VCE Results: The Good, The Bad, and The Ug- Annoying people who won't shut up!

So the results are in, and from what I've heard, most of us wanted to cry.
But breatheeee everyone, there's always another way of doing things.

Take my friend for example:
She got around a 60 when she needed a 75. I was very saddened for her, but did you know what she said?
She came back with this full on foolproof plan of getting the course she wanted:

"Yeah I'm applying for dots aka pathways and I have a good chance at getting in, then otherwise I'm going to take a gap year, work and then apply to Bendigo la Trobe because their atar is like 50 haha"

 

I was frankly shocked.

She had it all worked out.

Sure she was upset at first, but then she moved on.

THIS IS BRILLIANT, DO THIS!

 

 

And then on the other side of the scale, I was very happy with my results, surprising myself when I got the exact score I aimed for at the start of the year, decimal place and all. Sure I didn't get over 45 in my study scores which I was upset about for like 20mins, but I got the score. And Chem ended up being my best mark.... what the hell.... I greatly disliked that subject...

 

So there I was, happy, relieved, yay.

 

And then I found out my boyfriend bet me, I was very impressed, surprised and extremely proud. I later found out he missed out on dux by 1.45 marks (or whatever unit it's in)

So yeah, I called him up, really excited, putting on my best silly/cute voice, and you wanna know what he said? What pissed me off so much? Even after he knew my score and that it was lower than his? He said he got a crap mark.

 

There goes my attitude with him for the next couple of days or so.

 

So I tried explaining to him that it was an amazing mark and that he should be very proud and happy with it. No change. Honestly I don't think he understands the marking system. He, like me, was disappointed he didn't get over a 45 Study Score raw. He, unlike me, got over a 40 raw. He, unlike me, still is annoyed about it and brings it up often. I'm honestly happy with my marks, or was, but now I'm upset that the one person who I look for an opinion the most from apparently wasn't.

 

Please don't do this. It hurts a hell of a lot. And yeah I get it, some people will disagree and say I'm just annoyed that I didn't beat him. Untrue. And I will state the results at the bottom to show why I am annoyed at him being disappointed in his mark.

Now I love this guy with my entire heart, honestly couldn't imagine life without him. And this happens, not just with partners, but friends too, best of friends. Yes we will forgive and move on, but please try not to get into this situation in the first place. It's over, can't change it now. You just have to work with what you have. As I've said previously, the ATAR is more of a springboard anyway.

 

I have many friends that got under a 70 and are really disappointed because they missed out on being clearly in their course. I have some friends that have 80's and are really happy with themselves, whom I am very proud of. I have some that are under 50 and are depressed. And I have one with a score of around 46 who doesn't care because he didn't work and is in the army or air force or something now anyway (I keep forgetting which)
 

 Getting ATAR Results (Link To Video)
 

If you bet majority of the state, or got into your course, or both, please be considerate of others. Don't complain about it, especially if you did the best you could do, because it really hurts. Be humble, you did it, congratulations! We are all so very proud of you!
 

Be considerate

Be humble

Show empathy

Support your friends

And you'll be surprised with how many people come up to you saying congrats.

If you didn't, don't fret! There is always another way to reach that goal. And if you don't have a goal just try something you like, or maybe travel for the year. VCE, despite what it seems, is not the end of the world. It's a beginning. Use it as best you can. And if you can't, start from scratch. Prove to the world that you can achieve whatever you're aiming for. (Excluding taking over the world, nuclear holocaust for a real life Fallout 4 etc. etc.)
 

Also, on another note, if someone doesn't want to share their score, don't pester them for it. Let them be. Ask "How did you go?"instead of "What did you get?" and they'll probably end up saying their score anyway. Be supportive, take them to the beach, ask about something they're enjoying at the moment or are really good at. Show them that the ATAR isn't everything.

 

Now enough of my rant.

 

Guess what?

 

We're done.

Finished.

Complete.

It's over.

 

And now we have to start thinking about what happens next.

Frankly I'm really excited for Uni

And working more

And free time

And starting work on an Assassin's Creed cosplay (Don't judge)

 

Honestly give it a month and everyone would have forgotten the hype.

Give it a year and you won't even remember your score.

You'll be too busy living your life.

 

I wish you all the best.

 

-Michelle

 

P.S. For help seeing my point of view where I mentioned scores, I received a 92.5 (hell yeah!) and my boyfriend received 97.5. He's slowly understanding how well he went haha

 

Be happy with what you can achieve

 

I am so proud of you all

 



The Customer is Always Right

I've been a waitress at a family run Chinese restaurant (and takeaway) for two years now, and I've recently picked up some function based work at the local racecourse. I must say, its a tough but rewarding gig.

 

There is something I must add however, and its that awful saying that "the customer is always right"

This is not true.

I am focusing mainly on the Chinese restaurant for this. In catering this rarely occurs. I have omitted names for privacy reasons.

I apologise in advance if I offend anyone here, but this is my point of view on the matter, and I believe it deserves a voice.

 

 

As a waitress I must say that around 80-90% of us are working really hard to make sure you are happy, satisfied and well looked after, including making sure that your meal is made on time and to your specifications.

This is of upmost importance. Happy customer means more happy customers in the future.

Because of this, we are extra careful in repeating your order for confirmation. If there is something wrong with the meal when it is made, it is quickly fixed with sincere apologies. Please do not get angry with us. If we make a mistake, please remember "to err is human" and we are trying our best.

 

Before you raise your voice, insult us, make a fuss, please remember:

• Many of us have been on our feet for hours, and will be for many more. We are tired, sore, and are sometimes struggling to make it past the hour. We have to slave away and fold every single one of the 150 napkins, dust every one of the approximate 93 chairs and 7 window sills and 8 picture frames and the bar area, clean every single one of the 200 place mats and 19 table cloths, and sweep all the mess left on the floor. We put our blood, sweat and tears into this place.

 

• We are human, perhaps this was not our day, and you are about to become the straw that breaks the camels back. I have been catcalled, asked for my phone number, flirted with drunkenly, and spoken about loudly and vulgarly, from men and women of all ages. They don't like my hair, they hate my tiny breasts, they love my breasts, they think I'm too boyish, they think I'm too out there, they think I have a funny accent (no I am not from overseas, I am born here) they think I'm putting on an accent, they think the apron would look better naked... I've heard it all.  More than once I have had waitresses break down and cry, mostly the more experienced ones. I am glad that the newer ones have been saved from the firing line by others. I have had waitresses come to work after being in a crash, or a funeral, or a death, or a breakup, or coming from the hospital, because they are strong enough to do so, and they do not want to let the family running the business down.

 

• The menu is what it is. Sometimes we can change it slightly, but this becomes increasingly more difficult in busy hours. Sometimes multiple dishes have similar names. We can replace the dish if it is not what you meant, but that is what you ordered. We will often ask many questions to make sure, e.g. deep fried or stir fried, sauce or not. Please do not get angry with us for the menu, it has not been changed in 30 years, and that includes price. If we mention that something has changed, such as "fried ice cream is not included with the banquet" it has not been decided by us, it is our bosses decision. You were not alerted earlier? I apologise, most do not order desert and one of the other girls may have assumed it was not required. I am sorry, I do not know why this is so. I am sorry, I cannot change the rules. I can direct you towards these meals instead which are similar.

 

• Many of us do not get breaks. This is a family run business, they cannot afford their waitresses to be sitting around for 15-30mins, especially in peak time. I often stay overtime just to lend a hand. My bosses, husband and wife, have been working every night for around 30 years. They rarely have a day off, and the only time I have ever heard them doing so was last year for two weeks to go to China. They have decided to have Christmas day off this year, something I am quite certain they have never done. Please treat them well. They are the most persevering, strongest and bravest people I have ever met.

 

But not everyone is this way.

Just the other night I had a older woman come in with her family: her husband, and her parents. Her father was clearly confused, and slow, and unsure, and I made it my best effort to make sure he was treated fairly, because have a nan with dementia, like this man, and watching her slowly fade away, all those recent memories, and sharpness of wit, gone... I understood what it felt like. The woman came up to me afterwards to pay, held my hand, and said the most sincere thankyou I have ever heard. Her eyes were weeping, and her hand trembling. I held it as I waited for the machine to process her card, and let her know that I knew what it was like.

 

I have had regulars come in with there family, missing there partner, who had died earlier that week. I have had my boss send a waitress out to buy a card, write in it, translating Chinese, to pigeon English, to English, and signing "From the [name of restaurant] Family" for that is who we are. I've heard my boss, the wife, say to every single one that she will attend the funeral. And she has. And I've had every one of those regulars come back afterwards, thank us all, and share memories with us.

 

I've had a lovely man tell me every single time I've seen him, that "Michelle is the most beautiful name in the world, and do you know why?" I humour him every time, "Because its my daughters name," His partner watches on happily, recognising me every single time, happy that I go along with it. A year ago they showed me pictures of her, and told me stories of her. The woman's daughter is named Bernadette. She told me not to worry when I didn't realise they have had previous families, and that I wouldn't remember her name. I have. I made sure I did.

 

One of my regulars, whom everyone knows by her daughters or nieces name (I've never worked out which) because that's the name she uses on reservations, asks me frequently about my studies and schooling, and humorously wished me luck for finding out my results. She's asked me if she could cut my hair, as she is a stylist. I still need to get her number. She always orders curry puffs.

 

Another couple always order the same thing: two chicken and sweet corn soups, two serves of chicken wings, Cantonese eye fillet steak, and fried rice. I love that couple, although I'm not sure if they are together or just friends. They always speak to me using my name, and I remember theirs.

 

One of my best friends commonly has dinner dates there, and is friends with the bosses sons (as am I). He often stands by the window and waves in until I see him and laugh and wave back, giving me an extra bit of encouragement to keep my energy up. Many think he is my boyfriend, and it's only when I have a date at the restaurant with my actual boyfriend that they realise he is not.

 

The unseen people of the kitchen are just as nice. The cooks always say hello, despite their often limited English. The head chef (and the other boss) often asks me questions about studies and sport, the later which I have no idea about, even when I can understand his warped English (I hear from his wife that his Chinese isn't spectacular either).

The sons are wonderful. They have this wicked sense of humour, hidden behind closed doors. The oldest is weird and wonderful, and has this overwhelming sense of calmness and peace about him, even if his father is agitated and yelling, a quality his younger brothers are yet to possess. The middle one has a great knowledge about the world, and often gets lost trying to tell me about everything, when I am in need of running out the door into the seating area. The youngest is one of my good friends, and always jokes around and then tries to be serious like his middle brother, but still possesses a mischievous streak in his intelligence. They are all good for late night chats. The eldest called me a Muggle the other day, I was greatly (and exaggeratedly) offended. He then proceeded to say "Thanks bruh," in his Chinese accent. I was amused.

 

 

So yeah. I get it. You're not pleased with something. Maybe you're having a bad day, or this is how you always act.

The meal took to long.

It wasn't spicy enough.

You don't like the waitresses.

You don't like the restaurant.

You thought it was upmarket.

We were taking too long attending to the other 10 tables before yourself, despite having limited staff, many of which are new.

You wanted to remind us angrily of something, despite the fact that it was just then coming out of the kitchen, or perhaps we had accidently forgotten and are graciously thankful for your reminder, mainly if it was kind and understanding.

 You wanted something to come first or something to be left out or something to come quickly because you had leave, and didn't tell us, expecting your great skills of telepathy to alert us to this. 

 

I sincerely apologise. We will learn, and try to do better.

But please do not insult us, or be angry with us.

We are trying what is our best for the moment.

And if you are one of the few that cannot see this, I apologise.

 

You are missing out on seeing the greatest family in the world.

 

- Michelle Keane

P.S. Tonight we had a birthday... The entire restaurant joined in in singing happy birthday. It's things like this that make everything worth it :) 

(11/12/2015)

Post Year 12 exams

Okay...
Well what can I say...
It's over.
 

It's an extremely strange feeling. All those things you wanted to do while you were studying, seem not as exciting. And now all you feel you should be doing, is studying. It's kinda hard to explain. But it's alike being in limbo, torn between two places at once, because the former once took up your entire life.
 

But then there's schoolies. Now that doesn't even seem real. I'm going to Melbourne tomorrow for a few nights (I'm not the partying type, so tourist things) and that hasn't even registered yet, but it should be good to have some independence.

Valedictory didn't seem real either. You can't really comprehend that these people that you've seen almost every day for the past 6 years, are about to stay in the past, and you may never see them again.

I don't know how you're supposed to react to that, no one does, so we're all organising schoolies and get togethers to make sure it doesn't happen, but of course it will. We are being thrown into an entirely new portion of society, whether it be uni, or the workforce, we will be soon apart of a mass of new faces. And after being in the safety of a school, this is strange and a little bit scary.
 

In just 3 weeks, we will find out the results that apparently determine our future.

This is not true.

We find out how we place academically.

How we move towards our future is an entirely different thing altogether.

 

The ATAR is more a springboard. It's an easy way into whatever further education we wish to participate in. But you can still get in there eventually. So don't stress too much about December 14.

All in all, I wish you good luck. You have now completed a major part of our early adulthood lives. You will remember this for your entire life. But also remember that all you can ever do is your hardest. When it gets down to that last half an hour of waiting to go in, you are as prepared as you will ever be.

 So all you can do is your best. Disregard how others go, but of course comfort or applaud them, but this is a test of what you can do, not what they can do.

 

I wish you all the best.

 

- Michelle

Year 12 English Exam

Oh my gosh...

 

I do not believe teachers fully prepare you for the feeling that you receive right before your exams.

The nerves are unbelievable, even for those that are prepared.

I mentioned to a friend that "I feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if 42,000 voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced"

 

That is literally what it feels like.

 

You've got people everywhere unable to stand still, hugging each other, jumping up and down, frantically reading over some last minute notes. It's crazy.

 

But then you get in, the hall of deathly silence, you sit down, and you wait.

 

Reading time has you freaking out as you struggle to put together some sort of idea in your mind for your essays, but you have to keep calm and think it all out, even if they're not the best topics in the world.

 

And then its a 3 hour struggle of hand cramping to finish every piece.

 

But don't think about it that way.

 

The English exam is a chance for you to show off, especially in Section B, Context.

It's your turn to show off what you know, your ideas, your writing skills. Against my previous doubts, I ended up writing an imaginative piece for Context, when at the start of the year I had worked out I was going to write some newspaper/imaginative/persuasive hybrid, but discovered the topic "Imaginative Landscape" doesn't offer a great deal of arguments compared with say "Encountering Conflict"

And you know why I chose this?

Because I'm good at writing imaginative pieces. I love writing stories, its a great pastime of mine.

 

Do what you're good at and enjoy. It will make your writing so much better if you are enjoying yourself.

 

Now truth be told, I have no idea what I got, I could have flunked out on that imaginative piece. But I enjoyed myself, so for now it doesn't matter. It's done! All I know is I gave it my all, and that's all that matters.

 

Please don't stress your head off about exams, just do your best, work hard, and pleaseeeee enjoy yourself. Maybe you'll get a really interesting question that you have to think about. Don't be discouraged that you may not be able to do it, be intrigued in the fact that it was challenging and you had to go through everything you knew to even get close to one mark.

 

Please..

Enjoy

Don't stress tooo much (but a little is good)

and

SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS!

 

...

(WOOOOOO I NEVER HAVE TO DO ENGLISH AGAINNNNNNN!!!!)

Year 12 Lectures

I have recently attended two lectures for my Year 12 studies over the past week. These were English and Specialists Maths and were taken through Access Education, run by Ross Huggard and Raymond Rozen respectfully from Monash University (Clayton).

I highly recommend attending Access lectures.

Not only did we elaborate upon and revisit an entire years worth of information in 2.5 hours (there was no rush surprisingly) but we were also supplied with booklets containing information from the lecture to revise upon, as well as documents to download full of questions and summaries.

On this note I also suggest obtaining a set of booklets that present to you how to write a high calibre essay. The ones I have are covered in yellow. My text response one says:

YEAR 12 2015

ENGLISH

A study guide

containing outcome

and exam style
essays for:

"Stasiland"

This study guide will provide a

better understanding of the

themes, issues, characters

and important quotes.

Copyright MES P/L 2015

 



But I am yet to find it online and provide a link to it. I bought it during the lectures at Monash.

Overall attend lectures, gain some really good study guides, and work hard!


UPDATE: (29/10/2015)

Alright, so now I have also attended the Access lectures for Physics (Sandor Kazi), Chemistry (Chris Dwyer) and Methods (Freda Armstrong) all which were brilliant and provided lots of material to work with.
For those doing Methods, Freda Armstrong is a part of a company know as Maths Turning Point who have their own website which provides questions, tutorials and online help. However there is a fee, but for those freaking out about the exam next week should perhaps consider. Sadly I have not been able to find the website as I write this. The URL I wrote down during the lecture was http://mathsturningpoint.com/ but when I  used it the page did not exist. I will update this if I find it. (This could just be because I have been having shocking internet technical difficulties)

All in all it is advised across the board that VCAA exams are the best for practice, and secondly Heffernan are also good. MAV and NEAP are kind of out of hand...

Pre-Year 12 VCE Exams

Year 12 is an extremely stressful time, believe me, I'm currently in it. I'm going to write down a few tips to help you out, and after I've completed my actual exams I'll give you some tips on handling those as well.
I'm currently at the edge of the cliff for year 12, just before exams start. I am studying English, Maths Methods, Specialists Maths, Physics, and Chemistry. Sadly I can't provide much help for VCAL students because I never did it, but I have a good friend in it who basically says most of all work hard, keep up to date and you'll do great.

First of all, work hard

To set yourself up for year 12, if you can please do a year 12 subject in year 11. It will not only give you an extra subject if one of your subjects in your last year doesn't go to well, but it also gives you an idea of what year 12 is like without the stress of having all of your subjects instead of just one. I took year 12 Further Mathematics in year 11, and without the stress of actually being in year 12, I got a study score of 45. I was very happy. My teacher was someone who has left a mark upon me. She always tried to get me to excel, constantly encouraging me and knocking down anyone who gave me crap for being naturally smart. She came up to me once, near the end, and said something along the lines of "I know they all get annoyed that you are smarter than they are, but I also know how much work you put in and thing you deserve the marks you are getting," Now that hit home. Your teachers will always want you to achieve your best, please don't let them down, if they ask you to do something for homework, do it.  If someone is achieving well, don't be envious, see what they do, copy their study habits, and soon you'll be there too. To be honest I know a lot of those students in that class did not put the hard yards in, but many did. You can only do the best you can do, but you can also greatly extend that limit.

In year 12, work hard. Do not miss notes, or classes, because it is really hard to get that knowledge back. I still have gaps in my knowledge from missing around 2 or 3 days for music commitments that I'm trying to fill perfectly. Please keep up to date

Write really good notes.
You may not be able to use sticky notes to mark pages but you can make a contents page with page numbers and you can colour code each topic by highlighting the corner of the page. You will actually be able to see the colours when you close the book and this will make it easier to find everything. Also buy a really big book for notes. Mine are 300 pages but it tends to fall apart so I've had to re-enforce it with tape and glue. My Further book was  about 100 pages, but in the past I've had to usually tape two of these books together to have enough pages. CHERISH THESE NOTE BOOKS.

Go over what you've learnt at the end of the day just to make sure everything sticks, even just for 5-10mins. The more you revise, the more you'll retain.
Email your teachers, make them work for their money. They really want you to achieve and they want to help, all you have to do is ask. There is no such thing as a study question, except for the one that goes unasked.

USE CHECKPOINTS!
These books are brilliant and will make you familiar with exam style questions. Also do as many past or trial exams as possible. According to my Chemistry teacher (Which you will learn of in the heading Drink green tea) you should do a minimum of 19 per subject to get a really good study score, we're talking over 40. I may have done that for Further last year, but it is much harder to do with 5 subjects. Try your best, do as many as possible.

Attend lectures please, they will help you immensely, even school run ones. They often give you study notes which you can add to your own collection.

Do not underestimate the power of discussing things with classmates. As soon as you can teach other people, it means you completely understand the topic. This is fantastic. I have so many people to thank for just asking me how to do things, it has helped me understand things a lot better. This includes my Methods teacher for getting me to work out questions with her when someone asked her a question, and having whoever worked it out first teaching the other, and then me going over and teaching the student that asked.

Know your goals. Work out what ATAR you want to reach, what you want to do with your life, and make adjustments to get there. But remember that there are many other pathways to get to your goals. My dad failed HSC and did it again before going into work, and then going to university at night when he found an interest. He was top of the class in uni.

Take breaks

Give time for socialising! Do not drive yourself into the ground, everything must be done with moderation. That being said, please do not overly drink and party in year 12. Lucky for me, my birthday is in October, right before our exams, so no drinking or partying for me until after. On the other hand this leaves space for bowling and sleepover movie marathons with friends. It's a good chance to forget everything that is stressing you out for a while.
Keep up your hobbies. If you are a sport star, keep it up! But maybe drop it down a notch so that it doesn't interfere with your studies. I have worked all through year 12, and my boss understands that I only want two days a week to make sure it doesn't interfere. She also understands that I can't work during exams and before SAC days, but in return I give her at least 2 weeks notice, always. Sometimes work can give you a much needed break from study. I also do a lot of artwork and music. Studying guitar with my amazing teacher has given me half an hour every week to forget everything and be immersed in his wisdom and knowledge and music. It's amazing. Playing music can really help you break away for a little while from everything. I also like making costumes, and having little projects is also a good way to understand time management.

Drink green tea

I'm being serious. As much as I thought my Chemistry teacher was obsessed and slightly crazy, he was completely right in everything he said, including the value of green tea. As much as he drove me insane with his absolute NEED for everyone to put Chemistry first (Chemistry was not my favourite) he was right every step of the way. Not only does it clean out your system and keep you healthy, it maximises brain power as well.
On this subject, keep healthy! It'll do you wonders. You do not want to get sick in year 12, and you definitely do not want to take days off. So for this, eat good food, and exercise, as much as you don't want to. I tend to do a few crunches, leg raises, push ups and prone on every off day, and then I go bike riding on Sunday morning while my dad goes running. It doesn't have to be much, even dancing to music for a few minutes in the kitchen can help. Stressed? Go for a walk down the street for 5-10mins.
Another thing, music is absolutely important. I've been told (by the same teacher) that music at 60 bpm with no lyrics is perfect for studying, but on most days I listen to songs I like. I find when doing equations or creating things, music with lyrics doesn't really hinder you, but every man for themselves. If  you listen to music, especially that which you like, you will immediately lift your mood and work won't seem so terrible anymore. I don't do any sort of art without music playing in the background, especially prop making. Everything becomes so much better with it!

Relationships

The hard part. It is probably best to not have a boyfriend or girlfriend for year 12, as they can be a distraction and can create emotional trauma if they do not respect what year 12 means to you. Emotional trauma can happen at anytime, and if you have a partner you want them to be able to help you through it, not be the source. If you currently have a partner then you need to make a pact: Try to fix things as soon as possible, don't go looking for a fight, and please please PLEASE do not separate right before exams.
To be honest I had a friend last year in my year 12 class that told a boy that she could not have a boyfriend until after year 12. And he actually waited until she came out of that last exam to ask her out! If they do love you, they'll wait.
On the other hand, I currently have a boyfriend, one I have been with for around 2 years. Being with me has actually made him realise how much he wants to succeed with school, and over the 2 years he has gone from being average to top of the school, sometimes beating my scores. As we have similar interests (Mechanical Engineering vs Mechatronics Engineering and Physics for me) we take the same subjects which allow us to compete, help, and test each other on everything, helping us succeed. Without him I wouldn't be anywhere as confident with these subjects as I am. Of course we have had quite rocky situations, but due to our care of the other we have stuck together for the better I believe.
It's really a matter of individual circumstances.

And please please PLEASE be nice to your friends! You have to be there for each other. I have one friend whom I constantly tell terrible jokes to and hug and muck around with to keep up her spirits because she is so stressed and worried about the exams, despite her outside appearance. In return she gives me chocolate and almonds on either side of class. After our trial exams we sat in the sun and ate chocolate while she repeated her Italian speaking exam intro to me, one I attempted to translate with my limited knowledge of the language. (Apparently "the blue prince", il principe azzurro, actually translates to Prince Charming... we were both surprised) Cherish your friends very closely! They'll give you a lot of good memories.


Well hopefully this has helped you out a bit. Just remember to do your best, listen to others advice and try to remain calm. Don't worry if you miss your ideal ATAR, because there's always another way to get to where you want to go.

Take a deep breath everyone, and get excited for the end of school!

- Michelle Keane