Susie's State Rank Q+A: April 8th (7pm - 9pm)

[jamonwindeyer]

This Q+A will be unlocked at 7pm on April 8th
Welcome to Susie's Q+A!


Some things you might want to know about Susie:
- Achieved 18th in NSW for Modern History
- Her History Extension Essay got awarded 2nd in NSW by the HTA
- Amazing ATAR of 97.80
- Currently studying Media Arts/Production at UTS

Susie is also our Tutesmart Tutor for Ancient History and Modern History. Want to be taught by a state ranker every week? Click here to learn more!

To ask a question...
1. If you haven't already, register for an ATAR Notes account by clicking here!
2. Scroll down to the Quick Reply window at the bottom of this page
3. Type your reply and click Post!

[sudodds]

Hellllllloooo everyone!

I'll be here for the next 2 hours answering your questions, so feel free to ask as many as you like! Happy to help with all things HSC History (and any questions related to Drama too!)

Add a photo of your dog to your post for extra points (I don't know what points these are or what they contribute to, but they are definitely real, and definitely important 🐕)

[KC181]

Hello there Susie!
So I have quite a few questions (sorry) for modern history.
1) What are some tips to ace longer extended responses and to get marks like 24/25 or 25/25?
2) When it comes to exams, how did you exactly study for modern?
3) What are some recommended websites, books, podcasts etc that benefitted you during your HSC?

Thanks! Sincerely Crystal.

[owidjaja]

Hey Susie,

As someone who did 5 units of history, which history subject did you prefer?

And how was your trip to Jordan/Jerusalem? Any funny stories to tell? Where is the next place you'll be visiting?

Add a photo of your dog to your post for extra points (I don't know what points these are or what they contribute to, but they are definitely real, and definitely important 🐕)

Not a dog but Meg counts, right?

[finn.b14]

Hi Susie,
Congrats on your prize for the history extension essay! Do you have any advice on how to best approach the project?
Thanks 

[sudodds]

Hello there Susie!
So I have quite a few questions (sorry) for modern history.

No need to apologise! That's what I'm here for

 

1) What are some tips to ace longer extended responses and to get marks like 24/25 or 25/25?

First things first, I just want to reiterate how rare marks like 25/25 are - I only received one from my teacher throughout my internals, and only got full marks in one section in my actual exam. Not that it isn't possible - it totally is! But don't beat yourself up over it, a 23/25, and a 24/25 are still incredible marks.

My teacher used to say that the only reason he would give 25/25 for an essay was if the essay challenged his perspective - i.e. we had the incredibly difficult task of changing his opinion on something he's studies for decades. Yikes. But, there is truth to it - to get marks like that, you have to stand out, and that requires a unique thesis and argument. Now a unique thesis DOESN'T (and shouldn't) have to be a complicated one, but integrating key themes and issues, like ideology or example, into your thesis, will allow for a more sophisticated response. For example, which thesis do you think is going to lead to a better essay?

The Bolshevik consolidation of power was achieved through a variety of factors.
The Bolshevik consolidation of power was achieved through the pragmatic application of socialism, rather than strict ideological adherence.

The latters argument is actually quite easy to sustain, but will allow for a deeper, more theoretical engagement with the content.

Another MAJOR thing is detail. With my students (this is a habit I learned of my own teacher) I don't give outs 24s and 25s - I give out 23+'s for really good essays. That's because typically past 23 it's just whether or not the marker personally thinks you have enough detail, or a strong enough argument. Detail doesn't have to just be statistics, it can be terminology, quotes, sources, key facts, dates, etc. etc. Just make sure the detail is RELEVANT - if not, you'll be writing a descriptive essay, not a detailed one.

2) When it comes to exams, how did you exactly study for modern?

Practice questions, practice questions, practice questions.

Seriously. Practice questions.

Before trials I completed over 25 practice questions. Overkill? Yes. Do you need to do 25 practice questions? No. But did it help - immensely. Doing practice questions is active study - your brain is actually engaging with the content, and even better, its engaging with it in the way that you will need to in the exam. The more practice questions I did, the more I realised patterns in my own writing - oh wow, all my bolshevik essays seem to use the same examples, maybe I should just focus on them in my study, etc. etc. By the HSC exam, I had seen and done a practice paper on every single question that was in the exam - way less stress.

As I said, you don't have to do as much as I did. I pretty much did no other types of study as well, so the time that you would be spending writing notes, I was doing practice papers. But if you can get 1-2 done a week, just imagine the difference that could make.

3) What are some recommended websites, books, podcasts etc that benefitted you during your HSC?

Thanks! Sincerely Crystal.

Obviously atarnotes ahaha (for real though, this is really such a good resource, especially the essay marking threads!)

Spartacus educational is great, as they always provide a heap of sources at the end. Alpha history is also really good for quick summaries, as is johndclaire.com. For books, that really depends on your case studies, but for the Core Study i'd recommend reading some Ian Kershaw and William Shirer - they're great. Also watched a lot of 'Epic Rap Battles of History', but that probably didn't help too much academically ahaha (it was good for stress relief before exams though!)


Hope this helps!

[angewina_naguen]

Chucking a Rui and throwing two questions.

Serious question- How would you recommend students doing any of the three history subjects to organise their notes/prepare specifically for each one? Are there any distinctions between them or can you use similar approaches? 

Less serious question- Do you think history memes make effective study resources?

[sudodds]

Hey Susie,

As someone who did 5 units of history, which history subject did you prefer?

Hmmmmm, I loved all of them, but Modern History was probably my favourite to study. However, History Extension is definitely my favourite to teach! The last history extension lecture I ran was probably my favourite lecture to date!

And how was your trip to Jordan/Jerusalem? Any funny stories to tell? Where is the next place you'll be visiting?

AMAZING. All of my very high expectations were exceeded, in Jordan especially. Petra was incredible, there was a cat that kept on jumping on me, and followed me around for ages aha.  I learned more about religion (particularly Islam) than I ever learned in school too - waking up at 4:30am to the morning prayer was an experience!



Jerusalem was also insane, it's almost like every five steps and you're stumbling on some incredibly important religious site - we walked out of where Mary supposedly ascended to heaven, and accidentally walked into where the last supper apparently happened. I also had the experience to go to Bethlehem in Palestine, which was incredible - very, very sad, and really eye opening. Everyone there was so lovely and hospitable - it breaks my heart that they live in such a precarious situation.

I don't know! Cuba and Japan are both high on my list, as is Vietnam. Who knows!

Not a dog but Meg counts, right?

Honorary dog! Love you Meg x

[ava.masters22]

Hi Susie!
I believe I am particularly harsh on myself in history compared to other subjects like VA and English Advanced. I think it is because I know I want to do history later in life. This harshness was highlighted when I got my modern history back recently, and it was basically the epitome of "disappointed, but not surprised." It wasn't a bad mark or anything, it's just I know I can do better than what I got.
I know my harshness on myself can become an issue but any advice on how not to let my high expectations of myself in history not get the better of my studies in history?
Also quick drama question- standing out in the GP? How to do it, and how to make the markers go "woah she's a good actor"
Ava
 

[sudodds]

Hey susie!

Im currently in year 11 taking both modern and ancient and im really enjoying it so far    I thought ancient would be my fav but im actually loving modern a lot right now! I have a q about history ext next year because i think i'll take it - what advice would you give for keeping your head above water when doing 5u history?

So good to hear you're loving ancient and modern!! That definitely makes you a great candidate for history extension, because passion is really the only thing that can help you through it! Though it's not as bad as it sounds - history extension is actually quite a different subject from modern and ancient (even more different that ancient is to modern!), so you probably won't feel like you're actually doing *that* much history! At least I didn't Finding a topic you LOVE is also so important too.

Consistency is also super important. The major work of extension really isn't something you can complete the week before. You'll take the pressure off by chipping away at it progressively throughout the year.

Also, what things can i work into my answers/essays to put myself a step above others who have similar talents, skills and interests in history? And break out of 22 and reach 24/25 out of 25? Becaause that's what i struggle with!

Answered this question earlier! My first answer in fact Check back there for some tips on how to score the top marks

Sorry last q - any general tips on working consistently throughout the year and not being overloaded with information?

Thanks 

Ps. do cats count?

You answered your own question! Work consistently - do that, and you shouldn't feel overloaded. Like, start studying for Trials now - this isn't because I want you to stress about trials now, it's because I don't want you to stress about trials at all! Chip away at your study every week, even if only an hour or two per subject. Don't wait until that exam notification

They totally count.

[owidjaja]

waking up at 4:30am to the morning prayer was an experience!

Haha yep it takes time to get used to that (Indonesia is the same- you wake up at 4am because of prayers and then you hear it again at 5pm)

I don't know! Cuba and Japan are both high on my list, as is Vietnam. Who knows!

Omg if you end up going to Japan, hit me up on possible tourist attractions/places to eat! I'm currently planning a trip to Japan at the moment

The last history extension lecture I ran was probably my favourite lecture to date!

What can we expect in the upcoming History Extension lecture? (I'm hoping for your memes to work because your memes are iconic! My favourite one is the one where Kim Kardashian is sobbing and ranting and the camera just cuts to the NESA logo lol)

[sudodds]

Hi Susie,
Congrats on your prize for the history extension essay! Do you have any advice on how to best approach the project?
Thanks 

Thank you! I actually wrote a guide on exactly that - check it out here

You can also pop by to either the history extension lecture, or the major works lecture that I'm holding (the latter with the fabulous angelina), and we'll go through some more tips there as well!

Good luck with your project

[sudodds]

Chucking a Rui and throwing two questions.

Serious question- How would you recommend students doing any of the three history subjects to organise their notes/prepare specifically for each one? Are there any distinctions between them or can you use similar approaches? 

Notes wise, totally up to you! I personally didn't write them, because that's just not my style (would rather focus my attention to practice questions), but if you do write them, I think having separate notes for key points and detail is a good idea. Often, while studying you only focus on one of them, making notes less effective. You can find an example of my detail table in the notes section that can be used as a template.

For Modern and Ancient you can use similar approaches for the most part - questions in Ancient can vary a bit more, and are often more specific imo, so sometimes essay scaffolds are easier than writing full essays so that you have enough time to cover all of them. But for the most part, practice questions is always more go to.

History Extension is a VERY different subject - not just from ancient or modern, but all subjects. It really is in a class of its own. Practice questions is also the way to go here, but I also recommend reading widely. EH Carr's 'What Is History' is mandatory reading imo. For major works stuff, see my previous response!

Less serious question- Do you think history memes make effective study resources?

Actually yes. Obviously it can't make up the bulk of your study, but using memes as a way to make study interesting and more memorable can make it easier to remember content in your exam. For example, here is a poster I knocked up for my ancient history students in Tutesmart.

[sudodds]

Hi Susie!
I believe I am particularly harsh on myself in history compared to other subjects like VA and English Advanced. I think it is because I know I want to do history later in life. This harshness was highlighted when I got my modern history back recently, and it was basically the epitome of "disappointed, but not surprised." It wasn't a bad mark or anything, it's just I know I can do better than what I got.
I know my harshness on myself can become an issue but any advice on how not to let my high expectations of myself in history not get the better of my studies in history?

Can totally relate. Just remember that history is actually a REALLY hard subject to do well in. A 20/20 in English is not the same as a 25/25 in history (especially modern history). I actually got 20/20 quite a few times in English, but I only got full marks once in Modern History, despite that being by far my better subject in the long run. When I did the HSC, the highest mark in the state was 98% - no one got full marks. Compare that to maths, where you can't even expect to get a state rank unless you got 100% (and even then, no guarantee), and it really puts it in perspective.

If you're still disappointed, It's important to be proactive, and not reactive. What was it that let your mark down? Change it! It's better these issues come up now, where you have the time to change them, than in the HSC exam It's all a learning experience.

Also quick drama question- standing out in the GP? How to do it, and how to make the markers go "woah she's a good actor"
Ava
 

Practice makes perfect! And remember that performance is more than just reading out a script - think about your characters body language, how they present themselves, even their inner landscape. I recommend taking your script, and writing down the subtext of each line. For example, your script might look like this;

CHARACTER 1
Hi!

CHARACTER 2
Oh, Hi!

Adding subtext, or the inner thoughts of the character, it might look like this.

CHARACTER 1
Hi! (Oh crap, she's beautiful)

CHARACTER 2
Oh, Hi! (Oh no, this guy is really creepy).

Obviously each character is going to perform the lines very differently - the first one might be trying to hide their attraction, the other might be trying to be polite. But understanding the subtext will allow you to perform the actions more authentically.

Hope this helps!

Susie

[sudodds]

What can we expect in the upcoming History Extension lecture? (I'm hoping for your memes to work because your memes are iconic! My favourite one is the one where Kim Kardashian is sobbing and ranting and the camera just cuts to the NESA logo lol)

I'm still planning it at the moment, so totally open to suggestions!

We're definitely going to be looking at new ways of thinking about what is history (if you went to the last one, don't worry, we'll be looking at some new stuff), and essay writing skills. But if there are areas people are particularly struggling to understand, let me know! We'll look at the major work a bit too, but I'm going to try and keep the bulk of that to the major works presentation