivated easily from positive reinforcement - praise, good results, understanding things easily. When I get bad scores, teachers always say its good for me and would make me want to work harder. Little do they realise that while the concept makes sense, it delivers a huge blow to my ego and I'm less inclined to do more work. What side do you lean towards?
Electrolysis from now on! I feel like I have a good understanding of electrolysis so I'm looking forward to it.

Psychology
No results back yet. We are starting memory, which while boring is also the topic of our research task SAC thing...
My teacher assured me the poster is essentially the same as an ERC (from the previous study design) but just on a different piece of paper.
I'm really not looking to it though, and not looking forward to it in Chemistry either. If there's something that's going to trip me up...

Methods
One month until our big SAC. We will have our topic test this week (Tuesday, I think). After that, we are going into exponential and logarithmic functions, and after that circular functions. Those along with what we have done so far will be on the SAC. Apparently one lesson is an introductory lesson that isn't marked and can be used to clarify with peers and whatever. The only other thing I know is that it's a massive application task (or more than one, with the same central theme).
I'm usually okay at application tasks, but who knows...

English Language
I talked to my teacher about the SAC mark and I was largely unimpressed with her responses, to be honest. I won't go into it, but in the end nothing can be done about it. She was very complimentary of me and understood my concern with the mark. In the end, it wasn't a bad mark, my errors weren't huge, and I think I'll be okay going forward. It just so much harder now to work with a passion.

Others
I didn't end up doing the UMAT practice exam. It's just so hard to find a spare three hours, or even an hour here or there to do a single section. I will hopefully do some this week. I wish there was an app I could do sample problems with. To be honest, not having tutoring or preparation courses is beginning to make me worried. I begin to wonder if I'm really missing out.
Placement is fine. I ended up taking Thursday off and so I missed my class (+ double psychology) but it seems like we didn't do much.

Here are some thoughts I'm having:
What the UMAT reflects
I used to kind of despise the idea of the UMAT and didn't see what it really reflects in the individual that was so important in medicine. Now, I've kind of formed some impressions.
Section 1 assesses the ability to extract, comprehend and make deductions from data and information. I believe it reflects the role of a doctor as a teacher, and as a student. The doctor learns and imparts evidence-based, coherent, factual information to the patient. They educate the public, and research and learn to better themselves and their practice.
Section 2 assesses the ability to interpret emotions, see the patient as an individual, and provide an empathetic and trustworthy service. This section would reflect the role of a doctor as a carer. The doctor is a pillar of support, dependable confidant and a fellow person that serves and treasures their neighbours.
Section 3 assesses the ability to recognise patterns, observe the covert and exercise (appropriately) intuition as well as intellect. This section thereby reflects the role of a doctor as a problem solver. The doctor identifies symptoms, looks for fine detail, diagnoses and differentiates, and with any hope, 'solves' the problem the patient presents with. They examine what isn't obvious, and makes connections where others may not. Finding the missing part of the puzzle for the patient might be exactly what was needed, so a doctor asserts themselves a thinker and explorer.

To be honest, I don't think of myself as someone who plays these roles yet. I try, with some success. But what is most profound to me is the desire to be a teacher, a carer, and a problem-solver. When I doubted myself, someone said to me: you are still growing. With any hope, I can fulfill these large and sacred roles sometime in the future.
The paradoxical use of time in the final year of school
I treasure my family above anything else. Actually, my home consists of just my mother and myself. I've lived a somewhat solitary life, without siblings and with a mother who needed to work whenever the opportunity presented. In Year 12, I have become acutely aware that I will be moving away from this life and the comfort of our small home. Whether it's just an excuse, or whether I really do feel sentimental, I don't know. But when my mother's home, I hardly ever study. It seems like such a waste of time to study, instead of hanging around with her. It has made me think, that for those who do face my reality of moving away after Year 12 (many do), time spent bending over backwards to study should really be spent with family. Thinking forward, when will my life be like it is now? It won't, and I suddenly feel empty to think the 'normal thing to do' is shaft your family to second priority, and "study".
How to make study easy
Whilst contemplating why 'liking' something makes it so much easy to study for it, I've come to release something. On my profile one of the quotes I have is the Japanese idiom: 好きこそものの上手なれ - which means 'what one likes, one will do well'. I thought this to be true especially when I was studying Japanese. Why was it so easy to pick up? Why did I never tire of learning and practicing it?
It has dawned upon me recently that while an affinity for the subject is usually regarded as 'passion', there is another connotation to the word.
If you're passionate about a subject, it is more than likely that you're not passionate about the Unit 3 and 4 sequence, but the subject area itself. It's hard to explain, but I really love Japanese, yet hated taking it at school. What's the difference? I love linguistics, but don't like English Language. I love Chemistry in the VCE, but never really had an interest in it outside of school.
I looked to my teachers. Who were the best teachers I have had so far? My Japanese teacher - who teaches her mother tongue, her culture and upbringing. My Chemistry teacher - who used to be an industrial chemist, working for mining companies, manufacturers, you name it. They have such a endless, vast understanding and love for their subject. The "passion" seemed to be contagious. Only then did I realise that for both of those people, their subjects weren't something they had just studied at university, or taught because they were especially "good" at it. Both of them lived what they taught. To them, their areas of expertise weren't curricula and study design dot-points, but vocations, lifestyles, upbringings and hard-honed disciplines with open ends and seas of unknowns to explore.
I've decided, if I'm to enjoy what I'm studying, I cannot think of them as Study Designs, practice tests and powerpoints. I think that if I can see the subject rather as a discipline, with human, real applications, I can respect the subject, and therefore begin to appreciate it.

All the best for this week!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Joseph41 on May 07, 2018, 01:53:37 pm
Just want to say that this is a really great journal. One of my favourites!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on May 07, 2018, 09:00:04 pm
Just want to say that this is a really great journal. One of my favourites!
Thank you always!! I'm flattered :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on May 14, 2018, 09:37:11 am
Welcome to Week 5 :) I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.

Chemistry
We are still working on electrolysis. I ought to do more textbook questions but I'm still in a bit of a slump. Not to worry - I feel pretty happy about my progress so perhaps delaying practice won't be too bad. Our practice exams for Unit 3 are on the 27th, 28th and 29th of June (the very last week of term). Before then, I'm hoping to do a massive review and reconsolidate what we have done so far. I ought to start some Checkpoints too.

Methods
We started exponentials and logs just recently, which isn't bad... just annoying. It doesn't seem close but our SAC task is fast approaching. I think I'll use each week to practice each topic we have done, at least one or two doing solely application questions. I constantly wonder what impact Methods will have on my ATAR. I of course want a good score for it, but am not getting my hopes up too high because no-one at our school really gets 40+ for Methods or Specialist.

Psychology
Still no results. I'm hoping to get them today (and if I do, I'll update this post). We are still on memory which isn't too bad. I'm curious about the research poster since I've never done anything like it. If anyone knows anything about it or has any tips, please do let me know!

English Language
Also a little under the radar, our next SAC is creeping nearer. I've suddenly become nervous to think about this, considering my previous mark and my lack of practice since then. I've started another AC and sent a short paragraph to be corrected. I think, though, working on my Sec A-type answers is the priority.

UMAT/others
Although finally printed (a whole 67 double-sided pages!) and ready to go, I am still yet to do the UMAT exam I had planned to. I did however, receive a lovely DM from a member reading who kindly reassured me my time was best dedicated to VCE as opposed to the UMAT. It's so nice to have a community of supporters here. Thank you to that person, if you're still reading.
Placement is good but assignments are actually stacking up for VET. I really want to knock them over quickly but my perfectionism does not allow it. I'm hoping to finish of one particular assignment after writing this.

All in all, I'm having a pretty down start to the week. I'm tired after Mother's Day (having stayed overnight out-of-time, I almost feel like I got 'no break') and lacking a little in drive. But, there's only 7 weeks left (including this one). If I can just push through, Term 2 will end in no time. Then, the real pressure will begin with Term 3 looming.
Our GAT slips also came through this morning (here's to my third try lol). Also, by the way, according to my questionable predictions, the VCE Examination timetable should be released Wednesday next week. I'll finally be able to see if my flights are actually viable or whether I've made a mistake that I will surely have to pay for (figuratively and monetarily).

Good luck all! Keep pushing :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on May 14, 2018, 06:14:29 pm
I didn't really want to ever double post, but I have an update.
No psychology results.
But, I have just received word that the two English Language teachers taking each Year 12 class in our school are being replaced.
Like, immediately. Apparently the other class had the new teacher (without any warning) today.

I am very shocked and a little sickened by the news, truth be told. I don't really know what to make of it and though I thought I wouldn't be stressed, I am in a slight state of panic.
I knew Year 12 would throw curve balls at me but I hoped I would be the one screwing it up for myself, not the school.

Anyway. Maybe it is for the best and I will wish the change was made sooner. Who knows.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on May 21, 2018, 12:17:16 am
Only 40 days until end of term! Anyone tune into the royal wedding? I'm by no means a royalist but I did watch it. Compared to Will and Kate's wedding I thought it was rather disappointing. What were your thoughts?

English Language
I was quite shocked last week to hear our teacher(s) were being replaced. Our new teacher, however, has made a good impression on me and I have high hopes. In saying that, we are meant to have a practice SAC Wednesday this week! I don't know how I feel about that at all. I feel grossly unprepared, and I managed to avoid putting in any effort this weekend again.
We had to do a roll-call-and-fact-about-yourself thing, but unlike the other class, we were asked about our plans for next year. One thing absurd about me is I hate telling people about my goals. Like loathe it.
13 Reasons Why (haha cringe...) and the implications:
I've been more open recently, through this forum and also in my interactions with the patients in oncology.
But nevertheless, I find it the most excruciating experience. People tend to pitch in their opinion: "Oh, but you'll be stuck in uni for years!", "medicine isn't the glamorous lifestyle like you see on TV!", "have you ever thought about teaching?" ... All of these I have heard within the last two weeks lmao.
Of course, I get a lot of praise and "you'll be a fantastic doctor", "we need people like you" etc. but either way, the decision is so close to my heart any judgement - positive or negative - feels raw and personal.

Especially, at my oncology placement, I am merely a Cert III student. Sometimes when people hear this, they revert to prejudicial thinking. When "I would like to do medicine" follows "I'm here once a week doing work experience for basically a TAFE course", eyes widen. It is quite unnerving.
It has really been an experience being a recipient of that kind of judgement. Unless I purposely choose to withold information (often I do, see above lol), telling people I was in the top three in the state for a foreign language subject in year 10 or whatever other thing I can brag about, obviously brought everything but those scoffs of disbelief.
I have the opportunity to tell those people : "actually...", so I know that my experience is not the same. It is, however, very interesting.

I recently wrote a post about my year 10 work experience at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Women's hospitals.
Actually, I made a point (and wrote about during the week I was there) about why I decided to say I was interested in "a career in the health sector" over blatantly saying medicine, and why I never told anyone about my school results or anything. I had decided that if I could still be told that I should be a doctor, or a nurse, or whatever, it was me that was suited to that recommendation, not my CV or ATAR.
I was pleased to be met with resounding encouragement and support. One theatre technician said he thought I would be a good doctor because I was determined, after having heard that I was making a four-hour return trip every day for those 40 hours of experience.
So with that, I lit a flame inside myself with the slight belief that maybe I could trust the judgement of those people.

Methods
Exps and logs aren't quite as hard as I had anticipated. High hopes but still yet to begin revision (time to pull my head in...!)

Chemistry
Our teacher is honestly my favourite teacher of all time. Just the sweetest person. I feel like I disappoint them a little bit, which isn't a nice feeling. But it makes me determined to make them proud.
SAC is soon, I think. Fingers crossed!

Psychology
Results came out at the very end of the week! Better yet, I was able to snag full marks. I'm very happy, and my opinion of the subject has improved slightly (haha)! Time to start some practice exams!

UMAT etc
I finally did the exam! I saw an improvement in S1 and about constant with S2. I didn't end up marking S3 because I fell asleep after doing a bit, which kind of nullified it's validity. I might try it again though.
At placement, I should be starting to go to Day Surgery instead of oncology! This is very exciting for me. Though I love the oncology staff and patients, I really took this opportunity to experience more surgery. I'll be detailing it closely if I am get to go on this week.

I'll end this post with a quote from my favourite book. I hope it inspires you and that you have a productive and exciting week!
Quote from: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity

P.S.
read about my work experience at the Royal Women's and Royal Melbourne Hospital in detail by clicking on the byline of this quote!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: hums_student on May 21, 2018, 11:41:35 pm
Hey man! Congrats on your psych results! And good luck for Englang :)

Can definitely relate with telling people about your post-VCE goals (though mine's not as specific and focused as yours ahaha), I was at a careers counselling appointment the other day and the dude was taking a drink when I said I'm interested in studying archaeology and nearly spat out his water.  ;D

the decision is so close to my heart any judgement - positive or negative - feels raw and personal.
Just my 2 cents, doing med is obviously very important to you, remember that in the end it's your decision and others' opinions doesn't really have to impact you personally, after all it's not their future, it's yours. And anyway, you know yourself the best.

Spoiler
I always get told that history isn't a realist or stable career choice and I'll probably end up making less money than my future girlfriend lol ...  Then I get compared to my 'much more sensible' twin sister who's aiming for a 99.90+ and wants to study science.  I guess with comments like these along with stuff like 'have you considered teaching' (which I also get quite a lot) you just have to learn to tune them out.

Enjoy the rest of your week!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on May 22, 2018, 12:08:08 am
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Thank you so much!

Hahahaha I love it!! It's such an asset to be unique. To be honest, I think a spray of water is a better reaction than ugh... Bachelor of Science again...?.
In regards to history and archaeology, I think an exceptional student like you need not concern yourself with what others say either. For all you and they know, you could do groundbreaking (literally and figuratively! Haha gee I'm funny...) work in those fields! High risk(?), high reward, as they say.

And thank you so much for your support ... It's great to hear someone can relate hahaha. I'll try to grow some thicker skin and let it go through one ear and out the other (avoiding my very sensitive heart area 😂).
Of course, the same goes to you! Let's chase our aspirations and spite those who tell us to teach hahaha

Hope you have a good week too! Looking forward to your next update.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on May 27, 2018, 08:06:03 pm
It's almost June - our midway point of the year! We have come a long way.

Chemistry
I've got our SAC penned down for Tuesday. I'm pretty confident I'll do okay, but I really want to get a better mark than last time. Not that this matters all that much, but our semesterly academic awards are probably being decided soon. I do think that I'm in the running for chem. I've got competition, no doubt, so I won't be surprised if it's not me. But if I can smash out this SAC, I'll at least put myself in good stead.

Psychology
In terms of the academic award, I'm pretty set. We do have our research poster SAC coming up, which is what I have been most worried about. I'm hoping that we will be well prepared and our teacher might be able to look over a draft I do. Something like that would definitely reassure me.

Methods
Our SAC is well and truly set for a week from now! It will go over four days. We were able to get last year's SAC, and it really wasn't that hard at all. I'm not too worried, thanks to that. My plan of revision is not going so well (lol) but there isn't actually that much to do, I've found. Since the application questions (and generally just harder questions in the textbook) use a lot of different skills and use polynomials as well as logs/exps, I feel like I'm getting good practice anyway. (Am I just lying to myself?? Haha)

English Language
I don't know if it's just my school, but I really do have a hatred for this subject. I'm so disappointed, since I thought I would love it. But instead of being an English-based subject with room for individual thought, I feel like all my answers are compared against a model. If it's the same as the model, marks are awarded; if it is different, marks are taken away. When I get 3/4 or something, the response I always have to swallow down is "you didn't mention x". God forbid I wrote something else, or didn't think x was a key feature in the text (it wasn't).
I don't mind the content, or even the writing. Just the marking is so difficult to understand.
These sentiments are in light of the practice SAC I did last week. I did slightly better than my real first SAC, but still inexplicably worse than every other year I've done English at this school. I'm beginning to wish that I had have just done general English. I would have had stable, qualified staff (and not just one or two!), loads of resources and more freedom of expression.
Real SAC is next week...

UMAT etc.
No day surgery for me lol. Apparently the majority of it gets finished in the morning, while I come in the afternoon. I'll use my holidays to go and see some procedures :)
I haven't done much for UMAT. We will see how I go this week. I'm not going to put too much time into it, considering the volume of SACs.

Exams
I was spot on my predictions!!! Hahaha. That was honestly the highlight of my week... obviously not the best week I've had lol. These were my original predictions:
the predictions

1/11/18 9:00-11:45 Psychology
7/11/18 9:00-10:15 Methods I
8/11/18 11:45-14:00 Methods II
13/11/18 9:00-11:45 Chemistry
15/11/18 11:45-14:00 English Language

my actual timetable
1/11/18 9:00-11:45 Psychology
7/11/18 9:00-10:15 Methods I
8/11/18 3:00-5:15 Methods II
13/11/18 9:00-11:45 Chemistry
16/11/18 11:45-14:00 English Language
All were right (including the day I had predicted the timetable would be up hoho) except that methods is in the 3:00-5:15 session (my mistake...why would exam II be an hour long?), and English Language is on the Friday, not Thursday.
And if you're wondering why it means so much to me that I was right: I bought plane tickets for immediately after when I thought I would finish my exams! And yes, I was very lucky. I am leaving for Japan the day after my English Language exam lmao. I have to say, though, it makes the trip that much more exciting.
Other than that, my impression of my timetable is great! I have my psychology exam first, followed by six days until my two methods exams. It follows that I should be preparing solely for psychology until then, and dedicate the week in between to math, math and more math. Continuing on, I have another five days until my chemistry exam, with the EL exam two days after that. I guess it's best to spend most of those five days on chemistry, but also to not neglect EL. I could either use those two days beforehand to study, or maybe to pack (lmao).
I don't think this kind of plan really works in reality. It's best to study for all subjects so you have them all active in your mind, and don't forget anything. Plus, it's boring to focus on one thing for like a week. Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.

How was everyone's timetable?
Good luck for this week!

This week's quote is from 괜찮아, 사랑이야 ("It's Okay, That's Love") - the drama my forum name is based upon. They are quoting from the poem, 바람이 오면 (When the wind comes) by 도종환 (Do Jong Hwan).
Quote from: 바람이 오면 / 도종환
   
바람이 오면 When the wind comes,
오는 대로 두었다가 Leave it just as it came,
가게 하세요 Let it go
 
그리움이 오면 When longing comes,
오는 대로 두었다가 Leave it just as it came,
가게 하세요 Let it go
 
아픔도 오겠지요 Pain will also come,
머물러 살겠지요 It will stay and live,
살다가 가겠지요 It will live, and it will go
 
세월도 그렇게 The years also the same,
왔다가 갈 거에요 They will come and they will go,
가도록 그냥 두세요 Leave them to go
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 03, 2018, 10:21:58 pm
It's less than a month til end of term. My last day falls on the 28th, and I can't wait for it to come.

This week I'm starting with my UMAT etc. section (lol). In last week's entry, I was disappointed to admit that I couldn't go into theatre despite my hopes and dreams :( But this week... I had my first day in Day Procedure! I was able to watch ophthalmological surgery for my whole shift. I saw cataract surgery with and without an iStent, which is a set of two stents put in the eye to depressurise it and treat glaucoma. The stents are incredibly tiny - I couldn't even see them on the magnified image! I was able to meet some great staff and patients, and observe eye surgery close up. The surgeon even let me look through the surgical microscope a couple times, before video was fed from the microscope to an external monitor in some of the later surgeries. It was great to see the 'live stream' because I could understand it better and actually see the quadrants being removed and the new lens being inserted and folding out.
Unfortunately, I haven't done much in terms of the UMAT... it's less than two months until the big day. I think I'll use my holidays for UMAT study and chemistry as a priority, followed by psychology practice exams and EL.

My chemistry SAC ended the same as my other SACs this year. It is good that I'm consistently getting good marks, but frustrating that I'm not improving markedly. We have our poster SAC coming up which is a little gross, but I have high hopes. Actually, it sounds a little fun. After doing that, I hope I can finally finish off Unit 4 notes. I still haven't progressed past the spectroscopy chapter. Hopefully I'll get the last few done soon.

This week I have the big methods SAC. We got some past SACs, and it actually doesn't look hard at all. The possibility I'm underestimating it is very high, but I think it's good to hold some confidence. I'm just thinking about what questions are the differentiating questions... i.e. the ones that differentiate the above average form the average.

In psychology recently, we are looking at research methods. Having done it already, I'm not too concerned. I'd rather focus on the parts of research methods that I don't understand as well, like standard deviation, reliability/validity/accuracy and conclusion-drawing, etc...
Our research poster is also coming up soon in this subject, most likely sooner than chemistry. I'm not as excited and a little more nervous, since I don't know what to expect. Oh well, eventually I'll find out.

English Language... we have the remainder of our SAC this week. I can't wait to get it over with.

I've been thinking recently about the practicalities of studying medicine.
How will I earn enough money to support myself? Where will I live? How often will I go home? It's not easy.
Because I will have a Certificate III from the VET Health package, I should be able to get Recognition of Prior Learning and complete other certificates more quickly. For example, Cert III of Pathology Collection. If I can get afternoon shifts (like, I don't know, 6-10PM?), then it could be a good way to earn money and experience.
I wish the Cert I'm doing was enough, but it doesn't qualify me to hold that many responsibilities.
If I could have done pathology collection this year, i would have - but it's age-restricted at most RTOs. :(

On the bright side, I did learn that the BMedSc/MD is accredited not just in Australia, but Malaysia and Singapore! That's pretty cool, and something I didn't know.
Hope everyone has a good week. Only a week until the GAT!

Quote from: Toni Morrison
I tell my students, "When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else."
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Joseph41 on June 04, 2018, 09:31:23 am
Sorry if this has been covered earlier (very possible - I may have even asked previously myself!), but with regard to Med, are you thinking of any specialty in particular at the moment? Or just considering Med in general as an option?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Maya24 on June 04, 2018, 06:09:43 pm
Good luck for your methods sac!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 04, 2018, 11:07:14 pm
Sorry if this has been covered earlier (very possible - I may have even asked previously myself!), but with regard to Med, are you thinking of any specialty in particular at the moment? Or just considering Med in general as an option?
Thank you for your reply!
I'm not actually sure if I have covered it or not.
To be honest, I really am not all that sure and it's too early to tell.
From my experience at RMH, I was attracted to surgery, as opposed to medicine. I like the idea of close-knit staff with rotating clients and cases.
From my experience in oncology, however, I am attracted to regional medicine. Going out and having people recognise me, or getting to know people over a time, is rewarding.
Both seem like good options, though I still think I'm drawn to the hands-on aspect of surgery.

Within those two broader disciplines...
For surgery, I like general or plastic/reconstructive. The choice may not surprise you considering most of my week at RMH was spent in these specialities. Other than that, opthalmology, neurosurgery, urology...?
For medicine, I think General Practice is great because there is a need and a lot of patient interaction. But, I do wonder if I'll be doing too much talking and not much of anything else.
Other than GP, I like neurology as far as I can image. It seems complex and abstract, which is very intriguing.

All in all though, I'll have to make this decision six or seven years down the track!

Good luck for your methods sac!
Thank you!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Bri MT on June 05, 2018, 07:20:05 am

In psychology recently, we are looking at research methods. Having done it already, I'm not too concerned. I'd rather focus on the parts of research methods that I don't understand as well, like standard deviation, reliability/validity/accuracy and conclusion-drawing, etc...
Our research poster is also coming up soon in this subject, most likely sooner than chemistry. I'm not as excited and a little more nervous, since I don't know what to expect. Oh well, eventually I'll find out.

I can make a question set based around those things next week if you would like? 
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 05, 2018, 11:37:49 am
I can make a question set based around those things next week if you would like? 
That would be awesome! Thank you!! I completely forgot about the weekly questions... what have I been doing!?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Bri MT on June 07, 2018, 08:57:23 am
That would be awesome! Thank you!! I completely forgot about the weekly questions... what have I been doing!?

No problem!   
The thread has had a bit of a lull period as everyone's being adjusting to the academic year but it'll be starting up again next week - if you're keen (and can find the time) you can also answer previous question sets before then and I'll put the feedback out next week.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 10, 2018, 11:36:11 pm
I have never appreciated the Queen's Birthday public holiday before! Hope you all have a great day off too :)

Psychology
We started our poster SAC this week. I think I nailed this first assessed part. I am incredibly frustrated, though, because my ERC SAC in 2016 was the exact same experiment. Like, the exact same. If I could somehow find my report... wouldn't that be a miracle.
I'm quite looking forward to the rest. Stress-free, somewhat fun, and hopefully a nice addition to my GA2.

English Language
The second part of our SAC (the AC) is finally done. Unfortunately, I don't have high hopes. I essentially poured out whatever was in my head onto paper, without much rhyme or reason. I'm used to that kind of writing (see: these journal entries), but I'm super nervous.
On the other hand, if I get a decent mark I will just not know what to do anymore.
I was able to get some advice from a past student from another school, which was great. Although, it contradicted some things we have been doing at our school, which has made me even more anxious.
The past couple of months have been a massive blow to my confidence in English. Looking through my Year 11 results, I never got a mark below 93%. The change is too shocking, too confusing, and I feel absolutely lost.
I don't know what to do.

Chemistry
We did some "peliminary tests" for our experiment. We are doing thiosulfate solution in acid, which is an experiment very well-documented and equally as popular.
I'm not sure if I'll be at school for the actual experiment. Hopefully we get some nice results anyway.
I'm looking forward to this poster less than psychology.
We have started Unit 4, which is good. I like organic chemistry and seem to be going well, working through the textbook. I attempted to knock off some more chapters, as I said I would. It is definitely a lot more difficult than expected.

Methods
The SAC for math wrapped up this week too, thank God. I'm not feeling so hot with this one, either. Not many people felt good about it, but man, my expectations are pretty much non-existent.
We have started circular functions, finally. Gross but good.

UMAT etc
A past student and current 5th year Monash Med student talked to a few of us this week. I had been in contact before through email, so it was great to match a name to a face. She is hopefully going to help us through the UMAT and interview process.
Still no UMAT stuff being done, bar a few questions popping up on Facebook that I do whenever they pop up.
For placement this week, I stayed in oncology because I was meant to be assessed. The teacher didn't end up coming, so my precious theatre time next week might be under threat. It was meant to be orthopedics, too! I have a trick up my sleeve, though, which might mean I can have the best of both worlds.

Coming up this week, Monash is having an information night for the benefit of us country kids. I'm trying to think of food questions to ask. Most are about accomodation.

I'm also in the midst of writing a scholarship application. It's not easy to write for scholarships, since you really want it to excellent. It isn't bad for some introspection and deep reflection, though.

The GAT is this Wednesday, too. It's quite surreal - my third and final attempt. I have safely rejoined VCE DiscussionSpace in preparation for the annual shitposting tradition. Hope the Co2018 delivers their meme game.

Overall, I'm just happy I can sleep tonight knowing I'll be able to sleep in as long as I please.

Quote from: Haruki Murakami
“And once the storm is over you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in.”

Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 18, 2018, 04:38:52 pm
It's (technically) the last week of Term 2!
We still have practice exams for the following week, but at least we are finally closing the curtains on this long term.

English Language

If you read regularly, you'll know I've been having issues with EL. Luckily, it seems that they will be rectified!
Apparently we will be resitting our first SAC, because it was found that the criteria used to assess them was 'not good'. Also, the teacher that assessed that SAC is no longer teaching English Language, and the cross-marker has been replaced as well.
It is definitely warranted. One person, for example, got 37% on the first SAC and followed it up with an 84%. It's just too much of a jump, which led me to believe that it was the marking that was the problem.
Well, I am slightly relieved. But, I'm also so grateful for all the advice from friends from ATARNotes and definitely plan to use it to further improve my performance.

Psychology
We are still in the middle of our SAC. We have done around half, with the 'ethics' section coming up today. I've done well in it so far. Apparently, though,  we are not doing the actual poster write-up until next term. Oh well.
I'm not really looking forward to sleep as an area of study (I found it the most boring AoS in 2016) but I am looking forward to mental health. It was covered very lightly in the previous study design. I don't have any special interest or wish to 'study' mental health, but I like topics with models/systems to remember (e.g. GAS/fight-flight for physiological basis, Atkinson-Shiffron for memory, and for mental health there is two (yay): P factors and the transtheoretical model of behaviour change)

Methods
We also got our SAC marks back in methods. I was somewhat pleasantly surprised. It wasn't exemplary by any means, but our teacher said we should be happy with a mark over 50%, and mine was, so I'm taking his advice. He said to me that I was strange because I "can do things others can't, but also can't do things most can".
It's actually not so strange, though. I can do things others can't because I have some level of intuitive intelligence, and I'm good at test-taking. For example, I'm generally good at 'application questions' in any subject, as comprehending the scenario and understanding "what it's asking you" is no problem. At the same time, I'm not that great at math. So the simple things I get wrong are because I don't practice enough, and am generally pretty poor with the subject itself.
So, I think his judgement is pretty accurate.
I'm going to try practice more from now on.

Chemistry
We are still doing our PI. I was absent for the results part, so I was a bit worried. But my lab partners got nice results, so with a full description of what they did I should be okay.
My teacher said I should be looking into more advanced things to discuss, not just "do more trials to increase reliability". Hopefully I can brainstorm some things before we do the write-up.
Organic chem looks okay for now... still skeptical about AOS2.

UMAT etc
Not much in the way of UMAT practice, but I'll be going to an iCanMed lecture on the 1st. I can't believe the UMAT is just a little than over a month away.
No orthopedics last week :( Hopefully I can do something interesting this week, otherwise doing what I'm comfortable with is good too.
Of course, the GAT.
The memes were pretty good, I must say. We checked them out immediately after finishing but they weren't up to standard (lol) for a while. My favourites are the Eileen ones because I was just so triggered when I read that passage.
I had a lot more fun doing the GAT than in previous years. I thought I did better on the MCQs but worse on the essays. It's been so long since I wrote an essay (other than an analytical commentary).
Anyway, it's over and that's that.

Hope you all have a great last week (or two). Make sure to let loose and have some fun - I found that worked wonders for me this week.

Quote from: Game of Thrones, Season 7 Episode 5
I'm tired of reading about the achievements of better men
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: userrrname on June 18, 2018, 06:12:35 pm
Hey so we're doing a lot of similar subjects and your journal is really relatable! The weird thing is I'm also going to the iCanMed lecture in a few weeks!! I was just wondering if you're going to the morning or afternoon session?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 18, 2018, 06:13:58 pm
Hey so we're doing a lot of similar subjects and your journal is really relatable! The weird thing is I'm also going to the iCanMed lecture in a few weeks!! I was just wondering if you're going to the morning or afternoon session?
Thanks for your reply! Haha what a coincidence
I'm thinking the morning session but I'm going with a few friends so they might have other plans haha.
How about you?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: userrrname on June 18, 2018, 06:24:01 pm
Haha thats so weird I was going to go morning but had plans and changed to afternoon, plus docklands looks better later in the day. Anyway good luck with the umat this year!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 18, 2018, 06:39:20 pm
Haha thats so weird I was going to go morning but had plans and changed to afternoon, plus docklands looks better later in the day. Anyway good luck with the umat this year!
Thanks so much! Looks like the morning place is filled so I'll either have to sneak in or go in the afternoon lol;
You too!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: hums_student on June 18, 2018, 11:06:28 pm
Methods
He said to me that I was strange because I "can do things others can't, but also can't do things most can".
Omg I was told the same thing by my methods teacher today lol, she just dumped my sac in front of me and said "why is it that you could correctly answer the hardest question on the entire SAC (which only one other dude in the year level also got right) while completely missing the point of the easiest questions?" (which apparently only I stuffed up RIP)

I'd like to think that our brains are just so advanced and so developed and we're just such Einstein-levelled geniuses that we can't be bothered wasting our times on simple questions that peasants can solve. Or maybe both of us just need to work on reading the questions more carefully ;D ;D

Looking forward to your next update! Have a good week  :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 20, 2018, 08:29:38 am
Omg I was told the same thing by my methods teacher today lol, she just dumped my sac in front of me and said "why is it that you could correctly answer the hardest question on the entire SAC (which only one other dude in the year level also got right) while completely missing the point of the easiest questions?" (which apparently only I stuffed up RIP)

I'd like to think that our brains are just so advanced and so developed and we're just such Einstein-levelled geniuses that we can't be bothered wasting our times on simple questions that peasants can solve. Or maybe both of us just need to work on reading the questions more carefully ;D ;D

Looking forward to your next update! Have a good week  :)
Hahahaha omg YES
I'm sorry but those easy questions just aren't worthy of my brain power Hahaha

Thanks!! You too
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 25, 2018, 09:52:14 am
We are now 2/3 through the academic year!

English Language
I was right - all my issues have been addressed and I'm finally feeling like how I should in this subject. I found out on Friday that I am rank 1, which is a huge relief and encouraging to hear. We have our resit tomorrow, so hopefully I can smash out the score I should have got originally :P
We have also finally started on Sec C writing. I'm quite happy to finally be writing proper essays.
Also looking forward to the ATARNotes lecture. I'm going on the 15th!

Methods
Now that the SAC is over, we are finally getting our hands dirty with circular functions. It is pretty good so far but apparently it gets much harder. I'm not too worried; I'm usually okay with the more complex areas (and mess up the easy parts).
Our practice exam is on Wednesday. I'll have placement on Tuesday but after that I should have time to revise.
I'm going to the ATARNotes lecture on the 7th (afternoon session).

Chemistry
We are still going back and forth between the practical investigation and Unit 4 content. Not much new. I imagine, coming to the end of the term, I am either rank 1 or rank 2ish. I'm fairly confident I'm pretty high up there, but am not sure of how others are comparing. I guess I will find out in time.
The practice exam is on Thursday and the 7th (morning session) for ATARNotes lectures.

Psychology
We finished our results section last week. I was a little cheeky and decided to go out for lunch with some work friends in my double free before the SAC but it was okay because it wasn't such a difficult section. I am rank 1 for psych ending this semester.
I have the exam on the Thursday and the afternoon ATARNotes lecture on the 15th.
I should have time after methods to study for both Chem and Psych :)
Probably not the greatest idea to be cutting studying so finely but I wasn't exceptionally concerned (it is a practice after all). Plus, SACs obviously take priority.

UMAT etc.
These holidays will basically be UMAT preparation. I've got the lecture on the 1st, and after that I'm throwing myself entirely into all of the practice exams I said I would done by now (haha).
I was lucky last week to have seen oral maxillofacial surgery. I saw three wisdom teeth extractions. I actually had a really good chat with the anaethestist (who I learner after was one of the best in the area).
Chemistry in Medicine (Anaesthetics)
I was super excited to see a direct application of chemistry in medicine. I know chemistry is super important for med, but I always thought it was primarily needed for understanding the underlying logic.
The patient that came in to have their wisdom teeth extracted had a recorded anaphylactic reaction to a local anaesthetic called lidocaine (also called lignocaine). This is difficult for the anaethestist because apparently most local anaesthetics, including lidocaine, have an amide functional group. It might not be what causes the allergic reaction, but in any case, all of the locals are similar in chemical makeup. He decided to test an alternative, slowly and carefully. She had a small reaction (histamine release observable through flushing of the skin). But, he also decided not to use adrenaline. Adrenaline is injected to induce vasoconstriction (construction of the blood vessels). This makes the bleeding easier to deal with for the surgery. There might be other uses, but they didn't seem too concerned to not use it.
It led me to two questions: did they not use adrenaline because it also has an amide group? (Does it?? Idk)
If she did have a anaphylactic recation, isn't adrenaline the go-to treatment? What would she have instead?
Anyway, super interesting.
I enjoyed watching the surgery as usual. But I have realised that I think I'm better suited to delicate procedures. Things like teeth extraction, orthopedics or other specialities that involve a fair amount of "manpower" seem difficult for a someone like myself. I'm sure after training and practice I could do it, but I think I should play to my strengths. I don't have much strength, but I have dexterity and am light-handed. So, I thought, something like opthalmology, vascular surgery, plastic surgery etc. are more "my thing". We shall see!
Anyway, it was great.

I have let loose ending this term lol. I'm not only bingeing Korean Dramas, but actually watching three simultaneously lmao.
If you're curious
Lawless Lawyer, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? and Are you Human Too? lol
I like Lawless Lawyer best (but then again, it's almost finished). AYHT is weird but good... the male lead is great and his character is cute, I have to admit. WWWSK is a bit cringe but ofc cute. Can't resist lol.
I've also had a few 18ths recently, with even more during the holidays. Not to mention needing to start planning my own.

Hope you all have a great last week/first week!

Quote from: John Lennon
"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end."
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Quantum44 on June 25, 2018, 12:34:42 pm
The chemistry of medicine is certainly very interesting. Whenever I look at the pathology and pathophysiology for my cases, I always go deeper into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are occurring to cause the disease, because it’s incredibly intricate and fascinating.

Regarding your talk about anaesthetics, from my admittedly limited understanding of anaphylaxis, the danger is cardiogenic shock due to severely reduced venous return so it would make sense that adrenaline, a potent vasoconstrictor, would be administered, however I’m sure the anaesthetist had a very good reason for not using adrenaline.

As always, I’m loving reading your journal entries and good luck with your UMAT preparation over the holidays!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Maya24 on June 25, 2018, 05:54:57 pm
I liked WWWSK even though it was a bit cliche and predictable.
Good luck with Umat prep
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on June 26, 2018, 08:29:55 am
Regarding your talk about anaesthetics, from my admittedly limited understanding of anaphylaxis, the danger is cardiogenic shock due to severely reduced venous return so it would make sense that adrenaline, a potent vasoconstrictor, would be administered, however I’m sure the anaesthetist had a very good reason for not using adrenaline.

As always, I’m loving reading your journal entries and good luck with your UMAT preparation over the holidays!
Thanks so much!

I was reading about it (of course). Apparently lidocaine is usually prepared with adrenaline anyway (like, in the same solution? I guess). Hmmm.
It was actually a nurse who pointed out that they wouldn't use adrenaline so I think it's pretty common. When I asked her about she didn't seem to know exactly why though. If I can get an answer I'll make an update haha.

Thanks for your reply :))

I liked WWWSK even though it was a bit cliche and predictable.
Good luck with Umat prep
I really like it so far hahaha. The kind of 'mystery plot' throws me off but Park Seo-Joon <3 hahahhaa
Definitely cliche, but it's really cute. Having something light like that really takes the stress off!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on July 01, 2018, 11:53:35 pm
Welcome to the Term 2 Holidays!
I've had a couple of parties, many hours of lazing around and a few spent cleaning to kick off this long-awaited break.
What have you all been up to?

Last week, we had our practice exams. To be honest, I can't even remember too much about them (lol).
how did ur exams go?haha
Methods, from memory, was okay. I had a bad morning in terms of transport, and forgot my notes (I didn't end up needing them, thank God). There were a few questions I couldn't do, which is a pity. From my very hazy recollection of it, I think my impression wasn't too bad. On the other hand, chemistry was way harder than expected. A rude wake-up call, to say the least. I got spooked because I thought my teacher was sitting behind me (as a "kind-of" invigilator) and I was so ashamed and embarrassed thinking of him correcting my exam.
Our English Language "exam" was a partial resit of our first Unit 3 SAC. I managed to bump my mark to one that is in the range I'm happy with. With that, all my qualms with English Language have been resolved. I now just have to regain confidence, get reinspired and try my hardest. Fingers crossed. Psychology was pretty manageable. I think there was a MCQ I was a bit unsure about, but the rest seemed pretty okay? Thinking about it now, I didn't take much notice of mark allocation. Fingers crossed for that too.

in light of that, I think most of my holidays will be dedicated to chemistry and methods (after UMAT prep, of course).
so what are you doing for the holidays??ha
I have some "holiday homework" for each subject. I'll hopefully get them done as a minimum, and then delve into Unit 4 Chemistry a little further, and revise what I can in methods. As for EL and Psychology, I'll be doing more exam-based study and perhaps Unit 4 work for EL (psychology is already done and dusted!! Feels good).
But, the biggest priority is UMAT. I don't want to waste too much time on it but I will be kicking myself I do badly and find fault of not trying my hardest to prepare. I do have to confess: I didn't go to the UMAT lecture on Sunday (today). I had two friends going, and asked them to send some notes. From what they described, it sounds very similar to a lecture I went to by the same company some time ago.
Instead, I have begun "moving out" (lmao). I've looked through my stuff that has been in storage and sorted through it. Next will be my clothes. But that will more be sorting through and refreshing my wardrobe in general, rather than packing things away to take at the end of the year.

Alright, enough boring tangents. This is my plan for these holidays. I will be marking my progress, so I am really planning to stick to it (sigh).
I've made two accomplish-able tasks per day, with an "else". Its purpose is to act is an alternative to one of the tasks I don't feel like doing, or as an extra task that I could do. For example, I have put part-time work for when I told my employer I'm available, but there's no guarantee I'll actually get the shift! In that case, I'll follow the "else" case.
Other points for clarification are "UMAT Study" and "U4". "UMAT Study" refers to drills, practice questions on the Internet, redoing past questions I got wrong or other things that don't have time constraints. It's essentially a buffer so I'm not doing exam after exam with little improvement. "U4" refers to Unit 4 work. That could be prereading, note-taking, Unit 4 practice questions, Edrolo, whatever... as long as its unlearned content. I'll leave the revision to the holiday homework tasks (maybe).
(https://i.imgur.com/IPFvGpx.png)

I don't know how much I'll have to reschedule based around friends and social commitments. I don't have anything planned yet but things never end that easily lol. Oh well, that's what holidays are for, right?
Oh, and also for watching dramas of course. I have managed to start a 4th drama (which I will probably finish by tomorrow or the next day tbh). One of my others will finish tomorrow. Will I find another to fill its place? Probably.

What are your plans for these holidays? I hope that they are as productive as they are fun :)
Best of luck!!

Quote from: Banksy
If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on July 09, 2018, 11:47:34 am
The first week of the holidays are over rip

Overall this week, I have been "resting". I worked part-time Wednesday, Thursday and Friday but haven't been to the clinic so far. I'll have to do that in the second week of holidays. The burden of having to 'make-up' hours as actually more than I thought. I know that I'll enjoy it once I'm there, but being honest I just don't want to on the precious few holidays I have.

ACU Experience Day
You might be wondering: why did you go to ACU? It's true: I have no intention of going to ACU, actually. But a fair majority of my friends do. So I decided to go with them and check out what activities they had to demonstrate their courses.
Physiotherapy
I must say I am surprised at the competition for admission to this course. It's no joke. For the activity, we had a scenario in which a high-school netball player sprained her ankle. We went through three workshops simulating 'how a physiotherapist would think'.
My first rotation was with a first-year student who showed us anatomical models of the ankle. He showed us representations of ligaments on both sides, which helped us conclude that the sprain is most likely over-stretching of the lateral ligaments of the ankle, since there are fewer ligaments than the medial side that keep the joint stable. We then did some assessment by doing a triple jump and balancing on each leg (with and without eyes closed).
The second rotation was with a pressure mat runway. It assessed the cantor, length of stride, width of steps etc. to assess the walk and run of our group members. Apparently it can give clues to injury in that if one side has a longer time on the ground, the other side may be injured. Or that wide steps may indicate less stability, or perhaps an overweight or elderly person. Those kinds of things. I found out that my stride is average to fast-paced and my feet are close together as I walk (indicating good balance, but also a possible explanation as to why I tend to kick myself while walking lmfao).
Finally, a third-year student taped one of our group members' ankles. I really wanted it done (lol) but I was wearing tights. I actually thought it was like a bandage she could just put over the top and then remove, but it's actual tape. See in action: my exceptional(ly poor) athleticism.
Overall, I actually had a good time. Physiotherapy looks interesting and I thought the activity was engaging for prospective (and non-prospective lol) students.

Nursing and Paramedicine
The workshop was split into two halves: nursing, and then paramedicine.
The nursing rotation first involved proper hand-washing technique. Having traumatic flashbacks from weeks upon weeks of assignments about hand hygiene at VET, I reluctantly put my knowledge to good use. Feeling clean but ultimately defeated, we returned only to be met by UV lights. This was more exciting. I stood proudly under the blue light with squeaky-clean hands (bar a mark from having to touch the bin as I disposed of the paper towel). Even when they went "what about her wrists!" I knew I had one-upped them thanks to my specialized VCAL-level classes. My friends were less lucky and more grubby, especially around their fingernails. All the years of childhood obsessive-compulsive hand-washing and current obsessive-compulsive hand-sanitizing have paid off!
Something interesting to note is that moisturized hands are also a part of good hand hygiene. Dry skin has less of a barrier and is therefore more susceptible to harboring bacteria. I thought the moisturizer was next to the hand sanitizer at work purely because frequent sanitizing can feel uncomfortable.
After that, we played around with stethoscopes and oxygen-saturation monitors. Good fun. I thought listening to a heart beat would be ridiculously hard but it's surprisingly loud through the stethoscope.
The paramedicine rotation was largely a student panel. I have to say, paramedicine doesn't seem that great at all. I'd always had suspicions, but the way the course coordinator and students spoke confirmed it for me. Apparently trauma cases are relatively rare in the field, and most cases are the elderly falling in their homes or false-alarm calls (aka "frequent fliers" apparently). It requires a good level of physical fitness, and unlike nursing involves larger occupational risks like that from needing to 'lift' people off the floor etc. In nursing, there are 'no-lift' policies which seem more desirable. I thought that paramedics are admirable people, because the job isn't all the excitement most people would think it is, and requires a lot of patience, training and physical sacrifice. In saying that, it is definitely not the area for me.
We got to look inside a training(?) ambulance which was cool. They somehow piled the whole group inside, so I didn't get to see much. My general impression is that it is a lot smaller than what one would think.
Overall, I enjoyed the nursing rotation and found the paramedical rotation a genuine demonstration of reality as a paramedic, rather than a marketing ploy. Pretty good.
The ACU Experience Day was great in my opinion. Free food, marketing foods, snacks, activities and something different to a regular Open Day. Would recommend.

ATARNotes Lectures
I went to the chemistry and math methods lectures on Saturday.
The chemistry lecture was pretty good, although didn't cover much of what I didn't already know. I am still stuck at analytical techniques in my note-taking, so I thought that part of the lecture would be helpful. I thought the lecture did I great job explaining it, but I still felt (and assume others also felt) totally lost. I still would not have substituted that part for amino acids or something though. I thought it was a good lecture with good, clear explanation and overall well thought-out.
Methods was another story. I enjoyed the probability part because it seemed easy. However, our school hasn't even touched integration yet. So I was totally lost through the first part of the lecture (it was quite brisk as well, which didn't help). After a while, the probability also started getting integrated?(idk) which was beyond me. We decided to go since we had to catch a V-Line back anyway. I also nearly tripped so if you saw that idiot, it was me (hi). I'll definitely be consulting the PowerPoint later, but the lecture really wasn't aimed at my school's level. It would have been great if integration or some difficult concept was taught slowly, but I have been told integration is Unit 3 anyway. Shows where my school is at rip.
From what I did stay for though, the lecturer seemed very knowledgeable and did explain things well. A bit too quick at times, but maybe that's because I'm slow haha
Great as always, ATARNotes!

Yes, so, I haven't followed my plan. Do I ever?
As a consequence, I'll add 1x UMAT exam, 1x UMAT study 1x EL exam and chem and methods homework to this week's list.
In lieu of actual productivity, I have started yet another drama, read The Barefoot Investor, taken advantage of the $50 energy comparison thing and compared insurance policies for my Mum (including unnecessary ones in her super). Make sure your parents aren't paying for two life insurance policies unknowingly (smh).

Have a good week everyone

Quote from: Mother Teresa
Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Joseph41 on July 09, 2018, 04:09:57 pm
This is such a good journal. Nothing productive to say apart from "I'm really enjoying this" haha.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on July 15, 2018, 10:26:11 pm
This is such a good journal. Nothing productive to say apart from "I'm really enjoying this" haha.
Thank you so much!! Means a lot coming from you :)

It’s literally 10 days until the UMAT.
I don’t know why I wasn’t more aware of it being just on my tail but wow it’s soon.

This week was slightly more productive than last week. Slightly.
I worked two days during this week from 8am until 8:30pm. No theatre time, unfortunately.
Progress on homework and any practice exams is non-existent. Although, I’ve done a bit of a UMAT practice exam, done some drills and watched a few videos.
I was also going to go to the ATARNotes lectures today, but I didn’t have enough money to travel to Melbourne. Lucky we have the powerpoints to refer back to :)
On the bright side, I can see some improvements in my health. My skin is looking good, I don’t feel tired all the time, and I don’t have the aches and pains I used to get during the term. I don’t feel all that stressed and have been having fun these holidays.
Maybe when I read this at the end of the year, I’ll resent my decisions. But at the moment, I feel good.

There are also only 22 days until the Monash Open Day (Clayton/Caulfield). Which means there are 23 until VTAC applications open. The Open Day planner has been released, so I decided to use it. This year, I will probably go to Monash only.
5th August Plan
First I'll go to the Caulfield campus. Yes, just like when I went to ACU, you might be wondering: why? 1) I've never been to the Caulfield Campus and it looks pretty nice 2) art is my secret interest/hobby and my mum's life (lol).
So, we will visit the Fine Art Market first. Depending on how long we stay, we will then either go to the Fine Art exhibition or straight to a Fine Art workshop. After, we will go to a printmaking workshop.
Then, we will catch the bus over to Clayton and have some lunch. The main priority will be touring residences and Mannix College. If we have time left over, I'll make my way around the “What is Medicine like?” And “Medicine in Regional and Rural Victoria” booths.
Then maybe some dinner? That'd be nice.
Have you thought about what you'll go to? Or what university you'll visit? Any recommendations for me?

I’m not looking forward to next week. I think we have our chemistry poster SAC on the second day back, which sucks. I’m also starting a new subject that is about ethics and morality. It’s a throwback to philosophy, hopefully somewhat relevant to med interviews (provided I get one oops) but more than anything an absolute nightmare. I don’t mind engaging in moral discussions with people of my choosing but oh boy have I been in a few junior English/Humanities classes that made my blood boil.
Oh well. We take it in our stride. I have this feeling it will all be okay in the end. Maybe I am just complacent (...exactly what I said I wouldn’t be in my first entry rip).

Enjoy the last of your holidays all and keep working hard!

Quote from: The Light in the Heart by Roy T. Bennett
“Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals. If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more.”
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Joseph41 on July 16, 2018, 02:03:02 pm
Shame you couldn't make it to the lectures! Hope you find the slides useful, though. :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: not.yet.a.nerd on July 21, 2018, 03:43:30 pm
How are you feeling about umat at the moment? Are you going to the morning or afternoon session? I've been trying to watch the acer video solutions but the speakers are all so slow and I miss my usual video 2x speed  :'(
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on July 23, 2018, 01:23:54 am
How are you feeling about umat at the moment? Are you going to the morning or afternoon session? I've been trying to watch the acer video solutions but the speakers are all so slow and I miss my usual video 2x speed  :'(
Absolutely relatable lmao. I'm becoming concerned that I watch so many videos at 2x that I'll begin speaking that way too hahah. 3 minutes? Try one, squid. lmao
I'll be going to the afternoon session in Melbourne!

There are three sleeps until the big day. You'd think I'm counting down to Christmas.

How am I feeling about the UMAT?
I definitely feel that I dropped the ball in terms of preparation. Hopefully before Wednesday I will have done 4 full exams and 2 half-exams.
Look, honestly, I don't think that's too bad. I know I could have done more, and I occasionally feel that I should, but it will be what it will be.

In terms of emotions, I'm not going to lie. I'm not exactly excited for Wednesday. But I don't have any feeling of dread or defeat. I'm looking forward to getting it over with, and just giving it my best shot.
I don't feel like I will get something amazing like 100th or 95th percentile, but I feel confident that I will get enough. Do I think that realistically, I'll probably get low 80th? Yes. But will I walk into that room determined to smash every question perfectly and demand from the ACER gods a 99th percentile? Absolutely.

My stars sing to a different tune though:
Quote from: Astrostyle.com
07-23-2018 to 07-29-2018
Early this week, you might not be able to keep putting on that brave or happy face, Virgo. So why not let yourself feel what you're really feeling? The passionate Sun is swirling through self-expressed Leo in your twelfth house of closure, compassion and healing. That alone can dredge up intense emotions, but on the 25th this heavenly heavyweight squares off with volatile Uranus in your candid and self-reliant ninth house. After weeks or months of putting up with an increasingly intolerable situation, you might hit a breaking point.
...great. Luckily, it's Venus opposing Neptune etc so hopefully this is more about relationships than it is about academics!
The game plan
My best section by far is section 2. During reading time, I'm going to read all the passages/questions and then blitz through them first while still fresh in memory.
Next, I'll take on section 3. My section 3 scores are comparable with my section 1 scores, but non-verbal reasoning isn't as agonising and takes me less time to get through. Keeping a close eye on the time, section 1 will be the last stretch.
I'll leave five (or more) minutes at the end to guess any questions I haven't yet answered, or to check over. Maybe both in 10 minutes of I have it?

Section by section is a bit daunting but I think it's not such a bad idea. Let's hope it works out.
For all UMAT participants
GOOD LUCK this week. Remember that as you decided to take this test, you decided that you are good enough. You had confidence then, you had determination. Keep that fire burning and remind yourself once in a while that you deserve this, that you are smart and good enough for this. Remind yourself that everything will be okay: trust in yourself - trust the part of you that said "I can do this" when you signed up. You can and you will!

Chemistry
I am disappointed to say I wasn't awarded for chemistry this semester. I'll be following it up though, since I do have some suspicions... stay tuned.
Practice exam marks were not so good. Oops. "Enough correct for now"... I do love my teacher bahaha.
My practical investigation was a scary experience and I was super nervous. My introduction was far too long which sent me right of balance for the rest. Luckily, my score was quite pleasing and consistent with my previous marks.

Psychology
I was able to get the award for Psychology as I had expected, so that was nice. We got our practice exam marks back and though mine was good, my teacher warned me I wouldn't be happy with it. I wasn't. I've got a bit of fine-tuning to go before the final exams.
We are in the final stages of practical investigations. Feeling good.

English Language
Award here too, which is nice.
I haven't done the practice exam yet because I was lazy and "because of the UMAT".
Our SAC is coming up soon. I'm feeling grossly underprepared. It's a Sec A and Sec C... I haven't even written one section C yet this year... Yikes!

Methods
No awards here, and I wasn't expecting any lol. SAC marks were pretty similar to chemistry. Does that mean my Chem exam was particularly bad, or that my methods exam was particularly good? I'll let you decide.
Circular functions test is coming up. Also not quite prepared for that.

Overall, the term has come to a clumsy start but all will be well. They say this term is the killer. And, yes, having done year 12 since what, Year 9? I know that to be true. But I think we will survive this. I've still got some fight left in me.

Good luck this week everyone and keep working hard!!

Quote from: Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Maya24 on July 23, 2018, 06:22:47 pm
Congrats on all the awards and good luck for the Umat!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on July 29, 2018, 03:00:51 pm
The UMAT is finally over! The next thing I'm counting down to is the VTAC registrations opening, which is in 8 days from today!
For anyone who did the UMAT, congratulations! Let's hope the wait won't be too agonising.

The UMAT
I thought I'd give a quick overview, and a really in depth one below in the spoiler tag for those really interested.
I started with Section 2, which honestly speaking, I thought was easy as pie. I couldn't believe it when I started, and thought wow I might have a chance!
Section 3 came next and it is was… hard. Slow and painful. I thought I was okay at non-verbal reasoning but yikes. It was like nothing I had ever done before. Section 1 was more pleasant, but after that scare I wasn't feeling as confident.
I wasn't too nervous in the morning, and actually had a good time. I was quite excited, and felt somewhat “important” being in a hall with all those people and such tight protocol.
Overall, the UMAT was generally harder than expected. But for some reason, I don't feel like I completely bombed it. I don't really think I did that well, either, but I'm keeping my head high with the hopeful thought that things probably were okay.
The Day, in Detail
Apparently the morning sessions start at 8am. Initially, the afternoon sessions were starting at 1pm. Tickets were released a week before the test, and had the arrival time listed: 1:30. On the day, I went down early by train with my mum. We had brunch in the city, and shopped for a little bit before going to Flinders St Station en route to Caulfield. We walked to the main gate (23) and all the kids from the morning session were leaving the grounds. It was really intimidating to watch their reactions and I felt stupid for having arrived an hour early. In the end, I was happy I arrived early. I went to the bathroom, found my zone, and waited with my mum until a loudspeaker announced it was time to enter. Everyone crowded at the door, with two stations of two invigilators checking ID and tickets. People formed two lines, and went in slowly. My mum looked on from afar, but some people's parents waited in line with them. Some took photos of their children entering, which is against protocol, as they discovered.the invigilators were pleasant and checked the documents well. We received a small, coloured, entry pass and followed another two invigilators to our seats. The seats were not assigned. They were in chronological order based on time of entry. It was only 1:30 after I had been seated, and we sat in silence listening to the invigilators, filling in the entry sheet, playing with ID (lol), going to the bathroom freely if needed, and not doing much until the exam actually started at 2:14 (I think). That means we were there until 5:14. I made it back to the station at 5:40 which suggests we were kept in for a little while after finishing.
Overall, the atmosphere is tense. People are visibly nervous and the mood isn't great. People gossip outside about what's right and wrong, how much they prepared etc… pretty toxic. I was glad I could sit and chat with someone who genuinely supported me and encouraged me instead of instilling fear.
But I think it is what you make of it. I didn't listen to those people, didn't look at others to see how nervous they were, or care about anyone else except for myself. A girl and I even had a chuckle together while the exam room when the invigilator made a mistake speaking. It was definitely the hardest test I've taken, but the experience wasn't all bad.
If you have any questions, do post a reply or shoot me a PM. More than happy to answer

VTAC
I'll be heading to Monash this Sunday. The day after, VTAC applications open. I don't know why I'm so keen but I already sorted my preferences and done the “demo” applications on the website. Maybe it's because the end seems closer? Or graduating and moving on feels more real?
If you're interested, my preferences are as follows:
Preferences
BMedSci/MD (CSP) @ Monash
BMedSci/MD (ERC) @ Monash
BMedSci/MD (BMP) @ Monash
BSci (CSP) @ UoM
BSci (CSP) @ Monash
BA @ UoM
BA @ Monash
BBSci @ RMIT

Bit unsure about whether I should put ERC or BMP first. I put BMP after because I figured it might be super inconvenient for me to have to honour that bond 10-15 years down the track. I don't want to inflict a burden upon my future self, even though I think working in a regional setting is probably something I plan on doing myself anyway.
I'm also not sure about BSci at Monash or UoM for 4th. If there's an opportunity to get into Monash Med via transfer (highly doubt it) then Monash… otherwise, UoM has always been my university of choice.

Chemistry and Psychology
I am still in the midst of gathering Intel about the award. I've got pretty good reason to believe that the recipient wasn't actually rank 1, but in the end it looks like I'll have to embarrass myself and ask the teacher. Other than that, nothing much is happening in chemistry. In psychology, we just started Mental Health. We finally finished our scientific posters, but no results yet!

Methods and VET
I have my circular functions test at home which I have to complete today (lol). We started integration which is fine. It looks somewhat straightforward. I hope I'm not in for any nasty surprises.
I didn’t go to VET last week because we had a school event, which was lots of fun as the graduating class. I also didn't go to placement because I dedicated that Tuesday before the UMAT to studying. The course is going well, but is super repetitive. I've never had to write so many hazard and risk assessments in my life.

English Language
I have to write a practice Sec C today as well. We have our practice SAC over Tuesday and Wednesday (?) this week, and it looks like the real SAC isn't being pushed back even though she did suggest it.
My hatred for EL continues to burn, and I really don't know how I'll go. I'm going to have to get really good at these essays in the short, short span of a week… sigh.

I presented at a Japanese SL lecture this morning run by the teachers association. It's my third time doing so, but I was super happy to do it again. I hope I can keep doing so next year but there's no telling. I was nervous but I think (and hope) it didn't show!
I've also got a debating thing this week (I don't debate, I'm just an emergency/assistant) and Parent-Teacher Interviews.
What a week :)

Quote from: Yours truly
Wish not for others’ failure, but for your own fortune
Yes, I decided to be a little poet today. I thought I should, since I came to think this recently. A lot of people ask me whether I would consider myself a competitive person. I think I am. I like to win, I try hard and I never settle. But when someone said to me “I hope you beat her” in regards to the UMAT, this idea sprung to mind. In fact, I didn't care what “her” performance was, or what she was doing. I only knew that I wanted to do great for myself. I would have much rathered  “I hope you do well” to “I hope she does badly”.
I hope you guys, especially in Year 12, upon hearing such toxic and unkind words, remember that only your success – not someone else's failure – is your success.


Stay kind and have a great week !
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: cookiedream on July 31, 2018, 12:25:13 pm
As always, love all your entries and I'm glad the UMAT went relatively well!! :)

Also, an FYI, you can't apply for a BMP separately for Monash. The only two undergrad med options are the 'Medicine: School Leaver Entry' (which includes both CSP unbonded and CSP bonded) and 'Medicine: Extended Rural Cohort School Leaver Entry' (which is also CSP). If you get a 'Medicine: School Leaver Entry' place but end up in the bottom 25%, you'll be given a BMP. Also, a BMP isn't as long as it used to be, since it's now a contract for only one year in a place of need rather than 5-6 years as it was previously.

I think they changed this a few years ago..? I double-checked the VTAC website, and it seems like the two options remain for this year too.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on July 31, 2018, 11:09:48 pm
Also, an FYI, you can't apply for a BMP separately for Monash.
Thank you so much for the information!
And also thank you for the well-wishes. I just have my fingers crossed for now!
Would you happen to know if I'm mistaken in thinking some first year biomed(?) students at Monash have an increased chance to be accepted in Monash med? Like via a transfer or just preferential basis for non-school leaver?? I swear I read it somewhere but now I can't find anything on it...
Sorry and thanks so much!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: cookiedream on August 01, 2018, 11:56:48 pm
Thank you so much for the information!
And also thank you for the well-wishes. I just have my fingers crossed for now!
Would you happen to know if I'm mistaken in thinking some first year biomed(?) students at Monash have an increased chance to be accepted in Monash med? Like via a transfer or just preferential basis for non-school leaver?? I swear I read it somewhere but now I can't find anything on it...
Sorry and thanks so much!!

Haha, always happy to help :)

Yeah, with the post-grad entry in Monash med, there are in total 75 places which are only open for Monash graduates. There are 50 places specifically for biomed and 25 places for non-biomed (e.g. science, pharm, physio) and this is why there is an increased chance if you try via the biomed pathway. However, I can safely say that the competition is absolutely intense as far as I'm aware (biomed students reading this, feel free to correct me on this :)) and that you can pretty much assume that around 90% of the 600+ biomed students are going for the biomed pathway.

Also, whenever I talk to my biomed friends, it feels like they're under so much pressure with the sheer amount of theory, packed schedule and late hours - a lot of them don't have a day off (at least the med faculty has organised all our Wednesdays to be completely off, except for assessments). Last year, I remember avoiding the biomed pathway like the plague, whereby my preference - if I had the privilege of a preference - was: Monash, interstate undergrad, interstate guaranteed, Dentistry @ Latrobe, Biomed @ Monash.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on August 06, 2018, 07:37:48 am
VTAC applications open today!
It is a weird feeling… finally we’ll be taking that first step towards the transition process!

Monash Open Day
I had a great day today at the Monash Open Day!
First, as per our plan, we went to the Caulfield campus. We had some coffee in the Caulfield Library before exploring Building D. We looked at all the student work on display, listened to my mum reminisce about art school, and lied to the teachers about wanting to do Fine Art. I even said I was doing Studio Art at school lmfao. Even though I'm not in any way meeting the prereqs doesn't mean I don't fantasize about taking a creative journey instead of medicine!
I actually had a blast doing the Fine Arts workshop.
There were some stools and ladders in the centre of the room, to be drawn. Not in their static idleness, but with movement as the teachers hurled them around the room. The challenge was to capture movement in a still image. I started off using different colours to try to represent time - the darker the colour, the more recent the movement. I then went into ”tracking” the ladder foot with a single line, eventually opting to having a mixture of line and superimposed shape.
After we had completed the exercise, we had to project our image to the wall with coloured tape. I really enjoyed this. I used my original lines and superimposition combined with the colour of the tape to capture dynamics and change. My image looked very graphic-design, with a set colour scheme, clear geometry and sharp angles.
We then had to integrate the images to the left and right of the wall into our own, to create continuity around the room. It was fun to decide how two interpretations could reach a common ground of style.
So awesome. I signed myself up for a September workshop even though I'm probably not the main audience. I just had such a good time.
We then were able to get student prints from the Student Market for a donation. We got a strong, red and black, 1984-esque image depicting surveillance and exposure through eyes, doors and bold colour. Really cool.
After, we made our own lino prints! Unfortunately the design was already done, but using Monash’s facilities was a good experience and getting to take the work home was a bonus.

We then caught the shuttle bus to Clayton and had lunch. It was pretty average and kind of expensive. Oh well. The focus was then on residential services. We visited Briggs Hall, Roberts Hall, Turner Hall and then Logan Hall. We kind of established that the extra $50 a week is worth going to UC over RV. Out of the UC halls, Briggs or Jackomos is the likely choice since it is under NRAS. Otherwise, I like Logan, then Turner.
All the UC halls are similar but slightly different which was actually pretty interesting and made each worth seeing.
Roberts was a different experience in itself, and I just couldn't see myself getting in with the 'puppies' mentality and all that :/

It was a great day - I saw lots of what I wanted to, and more.

English Language
We had our practice SAC last week. Feedback is due this week. I think I did okay for my Sec C. But, our teacher completely botched Sec A, making it a useless exercise.
Hopefully I'll do okay. I still feel like I've learnt nothing in EL for the past six months.

Chemistry
We did the practical component of our volumetric analysis SAC task, which will be completed next week. I went to a parent teacher interview to see my teacher. He was pretty complimentary but I was taken aback when he asked “so what do you want to do next year??” … “you probably won't even need science to do Japanese, right?”.
Jesus.
I'm used to it but mannn… science IS important¡
Still no updates re the award.

Psychology
We are now full steam ahead in mental health, which is likely the least boring area of study so far.
But, I will share this anecdote with you because I know Term 3 is an awful time for most people.
Try not to slack off
One of my classmates in psychology is busy. Well, pretty busy, I guess. Especially recently, demands on her have been pretty hard to meet. But for her research poster, none other than a Unit 4 SAC, she hands in unfinished. The title reads: Under Title Here. The references, bare. I was shocked and saddened.
To be honest, Term 3 is the “make-or-breaker”. Some people learn to strive in the face of pressure and stress. Some people give into it and give up. If it's for a good reason, I can empathise. But to hand in an unfinished SAC, even though a title and reference list are the easier points to make… I don't know what to say.
Keep it up. If you think T3’s a breaker for you, step back and find some armour. If it is a battle you can  fight, fight it.

Methods
I saw my teacher for a parent teacher interview. I expected to be positively roasted, but he basically said he can see that my scores fluctuate based on my level of motivation. He encouraged me to find some more, and buckle down for the last spurt. I hope to take his advice. I may as well give my best to methods, as hard as it may be.
Integration isn't bad but I suck at it. More practice needed!

Hope you all had a great week !

Quote from: Pablo Picasso
My mother said to me, 'If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope.' Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on August 12, 2018, 06:13:10 pm
I've gotten used to opening these entries with a countdown to something... but I can't think of anything especially topical.
I hope you are all enjoying Term 3.

I had a pretty ordinary week last week. I successfully registered my preferences into VTAC:
My VTAC preferences
1. 2800311231 - Medicine - School Leaver Entry (Monash University, Clayton)
2. 2800311261 - Medicine - CSP Extended Rural Cohort School Leaver Entry (Monash University, Clayton)
3. 3800539051 - Science (Chancellor's Scholars) (University Of Melbourne (The), Parkville)
4. 3800538271 - Science (University Of Melbourne (The), Parkville)
5. 2800328451 - Science (Monash University, Clayton)
6. 3800538001 - Arts (University Of Melbourne (The), Parkville)
7. 2800328131 - Arts (Monash University, Clayton)
A few things changed. I put the Chancellor's Scholars course in almost purely because it would fill a space. Science at Melb is still my 'backup'. I already planned it out because it was my dream course for a good while. Most importantly, BSc might be vigorous but probably not enough so to warrant living in Melbourne. I could have the choice to commute if I went to UoM. It's a tough decision but ultimately I think I will always prefer UoM to Monash.
Arts degrees are next because I figure I could transfer. Arts might not be so bad anyway, but definitely better with other disciplines (sciences, commerce, business, fine arts, etc.) which is the appealing aspect of UoM. Most importantly without being a double degree.
I do have an 8th preference, but it is too identifying (a dare from friends who would instantly recognize it lol) so I left it off.

Other than that nothing much special has happened. I did my English Language U4 AOS1 SAC which was... a mess.
the mess
So, we did the SAC in two halves (Sec A then Sec C later). We did the practice SAC the week before. The other class was originally meant to do their Sec C first (weird logic, I know...) but only got their feedback from the practice SAC in the period before sitting it. A few of my friends cried in class and organised to have most of the class 'back them' and have the date changed. The teacher eventually agreed and they had more time to go over the feedback. However, the feedback was the problem for both classes. We had notes throughout the responses, and some had a universal response ('good job' type of thing) but noone received a mark for either section of the practice SAC. Essentially, we took the SAC blind.
There are even rumours that the teacher won't last until the end of the term due to health problems - though they are still groundless. If it is true, it works out that we will have had a different teacher each term. I don't know how on earth that's meant to be fair. It's not like it is some meaningless subject that will fall to a 10% increment.
So, well, I am really less than impressed. Does anyone have any advice?
This week we have a chemistry SAC and a methods SAC that got dropped on us with one week's notice. Great.
We should be having our Psych SAC the week after.

I'm not super concerned about the SACs. I mean, they have to be done. I'm concerned about my lack of motivation and effort.
I'm now carrying around my checkpoints books so hopefully that well motivate me to actually use them and begin exam preparation.

We have our school formal later this month, which is exciting. I have my outfit bought and ready so I guess at least I'm not using it to procrastinate anymore lol. August seems to be non-eventful. The only thing I'm looking forward are to my phone contract expiring lmao.
Anyone have android handset recommendations? I was originally waiting for the Note 9 but it's too expensive. I'm now thinking of getting the Note 8 anyway, or purchasing a handset outright. For example, the Vivo Nex or Oppo Find X. The Chinese versions don't concern me because I'd probably root them anyway. Any advice would be appreciated! My S7's battery capacity is completely shot and I'd like a decent camera for our Asia trip later this year.

Hope you all have a good week.
Quote from: My Pace by Stray Kids
I don’t wanna admit it
But I keep looking next to me
Just cuz someone’s ahead doesn’t mean they’re first, baby
Look at the big picture and take your time

No need to rush, my pace
Don’t compare
It’s alright to go slowly
Go on your own path, my lane
Put down your impatience
Just keep looking forward
Not a massive fan of the song but I thought the lyrics were relevant hahaha. Credit to colorcodedlyrics.com
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on August 20, 2018, 02:33:46 pm
We’re coming to the last weeks of August. Unbelievable, right?
I spent this weekend out of town to see my extended family. It was a good vacation but it was pretty emotionally demanding(?)… which means I didn’t get any resting or any work done. Hmmm.

English Language
Good news - the mess has been partially cleaned up. I won’t go into detail but essentially we no longer have a teacher. So the school got us the best teacher they could to fill that space and are organising things left, right and centre to support us. It’s long overdue but hey, at least it’s happening!
We haven’t got any results for the AOS 1 SAC back yet, but that’s to be expected. I just hope I did okay.
We have tried to start AOS 2 now. Like all English Language units, it is really vague and frustrating for someone like me. I think the best course of action now is to begin practice exams, get quality feedback and try hard.

Methods
We did our first of two SACs for methods last week, too. I studied more than I usually would have. I thought in some ways it was harder than the first SAC, but somehow easier at the same time. In the first, there were things I just couldn’t answer - in this one, I was able to give every question a go. Fingers crossed but hopes aren’t too high.
We should be getting into the harder stuff in probability this week. Not long till we wrap things up, I guess! Exciting!

Chemistry
We also did our AOS 1 SAC for chemistry. I did slightly worse than usual but I don’t think it was such a big deal. I mean, I’m really frustrated because I want to be doing better than this. At the same time, though, I’m happy that I’m doing okay. It’s a weird feeling, like that I’m pleased but still unsatisfied.
We should be starting AOS 2 now! Our teacher reckons AOS 2 is easy and just requires memorisation. I hope he’s right. I’m going to binge the Edrolo videos for Food Chemistry after this :)

Psychology
We still haven’t got our Unit 4 AOS 3 SAC results back (the research poster). That’s alright, I guess. I think I would have done alright.
Our AOS 2 SAC is this week, I think. I ought to study for this a bit more than usual because it is very different to the previous study design. We are starting AOS 1 after it, which should be a nice, easy end to Unit 4.

VET
Last week, I was able to go into theatre again! It was really cool this time, too. I was able to see plastics - which, as I’ve mentioned, is one of my specific (but tentative) interests within medicine. Most of the procedures were excisions of lesions (specifically, skin cancers). They were removed from the bridge of the nose, eyebrow, back and neck. The most interesting excisions were from the ear and lips. With the ear, the surgeon would remove the affected tissue and then have to sew two parts of the ear lobe back together. I found that interesting because the ear really did look quite regular after careful stitching and positioning. By far the most interesting were the lips, though. What I believe is called a ‘vermilionectomy’ was performed on the bottom lips of two women. The general idea (as far as I can tell) is that when someone has sun-damaged lips, the whole visible lip ‘vermillion’ is removed carefully and what I can only describe as the ‘inner lip’ is stretched to the ‘vermillion border’ and sewn in place. Apparently, it doesn’t take that long to heal and the reconstructed lip looks very regular. Pretty cool.
I was also pleased because I got to do more things than usual. For example, I took out the rubbish, cleaned down the surfaces, kept a patient steady while under anaesthesia, put away instruments, collected a tissue specimen (the excised eyebrow lesion!) and tied up surgical gowns etc.

Actually, I’m not sure for how much longer I’ll be at the clinic. VET should finish up at the end of Term 3, and I guess placement should too. I’m quite sad to leave. I have become attached to the staff (I even went out to a movie with them, and I’ll be going to a stage play with them in October), and of course the patients. I heard that while I was in theatre last week a lady was asking for me, worried that I had already left. I keep thinking that I could come back as a med student or something. I’d really like to. The sad reality is some patients won’t be there if I come back - either possibly having died, or even by going into remission and not needing chemotherapy anymore. The latter is of course fantastic and I guess letting go is a part of the whole industry itself. One thing is for sure: it’ll be hard.

Other news
I made a decision with the phone, finally. At the end of the month the plan is to get a new Note 8 on a plan. There are also some noteworthy countdowns. In 11 days, the Monash Residential Services applications open. I think it is kind of unfair to have first-in-best-dressed. But then again, I guess lecture and tutorial times are the same, so it’s good to get used to. Then, what is predicted to be the date UMAT results are out is in 24 days (the 14th of September). Apparently there has been a pattern of ‘teens’ and Fridays. And, as begrudgingly predicted, it is extremely close to my birthday - go figure.
Also, totally unrelated but am I quite literally obsessed with Meteor Garden. I have only watched two Chinese dramas but this is the best by far. I love, love, love Wang He Di. He is an absolute blessing to the world istg.
Lastly, I just wanted to leave a sentiment because while writing this, it is that much more obvious everything is coming to an ‘end’. We have started, and not far off finishing, the last Area of Study for the whole year. It’s mad. VET is coming to a close, our school formal and graduation dinner are coming up soon, the new school captains will be elected in about a week, there is literally but one SAC remaining in every subject I’m doing… wow. And I thought it would never end!

Anyway, hope you all have a great week and reflect on just how quickly things are coming to a close. All the best!
Quote from: The wisdom of Wang He Di
So normally during my exam… I will pray to the Buddha, after that I will… select an answer randomly… I will leave it to fate. It’s also not leaving it to fate. It’s that when you select an answer randomly, you have to feel that it’s the right one. Yes, that’s right. Randomly selecting seriously. It’s like “this question… err what is this answer? Err blah blah okay I don’t understand. I will choose B. I think it is B.
Credit to @dylanwangdaily (I think?) You can watch it here!!

My primary strategy during the UMAT xoxo
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Bri MT on August 20, 2018, 03:14:54 pm
Hey, re:
Quote
I think it is kind of unfair to have first-in-best-dressed. But then again, I guess lecture and tutorial times are the same, so it’s good to get used to.

Lecture and tutorial times isn't first in best dressed at Monash, it's sorted through Allocate -  a preference based system that tries to minimise clashes for all students and then looks at preferences to decide what time slots you have. It's only after this initial sorting that the first-in-best-dressed system applies, as you are able to swap into any slot that still has room in it.




Hope that you start to see significant improvements in English Language soon!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on August 20, 2018, 03:39:29 pm
Hey, re:
Lecture and tutorial times isn't first in best dressed at Monash, it's sorted through Allocate -  a preference based system that tries to minimise clashes for all students and then looks at preferences to decide what time slots you have. It's only after this initial sorting that the first-in-best-dressed system applies, as you are able to swap into any slot that still has room in it.




Hope that you start to see significant improvements in English Language soon!
I see! Thanks for the information!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on August 26, 2018, 10:11:12 pm
The last week of August: 6 days until September, and Monash Residential Services applications. It will then only be another month till classes finish, and yet another until it’s all over. Scary stuff.

Preferences
So I had a big revelation this week. I thought to myself: seriously, what would if I don’t get into medicine? I’ve always told myself that Science leading to post-grad med. But only recently have I rethought this. What will I do if I fail the GAMSAT, 2-3 years from now? What graduate employment opportunities are there for a Bachelor of Science? What will I do for work while doing post-grad med? Aren’t there any other ways to get into medicine, anyway?
And to answer that: (1) well, you’ll probably have to work. (2) Probably not that many, and if there I’m going to have work hard to get them. (3) Waitressing? Why, oh why, would I still not have any professional skills? (4) See below!
So, this is what happened:
My new and (hopefully) improved VTAC preferences
1. 2800311231 - Medicine - School Leaver Entry (Monash University, Clayton)
2. 2800311261 - Medicine - CSP Extended Rural Cohort School Leaver Entry (Monash University, Clayton)
3. 3800539051 - Science (Chancellor's Scholars) (University Of Melbourne (The), Parkville)
4. 2100211401 - Biomedical Science (Medical) (La Trobe University, Bendigo)
5. 2100111401 - Biomedical Science (Medical) (La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga)
6. 3200231081 - Medical Radiations-Nuclear Medicine (RMIT University, Bundoora)
7. 3800538271 - Science (University Of Melbourne (The), Parkville)
8. 2800328451 - Science (Monash University, Clayton)
And here’s some information:
La Trobe’s new Bachelor of Biomedical Science
So, this course has unexpectedly become my fourth and fifth preferences. It is a new course commencing in 2019, and has very little information available for sharing. It is somehow connected to the University of Melbourne’s new Doctor of Medicine (Rural).
I contacted a representative from La Trobe via Live Chat, and yet again struggled to get any solid details. Apparently there will be ~20 places, and places into the postgrad MD aren’t guaranteed. I’m going to have to get our careers counsellor on it.
RMIT’s accredited Bachelor of Medical Radiations
This is quite a change in direction. Not only is RMIT a university I never seriously considered, but Medical Radiations is a discipline I don’t know all that much about.
There are three different streams within the Bachelor of Medical Radiations: Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy.
I was initially interested in Radiation Therapy, because a nurse at placement recommended it to me. Looking at the different plans, though, I thought nuclear medicine - being more chemistry-orientated - could be more aligned with my interests. My only problem with both of them is the scope of practice. Radiation Therapy, as far as I know, is primarily used for treatment of cancer. Even though it is seemingly a narrow application, the idea of creating patient plans dependent on the type and location of malignancies etc. is pretty intriguing. Operating machines also seems kind of cool. Nuclear Medicine has a slightly broader scope of practice, as far as I can tell, but the application seems to be restricted. Apparently you can use radiopharmaceuticals in lung scans, cardiac stress tests and diagnostic imaging (e.g. PET scans). The theory might be interesting, but I wonder if doing the same thing over and over would be worth it.
Anyway, this one is yet again subject to my scrutiny for the next months. We shall see.

Methods and Chemistry
Well, I got my results back. I definitely did worse this time around. I am now resigned to the fact that methods will probably be outside my ATAR. I thought that I may have been able to get over 35 scaled but now I am seriously doubting it.
Oh well, as long as I meet prerequisites.
I’m enjoying probability. Here’s hoping it won’t stab me in the back (read: I won’t stab myself in the back) like integration did.

Nothing new in chemistry. I really like food chemistry.

Psychology and English Language
I got my results back for the poster in psychology. No complaints.

We are still waiting for results for English Language. I haven’t done much to bring myself up to speed, but I will. Our last SAC is split up into Sec B and Sec C this time, the latter on the last day of school (rip) and the former two weeks before that. Grand.

This week
I should be getting my new phone!
We also have the Year 12 social, which is exciting.
I’ll be applying for residence at Monash this weekend.
I have to finish my ethics essay for one of our school’s compulsory religion elective.
And, well, it started last week but Virgo season is in full swing. It’s our month, fellow Virgos!

Hope you all have a great week
Quote from: Beverly Sills
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: pitabread on August 26, 2018, 10:28:32 pm
Don't worry about methods lol that subject is shit as.
I failed my first unit 3 sac but I still managed a 41 scaled study score. Just don't cry over spilt milk and smash the next sac :)
Good luck!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: not.yet.a.nerd on August 27, 2018, 08:35:31 pm
This week
I should be getting my new phone!

Ooh what phone are you getting? I've been looking in to phones recently too, and that lack of a notch and the almost full screen of oppo find x and vivo nex are just 😍. But also my hands are too small to use big phones comfortably. Hmmm...
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on August 27, 2018, 10:00:22 pm
Don't worry about methods lol that subject is shit as.
I failed my first unit 3 sac but I still managed a 41 scaled study score. Just don't cry over spilt milk and smash the next sac :)
Good luck!
Thanks so much for the encouragement!! (I needed it haha)
That's amazing though. I'm not sure if I'll be able to pull off such a feat but I'll keep that in mind and try hard!!
And yes, it is shit.

Ooh what phone are you getting? I've been looking in to phones recently too, and that lack of a notch and the almost full screen of oppo find x and vivo nex are just 😍. But also my hands are too small to use big phones comfortably. Hmmm...
Glad to see someone has the same phone aesthetic as me ahahah! I love the beveless look! I'm a massive fan of big phones though. My hands are tiny as well, and I agree the big screens are hard to handle, but I still love them!

I settled on the Note 8. I was pretty set on the Note 9 but instead of cheap promotional plans they just have the bigger storage model for the same price. Not my cup of tea while there is cloud computing. Hope it is a good decision. Thanks so much for asking :))



By the way, this is my 100th post on this thread!!
I just wanted to quickly say thank you to everyone for reading thus far!
This journal has ended up being something I look forward to writing every week. Any replies I recieve, I am also so grateful for - I have connected with so many great people.
I hope the next 100 posts will be even more fun :)

Thank you!!

P.S. The little article I wrote for ATARNotes has been published!! Yay! Please give it a look ❤️
Is Repeating a VCE Subject Worth it?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: vcestressed on August 27, 2018, 10:57:17 pm
Congrats on your 100th post!! To be honest, I'm always looking forward to your entries. There is so much I can relate to (the pain of methods, change of teachers, overwhelming competition etc)!! It makes me feel better in the sense that I'm not the only one going through this. Sometimes, I even want to start my own journal! Anyway, thank you for sharing your life with us and I wish you the very best everything :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: hums_student on August 27, 2018, 11:05:38 pm
And yes, it is shit.
Relatable.

Awesome article by the way! And congrats on your 100th post! I absolutely love reading your journal, can't wait to read your future updates :D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Joseph41 on August 28, 2018, 09:46:59 am
P.S. The little article I wrote for ATARNotes has been published!! Yay! Please give it a look ❤️
Is Repeating a VCE Subject Worth it?

Love it. ;D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Maya24 on August 29, 2018, 03:47:44 pm
Congrats on your 100th post. I always love reading your entries.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Quantum44 on August 30, 2018, 01:05:16 am

By the way, this is my 100th post on this thread!!
I just wanted to quickly say thank you to everyone for reading thus far!
This journal has ended up being something I look forward to writing every week. Any replies I recieve, I am also so grateful for - I have connected with so many great people.
I hope the next 100 posts will be even more fun :)

Thank you!!

P.S. The little article I wrote for ATARNotes has been published!! Yay! Please give it a look ❤️
Is Repeating a VCE Subject Worth it?

Congrats on 100 posts on this thread, this is definitely my favourite journal of this year. Great article you wrote as well.

Congrats on your 100th post!! To be honest, I'm always looking forward to your entries. There is so much I can relate to (the pain of methods, change of teachers, overwhelming competition etc)!! It makes me feel better in the sense that I'm not the only one going through this. Sometimes, I even want to start my own journal! Anyway, thank you for sharing your life with us and I wish you the very best everything :)

You should definitely start your own journal!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 03, 2018, 11:40:26 pm
Thank you to everyone for your kind messages! I'm so flattered.
You should definitely start your own journal!
Totally agree @vcestressed!!

So, I have been agonizing over the impending release of the UMAT results. Will they come out tomorrow? A week from now? When??
I always thought myself to have a cool disposition but I'm on edge every day this week! Wish me luck (I'll need it).

I have very little to update!
Parties
My days were filled with the non-academic: e.g. fake-tanning, dancing, binge drinking, photo-taking, dress-wearing... the lot.
I had a reasonably good time. It met most of my expectations but didn't exceed them. I'm glad I could dress up nicely and take photos with friends.
I managed to exhaust myself with the combination of the after party, work the day after, and another 18th on the weekend. Not to mention I have at least one every weekend for the next seven weeks (and then a concert the week after that!). I think I can go to them all so long as I don't drink at every one... we will play it by ear.
More admissions stuff
I applied for UAC.
My preferences are:
1. UNSW BMed/MD
2. UWS Bachelor Clinical Studies/MD
3. JMP (University Newcastle, University New England)
4. USyd BSc/MD
5. University of Wollongong Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Health and Sciences

It has been a real pain tbh.
La Trobe's Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) contd.
From a UniMelb external relations manager:
The course is for rural students at either Albury-Wodonga or Bendigo campuses. 15 students will get the DM on enrolment (still to be decided how this will be done but they will do an interview and I expect ATAR will also count – the higher the ATAR the better the chance of getting one of these 15 places). The other 15 will be admitted into DM after completion of the degree and these students will need a min WAM of 75 . In total 30 students will go from B Biomedicine Sciences (medical) into DM at Shepparton.  We have no idea how big the Biomedical Sciences (Medical) course intake will be as its new course but we hope it is very popular. However if less than 30 meet the pre-requisites the intake will reflect that which will be a pity as it is a great pathway and we do want it to succeed.

Sounds good to me. I'll keep it.
Methods
Apparently we are way behind so we now have an extra period after school on Wednesday to bring us up to speed. Sad times.
My phone :(
Sadly I must wait longer for it. I changed to the S9 because there was a plan for it at the same price. I'm not sure whether I want to keep the lease plan or call and change to the "Plus" plan for an extra $10/month so I can own it. I think I probably will. Sigh.
Hopefully it comes this week.
This week:
UMAT results (maybe)
English Language SAC
Chemistry SAC
New phone?? (pls)

I thought since this is such a measly entry, I'd write something a little more ~sentimental~.
But, honestly, at this point, I'm so over year 12. It seems lots of people are in the same boat.
Without further ado,
Looking back over my time at school
What’s your most embarrassing in-school memory? What happened and did you learn anything from it?
It is the morning of my 2015 Japanese SL oral exam. The night before, I had packed my bag meticulous. Everything I needed and more was in there. On my floor, I laid out my skin care products so that I could sit in front of the heater and have a little pamper-session before leaving for the exam venue. I knelt down, cleansed, toned, and moisturized. As I get up, I lean my knee forward and crush the only pair of glasses I had. They weren't even broken at the hinges - the arms had completed snapped off. Going into a state of absolute panic, my mum and I decide the only solution is to tape the arms back to the frame.
So, I set out to the venue with blobs of cellophane tape on either sides of my head.
All was well upon arriving. I practiced and had fun with my classmates. When my turn came and went, I knew I had absolutely smashed it. I knew I did well. I was sitting in my chair across from the assessors, finally feeling a weight from my shoulders lift as they began concluding our conversation.
In the Japanese oral, it is important to bow upon entering, greeting, farewelling and exiting.
Of course, the smart thing is to rise, bow, go to the door, bow, then exit. This day, the great relief of finishing the exam must have came over me too suddenly because when I - seated - farewelled the assessors with a bow, I smashed my head (with reasonable force, I may add) into the desk. The assessors were quick to ask if I was okay (in Japanese lol) and I could do nothing but mutter "I'm fine... thank you" and scurry out the door. In hindsight it's funny but in the moment, I couldn't have cared. I felt like my soul had left my body already, anyway!

Which school tradition are you most proud of?
I think our founder's days are most memorable for me. People really came together to set up stalls, dress up, and enjoy a great entertainment show afterwards. Not only that, but we consistently raise $10,000+ for members of the local community through the fundraising efforts on the day. I'm really proud of the school community's charity, and the general enjoy-ability of the day.

Which subject do you think prepares you most for life after high school? Why?
Methods. It's hard to admit, but I've actually been able to use methods in real life.
If not from this year, philosophy is definitely the most relevant to life beyond school. It builds good logic and critical thinking skills, as well as exposing you to different philosophies, debates and concepts that are important to consider as you begin to take responsibility for your actions as an adult!

Describe your senior year in three words.
A long journey.

"I will always remember…”
On our Year 12 religious retreat, we received letters written from our parents reflecting on us over the past 18 years. It is not any exaggeration to say every person cried. I will always remember that feeling - the love from my mum, the sadness of our final retreat, the new bonds made. It was a special event this year.

What advice do you have for incoming students?
My advice is simple: fall in love.
Once you find something you can revolve your world around, everything else starts to fall into place by the pull of your gravity.

What was the dumbest saying of the year?
Rather, the dumbest thing I said this year: "good night!" to a teacher (and later, a librarian) as I was leaving school for the day.

What weird habit do you have when you’re nervous and how long has it been going on?
Some people have noticed this year that during exams, I slip my shoes on and off (or keep them off all together) and bounce my knee in a rhythm. The rhythm reflects the speed at which I'm writing (haha).
I was so embarrassed to have been caught but those habits are exam rituals I have had since I don't know when!

[possibly to be continued...]

Hope you all also have a fun and reflective week!
Quote from: Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
“If you have a strong purpose in life, you don't have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there.”
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 10, 2018, 12:50:33 am
Hi everyone and welcome to the Worst Week of the Year.
On the Thursday last week, UMAT results dropped. Yup.
I'll be your host tonight for our ~UMAT Reveal Special~
expletives ahead

Before
I cannot express how agonising the wait had been since the first day of September. There was not a single day during which I didn't think about the UMAT. For a couple of days I had wound myself up so much that I had to make the decision to not check the ACER website or any UMAT-related forums. People were constantly asking me whether they had come out yet, what my plan B was, what I thought I would get… it was inescapable and wholly due to the fact ACER does not give a definitive date.
On Thursday morning, I broke my no-peeking agreement for the first time. I was bored, and so I checked to see if anything had happened. Nothing. I went onto a forum and the general consensus that it wouldn't be the day because it was already after 11. I naively acknowledged that and resigned myself to waiting another day.
I was writing a practice essay for my English Language SAC coming later in the day. A notification pops up on my computer screen. The logical thing would to do would be to show some self restraint and look at it at home. Of course, I ripped open the ACER website like a kid at Christmas.

During
I scrolled down and the first thing I saw was my Section 1 score.
S1: 53
Honestly it doesn't even register. I don't think I even read the number. Next.
S2: 60
I felt like I was crossing my eyes so as to blur my vision. So that I didn't actually see any numbers, as if they weren't there.
S3: 46

Spoiler
Fuck.
This number was the first thing that actually registered. I felt like I had the breath taken out of me. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest.
That's it, I thought. I've fucked it.

For a grand total of 159 and 65%ile, I have officially ruined most of my chances of getting into medicine.

I began crying. Uncontrollably. One of my Year 11 friends from VET took me outside, where I was almost wailing. I desperately tried to call my mum, who didn't answer. A thousand things were running through my head:
I had envisioned myself there. I walked through the residence where I thought I'd be staying on Open Day. I felt myself there. I imagined going out for lunch with a friend of mine who was already at Monash, with my younger friend who would try to follow my footsteps in med. I'd submitted the applications, chosen my preferences, and truly and honestly believed I would make it.
I wouldn't.
I have to tell my mum that the $160 was wasted. I have to admit to my friends and my rivals that I can't anymore. The patients at oncology who made sure to ask me every week whether I'd heard anything. My mentors. My teachers. Myself.

Some support staff and our careers counsellor (a beautiful being) came down to see me. I wiped at my nose, thinking I was leaking snot. It was blood. I had tissue after tissue soaking up the massive clots. “Do you get these often?” Asked a teacher. “Only recently,” I reply. “They could be due to stress… do you feel stressed recently?
A recent graduate chimes in: “This is [me] you're talking about! She's been stressed since she was like in Year 9!”
My heart lurched.

My mum ended up coming to get me from school. She hugged me and I cried. We left the room and I couldn't help myself. My mum cried too.
We went out for lunch and went home. Mum fell asleep in the armchair. I kept myself distracted with my new phone.

After
It took a while (+ a bit of alcohol and a sneaky underaged entry into the local nightclub) for me to begin thinking: what am I going to do?

Here are the options:
Take a gap year
My mum does not approve of the mere concept of a gap year. For a long time I agreed. At the moment, I'm not so sure. I could collect some cash and study like a bat out of hell for UMAT 2019. What's an extra year when I'll be getting dough anyway? What's an extra year if I can live out the dream I had for this year?
...but what if I can't? It's another $160 wasted. There's no guarantee of improvement. There's no guarantee of a place. It's a whole year wasted when I could be 1/5th of the way.

Go interstate
I will forever be grateful to a few users of a particular forum who picked me up when I thought everything had turned to ash. One told me: “I wouldn't rule yourself out”.
I only then realised that I had done exactly that. Sure, I mourned for all the years that I slaved over my ATAR. When A reminded me I had spent since Year 9 building up this moment, I could have died. But only from this did I realise that I owe it to myself at 14 years old, wondering why a substitute teacher was eyeing me while highlighting my first SAC for VCE during reading time, to not give up.
Leaving my family and everything I know will be hard. The only other family I have is on the Gold Coast. I'll likely be alone, but I'll be there.
I have now registered for not only VTAC, but for UAC, QTAC, SATAC and the University of Tasmania.
It's not over until the fat lady sings.

Study post-grad
I used to hate the word “pathway”. Note it's all I think about. There's La Trobe here in Victoria, with UoM if I felt lucky. There's Griffith, walking distance from my family's place. There are provisional entry schemes and guarantees. I'm scared of the GAMSAT and not getting in. But in the world of tertiary admissions, there's always a pathway.

I'll be thinking about all these options for sure.

But for now, my dramatized writing has finished.
I'll update you all with more next week! Luckily nothing too significant has happened (I got good results from our EL AOS1 SAC!)

All the best to you guys, for everything. Make sure you know that things are meant to be, and that God has plan for you
Quote from: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Quantum44 on September 10, 2018, 01:57:24 am
I remember what it was like last year. The UMAT result was quite a shock for a lot of people, myself included. I think in my mind up until that point, the dream of doing Monash med seemed possible. There was tangible hope and belief that it could and would happen. But then my result came in. Initially, I was content with my percentile score, but I quickly realised not getting above 50 in section 3 made me ineligible for a Monash interview. This completely devastated me, and left me unmotivated and goal-less for a period of time (with many tears shed).

After doing a lot of research, I pretty much came to the same conclusion as you: that there were three options. I toyed with the idea of a gap year, but in the end I couldn’t imagine seeing all my friends going to uni while I stayed at home and studied the dreaded UMAT again, with no guarantees of anything. The postgrad route again was filled with the uncertainty of the GAMSAT and required a three year investment, so I pretty much ruled that one out. I was left with what I saw then as the best of a bad bunch: going interstate.

I looked at all the interstate universities, and ended up applying for Adelaide and Griffith since those were the only universities I had a good shot at getting into and would enjoy studying at. In retrospect, I’d just say apply for every university and choose which one you want to go to after you get all your offers. Adelaide was definitely my number one preference and the thought of going there motivated me to do well in VCE and kind of replaced the dream of going to Monash, especially after my interview when I saw the new medical school and realised how nice the city was.

In the end I got into Adelaide and now I realise getting rejected by Monash was the best thing that ever happened to me. It’s perfectly normal to be upset and I wouldn’t expect you to think this now, but sometimes the things that hurt the most can really be a blessing. There are so many great things about living interstate. I get so much independence, I get to study my dream course, I’ve met amazing new people and developed very close friendships, I could go on for a very long time, but you probably get my point. Of course, I’d encourage you to closely examine all your options and spend some time really thinking about what you want to do, but I just wanted to give my two cents on the matter.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: vcestressed on September 10, 2018, 07:57:03 am
Hey Sarangiya,
I just wanna say that your entry made me cry. It is so relatable. I fainted when I saw my results. I've been crying every single day since. I opened my results and saw a 79th percentile and my heart crushed. Also, I'm not even rural so I have no chance of getting into Adelaide Uni. I've been dreaming for doing dentistry from the start of the year which needs a higher UMAT score than med. I, along with my parents had a day off when UMAT results came out, as if my life knew that I was going to get a bad UMAT and that I'd need their support.
All my friends were in the same boat. We’ve all got our scores between 75-82nd percentile and it breaks my heart that we all spent hours and hours doing UMAT prep. I could’ve spent that time prepping for a test, which could have at least reflected my hard work. 
I just want to say that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Focus on getting that perfect ATAR like you mentioned in your first post and you’ll become a doctor. An amazing one in fact.
I know you can do it. I’m rooting for you.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Bri MT on September 10, 2018, 08:07:47 am


Your hardwork has not been wasted. No matter what courses you get offers from, your hardwork cannot have been wasted, because it has built learning,  determination, and resilience into you. These attributes, and your empathy, are going to make you a brilliant doctor.  That Monash doesn't see that right now - that's their loss, because wherever you go you're going to take vital attributes that can't be measured by a test. It's incredibly difficult when your resilience is tested like this,  and it leaves you no choice but to prove your commitment to your future career again and again.  But I know that no matter how many times you need to make that choice your answer will be the same.

You're going to help a lot of people - please let us know how we can help you.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Poet on September 10, 2018, 09:27:56 am


Okay so feeling you so much on the blood nose thing right now - the morning of my maths SAC I was late because I woke up that morning, thought, 'oh the last SAC's today' and my nose went, 'lol fuckin' nope Imma bleed for 10 minutes now'.

I'm so glad you can see your options. Keep working at it - this is definitely not the end for you. Your passion and your excitement for the world of medicine, as well as your determination, does not count for nothing. That $160? You've paid for an experience that will make you stronger. You are not a failure, in any sense of the word. The UMAT isn't everything. In fact, my mother, who studied medicine at UCLA, looked at stuff on the UMAT and told me it was ridiculous to put kids through something like that. And yet still, you had the determination to study and push through. Your results in that test don't reflect your true potential, in any form. You'll get back up again, and you'll make it there. Keep doing what you're doing. We believe in you. If you really want it, you'll get it. And as miniturtle said so beautifully, you're going to help a lot of people. The least we can do is help you get there.

And the least you can do it believe in yourself. <3
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Daweiii on September 10, 2018, 11:30:16 am
In year 11 I got 23% on my methods exam application task and 47% on my exam skills test and failed my first SAC for year 12 methods, but I'm currently studying Medicine at Monash.
I can roast myself more if it gives you motivation, I can go on forever  :P

If I can do it, so can you!!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: hums_student on September 10, 2018, 01:12:01 pm
Hey man, I really suck at offering practical advice, but I just gotta tell you that it's not the end of the world and that I have so much respect for you. Seriously. You've worked so hard for this and honestly I don't think you've wasted the money at all - you've got the experience now! Honestly I know so many people at my school who didn't even have the guts to do the UMAT. You are absolutely amazing and honestly your VCE journey is such an inspiration to all of us. :)

Be strong!!

On a slightly unrelated note, I know there are many UMAT tutors out there who would sit the UMAT each year, get an amazing score, and use it to advertise themselves. Honestly I think that's so wrong because they're just dragging down those who genuinely want to get into med. Something really should be done to stop people who just do the UMAT to show off from participating.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: rani_b on September 10, 2018, 05:16:03 pm
Hey,
So I don't have anything useful to add except that I've loved (and will continue to love) reading your journal. Your motivation, dedication, hard work and attention to detail to everything you do is so inspiring. Not only that, but you also work to motivate all of us and remind us that we can get through anything. I just hope you take that advice for yourself and believe that you have the qualities and skills to get through this, one way or another.
Sending lots of virtual love!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: justwannawish on September 10, 2018, 06:02:41 pm

Hey,

I've read your journal for a long time and still remember the time you helped me out with applying with VTAC  :) but I never really got the courage to respond to you until now. When I got my UMAT result, I saw the email notification during my study period and walked out and locked myself in the bathroom because I needed privacy. Tbh, those few moments seemed like a blur and I think it was good luck that made me type the correct password and everything in. When I saw my UMAT,  I think my dreams just collapsed right then. My career's adviser then saw me when I had composed myself and told me my close friend got a 100 and another a 99, expecting I'd do well. When I told him my mark, he bluntly said I failed and that he's never seen someone with my score get in. Like I wasn't crushed enough. My dad was furious because he had been hoping for this UMAT as I was and that was an unpleasant event, probably one of the worst nights of my life so far.

Afterwards, as hard as it was, I realised that everything has a reason for happening. Perhaps this will give you an opportunity that you would have never seen before. But you are more than your mark, you're made of all your strengths and memories and stories, and in five years' time, the UMAT would seem nothing more than a bad dream because I know you will make a difference to the world using your courage and passion and drive. I can't wait to see what you'll do in the future because you are capable of so much more!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: geek123456 on September 10, 2018, 06:34:14 pm
Hey,
even though I have not sat the UMAT yet I can relate 100 percent to the expectations part.The important thing is to just remember to not let a NUMBER define your worth and to NOT EVER give up on the determination that pushed you till now.UMAT might not be your domain but maybe something else is.We are all equipped with different skills and to compare ourselves with others is like trying to balance two stones of different masses on one weighing scale.The point is even though you might be thinking that your pathway to medicine school is a bit blurred and far more complicated than what you initially layed out,it is STILL POSSIBLE but just in a different way.The possibilities out there are numerous.NEVER give up. :)

P.s your journal is so inspiring.I know one day you will be an amazing doctor as you already possess the core characteristics of an amazing physician.Best of luck!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Maya24 on September 10, 2018, 08:31:51 pm
Hey,
It's okay to feel disappointed. It's okay to feel like all your hard work has gone down the drain. That you have spent so much money and it has all gone to waste. Everything happens for a reason. All the struggles you went through happens for a reason. If something is meant for you it will happen. Life might have other better plans for you.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 10, 2018, 11:52:00 pm
Before I begin replying to everyone individually, I just want to say a big thank you to all of you together. It was been a really great today just casually checking this thread and my inbox to find so many kind messages. I have said it before but I really must reiterate how much this forum has come to mean to me (as cringey as it sounds). You all have had such a grear impact on me that I am so, so grateful for. Your support is incomparable to anything I was expecting from people around me, let alone from you all, hundreds of kilometres away.
This truly is a community of high-achieving, empathetic, compassionate, understanding, encouraging, empowering and supportive people and I feel so fortunate to be writing this. Thank you, thank you, thank you to every one of you - I hope I can reciprocate the kindness some day soon.

♥️
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I can definitely relate to feel goalless and a bit lost at the moment. I feel so comforted to think that moving interstate could potentially be as a good a decision for me as it was for you.
I'm so glad you were able to get a place at Adelaide because it was obviously very, very well deserved. I will put in that consideration, but thanks to you I feel I can hold my head high with some hope as I do. Thank you so much.

♥️
I was actually wondering how you ended up going! Look, I must say that your score is amazing (!!), but nonetheless I can definitely understand the very unpleasant feelings that come with that uncertainty.
It was the same case with my friends (i.e. all the students at my school who attempted the UMAT!), except that none of us got 50/50/50. It's great that we can sympathize with each other, but I'll share with you something my chemistry teacher told me: the last six students from my school who are now doing medicine couldn't use their UMAT to get in. But, they still did in the end.
It sucks about our scores but there is still hope for us!! In some ways I'm glad we can go through this together.
I have every confidence in you and am so proud of your effort throughout this. You are an inspiration to me and I know you will excel and bring so much to whatever you do (especially in dentistry)! Thank you dearly for your support.

♥️
Thank you so much for your reply miniturtle. I'm so flattered to read this because you have been such an integral part of this forum and someone I admire.
It's hard to deal with because I suppose my resilience hasn't been tested much until now. It has been a shocking but an eye-opening experience. I can only hope that these experiences can help me become as wise and compassionate as you are. Thank you so much for your message and for always being willing to help myself and many others - I'm so, so flattered.

♥️
Poet you lovely thing! Thank you for your kind words. I actually feel quite a connection with you reading about mental health, and your eating (and drinking!) forum. You are the kind of person who puts things into actions, creates change and can inspire change in others.
Thank you for your funny PMs and being someone I can relate to and experience this year with.
side note: UCLA!! that's lit! And I totally agree with your mother hahaha

♥️
This is so inspirational. You say that you can roast yourself further, but it looks like you have so much to be proud of. We all have our own challenges and our own paths to walk. Thank you for encouraging me to overcome mine like you did yours. Also, congratulations to you! No doubt you'll make a fine doctor.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 11, 2018, 12:22:31 am
♥️
Thank you so, so much. All of this right back at you. I truly admire you and appreciate what you have written. It is actually you guys that inspire me!! I absolutely adore your journal and your future is so intriguing to me. I believe I might have written this before somewhere on your journal but you truly have so much potential to do great things in whatever field you pursue.
Let's work hard together this year :) thank you always
It is such a crime lol. I was trying to give this guy on Facebook some advice because he supposedly got a bad section score, only to get a dm from him saying he and his mate actually were already in medicine and took the UMAT again for a laugh. I couldn't tell him that I got an awful score but yup... pretty tough (...unfair...) competition indeed. Oh well.

♥️
Sending even more back! Honestly thank you! I'm so inspired by you, esepcially by your disciplined, focus and inquisition (in the psychology question thread, as a particularly topical example!)
You're going to absolutely smash this year. Thank you again and best of luck to you for this year !!

♥️
Oh my! I remember too but now I feel so bad because I could have offered you much more than that lmao! I must admit I seldom visit the HSC forum but I also will admit I had quite the stalk of your activity on it lol.
I saw your score, actually, and I truly hope you know that we all here are so proud of you. Not only do you definitely have a decent shot with such a great score, but your positive attitude is obviously a great asset of yours. I'm sorry that you had to hear those things from your careers adviser and your parents, but you should honestly be so proud of yourself. Congratulations!!
I can see that your passion, drive and could will also take you very far. I wish for you the very best. Hope to chat more soon :))

♥️
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I'll try to take to heart all that you've said because it is indeed true. I wish I had your insight when I was in Year 11! I can tell you are absolutely going to smash next year (along with the UMAT) out of the park. I'll be rooting for you!! (you should definitely make a journal!)
Thank you again !!

♥️
Thank you so much. We have both gone through some difficulties this year, huh. I'm so lucky to have made such a great friend with whom I can share all these ups and downs with. I wish I could have told you what you have told me back when you were going through your difficulties. Your resilience has been something I could learn from. Thank you always xx



Side note: I still have many more people to reply to! I'll get around to it soon but just know I have read all your kindness and cherish it dearly.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: pha0015 on September 11, 2018, 09:08:37 am
My post might be a bit redundant following everyone else's, but I just wanted to offer my support for you, to a person who's an inspiration to everyone, umat score inclusive. From the little that I know, you're a very resilient (first time I'm using this word outside of school) person who doesn't let any score or circumstance define them. From smashing japanese SL that second time and now you're doing psych again, clearly you're determined. And hard work always pays out. So one way or another, you will get into med. Don't give up hope now, and keep inspiring us.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 11, 2018, 12:39:33 pm

Not at all. Thank you so much for your response, it means so much. All the best to you too!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: cookiedream on September 12, 2018, 10:43:50 am
Aaahh I'm a bit late, but all of the amazing advice above sums up my sentiments.

You are one of the most, if not the most, inspirational person I know on this forum. Honestly, your journal, depicting your dedication and the sheer hard work you've put in this year, is evidence that you have the fundamental characteristics of not just a brilliant doctor, but an individual who will go very far in life. You are more than deserving of a place in Medicine and, just like miniturtle said, Monash has lost probably one of their best applicants.

I'm very glad that you're considering other options, especially interstate! Your rural status makes you quite attractive to James Cook University, which doesn't look at your UMAT at all and has a course centred around rural and Indigenous medicine. Talking about your VET experience and rural experience in the JCU written application, and hopefully in the interview, will also come in your favour. Focus all your efforts on gaining an ATAR as high as possible and you should be in the running for a place there, as well as other unis which have a rural entry scheme (e.g. UQ - last year, a rural applicant with 67%ile and a 97-98 ATAR/OP2 got a CSP, UNSW - last year a rural applicant with 64%ile and a mid-97 ATAR got a BMP, etc.)

The medical field needs someone like you. So please don't give up!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 12, 2018, 11:54:13 pm

I'm so flattered to hear from you, cookiedream! You were my inspiration and guiding light for the whole UMAT process so I'll thank you doubly for that!
Your kind words are so touching. I'm not sure I'm entirely worthy of hearing them from you, but nonetheless i'm so chuffed!
Not making it into Monash is a huge disappointment, of course, but one thing became obvious through this experience. That is, that my desire isn't to study at Monash, but to study medicine. It's no secret that Monash is a great university and especially convenient for Victorian school-leavers, but my true intentions have really been solidified through this awful process (lol).

What a breakdown! Bless you. All these universities are definitely in my reevaluated game-plan. Do you have any prospect breakdowns for say, the University of Tasmania, or the University of Adelaide? UNSW would honestly be a dream if I was offered an interview. I'll be keeping the fingers and toes crossed.

Thank you so much again. All the best to you :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: cookiedream on September 13, 2018, 08:15:36 am
Do you have any prospect breakdowns for say, the University of Tasmania, or the University of Adelaide?

Last year, rural applicants who got into UTAS had UMAT scores as low as 50%ile and an ATAR over 95, but as far as I remember UTAS favours Tasmanian applicants (who are all rural anyway) - so the people who had the aforementioned UMAT and ATAR were mostly from Tasmania. There's also the rural written application, which is suspected to play a major role in whether you get a place there but I'm not exactly sure.

For the University of Adelaide, two years ago a rural applicant (RA2) with 79%ile and ATAR 91.75 was given a BMP.

No worries! Best of luck <3

Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: peter.g15 on September 19, 2018, 09:55:44 pm
Do you have any prospect breakdowns for say, the University of Tasmania, or the University of Adelaide? UNSW would honestly be a dream if I was offered an interview. I'll be keeping the fingers and toes crossed.


Hey sarangiya,

I've actually been reading your posts and following it along this year (just quietly lurking lol), but I just wanted to let you know that the medstudentsonline forum is really really realllyyyyyy useful. I think they'll have more people with a lot more knowledge on med admissions (all around Australia) compared to here on AN (although people are great here!).

Also just wanted to say how sad I was for you when you were talking about umat results :( my heart dropped when I read it (plus it was some good writing ;)) But all the best for your applications elsewhere, it's clear that you're super super dedicated and passionate about med, so there's no doubt you'll make it :) Good luck!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 20, 2018, 08:08:20 am
♥️
Thank you so much for your reply.
Yes, I didn't mention it but I have been a little active on MSO under the same username :)
It was those people who told me not to write myself off (which is advice I really did need at that point!)
Also, congratulations on your great UMAT score !! Your encouragement is so much appreciated. All of it back at you!! Best of luck
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 20, 2018, 08:09:03 am
We are finally onto the final week for Term 3.

I just wanted to thank everyone again who supported me when the UMAT results came out.
It was a hugely devastating, but I came to terms with a lot quicker than what I had expected. I can be thankful to all of you for that.

This is the first time I've been more than a day late in writing an entry. In all honesty, these past weeks have been really hard. Not long after the results came out, we were actually also informed that my mum would lose her job.

I saw on Facebook a quote that struck a chord: “was it really a bad day, or a bad five minutes that you milked all day?”
I think it's okay to feel a bit down-trodden, but ultimately you just have to get back on your feet. In the midst of legal consultations, SACs, University applications and everything else… I have been feeling really defeated.
But I know that these feelings will pass.

I also had my eighteenth birthday on Sunday. With everything that has happened, I decided that it wasn't a good time to hold a party. Instead, I had dinner out with my family and lunch with my mum.

As of writing, we have finished our SACs for methods, chemistry and English language.  Our final psychology SAC will be next term. It is an amazing feeling to have finished all the content. 
Congratulations everyone! It has been a long road.

I had my final placement at oncology as well. I was able to pass on a card and some chocolates and was so blessed to receive the same from them. The experience has been so precious to me this year. I have promised to return, and luckily I'll be reuniting with some  of the staff to see a play in early October. I'm so glad I was able to meet so many people, many of whom had a profound impact on me.

I was originally going to describe my whole plan of attack in regards to medicine, but actually I think it is too convoluted.
Essentially, I will be applying all medical schools in Australia except for in WA. All I can do is try my hardest and hope for the best!

Here are some things I learnt from the UMAT:
What I want to do is not study at Monash, but just to study medicine
It was really hard drawing the curtains on a dream I had envisioned for so long. But this experience has tested my resolve. As a result, I now know that no matter where it is, or how long it takes, I have found what I truly want.  I'm grateful for that.
The UMAT is but a tool
I recently discovered that out of the last six students from my school who ended up studying medicine, none of them used their UMAT to get in. In fact, one past student got into the Monash MBBS with a mere 89 ATAR (likely after adjustments!). I realised that back in her day, Melbourne Uni shared the load, and the 50/50/50 rule probably didn't exist. I thought, not to her discredit, that it wasn't because I was less worthy than that student to do medicine, but rather because our circumstances allowed for different things. Unfortunately, that's just life.
Keep the faith
Believe in miracles. Life is too cruel otherwise.

Anyway, I hope you all are having a great final week. The last stretch begins now!! Best of luck for SACs and always thank you

Quote from: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Should you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never see the true beauty of their carvings.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Yertle the Turtle on September 20, 2018, 10:38:18 am
Hey Sarangiya! :D

I love to see the positivity that you have, despite the tough times that you're going through. I was quite upset by the posts around UMAT release, and I could totally relate, but I'm really glad to see that despite that you are hanging in there. Good for you. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to support you, but sometimes I really struggle to help people emotionally. Hopefully this helps though. Sometimes it is the failures in life that teach us what we truly want. Maybe this comedy sketch will make you feel better... :P

Good luck with the rest of your VCE, and feel assured that your awesome ATAR to come will make up for the UMAT, and that all of us here have got your back. :D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 20, 2018, 11:17:02 am
<3
Hey!! Thank you so much for your reply.
Not at all! To be honest, I find it hard to comfort people emotionally too. But, I think you might not struggle as much as you think, because I feel very supported by your words :)
Thank you for suggesting the sketch too - I'll give it a watch!

Thanks so much. Right back at you!! Best of luck for the rest of the year! :D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 27, 2018, 01:20:09 am
The holidays are upon us!
Well, if you can call them holidays.

As for last week, I got my SAC results back for all my subjects. I did really well in psychology and English language, pretty meh for chemistry (unfortunately) and surprisingly okay for methods (probably not so good comparatively, but I was pretty happy for myself). It has been a pretty decent end to Unit 4. Though it is probably true that I could have done more or done better, I feel content. I don't feel like I regret anything this year and my performance, whether exceptional or not, has been a genuine reflection of my experience this year.

My holidays, within one day, became packed. For the past two holidays I have done an appalling job at sticking to the plans I have made, so I will do something different this time. I don't know whether you'd call it motivation or what, but I feel 'ready'. I've procrastinated enough, relaxed enough, had enough fun and now I'm just ready to chip away for the coming weeks until it is finally over. I’ll set out a rough plan, but nothing too ridiculous. It will just be practice exam after practice exam, in timed conditions, until I can figure out what holes I need to patch up.

It is almost deadline for most TAC applications, too! I have spent so much time trying to co-ordinate all these applications that it really does worry me. Did I miss something here? Eligible for that there? Didn't check that box? It's pretty complicated and stressful. Hopefully I'll be able to get it all out of the way sooner rather than later so it doesn't drag on.
Speaking of which, the UCAT is upon us.
excuse me wtf
#triggered. One of my friends sent me an article about it. I actually only read the title and brushed it off, thinking it was 'just talks’. Then on Facebook I see all of these discussionspaces and support groups changing their name. I couldn't believe it.

My immediate thoughts
Were actually pretty good.
Hearing of a new test that actually has been scrutinised, used overseas, and supposedly better than the UMAT, I was excited.
I thought, if I took this new test I might have a chance of going better.
I thought, if it is the first year of its use in admissions, cutoffs are likely going to be more lenient.
My world actually shifted a little bit. Again, I thought, is this God telling me that I won't get a place this year? That I should take the gap year?

The test
As I read more, I became increasingly less optimistic. Section 1 and 3? My worst sections. 55 abstract reasoning questions in 14 minutes with no paper and pen? Baby Jesus no.
Receiving your result immediately after the test addresses a huge problem the UMAT had. Great. But isn't it nicer to send us our results via email on the night? It's humiliating enough to have people you love see you devastated, but having to keep composure in a room full of strangers is too much. I know from experience.
Computerised administration of the test is good too. I've heard people scrutinise this adjective took because of the RACP exam fail not that long ago. I'm not too concerned, though.

My friend is almost set on taking a gap year to sit it. For me, I just hope it isn't my only choice.

I don't have much to reflect on for our last week. It kind of just flashed by.
All I can do is which you all the best in studying these holidays. Good luck!!

No quote for this week ;)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: not.yet.a.nerd on September 30, 2018, 10:45:10 am
Hey Sarangiya, as someone with no japanese background how did you get so unbelievably good at Japanese?? In year 9 when you destroyed your cards, and ended up with 42, did you repeat Japanese because you realised that 42 was a really good score that you'd be able to improve in, or a bad score that you had to improve? Hope that makes sense  ;D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on September 30, 2018, 11:56:55 am
Hey Sarangiya, as someone with no japanese background how did you get so unbelievably good at Japanese?? In year 9 when you destroyed your cards, and ended up with 42, did you repeat Japanese because you realised that 42 was a really good score that you'd be able to improve in, or a bad score that you had to improve? Hope that makes sense  ;D
Hey! Thanks for your post :))
I actually had no desire to redo Japanese when I was doing subject selections for year 10. It was actually my teacher's idea, and I believe her reasoning was purely that since I was only going to be in year 10, I may as well.
I was so against the idea that, as you said, I burnt my cue cards after the oral exam at a party we had to celebrate.
When I got the 42 in Year 9, I don't think I felt that it was good or bad. I think I remember being pleased that it would be 48 scaled, but somewhat disappointed that the raw score wasn't that high.
I then kind of negotiated with my teacher, since I was already planning on doing two other 3/4 subjects in year 10. In the end, I took it on because I felt like I didn't have a reason not to. There was room for improvement, I needed to keep practicing Japanese somehow, I didn't have to attend classes, and I had decided to host a Japanese student teacher for most of the year (independent of my decision to study Japanese at school). Everything kind of pointed to me doing it again.
So, I guess in the end, it wasn't the score that motivated me to repeat the subject. It just felt right, and although I really struggled with it for most of the year, towards the end I actually really enjoyed making what I thought was the best possible performance I could. It was really satisfying.

As for learning Japanese with no native background... I don't really know. I had been exposed to Japan since I was really young. We have kind of Oriental-looking furniture and ornamental Chinese calligraphy in the house, and my mum used to like going to Japanese gardens and restaurants around town. I was fascinated probably by the exoticism. I didn't really start learning Japanese until year 5 when I had my cousin teach me hiragana. From there I was obsessed with the language. I wasn't even super interested in Japanese culture. I just found it entertaining, especially because I found that I was good at it.
I think in the end what accelerated my learning was just a very intense passion and obsession with studying it. I had so much free time that I would spend hours playing vocabulary quiz games just because they were fun, and speak to Japanese students on social media every day.
I can't really pin point any specific techniques or reasons. I think I was young enough, had lots of time, lots of passion, and was spurred on by successes I had.

As for now, I don't spend as much time on Japanese as I used to. I remember that after I had gotten the 50 I was planning to sit the N2 exam, and sit N1 in Year 11. For many reasons, I decided not to. Now I think it would take me a long time to restore that momentum. That saddens me a bit.
But, I still enjoy every opportunity I have to speak Japanese. It is just makes me happy. Don't know how else to put it :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on October 02, 2018, 10:14:51 pm
One week down and one to go.
How have your holidays been? It is officially only one month until exams... it doesn't even feel real.

As I mentioned, I have had a really busy first week of the holidays. I spent a day in Melbourne, two days at parties (including going out with friends to shop, get ready etc.), a morning tutoring our Japanese students for their impending oral, an evening working and lots of time spent with my mum, who is still looking for work. I managed to finish a practice exam for psychology and finish applications for universities (i.e. an almost 3000-word endeavor).
I'm not overly happy with how little I have been studying, but there is still time.
Most of my efforts for the week were focused into applications to medicine. It's really hard to think honestly about yourself but write strategically. I feel a constant defeat because I feel that no matter how much I write, I can never truly convey just how much I want a place. That desperation also makes it really hard to start writing in the first place, because the weight and pressure put on the words I carve out is just so immense.
 
This week we have school-run lectures in English Language and Chemistry, which is great. These will be immediately followed by practice exams in our first week back. I feel ready for psychology, except I need to really hit those practice exams to solidify my performance. I also feel good about English Language, despite all that has happened. I should be well-prepared if I do a few papers, practice metalanguage and memorize quotes/examples. Compared to these two, chemistry has me feeling quite a bit more insecure. When I do papers, I feel very much like I guess my answers. Even if they're right, I can feel that I'm not confident and not thorough in my knowledge. I'm definitely in need of some revision as well as exam preparation. As for methods... hm.

I was trying to think of something interesting to include in this post. I had wanted to include excerpts from my applications - taking inspiration from justwannawish - but I became a bit worried about what would happen if my writing was checked for plagiarism or something. If I am fortunate enough to get a place, I'll put them up then. They'd probably hold a bit more weight if that happened, anyway!

Instead, I thought I'd write a chronology of my career interests to date. Do reply with your own if you want!!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Age 6: "A lemon."
Age 8: A scientist or 'inventor'
Age 11: A doctor
Age 13: A Japanese-English translator/interpreter
Age 15: A speech pathologist
Age 16: A plastic and reconstructive surgeon

My first consideration of medicine was born together with two girlfriends. One is now pursuing nursing, the other still apparently on the path but taking a detour first. Ironically, both were very firm on the idea until about Year 9 or 10, while I was desperately wracking my brains for something, anything I could do with Japanese. Now, I'm the one going in alone.
In terms of plastic and reconstructive surgery, it is still very tentative, of course. I briefly described in a past post why plastics stood out to me. To further iterate, it is because a plastic surgeon I met and his experiences, mixed with the prospects of very new technology/procedures (think microsurgery, hand transplants, sex reassignment surgeries and fistula repairs for trauma victims, breast augmentation for cancer patients... a very broad field, I have heard).
Anyway, God knows what other things will be added to this list, but there you have it.

Have a great week everyone!
Quote from: Satsuki Shibuya
By doing what you love you inspire and awaken the hearts of others
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: not.yet.a.nerd on October 03, 2018, 07:06:34 pm
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Age 6: "A lemon."

"A lemon" is probably the best answer I have ever heard to the 'what do you want to be' question  ;D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: peter.g15 on October 03, 2018, 10:36:47 pm
One week down and one to go.
How have your holidays been? It is officially only one month until exams... it doesn't even feel real.

As I mentioned, I have had a really busy first week of the holidays. I spent a day in Melbourne, two days at parties (including going out with friends to shop, get ready etc.), a morning tutoring our Japanese students for their impending oral, an evening working and lots of time spent with my mum, who is still looking for work. I managed to finish a practice exam for psychology and finish applications for universities (i.e. an almost 3000-word endeavor).
I'm not overly happy with how little I have been studying, but there is still time.
Most of my efforts for the week were focused into applications to medicine. It's really hard to think honestly about yourself but write strategically. I feel a constant defeat because I feel that no matter how much I write, I can never truly convey just how much I want a place. That desperation also makes it really hard to start writing in the first place, because the weight and pressure put on the words I carve out is just so immense.
 

I assume you're applying to JCU since you have 3000 words? I just finished mine up too and I was struggling quite a bit with the UNSW one because they restrict your responses to questions to 30-50 words! It ended up pretty bare bones and straight to the point, which wasn't my favourite, but I guess it saved some time typing it all out haha.

Sorry if you've already answered this, but where are you applying for? Would you consider dentistry?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on October 04, 2018, 07:34:54 am
I assume you're applying to JCU since you have 3000 words? I just finished mine up too and I was struggling quite a bit with the UNSW one because they restrict your responses to questions to 30-50 words! It ended up pretty bare bones and straight to the point, which wasn't my favourite, but I guess it saved some time typing it all out haha.

Sorry if you've already answered this, but where are you applying for? Would you consider dentistry?
Hi! Thanks for your reply.
Actually, it was more like 1000 words for UTas, the 700ish for UNSW, 500 for QTAC EAS, maybe 500ish for UTas scholarships? Idk then rounded to 3000 hahaha.

I'm applying for:
UNSW, JMP (ineligible), GWS, USyd, Monash (ineligible), La Trobe, Adelaide, Flinders, UTas, Griffith and UQ.
The ones I haven't applied for:
Curtin/WA unis, JCU
I am rather happy to move to most places to study medicine. However I figured that WA was a little bit too far from home with few places anyway. JCU is basically the same idea, with the added uncertainty of whether I would actually be suited to and enjoy their program.

Yeah the UNSW prompts were tough. It's lucky they are not assessed and used for interviews only. My least favourite of those were "What experiences would you like to have in the next 10 years?"
I was able to apply for the rural pathway as well, however, which had a 600 word "describe your connections to your rural community and why you would be suitable for the rural pathway scheme". It was longer but a bit more targeted, so it was admittedly easier to write!

I'm not applying for dentistry :)
Where are you applying for?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: TheAspiringDoc on October 04, 2018, 10:03:56 am
^^I think the UTAS 800 words application was only for those of us applying through the rural application process, right?

Yeah it's crazy how much paperwork we have to do just before the exams - getting sooooo many stat decs signed and making all those _TAC accounts!

Best of luck to you both  :) :)
Anyone care for some lemonade?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: peter.g15 on October 05, 2018, 10:19:01 am
Hi! Thanks for your reply.
Actually, it was more like 1000 words for UTas, the 700ish for UNSW, 500 for QTAC EAS, maybe 500ish for UTas scholarships? Idk then rounded to 3000 hahaha.

I'm applying for:
UNSW, JMP (ineligible), GWS, USyd, Monash (ineligible), La Trobe, Adelaide, Flinders, UTas, Griffith and UQ.
The ones I haven't applied for:
Curtin/WA unis, JCU
I am rather happy to move to most places to study medicine. However I figured that WA was a little bit too far from home with few places anyway. JCU is basically the same idea, with the added uncertainty of whether I would actually be suited to and enjoy their program.

Yeah the UNSW prompts were tough. It's lucky they are not assessed and used for interviews only. My least favourite of those were "What experiences would you like to have in the next 10 years?"
I was able to apply for the rural pathway as well, however, which had a 600 word "describe your connections to your rural community and why you would be suitable for the rural pathway scheme". It was longer but a bit more targeted, so it was admittedly easier to write!

I'm not applying for dentistry :)
Where are you applying for?

I'm applying for similar places, minus USyd and Utas! I had pretty similar thoughts about WA unis and JCU since it's such a long distance from Melbourne and I wasn't sure whether I'd like it there. I'm definitely prepared to move interstate, but the distance made it a whole lot more difficult to justify it (Australia is too big haha)

Yeah, I keep hearing about how UNSW had a few hundred words, but then I only had those super short questions, so I assume that the longer responses are for rural entry. Even though the short responses were a bit of a pain, they were actually pretty good to think about and reflect on :) I wish they could have been a bit longer so that I could elaborate on ideas more though :(
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on October 06, 2018, 01:07:36 am
^^I think the UTAS 800 words application was only for those of us applying through the rural application process, right?

Yeah it's crazy how much paperwork we have to do just before the exams - getting sooooo many stat decs signed and making all those _TAC accounts!

Best of luck to you both  :) :)
That's right! :) I actually was reminded with an email from UTAS being like "...um so you have sent an application in but you're rural and yet no rural application?? ohhhh here's the PDF hurry up and send it back"
So it was a bit of a surprise! I just thought they looked up your address and that was that.

Ikr... It sucks. I've done 4 statutory declarations so far! Lucky our school finance officer is an accountant!
Best of luck to you!!

I'm applying for similar places, minus USyd and Utas! I had pretty similar thoughts about WA unis and JCU since it's such a long distance from Melbourne and I wasn't sure whether I'd like it there. I'm definitely prepared to move interstate, but the distance made it a whole lot more difficult to justify it (Australia is too big haha)

Yeah, I keep hearing about how UNSW had a few hundred words, but then I only had those super short questions, so I assume that the longer responses are for rural entry. Even though the short responses were a bit of a pain, they were actually pretty good to think about and reflect on :) I wish they could have been a bit longer so that I could elaborate on ideas more though :(
I totally understand. I'm also really fortunate to have family in basically all of the other areas where I have applied to, but absolutely none in WA, NT and northern QLD. And I definitely understand what you mean by not sure whether you'd like it... I didn't want to sound too choosy but for where I want to go and what I want to do, I wasn't sure if the focus of the med course would really reflect that.

Yes, you're right. There was a 600 word response for rural applications.
It does feel more assuring to write something and send it off, but don't worry too much! You can put into words what you would have in writing when you get an interview :)
I guess that's the purpose of them anyway! Best of luck.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on October 08, 2018, 12:05:46 am
Our holidays have come to an end so soon.
We only have 13 days of school left and 24 until the examination period begins…!

First, I'm happy to announce I received an invitation for an interview at the University of New South Wales!
I am so fortunate, considering everything. Apparently there should be 150 rural interviewees and 51 given a place. That means that 1 in 3 will get a place. I'll have to be a very good little talker to somehow sneak my way into the top third.
My odds aren't very good. Though I was so excited to get an invitation I am being wary of not getting my hopes too high.
My closest interview location is in Albury-Wodonga. It will take me about 5 hours to get there, which will also be an ordeal. I did have a sneaky look on Tiger to see if I could nab some cheap flights but I don't think I can justify the price. Although, it would be nice to see the Kensington campus (and maybe have a weekend in Sydney or something!?)
We will just have to see.

This week we had almost a full week of lectures. We had three 3-hour session for English Language and two 3-hour sessions for Chemistry. They were really good (especially the EL ones). For some reason, I now get super stressed in lectures because I always feel like I get advice and they're like “you probably already know this…”, “you've probably been doing this all year but…” and I'm like, “????????no?” and feel very insecure.
I was also super fortunate to develop a ridiculously sore throat on Friday. So much so I basically spent the whole Friday in bed and religiously popping Panadol on the weekend. Which also sucks because I am awful at swallowing pills. Choking, spitting, gagging, you name it. I always avoid Panadol and endure the pain, but not this time. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to be checked up because I'm way too scared that it is glandular fever or something.
Other than that, I spent the weekend out of town for my cousin's 30th and then overnight in another town to spend time with my grandmother. I was a little bit reluctant to go, but what can you do. It's family.

Next week we have practice exams. I am not really prepared for them, I must admit.
I have Methods, English Language and Chemistry on Tuesday, followed by Psychology on Thursday.
We still have to go to classes all week and just miss classes while we have an exam on. Pretty brutal but I guess it's a good idea. The week after I'll have my final SAC (psychology).


The thing I'm most worried about is the finer points of my ATAR. I think I can get above 99 (touch wood lol), but I'm not sure if I'll be good enough to crack 99.50 and above.
I was so motivated and sure in my first posts to get 99.95. I still wish with all my heart that I get it, and hope that I am “working towards it”. But, as the year comes to an end, I'm beginning to lose some of the idealism.
I really hope I can do what it takes to push my ATAR up to a 99.80. That, as discussed very early in the year, will be my (albeit very high) contentment level. I still think that isn't exactly in the range of what a contentment level should be but, well, if I want any chance of getting a place in a medical program...
It feels like I'm almost worried to do anything, like how I was with my medicine applications. It's such a heavy burden that I'm scared to pick it up in the first place.
Lack of motivation? I don't know. I feel like you can chalk everything up to that. Admittedly hating to admit my weaknesses, I think for me it is fear. Fear of failure, fear of insecurity, fear of the unknown…
I have to be a big girl at some point. I just don't feel like I am yet. (turning 18 is a total gimmick!!)

Good luck to all of you and enjoy your first week back!

Quote from: Albert Camus
Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Vaike on October 08, 2018, 01:00:37 am
Spoiler
The thing I'm most worried about is the finer points of my ATAR. I think I can get above 99 (touch wood lol), but I'm not sure if I'll be good enough to crack 99.50 and above.
I was so motivated and sure in my first posts to get 99.95. I still wish with all my heart that I get it, and hope that I am “working towards it”. But, as the year comes to an end, I'm beginning to lose some of the idealism.
I really hope I can do what it takes to push my ATAR up to a 99.80. That, as discussed very early in the year, will be my (albeit very high) contentment level. I still think that isn't exactly in the range of what a contentment level should be but, well, if I want any chance of getting a place in a medical program...
It feels like I'm almost worried to do anything, like how I was with my medicine applications. It's such a heavy burden that I'm scared to pick it up in the first place.

Hey Sarangiya! Just wanted to chip in on this, as I this is something I really related to. I remember feeling the exact same way last year, and I remember how stressful it all was. To be honest I had a pretty difficult time thinking about anything else. But having come out the other side, I'd really encourage you to try your best to not focus on the end result. Time and energy you spend stressing over this kind of stuff really isn't worth the effort. This really clicked for me before exams when I ran across the quote "worry is a misuse of the imagination".

It's easier said than done of course to just, but having kept up to date with your journal for a good part of the year it's pretty clear how hard you've worked, and hopefully that fills you with a lot of confidence. You've done the hard work in getting to this point, the next few weeks will be stressful but believe in yourself and all the effort you've put in this year! Even if you have to fake being confident at first, take pride in what you've achieved so far this year; I think it'll help for the final hurdles to come.

Best of luck for the next few weeks and keep going, we're all pulling for you :)

Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on October 08, 2018, 01:53:14 am
Hey Sarangiya! Just wanted to chip in on this, as I this is something I really related to. I remember feeling the exact same way last year, and I remember how stressful it all was. To be honest I had a pretty difficult time thinking about anything else. But having come out the other side, I'd really encourage you to try your best to not focus on the end result. Time and energy you spend stressing over this kind of stuff really isn't worth the effort. This really clicked for me before exams when I ran across the quote "worry is a misuse of the imagination".

It's easier said than done of course to just, but having kept up to date with your journal for a good part of the year it's pretty clear how hard you've worked, and hopefully that fills you with a lot of confidence. You've done the hard work in getting to this point, the next few weeks will be stressful but believe in yourself and all the effort you've put in this year! Even if you have to fake being confident at first, take pride in what you've achieved so far this year; I think it'll help for the final hurdles to come.

Best of luck for the next few weeks and keep going, we're all pulling for you :)


Thank you so much for your advice Vaike! I really appreciate it.
You're right. I think I need to just take this nervous energy and channel it into something useful. It is indeed easier said than done, but your quote speaks volumes (and I do love a quote or few).

I'll try to keep that in mind. Thank you so much. I guess sometimes the best encouragement can come from ourselves, right?

Also, after just an hour of deliberation, I have decided I will do away with the contentment level. Why? Because any ATAR that gets me a place is more than good enough for me. If I want to get to the end of the road, who cares what car I ride in!
I don't know whether this shows a great ability to better my headspace or a great weakness of thinking at 100km/hr indecisively in the middle of the night. (Haha)

In any case, thank you!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on October 17, 2018, 08:20:05 pm
We are really coming to the very end!
I'll keep this update really short, because it is a busy time for us all.

Last week we had our practice exams.
Methods - awful. Forgot my bound reference. It was my first practice exam and good lord I'm going to need to get working if I want anything near a decent score.
Chemistry - my teacher said it's 'as expected' and not bad for this time of year. I was still pretty disappointed. The theme of needing to put on my work continues still.
English Language - worse than I expected, but still quite a decent result. We have had more troubles with staffing which I won't even bother to elaborate on, so I'm not sure if I can trust the marking. In any case, I'll try and take on the criticisms and raise the bar again.
Psychology - I did pretty well but to my worry not significantly better than what I did last year... Yet again: more work needed!

All in all, the practice exams were very valuable.

This week is our last full week of school. I'll also be having my interview for UNSW. Wish me luck :)

Hope you all have a great remainder of the week. Best of luck as always

Quote from: Kenneth Blanchford
There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Joseph41 on October 23, 2018, 05:03:23 pm
Good luck for your interview! Hope you smash it - looking forward to hearing how it went either way. :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on October 24, 2018, 12:50:43 am
The final week of school!
We have made it! First, congratulations to all the school leavers this year who have worked so hard. It's time to close a big chapter in our lives, and flip to an entirely new page. I'll be wishing you all the best for the following weeks, and for all that comes after.
Graduating classes of 2018, congratulations!!

Interviews
Last week I had my interview for the UNSW Medical School in Albury!
Though I'd love to tell you all about it, I'm not sure just how much I'm meant to let on.
I'll list some of my general impressions:
I did, however, make a fool of myself yet again. For those of you who read my “most embarrassing moment” spoiler tag a few posts back, this will seem somewhat familiar.
The interview ended with one of the interviewers, who had been stone-faced and robotic the whole time, saying “you won't hear from us .You'll be hearing from UAC directly”. Instead of saying “okay, lovely” like a normal person… of course I say, “okay, love you!”
my god

Though it wasn't technically last week, I will also announce that I got an interview offer for the University of Western Sydney. I was so happy and felt so fortunate, since I had really thought my ATAR would have been fat, far, too below threshold.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to undertake the interviews as I'll be in Japan.
I was devastated having to emailing them back with a declination. I guess it just wasn't meant to be. I'm a bit angry with myself, though.

School
Last week was pretty uneventful, save for our trip to Albury. It's scary to think exams start next Wednesday (well, Thursday for me, thank God). That being said, I haven't done much of the work I admitted needed doing.
I do feel a bit guilty. Unfortunately that guilt isn't quite enough to spur me into action.

What's to come
This week we have our last day of school, our “celebration day” and graduation dinner.
It's a hugely busy week in terms of the non-academic. I have to prepare four outfits this week!

Again, I'll keep this entry short as we are all busy. I'll save all the reflections and feelings for next week, when we are truly finished.

I hope you all sincerely enjoy this week - especially those of you setting foot into your high school classes for the last time.
Quote from: Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 08, 2018, 03:15:58 am
Long time no see! I'm writing from Seoul, South Korea with just under a week left until ATARs drop.
I took a bit of an unintended hiatus from my journal due to exam study and traveling abroad. I thought now was probably the best time to make an update to recap what has happened and to record my feelings about what is to come.

Exams
Psychology
I was pretty confident and felt happy overall with my performance. I did miss a 3-mark question I forgot to come back to in SA… I didn't notice it until I was just nonchalantly flipping through the exam booklet before writing time was up. Oops.

Methods
I feel quite ashamed to admit that I really dropped the ball with math. I kind of gave up on studying and didn't even have my reference bound until the day before the exam. Contrary to popular opinion, I actually thought exam 1 was easier than exam 2 because despite having notes I just didn't get the questions in the tech-enabled exam.

Chemistry
I thought I did okay in Chem. I left a few questions and half assed some others but I feel okay with it. Mainly because those questions were ones I knew that without help, I would not have been able to complete. I hope I did a decent enough job.

English Language
I thought I wrote a killer Section C. I'm not sure about Sec B (maybe it was a bit repetitive) but my weakness was, and always has been, section A. I had trouble with the final question and hope I did a good enough job to land marks in the rest. Fingers crossed.

Overall
I don't feel amazing about how I went, but I don't regret it or feel like I let myself down. It was how it was and I'm okay with that.

Overseas
I've been having a great time so far! I won't go into too much detail but so far we have visited:
Osaka, Toyonaka, Mino, Nishinomiya, Kobe, Amanohashidate, Miyadzu, Sakai, Nara, Kyoto, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagano, Yudanaka and Seoul!
I've seen long lost friends, had snow monkeys run around my legs, boiled in streaming onsen hotsprings, hiked through mountain temple trails, slept in both amazing and appalling accommodations, made mini tatami mats, hand-dyed scarves, eaten endangered Japanese eel and even somehow attended an international rotary convention!

If you are going to Japan or S. Korea soon send a message my way because I have lots of advice to give!

ATARs
Not long now. I posted on the actual thread, but my prediction is now a hopeful 99.10.
Anything above 99 would be amazing. I'm not sure if I can get it but for now I'll stay hopeful.
In terms of emotions, I generally haven't really thought about the 14th in much detail until now! I've been keeping myself busy. But most of all, I know there's nothing I can do about it so it's almost like old news!

My back ups have also changed! I have decided that pharmacy might be a better path for me to take as opposed to medical imaging.
The universities I'm now hoping for a place in are: UNSW, UQ or (potentially?) UTas.
It won't be long until I can tell you more about that!

Good luck to everyone else and take it easy this week!!
I'll be checking in again soon!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 12, 2018, 03:43:37 am
2 sleeps until ATARs drop!
I thought I'd update again considering my previous post was a bit short and that this time of year is the most exciting for us ATARNotes users - it's in the name!
Off topic but yesterday I had the honour of seeing Kai (Kim Jong-in) and Chanyeol (Park Chanyeol) of EXO!! It was a complete surprise and I just happened to be in the particular shopping mall they were filming a reality television show (Return of Superman) in! I have stated on here before that EXO is my favourite group so it was an amazing, surreal experience!


Preferences

Since they have actually changed somewhat dramatically!
VTAC
1. 3800539051 - Science (Chancellor's Scholars) (University Of Melbourne (The), Parkville) (phat chance smh)
2. 2100211401 - Biomedical Science (Medical) (La Trobe University, Bendigo)
3. 2100111401 - Biomedical Science (Medical) (La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga)
4. 2800611241 - Pharmacy (Honours) Scholars program/Master of Pharmacy (Monash University, Parkville)
5. 2800611221 - Pharmacy (Honours)/Master of Pharmacy (Monash University, Parkville)
6. 3200231081 - Medical Radiations-Nuclear Medicine (RMIT University, Bundoora)
7. 3800538271 - Science (University Of Melbourne (The), Parkville)
8. 2800328451 - Science (Monash University, Clayton)

I officially removed Monash medicine from my course preferences. Kind of sad, but I figured nothing would come out of having them there. I guess I have come to fully accept that outcome. I think that's a positive thing.

Medical radiations is still on the list but I've added in pharm! A bit of unprecedented change, but now I wonder why I didn't consider it sooner. I like the idea of medical radiations leading to a practical occupation but I wasn't super mad on the idea of ~advanced physics~. Not only does Pharmacy appeal to my love of Chemistry, have practical career outcomes and fit snug in the health sector, it reminded me of an interest I've always had: drugs! Sounds a bit weird, I know, but I literally have the Drugs.com app on my old phone, and used to read pages upon pages on Wikipedia about (specifically) antipsychotic medications. I Every medication I have taken, I have read the leaflet included (even my contraceptive implant - which I googled since they don't give you one!)
I'm really stoked about this as a backup option. The idea actually came when I was looking at UQ! Read the QTAC spoiler tab if you are wondering why
P.S. I got Monash Guarantee! (Yay)
UAC
I'm just roughing it because of UAC's stupid operating hours bs. From memory:
UNSW Med
USyd Science/MD (fat chance lol)
Griffith Provisional MD
USyd Art/MD (??)
there may be more idk I'll update if so

So JMP and WSU (sad times) are no more. I'm still clutching on to the little hope I have for UNSW. It would be amazing if I got an offer but every time I imagine it I get rejected.
SATAC
I don't even want to talk about SATAC and SA unis. I elaborated fully on another forum but essentially I was disqualified from rural entry to UAdel because I submitted my stat dec a week late - I didn't know there was a deadline. But, actually, SATAC sent me a confirmation letter nonetheless so I thought it was all good. I had to email the head of admissions at the University to find out what had happened. I know it's my fault but, seriously, finding out you were unfairly disqualified due to not reading one email properly is just so… (I'm still rural can't you just process the damn document????)
Nonetheless…
1    314552    Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery        University of Adelaide
2    314553    Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (Bonded Medical place)        University of Adelaide
3    214941    Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine        Flinders University
4    114831    Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (double degree with Flinders University's Doctor of Medicine (MD) in the Northern Territory)        Charles Darwin University

So… Flinders? Don't know if I'll get the ATAR rip.
QTAC
Bachelor of Medical Science (MD Provisional Entry for School-Leavers) - full-time    233422
Institution: Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus
Doctor of Medicine (MD) (Provisional Entry for School-Leavers) - full-time    721302
Institution: The University of Queensland, St Lucia/Clinical Schools   
Doctor of Medicine (MD) Provisional Entry for School-Leavers (Bonded Medical Places) - full-time    721402
Institution: The University of Queensland, St Lucia/Clinical Schools   
Bachelor of Medical Science (MD Provisional Entry for School-Leavers) - full-time    228272
Institution: Griffith University, Nathan Campus
Bachelor of Medical Science (Griffith MD Provisional Entry for School-Leavers) - full-time    013231
Institution: USC, Sunshine Coast
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery - full-time (Closed)    317012
Institution: James Cook University, Townsville Campus    (Not eligible but I'm not wasting a change of preference to kick it off the list)

Griffith has a pretty high ATAR. I was once confident I could get that but recently not so much. I'm thinking UQ is most likely. It's a 7 year (minimum) deal in which you have to do a UQ undergraduate degree of your choosing before progressing to medicine. Courses that fulfilled my “practical career outcomes” criteria included nursing, speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy. It was by considering each of these courses carefully that pharmacy entered my radar. I thought about putting UQ pharm as a preference but I figure is be better to do it at Monash if I don't get a provisional medicine offer.
I'd really love to go to Griffith or UQ especially because my uncle's family lives in the area. Fingers crossed!

ATAR Day

If our flight isn't delayed, I'm due to touch down at Tullamarine airport a mere 20 minutes before our main event.
It takes a while to disembark, though, so I wonder whether I'll be too busy to check. I've also considered waiting until I got home (probably three hours later) to find out my results because I would be more comfortable. If you read my UMAT result day experience you might know why I'm a bit concerned. The cons of doing so would probably be missing the hype (lol) and having to wait knowing my ATAR is there. My mum's also going to be with me so she'll probably pressure me into opening it asap, too…
If any graduates want to give me their opinion I'm all ears!

Which first?
I actually replied to a thread on this saying I would “absolutely” open my study scores before my ATAR, trying to appeal to the conventional wisdom that “baby steps”. Now, however, I'm not so sure.
I figure that if I open my study scores first I'll analyse them and try to predict what my ATAR is, which probably would just add to the stress. I can just see myself going “oh god… 35, 35, 35, 35…? That's totally an 80…” and freaking myself out. Seeing the big picture would just be like ripping off the band-aid. It might sting but at least it's over - the pain from tugging at the tape adhered to skin and delaying the inevitable is unneeded!
So, despite my own advice, I think I will just go for ATAR first. I can get over that and then tackle the next problem: will I get over 25 for methods?

Disclosure of results
Despite feeling that I would like to keep my results private, I have never been in a position to do so. In my family, amongst my friends and in my school I have always been expected to disclose my results - usually, of course, because they were “good”.
I guess it's pride and fear of failure wanting me to keep it to myself.
Of course, I won't. ATARNotes won't be hearing long to hear of my results either! I'm happy about that though. To be honest, I think that I'll have a mixture of excellent results, above average results and maybe some below average. I think that's okay and if I can be an example of “I didn't do so good in this, but I worked to my strengths and this is what I achieved”, i think I'll be proud.

I'm not sure about a reaction video or anything. I'm not much of an exhibitionist so I doubt I will. I think perhaps a Facebook post is the extent of broadcasting I'll do.

Things to do
I'll probably be changing my preferences!
If need be, I'll head to school to discuss with my careers counsellor (I also need to return a library book lol). She has been an amazing support to me this year and seen me at my worst, so if things go belly up (e.g. I get 24 or below for math) I know she can help me.

I'll also probably coerce my mum into a celebratory dinner (despite spending all our money overseas!!). Even pizza would do. In any case, I don't think she will want to cook so a dinner out is probably in order.

I also got an offer for accommodation at Monash that I have to provide documentation for within 7 days. Hopefully by that time I might have a better idea of whether letting the offer lapse is okay!

Pre-ATAR advice

Distract yoself
Honestly, I have barely thought about results day. The thought of it isn't even that sickening. I think my calm is generally attributed to the fact that I went overseas and have been living my best life (lol) without a care in the world! In some ways, it also showed me that I could obviously lead a fantastic life if all failed. It has also grounded me and shown me what really matters.

Be productive
As an extension of that, though, is to distract yourself wisely. I could have easily spent a whole month working, watching YouTube/Netflix and partying with friends. But doing that would just cause me to question myself: what are you doing with your life!? That's what I did every school holiday! Doing something meaningful and productive made me feel so much more at ease

Don't talk about it
To be honest, despite what you may think, no-one wants to talk about it. It drives me up the wall trying to explain to my mum that the ATAR is just not an appropriate topic of conversation (with her or between my friends and I). It's like talking about a breakup. Before it happens, you don't want to talk about what it is going to be like, you don't want to give reasons to other people - it's between you and your partner. When it happens, you don't want dialogue. Whether you took it badly it you took it well, there is the “too soon” factor.  But most importantly, all breakups are different and everyone's reaction is different. It's a touchy subject… don't touch.

Have something after the ATAR to look forward to
That way, you can have an endpoints to your ATAR saga and walk away happy.


I'll probably update Saturday! Stay tuned and best wishes to everyone.
Quote from: Corrie Ten Boom
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.




Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sweetiepi on December 12, 2018, 11:24:50 am
Quote from: Sarangiya
Medical radiations is still on the list but I've added in pharm! A bit of unprecedented change, but now I wonder why I didn't consider it sooner. I like the idea of medical radiations leading to a practical occupation but I wasn't super mad on the idea of ~advanced physics~. Not only does Pharmacy appeal to my love of Chemistry, have practical career outcomes and fit snug in the health sector, it reminded me of an interest I've always had: drugs! Sounds a bit weird, I know, but I literally have the Drugs.com app on my old phone, and used to read pages upon pages on Wikipedia about (specifically) antipsychotic medications. I Every medication I have taken, I have read the leaflet included (even my contraceptive implant - which I googled since they don't give you one!)
Pharmacy is so much fun from what I hear around campus! ^-^
I too read up about drugs/medications all the time, but I personally love that there's an entire medicines handbook containing all sorts of information about medicines/drugs available on the Australian market! Unfortunately pharmsci don't use it much, but I always see the pharmacy kiddos studying it in the cafeteria during lunch! :)

All the best with results though, I reckon you have done amazingly well!!! ^-^
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: geek123456 on December 12, 2018, 12:41:22 pm
Loved reading your journal throughout the past months..bit sad that this journal is coming to an end soon but I wish you the very best of luck for your results :)
Hope to read more entries through your university journal next year!

Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: not.yet.a.nerd on December 12, 2018, 10:06:03 pm
I also have pharmacy as a backup in case I don't get into undergrad med... who knows, maybe we might meet on campus next year? Good luck with your results and seeing as you already have some amazing scores I'm sure your atar will be a pleasant surprise :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Evolio on December 13, 2018, 12:36:12 pm
Hi Sarangiya!
How are you going?
Just wanted to say that my mum and I have really enjoyed reading your VCE Journey over the year.
You have been a real inspiration, especially since I am going for Medicine at Monash as well. So, thank you!
I know you will have many successes in the future!
 :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 17, 2018, 03:15:45 am
Pharmacy is so much fun from what I hear around campus! ^-^
I too read up about drugs/medications all the time, but I personally love that there's an entire medicines handbook containing all sorts of information about medicines/drugs available on the Australian market! Unfortunately pharmsci don't use it much, but I always see the pharmacy kiddos studying it in the cafeteria during lunch! :)

All the best with results though, I reckon you have done amazingly well!!! ^-^
Thanks so much for the reply!
Awesome to get some feedback on the course (even if it's secondhand!). Since it's quite a rash decision, I never had the opportunity to attend the open days or ask about anything. I'm glad to hear that it might be fun!!

Haha wow!! I can definitely imagine myself doing that lol.
Thanks so much!!

Loved reading your journal throughout the past months..bit sad that this journal is coming to an end soon but I wish you the very best of luck for your results :)
Hope to read more entries through your university journal next year!
Thank you so much for the reply :) and I'm so glad you've enjoyed reading. I've enjoyed writing!
With that in mind, you can definitely expect a Uni journal from me next year. That also comes with a strong recommendation to anyone else thinking of starting one!!
Thanks so much and best of luck to you too!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 17, 2018, 03:20:39 am
I also have pharmacy as a backup in case I don't get into undergrad med... who knows, maybe we might meet on campus next year? Good luck with your results and seeing as you already have some amazing scores I'm sure your atar will be a pleasant surprise :)
Wow!! That's awesome. I'm glad we are in the same boat (well, I would be even more glad if we both got into undergrad med - but you know what I mean!). If this seriously ends up happening we definitely have to catch up because we may end up following a very similar path!!
All the best to you also and hope your ATAR was a pleasant surprise for you too!

Hi Sarangiya!
How are you going?
Just wanted to say that my mum and I have really enjoyed reading your VCE Journey over the year.
You have been a real inspiration, especially since I am going for Medicine at Monash as well. So, thank you!
I know you will have many successes in the future!
 :)
Hi Evolio! Thank you so much to you and your mum for reading! I'm so, so flattered!
Oh, fantastic!! I'll be rooting for you to get into Monash!! Please let me know how it goes :)
Thanks so much for your lovely message and wishing for much success for you too!! Best of luck!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 17, 2018, 03:34:53 am
the ATAR
This might be the toughest thing I've ever had to write, let alone post on ATARNotes. Nonetheless, it's all a part of the experience.

We left Seoul on an overnight flight Wednesday, and spent the day in Singapore on the Thursday. With another overnight flight into Melbourne, we were truly exhausted. I kept my eye on the time nervously as 7am edged closer and closer.
We were on the Skybus when I decided to open the app. I had my mum's phone in one hand recording my reaction (on recommendation of a ATARNotes user!). I had initially decided to keep it to myself, but put it on my story because my reaction was bland enough to not be embarrassing.

A transcript:warning: profanity
It's 4:11. No it's not. It's 7:11, and 4:11 Singaporean time. Let's go.
Oh my God.
That's a bit awkward. Yeet. Fuck.
My ATAR…
Oh shit.
Oh… no, no… mmkay.
My ATAR is 97.45. Oh my God.
So… why would that be my scaled fucking aggregate!?* No...
Wait, so I did w– *gasp* what?


As you might have realised, it came as quite a shock.
The first point of interest I have is “my scaled fucking aggregate”. If you're confused, so am I. What I actually was referring to was the fact that somehow my VET study ended up contributing to my 6 subjects. For those not familiar, an unscored VET creates a study score equivalent by taking your average study score as a 10% increment.
The second point of interest was how “I did w–”orse in psychology this year than what I did two years ago! Mad. In 2016 I got A+, A, A+ and a 43. This year I got A+, A+, A+ and a 41! I was mortified.
So, two study scores revealed: 41 for psychology, and 43 (4.3) for VET.
The next thing to catch my attention was philosophy. That is, the fact that it was in my top 4. English Language, Japanese, Psychology, Philosophy, UMEP, VET. I was stunned! My chemistry and methods scores were kicked to the curb. A 31 for chemistry
… and, as I had feared…
a 24 for methods.
Spoiler
Fuck.
I cannot begin to express the feeling. It wasn't panic, nor disappointment, nor, well, anything. I just sat back and wondered to myself: what am I going to do?

My study score for chemistry was meh. I barely even gave it a second glance, then or now. I thought it was good enough and since it wasn't in my six – who cares?
On the other hand, my 41 in English Language was a source of frustration. I had honestly thought I would, dare I say, ‘easily’ score over 45.

Overall, most of my thoughts were left unrecorded:
This isn't enough for medicine!
I can't believe I didn't score higher
I shouldn't have underestimated this
The previous dux got 97 as well, right?


I text my friends. The digits flow in. 91, 88, 90, 79…
Some are happy. Some are disappointed. Some immediately assess their likely offers. Some slept in.
It was only that morning that I truly thought the ATAR was a cruel thing. “I really wanted a 90,” one of my friends says to me. I knew she did. It sucks that “top 10%” is such a big deal. “My expectations of myself were too high,” says another. It sucks that the score had to be so entwined with ideas of the self. I try my best to console and congratulate.
My friends did the same for me. On Snapchat one messages me, “congrats my little dux!”
Another jokes, “dux for sure. Can't wait to hear your phony speech. “Study hard” when in reality “what homework did we have due today for Lang?””.
I say to them,
“Haha dunno about that.”
A bit later I ask,
“do you knew anyone who got higher?”
“Nope you're the highest.”
“Idk. It's anxiety but meh,” I reply. “Time will tell.”
Later again,
“I’m beginning to think it's not me. I haven't heard anything from the school.”
“Nah, maybe they'll send it later,” she replies.


We return home on the train. Standing under shelter from the rain and waiting for a taxi, my mum's phone happens to ring. It's the school reception. My mum talks to them briefly and hands over the phone. I don't even know who is on the other end of the line.
“How are you feeling?” they ask. I reply that I'm fine. It's obvious in my tone that it wasn't entirely true. “If you can in this weather, could you come to school briefly for a photo?”
Of course I agree, despite being desperate to sleep and having a knot slowly forming in my stomach.
We stand at the taxi rank, waiting and waiting. My mother suddenly remembers we don't have keys. I begin to panic.
I had always dreamed of this moment. Dux of my school, in the newspaper, and done up so nicely. It was slowly becoming obvious that “getting done up” was going to be taxiing to my cousin's place to have a shower and wearing clothes out of my suitcase.
I truly wanted to cry.
We get there, I shower, and put on creased, baggy clothes stinking of oil. There's no time for makeup, so I put on some lipstick in the hope it brings some colour to my face. We rush to school.

As we come through front reception, my Japanese teacher happens to be standing at the door, poised to leave for the day. I almost lose the strength in my knees. This woman is like a mother to me. Maybe someone I want to impress more than my own mother - a mentor, an inspiration.
She says congratulations to me. I'm on the verge of tears, and vaguely thank her.
“So, did you hear who got dux?”
“Oh, no, I haven't yet…” I reply. I have to look at the ceiling and pretend to laugh as my mum explains that I'm trying not to cry.
“She did all humanities subjects. It was the subject scores. You did well in Japanese, but she did well in everything,” she tells me. I can't even bother to try and think of who it is.
I try my best to finish our conversation.
I search for I'm meant to be. I just make it to where the newspaper photographers are. On my way, I pass the head of math (who barely acknowledged me lmfao) and my favourite teacher, my chemistry teacher. “Congrats on your big score,” he says. I want to kick myself.
As I line up with the other girls who got over ninety, I see one person is positioned in the foreground. With her back to me, I realise it is the dux. I couldn't recognise her but when we disbanded, I finally saw who it was.
I couldn't have been more pleased.
One of the nicest people I know, and a really hard worker in all aspects of life. I love her artwork, and the way she would spot me waiting outside her gym for the bus and chat with me. I felt so ashamed and upset having to find out I wasn't dux from one of the most important people in my life, but I felt a weight lift because I genuinely thought that she truly deserved it.

I stayed back and chatted to the girls who had achieved over 90. I felt a little more contented. Eventually, I decide I should leave. Finally, I thought I could get home and sleep.
We get our keys from a friend who had been looking after our dogs while we were away and head home.
We open the door, and our young pup comes rushing in. But, my mum and I walk out to see our other dog lying in her bed. We try to get her attention but she refuses to move. My mum picks her up to bring her inside. As she places her down on her feet, she slides and lies down. She is panting heavily and rapidly. I say to my mum, “I don't think she can stand.” My mum props her up on her legs and bribes her with treats to have her walk. She stumbles around to and fro, looking a shell of what she was when we left.
My disappointment from my ATAR and my shock from being runner up to our dux was not enough to make me cry all morning.
This time, I began to wail.
Spoiler
I sit with my girl, Ruby, at the front door. She seems to recognise me, but her eyes are glassy. She doesn't seem to be in pain, but her laboured breathing doesn't cease. We had a family member come check on her but two days ago only to be told that she seemed fine. I looked at her and I knew I couldn't let her be in this condition overnight. Me, someone who won't even cry at the Notebook and yet was so upset at the Hachiko movie I threw a phone book across the room.
We called and took Ruby to the vet. The receptionist looks at her and says it's best to take her to triage. We wait in a separate room, faces red and eyes swollen. The veterinary surgeon comes in and tells us that Ruby is in a bad way, that we had two options. One, to investigate what was causing her laboured breathing - warning us that it was most likely untreatable. Two, to put Ruby down. We admitted that we both thought the appointment today had one outcome. The vet agreed that it was probably the best thing to do.
And so I said goodbye to my best friend.

I can't begin to explain. The shock of seeing my slowly ageing dog suddenly deteriorate. The guilt of making her suffer for a whole month alone. The emptiness of our house. My younger dog howling at night.
The only things I can say are that I am truly glad we could see her before she had to go, and that she was at a point that we knew what the only choice was.
Most of all, it put everything into perspective.
I was disappointed and upset at my results, but it was nowhere near the devastation and grief I felt after letting Ruby go.
My ATAR day has quite possibly been the (second) worst day of my entire life. Very dramatic but not an exaggeration.
But in the end, I truly realised what everyone has been telling me this whole time.
In the grand scheme of things,
it's just a number.

(https://i.ibb.co/ZYqq0vY/Image003.jpg)

P.S. my deepest apologies for the extreme emotion lol. I thought about lightening it up a bit, but I wanted to record my true feeling towards what happened.
Please stay tuned for a more optimistic post soon (19th)!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: geek123456 on December 17, 2018, 12:45:33 pm
I have been following your journal for quiet a time now and loved reading your entries as I have similar aspirations of perusing med school.Thank you for giving all of us on atarnotes an incredible insight to your Vce life!

Extremely sorry for Ruby :-[
Loosing your companion and that toooo a wonderful one like Ruby is a great loss.
Hopefully she rests in peace and you always have happy memories with her.
Do not blame yourself for leaving her alone for a month for your trip to Korea.
Her time had come and maybe not being with her was for the best.Seeing her suffer like this would break your heart every single day.Now you can think happy things, the way she grabbed the ball when you threw it to her, the way she snuggled besides you for comfort, whenever you remember her!And not her whimpering in pain.

The second thing I wanted to say is it is okay to feel sorry for yourself . You do not need to justify why you wanted to become a dux or even bag that 99+ atar.It is perfectly alright to feel disappointed and empty when you do not exceed your expectations.I feel like, going through all these emotions will help you heal much more faster and the quicker you come in terms with it the more content you will feel later on.
You might feel like the dream of getting into medicine might be slipping away and you might find yourself subjected to criticism from certain people about your atar,but all I want to say is right now just block all negativity.Think through your options clearly.What you can do NOW instead what you could have done in the PAST.Your atar does not define your capabilities .You are greater than that.
In many moments of your life you might feel like your hardwork is not reflected in the outcome of the work, it is totally okay because these events will shape your personality later on in life.This hype of who got what atar and ooo 90+ is only temporary.With the heat waves of December this to shall pass.
As Walt Whitman once said and I quote :keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you

I truly wish the very best for your upcoming life and hope you slay all the dragons that come your way!

P.s Congratulations on finishing your VCE! 12 years of schooling is officially completed.You should be proud of yourself! :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: hums_student on December 17, 2018, 04:42:48 pm
Hey Sarangiya, first I just want to say sorry about Ruby - it must have been extremely difficult, but at least she got to spend her final moments with you. She actually looks a lot like my dogs, think they might be the same breed? I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose one of them. But sadly it’s something we all have to deal with sooner or later. Hope your younger pup is doing okay.

Next, can I please congratulate you on your absolutely sick ATAR? Like, I know it’s not as high as you expected, but from reading your journal this year (and also from, uh... stalking your previous posts) I can see that you have crazy high expectations for yourself. And that’s okay. I really aspire to be like that. I think all of us can learn a lot from you - your willingness to learn, your humble attitude, and your desire to achieve the best you possibly can. I don’t think any number can accurately reflect your abilities.

Hang in there and know that all of us are rooting for you. All the best!! :)

Ps. Looking forward to your university journal next year ;)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 19, 2018, 05:08:46 pm
I have been following your journal for quiet a time now and loved reading your entries as I have similar aspirations of perusing med school.Thank you for giving all of us on atarnotes an incredible insight to your Vce life!

Extremely sorry for Ruby :-[
Loosing your companion and that toooo a wonderful one like Ruby is a great loss.
Hopefully she rests in peace and you always have happy memories with her.
Do not blame yourself for leaving her alone for a month for your trip to Korea.
Her time had come and maybe not being with her was for the best.Seeing her suffer like this would break your heart every single day.Now you can think happy things, the way she grabbed the ball when you threw it to her, the way she snuggled besides you for comfort, whenever you remember her!And not her whimpering in pain.

The second thing I wanted to say is it is okay to feel sorry for yourself . You do not need to justify why you wanted to become a dux or even bag that 99+ atar.It is perfectly alright to feel disappointed and empty when you do not exceed your expectations.I feel like, going through all these emotions will help you heal much more faster and the quicker you come in terms with it the more content you will feel later on.
You might feel like the dream of getting into medicine might be slipping away and you might find yourself subjected to criticism from certain people about your atar,but all I want to say is right now just block all negativity.Think through your options clearly.What you can do NOW instead what you could have done in the PAST.Your atar does not define your capabilities .You are greater than that.
In many moments of your life you might feel like your hardwork is not reflected in the outcome of the work, it is totally okay because these events will shape your personality later on in life.This hype of who got what atar and ooo 90+ is only temporary.With the heat waves of December this to shall pass.
As Walt Whitman once said and I quote :keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you

I truly wish the very best for your upcoming life and hope you slay all the dragons that come your way!

P.s Congratulations on finishing your VCE! 12 years of schooling is officially completed.You should be proud of yourself! :)
Hey! Thank you so much for your reply :)

Thank you so much for comforting me about Ruby. It was so sweet. I think my best memories of her were when I was little. I would get into bed with my mum at nighttime and use a laptop propped on a pillow to watch a DVD. Ruby would jump on the bed and curl up at our feet :)

You're right. I was sad to not have exceeded my expectations, but as you said, I feel like I recovered from it much more quickly because I had an outlet to explore and validate all of my emotions. Thank you so much for being a part of that process - you are obviously wise beyond your years.
As for criticism, I have been so lucky to have a supportive and safe environment at home and on ATARNotes. I haven't heard anything disheartening yet, but I do feel insecure about it. I can't help but thinking that no medical school would admit me with such an ATAR, or that someone so bad at math should not be a doctor. I was a little disappointed in myself, but moreso I felt embarrassed or ashamed. I felt like everyone expected more of me, and that my non-performance made everything think, wow, I guess she wasn't all that after all!
It's really tough. I can't help but feel a little insecure. But nonetheless, I think in time those feelings will come to pass. And as you said, I can start improving now! There's nothing that can be done to fix what has already happened, but maybe a bridging course or an undergraduate degree can be a way to build upon these lows. I'm so happy that you invite such positive thinking.

Thank you so much again and great quote! Congratulations and best luck to you too :)

Hey Sarangiya, first I just want to say sorry about Ruby - it must have been extremely difficult, but at least she got to spend her final moments with you. She actually looks a lot like my dogs, think they might be the same breed? I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose one of them. But sadly it’s something we all have to deal with sooner or later. Hope your younger pup is doing okay.

Next, can I please congratulate you on your absolutely sick ATAR? Like, I know it’s not as high as you expected, but from reading your journal this year (and also from, uh... stalking your previous posts) I can see that you have crazy high expectations for yourself. And that’s okay. I really aspire to be like that. I think all of us can learn a lot from you - your willingness to learn, your humble attitude, and your desire to achieve the best you possibly can. I don’t think any number can accurately reflect your abilities.

Hang in there and know that all of us are rooting for you. All the best!! :)

Ps. Looking forward to your university journal next year ;)
Hi Kade (if I can call you that) - thank you so much for your kind words.
Ruby is a papillon cross! i wonder if they are a same or similar breed? Losing her was tough. But you're right - it was time and what can we do about that? Our younger dog is doing okay but we think he is grieving too. He is very quiet and howls when we go to bed or leave the house. I think he's lonely, but hopefully we can entertain him and get him in high spirits again! Nonetheless, I hope you have many more wonderful years with your dogs.

Thank you so much! Congratulations on your amazing ATAR! You should be so proud. I agree that we are more than this number!
I really appreciate what you said. I hope next year I can set some more achievable goals for myself. I'm sure you'll see many more successes next year and beyond! Great work and my warmest congratulations to you!

Thank you! Best of luck to you too.
P.S. Also looking forward to yours ;)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 19, 2018, 07:05:28 pm
I promised a more optimistic entry, so here it is!
Today was the deadline for change of preferences. And with that, I'm going to lay out for you my plan. I'm moving forward!

Top Picks
In order (kind of), and why:

1. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Tasmania
Unfortunately, this is probably the least likely. I did not receive a rural offer (guaranteed spot for 95+ ATAR), so my getting into this course relies solely on other people declining their offers in favour of non-rural places or places from other universities. Even though the declination rate is quite high among UTas applicants, it sure isn't very hope-inspiring. Nonetheless, it could happen! I'm just going to keep my fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes crossed. I love the idea of being a little bit closer to home, being in a regional area (but still a bit more 'city' than home), only needing to do 5 years and being around people with similar backgrounds! Plus, a have an offer for accommodation in Hobart. Everything's perfect except... the offer (or lack thereof!)

2. Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales
I technically still have a chance at UNSW, which is as amazing. I would definitely cry if I was lucky enough to get an offer. On another forum (if you know, you know) there were a couple of people who reported these offers!: 69th %ile, 97.10, rural, CSP, Kensington, and 64th %ile, 97.45, rural, gap year, BMP, Port Mac. I'd be so happy to go to either Port Mac or Kensington, bonded or not. The problem is, of course, the interview. Fingers and toes crossed.
I love that this course is so prestigious and yet so wholesome. It has options to study overseas, respects the humanities, and has great technology and staff involvement. The problem would be money... Kensington is not a cheap place to live or study. Port Macquarie, though, would be much more reasonable. If it Sydney, I'm sure I'll be able to get some support. If it's Port Mac, maybe I'll be able to have some tiny amount of spare cash! (lol)

3. MD Provisional Entry for School Leavers at the University of Queensland
This is also really unlikely. I would need enough adjustment factors to lift my ATAR to a 99 (it's nice they even allow this!). Considering I have a 97.45, the amount I'd need is... hm. Since I am going through the rural access scheme, I can only have a maximum of 5 adjustment factors. I think I'd probably meet the maximum (two for regionality, two for a second language, and one for UMEP). But on Monash's calculator, apparently 5 points only brings me up to a 98-something at max. Not fun. But who knows? Maybe I'm just high enough on the list to be considered! Whatever the case, I'd love to go to UQ because Brisbane is a beautiful city. My cousin also attends QUT which is just across the road(river), so I'd have family there. Plus, I could choose an undergraduate program I liked (probably pharmacy, or health sciences is I don't meet their math prereq lol). UQ have also been in the news recently on award of their research, which is really awesome. Unlikely, but who knows!

4. Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medical) at La Trobe University
I recently got an invitation to be interviewed by La Trobe! I'm so stoked. This course is probably the most likely on my list, and it's also great because it is in Victoria. I really loved Albury when I went there this year for an interview at UNSW, so I am sure I'd enjoy studying there! I went to Bendigo last year as well, so I could check out Monash's Rural Clinic School. La Trobe's is literally next to it - I should have been looking at that instead. Bendigo is a lovely place and the hospital has had some great renovations. I'd love it there, too! La Trobe is also my mother's alma mater and my correspondence with them so far has been so personal and pleasant. I really think it is a nice university. My only qualm is the fact that the program is in its first year. It might be innovative and fun, but in the end it is experimental. I have no senior students to turn to, no past resources, and nothing to expect or anticipate. It's a little daunting, but look, I think it'd be a great course nonetheless and I'd be extremely grateful to get a chance at La Trobe. For those who aren't aware, it is supposedly a guaranteed pathway into a Doctor of Medicine (Rural) run by the University of Melbourne.

Backups
By institution, in no order whatsoever (which is a problem lol).

University of Tasmania
Bachelor of Medical Research

This degree is the only course from which UTas will be accepting non-standard applications. It's possible to receive a guaranteed offer into medicine after finishing the BMedRes, as well as to attempt to transfer each year into the MBBS through 'competitive entry'. This makes this course really tempting. I meet the prerequisites and the ATAR by miles, and I have accommodation waiting for me. The problem is the actual likelihood of transferring or being accepting into med during/following the degree. I also don't have much information on it. I do kind of like the idea of medical research, but only insofar as a discipline at university, not really a profession. That's purely because I don't think there is much job security. If it was on the side (of example, practicing medicine lol) I would definitely love to try it out. It may tick prerequisites for graduate medicine at other institutions, which is a plus. The minus is that if I just cannot make it in anywhere - what the hell would I do for money? I don't think this degree boasts wide career opportunities, which is one of my "course prerequisites". In any case, if I got a guaranteed entry offer, this is a real possibility.

RMIT University
Bachelor of Medical Radiations (Nuclear Medicine)

I am so grateful to RMIT for setting their prerequisite scores at 20+ instead of 25+. Bless. I am still interested in this pathway. I think the job market for medical imaging (nuclear medicine/radiation therapy/imaging) is better than pharmacy and some other allied health professions. The course also seems pretty interesting, and I've heard good things from current students. Travelling to Bundoora until I found accommodation wouldn't be bad, either. My issues lie with whether I would be able to get into medicine after (I know maybe my thoughts will change, but I don't want to close any doors). I must contact RMIT to see whether it would be a suitable pre-medical degree. It's actually quite a good option, but I'm not sure if I have the same passion for it as I do pharmacy (or a guaranteed entry pathway).

Monash University
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) and Master of Pharmacy

I have been quite fascinated by the prospect of pharmacy recently. I think it would be really fun and well-suited to me. Not to mention that Monash is pretty prestigious when it comes to pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Moreover, it would open up 25 spots for Monash's MD course. The competition would be fierce, which makes that drawcard... less of a 'draw' and more just a 'card'. Being in Parkville, commuting would not be out of the question. Moreover, it provides a reasonable job market to enter into after having graduated if I choose not to do medicine. The drawback is probably that I will have to undergo Monash's 16-day mathematics course. It is the [link=Monash Maths Bridging]https://www.monashcollege.edu.au/courses/maths-bridging#tabs__757087-06[/link]. It is quite the commitment because it's not easy nor cheap to go to Melbourne for 16 days (~$250 in travel costs at least). There is also the tuition fee of $1,200... but I may be able to have it waived due to financial difficulty. I would be really excited to try pharmacy... it's hard to know which is the best 'backup'. For now I've ordered pharmacy higher than medical imaging, but I'll be only be eligible for pharmacy second round. Maybe I can accept both and then decide.
Bachelor of Biomedicine
Opens 50 places for Monash MD but so competitive... there are also below average career opportunities and I'd only be average for round two after completing the bridging course (would I even get an offer!?). I listed this above RMIT but now I'm not so sure. I did have an offer for accommodation at Clayton but I had to let it lapse because they wanted a non-refundable $500 rental deposit. That's totally morally comprehensible considering first round offers aren't even out! Plus the rental agreement begins but two days after they are actually out! That makes sooo much sense...!
Bachelor of Arts
Allows me to transfer into another degree, I guess. I also enjoy studying the humanities (obviously). But see above ^

University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Science is basically a no-go because UniMelb have no feasible bridging programs. Well, they do, but they take a semester at least. Plus, it would just be another degree with average-ish career outcomes and average-ish chances at graduate med places. I would be able to commute though. I did always love Melbourne Uni, too...

Thoughts
Not easy, right!? I have a lot of options - which is a great thing. It just matters how many of these are actually offered to me!
At first I was so devastated by my ATAR and by my methods study score. Now, it is really making me think about what I want out of university. A Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts is a great option for some people because its broad, can be extended into further education, and allows you explore your interests. But for me, these things come second to finding a job. It seems kind of cynical, but I'm a realist, and my background is thus. Something in common though, between all courses and all people, is that these courses are yet again stepping stones. Just like your ATAR, they are just keys to various locks that will open doors for you. I'm excited to walk down any of these paths - whether it be medicine, medical imaging, pharmacy, science or arts - because I know each in their own way will be a fantastic journey.

That's all from me for today! I know most people end their journals when ATAR scores are out, but I want to end on a good note. I hope my thoughts can inspire some discussion - what are your preferences? where are you going to live now that you know you'll get x offer? what would you do in my situation (I'd really like to know!)? are there any other pathways I'm sleeping on? what are your "course prerequisites" - what does university mean to you?
Sometime next week for my final post I'd like to cap off by reviewing the year, recapping this journal, imparting my first words of advice as a former VCE student, and wish everyone happy holidays! My offers, and which I accepted, will be announced in my University Journey Journal so make sure you look out for it!!

Congratulations to my lovely class of 2018 and best wishes for everything to come!

And many thanks to geek123456 for this week's very applicable quote:

As Walt Whitman once said and I quote :keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: zhen on December 19, 2018, 07:32:30 pm
Hey. I haven’t posted in a long time, but recently I’ve been lurking and reading through your journal. First of all, it must have been hard to lose Ruby and I hope you can cherish your memories with her.

I also just wanted to say that your ATAR is just something that can get you into your desired course. It’s nothing more and nothing less. It doesn’t define your self worth or who you are. As a university student, I can say that very few people care about your ATAR once you get to university. I don’t think that I’ve talked about my ATAR since starting university. Of course getting a high ATAR is an amazing achievement and it’s understandable to feel down after not meeting your goals, but don’t let it drag you down. Take it as a learning experience. It’s easy to dwell on the past, but you should try to look at the mistakes you made and try to improve.

Another thing I wanted to say is that I can relate to the feeling of insecurity. I’ve personally obsessed over how other people would see me and how I didn’t meet their expectations. But, over the past year, I’ve began to realise that it doesn’t really matter how other people see you. What matters is how you see yourself. We determine our own sense of satisfaction and we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others or care about how others see us.

Anyway, hopefully that wasn’t too insensitive. Good luck on your course offers. 
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 21, 2018, 10:46:43 pm
Hey. I haven’t posted in a long time, but recently I’ve been lurking and reading through your journal. First of all, it must have been hard to lose Ruby and I hope you can cherish your memories with her.

I also just wanted to say that your ATAR is just something that can get you into your desired course. It’s nothing more and nothing less. It doesn’t define your self worth or who you are. As a university student, I can say that very few people care about your ATAR once you get to university. I don’t think that I’ve talked about my ATAR since starting university. Of course getting a high ATAR is an amazing achievement and it’s understandable to feel down after not meeting your goals, but don’t let it drag you down. Take it as a learning experience. It’s easy to dwell on the past, but you should try to look at the mistakes you made and try to improve.

Another thing I wanted to say is that I can relate to the feeling of insecurity. I’ve personally obsessed over how other people would see me and how I didn’t meet their expectations. But, over the past year, I’ve began to realise that it doesn’t really matter how other people see you. What matters is how you see yourself. We determine our own sense of satisfaction and we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others or care about how others see us.

Anyway, hopefully that wasn’t too insensitive. Good luck on your course offers. 
Wooow!! I feel so honoured to receive a reply from you!
I read your journal throughout the year and used it often for inspiration. I'm so glad you're back on ATARNotes!

I completely agree. Thank you so much for your advice!!
I'm also glad to empathize with my silly insecure feelings. I'm glad to hear that sometime I'll get over it. You're an inspiration to have changed your opinion around to something so positive.

Not at all! Thank you so, so much! I'm so flattered that you'd reply!
Good luck for your second year out of school, too!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: smamsmo22 on December 21, 2018, 11:56:58 pm
Hey, congrats on completing VCE!!
I've read your journal every now and then through the year and I just wanted to let you know that I found your relentless commitment to your set goals really awesome to see. I know your ATAR and UMAT were somewhat disappointing (I can relate to your high expectations and how they can be both a blessing and a real burden!!!) but the way you've responded in terms of thoroughly researching your courses and being so open to the range of opportunities available is wonderful (: I'm sure you'll make it to medicine and (apologies for how cliche this sounds) these challenges (this year and in whatever fascinating course you choose to study) will only make you a better doctor.. even if it happens a year or two later than you initially planned.
As a fellow year 12 and potential future med student (not studying it next year but maybe in the future!) I genuinely wish you all the best and hope you achieve everything you're capable of!! There is really no point to this post lmao I just feel everyone can do with some encouragement, especially after all the work you've put in and the seriously great results you've achieved.

I can't wait to hear your future plans (: What's the no. 1 thing you're looking forward to for uni?
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 22, 2018, 01:15:12 am
Hey, congrats on completing VCE!!
I've read your journal every now and then through the year and I just wanted to let you know that I found your relentless commitment to your set goals really awesome to see. I know your ATAR and UMAT were somewhat disappointing (I can relate to your high expectations and how they can be both a blessing and a real burden!!!) but the way you've responded in terms of thoroughly researching your courses and being so open to the range of opportunities available is wonderful (: I'm sure you'll make it to medicine and (apologies for how cliche this sounds) these challenges (this year and in whatever fascinating course you choose to study) will only make you a better doctor.. even if it happens a year or two later than you initially planned.
As a fellow year 12 and potential future med student (not studying it next year but maybe in the future!) I genuinely wish you all the best and hope you achieve everything you're capable of!! There is really no point to this post lmao I just feel everyone can do with some encouragement, especially after all the work you've put in and the seriously great results you've achieved.

I can't wait to hear your future plans (: What's the no. 1 thing you're looking forward to for uni?

Hi! Thank you so much for reading and making a reply :D
Congratulations to you too for finishing school and for your phat ATAR!!! Truly amazing! Hope you get tons of scholarships and offers and... wow!!

Yes, it was a tough year and certainly turned out way different to what I had ever imagined. Thank you so much for the encouragement. To be honest, it has been really difficult to try and see my backups in a positive light. I am just so desperate for any of my 'top picks' to work out. But it's okay. As you said, hopefully going through all this will help me grow as an individual.

Thanks again so much! Glad to hear we might be in a similar place somewhere down the track :) Can I ask what you are planning to study next year? Did you always know you wanted to try an undergraduate degree first and then medicine, or what's the story behind that?

Hmmm... at this point I think I'm just looking forward to having something to do! I didn't know finishing school would make me this bored and lonely lmao. What are you most looking forward to?

All the best! :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: smamsmo22 on December 22, 2018, 09:02:22 am
I've actually always had an interest in physio and up until around a year ago didn't really consider myself a chance for med. I looked into it and became interested, so I applied for the UMAT etc (although really didn't take it seriously enough... I definitely underestimated how intensely some people approach med entry.. I had no idea!!!). Anyways, I didn't get the UMAT needed for Monash med which would've been my top preference. This is just a personal choice, but I really didn't think I would be happy studying and then working interstate as I'm quite attached to and happy with the life I have here in Melb. Researching med entry exposed me to plenty of people who were more than happy to move far and wide to study (and then live), which is totally fine, but I realised that wouldn't be the best decision for me, and ultimately med wasn't some lifelong passion.. I was still really interested in physio, and I could study in my home city AND I would be qualified in 4 years.
So for now my plan is to do that, or at least pursue physio for a year and see where I stand. If I'm still wanting to do med I figured a 4 year physio degree before post grad med which will qualify me to work as a physio if I don't make it to med is much more practical, and linked to my interests, than a 3 year science/biomed/health science degree, despite the extra year.

Anyway, enough about me on your journal, it was really lovely to speak to you and I wish you all the best again! Keep us updated (:
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Bri MT on December 22, 2018, 11:46:13 am
Thought I'd stop by the winning vic journal to offer you congratulations!!

We're lucky to have you,  and I hope this helps you realise how much we appreciate your contributions :)

Your honesty,  integrity,  capability & work ethic has inspired many; I hope you pause to acknowledge how positively your presence has been felt by the community :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on December 24, 2018, 03:16:20 pm
I've actually always had an interest in physio and up until around a year ago didn't really consider myself a chance for med. I looked into it and became interested, so I applied for the UMAT etc (although really didn't take it seriously enough... I definitely underestimated how intensely some people approach med entry.. I had no idea!!!). Anyways, I didn't get the UMAT needed for Monash med which would've been my top preference. This is just a personal choice, but I really didn't think I would be happy studying and then working interstate as I'm quite attached to and happy with the life I have here in Melb. Researching med entry exposed me to plenty of people who were more than happy to move far and wide to study (and then live), which is totally fine, but I realised that wouldn't be the best decision for me, and ultimately med wasn't some lifelong passion.. I was still really interested in physio, and I could study in my home city AND I would be qualified in 4 years.
So for now my plan is to do that, or at least pursue physio for a year and see where I stand. If I'm still wanting to do med I figured a 4 year physio degree before post grad med which will qualify me to work as a physio if I don't make it to med is much more practical, and linked to my interests, than a 3 year science/biomed/health science degree, despite the extra year.

Anyway, enough about me on your journal, it was really lovely to speak to you and I wish you all the best again! Keep us updated (:
Yes, I totally get you! It is a really hard decision to make. I know that earlier this year (a mere 11 months ago!) I hadn't even thought of studying interstate. When I began considering it, that was hard enough! So I can definitely understand that for some it just isn't what they want to do – especially if they have something else lined up at home! With that said, I really think physio will be great. Everyone I have talked to who is studying physio loves it. I hope it is everything you want and more!
Best of luck!

Thought I'd stop by the winning vic journal to offer you congratulations!!

We're lucky to have you,  and I hope this helps you realise how much we appreciate your contributions :)

Your honesty,  integrity,  capability & work ethic has inspired many; I hope you pause to acknowledge how positively your presence has been felt by the community :)
Thank you so much miniturtle! Everyone has been an amazing support (especially you) and it has made writing this journal a rewarding experience. Congratulations on MVP, you more than deserve it!

And thank you ATARNotes for the award! This truly is a fantastic community and I'm so happy to be a part of it. I can't wait to see what the AN team has in store for the future!

Thank you again so much for your kind words! And thank you all for reading <3
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 14, 2019, 12:45:10 am
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope everyone had a lovely festive season. Congratulations to my lovely class of 2018 and my absolute best wishes and encouragement to the next class of 2019!
This will be the last post on my VCE Journey Journal. I can't believe how much fun I have had writing. I've had even more fun reading! Thank you to all of you who followed my year, especially those who became dear friends. It has really been an amazing experience.


Rewind
Term 1
I was off to a rating start. Many were surprised at just how far ahead I was trying to work. I used an app called 'Asana’ (didn't mention that at the time) to try and take notes for a whole chapter per week.
I got 4th in the class for a differentiation test in methods! Who woulda thunk I got 24 in the end lmfao.
I began doing UMAT practice exams - albeit only a couple - this early on! Who woulda thunk I didn't even get 50/50/50 lmfao.
I had swimming carnival, athletics carnival and retreat - all of which I attended and participated in.
I tried to predict exam dates and bought tickets to Japan!
I noted how little really happened in Term 1 (haha).
During the holidays, I did basically nothing. I got MOTM on ATARNotes :)

Term 2
I did a LOT of complaining about SACs, and continued to pull sickies. I also started watching a drama I loved (what a mistake). In the end, the drama took a twist and it is now remembered as one of the most disappointing shows I've seen. Towards the end of the term I was even watching two dramas simultaneously lol.
I began to feel a bit desperate in hope for the term to end. My troubles with English Language emerge and I'm beginning to go downhill with methods.
My insecurity about choosing medicine surfaced. I battles with it for a long time. Through year 10 and 11, I did not tell anyone I wanted to do medicine because I was scared they'd criticise my decision. I slowly began to tell people my true desires to mixed reactions.
I went into theatre at my work placement for the first time and loved it. Still the best thing I did in 2018.
The GAT happened!
During the holidays, I had practice exams and yet again did basically nothing.

Term 3
The feared UMAT!! what a saga that was
I went to the Monash Open Day feeling very, very keen on going there. That was tough to deal with later on.
VTAC preferences! Was way too keen.
I reflected on the possibility of patients dying, became obsessed with another drama, and thought about the finality that studying our final area of studies brought.
Made the 100th post on my journal and looked back over my years of schooling in general.
I had my “worst week of the year”. In hindsight, it probably was, although not the worst day. That would come later, and I was none the wiser. On the other hand, though, I was flooded with beautiful, kind words of encouragement from the AN community. I also began to consider applying for medicine interstate, which turned about to be a very pivotal decision!
I had my 18th birthday and my final placement at work. Both good memories.

Term 4
First, I'm happy to announce I received an invitation for an interview at the University of New South Wales!
I am so fortunate, considering everything. Apparently there should be 150 rural interviewees and 51 given a place. That means that 1 in 3 will get a place. I'll have to be a very good little talker to somehow sneak my way into the top third.
My odds aren't very good. Though I was so excited to get an invitation I am being wary of not getting my hopes too high.
My closest interview location is in Albury-Wodonga. It will take me about 5 hours to get there, which will also be an ordeal. I did have a sneaky look on Tiger to see if I could nab some cheap flights but I don't think I can justify the price. Although, it would be nice to see the Kensington campus (and maybe have a weekend in Sydney or something!?)
We will just have to see.
Interesting.
“I think I can get above 99 (touch wood lol)” [[should have actually touched wood]]]]
I had my final practice exams and did very averagely on them. I began to go very downhill here. It's a miracle I got where I did tbh I was very, very stupid.
I went to the interview in Albury and told my interviewer I loved him.
I also got an interview at WSU but couldn't attend. I screwed up my application for Adelaide so nothing there. I was rejected by UTas in December.
Celebration Day and Graduation Dinner !
I completed my exams and went to Japan and Korea. I took a long hiatus.
I got my ATAR, which would be the worst day of the year. I carefully considered my options.

Play and Pause
Thursday the 10th rolls around. I had lazily noted in my calendar that UAC offers came out tomorrow - as easily forgotten about as it was remembered. For some reason, that night, I get out of bed and look for a 合格お守り (lucky charm for passing?) I had bought at 勝尾寺, a temple north of Osaka especially for 'winning’. I decided, being my slightly superstitious self, that I would hold it in my sleep.
I slept horribly. I kept waking up during the night, each time after a nightmare of seeing “no offers this round” over and over and over. I would check the time, clutch my charm harder and go back to sleep (about 4 times!)
Finally, my 7:30 alarm goes off. I refresh my emails and see from UAC: “Offer of admission” followed by “Congratulations” (sent at 2:21am tho!?)

You have received an offer to Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine - full time at UNSW (428000), start date 18 Feb 2019 (course type: CSP)
!!!!!!!!!!!

(Actually you got baited because later in the email it says I actually got a BMP place lol - not that I care!)

That's right!! Your girl actually somehow got into undergraduate medicine!!!! Nothing short of a miracle.
I guess the man I said “love you” to must have loved me back!

It took me a few days but I've organised flights, temporary accomodation for me and mum, long term accommodation for the whole year for me, and my enrolment! It was an extremely stressful and scary weekend but now only excitement remains.

I want to share with you this:
My UMAT was pretty average. I cried and mourned and thought the dream had ended. I ended up making a risky decision to broaden my horizons. My ATAR was not the best. I cried and mourned and again, thought the dream had ended.
The dream didn't end. I'm studying medicine at an amazing University, in Kensington nonetheless! (I thought I barely stood a chance for Port Mac!)
No matter what your dream is, how distant if feels, or what people tell you: go for it. You never know what may happen. Risky decisions that stem from a bump in the road may turn out to be a fantastic investment.
To the class of 2019: please go and chase your dreams. They're waiting for you somewhere.


Fast Forward
I have been to Sydney once. I was 14, and it was for 4 days. Now, I'll be living there for the best part of 6 whole years.

I'll struggle but hey, that's what made this journal interesting (ish).

If you want to read about it:
Sarangiya's 너무 사랑하는 Medical Journey Journal

THANK YOU for tackling this year with me.
Good luck to the Class of 2019!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: rani_b on January 14, 2019, 10:21:31 am
Congratulations!!!
I've loved reading your journal. Good luck for this year <3
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Quantum44 on January 14, 2019, 01:55:13 pm
Huge congrats!!! Glad to see everything worked out in the end. UNSW is a fantastic place to study medicine from what I’ve heard, and moving interstate is really exciting! Looking forward to reading about your med school journey in the future :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Macrophagee on January 14, 2019, 07:28:55 pm
Hey Sarangiya
I just want to congatulate you on your AMAZING OFFER!! From reading your VCE journal I'm super happy that everything worked out in the end!!!
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: cookiedream on January 14, 2019, 08:07:10 pm
OMG, massive congratulations!!!! I'm so so happy for you!! You went through so much this year, yet you stayed determined and now your dream came true. I knew you could do it ;D Best of luck for your journey as a medical student (and future doctor!!) and I hope you enjoy the rest of your holidays

Can't wait to read your med school journey journal :D
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: Joseph41 on January 15, 2019, 03:47:48 pm
I've only just seen this update. This is such good news - I actually got goosebumps reading your post!

Fantastic work, and really well deserved. Super happy for you. :)
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: sarangiya on January 16, 2019, 09:25:21 pm
Congratulations!!!
I've loved reading your journal. Good luck for this year <3

Huge congrats!!! Glad to see everything worked out in the end. UNSW is a fantastic place to study medicine from what I’ve heard, and moving interstate is really exciting! Looking forward to reading about your med school journey in the future :)

Hey Sarangiya
I just want to congatulate you on your AMAZING OFFER!! From reading your VCE journal I'm super happy that everything worked out in the end!!!

OMG, massive congratulations!!!! I'm so so happy for you!! You went through so much this year, yet you stayed determined and now your dream came true. I knew you could do it ;D Best of luck for your journey as a medical student (and future doctor!!) and I hope you enjoy the rest of your holidays

Can't wait to read your med school journey journal :D

I've only just seen this update. This is such good news - I actually got goosebumps reading your post!

Fantastic work, and really well deserved. Super happy for you. :)

Thank you so much guys!!! You're all so kind.
I've really enjoyed writing this and reading your lovely responses. It has truly made my year <3
I just wanted to congratulate everyone today for their VTAC offers! I hope everyone got what they wanted. If not, it's never too late so just keep trying. It'll all happen in the end :)
I also happened to get offers for: Doctor of Medicine (MD) (Provisional Entry for School-Leavers) program at The University of Queensland (CSP) and La Trobe University - Bendigo, Biomedical Science (Medical) which was guaranteed entry into the University of Melbourne Doctor of Medicine (Rural).
I have decided to stick with UNSW! :D

Congratulations again to everything and thank you guys all so much again !
Title: Re: Sarangiya's 사랑하는 VCE Journal
Post by: dedformed on September 22, 2020, 01:28:14 pm
I know this is an old thread but it was so inspiring and engaging to read I lived vicariously through you. Good luck with medicine!