World Beyblade Organization Off-Topic Forums General Discussion

Random Thoughts 5 - READ RULES IN FIRST POST

Mar. 20, 2014  4:33 AM
 
(Mar. 20, 2014  2:14 AM)Tri Wrote: Uhhg, I feel old guys. I received my Sophmore course request form today, which is the paper I fill out for my class choices for grade 10. This is possibly the hardest decision of my life thus far. I'm going for Core 40 w/ academic honors and I know it's best to take hard classes going for that but it's just hard. Here's what I have so far:

English 10 (required)
Algebra II
Biology II (I'm also considering ICP)
Spanish II
History of the 60's and 70's

I need two more. Here are some I'm considering:

Law Education
Computer Applications
Show Choir (lots of people want me to because they need more guys and I sing decently.)
2D Art
Principles of Engineering (required Intro to engineering which I took this year but I will probably save this class for my junior year.)

help

Any idea what you want to do after school etc? Hard to really give advice otherwise.
Also, why Spanish?
Lastly, I would advise against a juggalo class alongside biology. Don't want to be writing "magical miracles" as your entire explanation for the heredity of phenotypes, or getting angry at scientists. Best to choose one or the other - how much do you like Faygo?



Kujikato: What, physics doesn't go all the way through? Well to be fair, universities over here offer physics 101 or the like to get you up to speed if you don't have the grade in it from high school etc. Plenty of bridging courses for other stuff too.


All this said, over here only year 11 and 12 really mattered at all, so the whole year 10 choice was mostly inconsequential aside from some of the non-core subjects that did carry through (Japanese was the main one but I guess there may have been others - I only really paid attention to core classes because I figured I'd always be doing academic stuff because I had always done well at them).

I also have no idea about dual credits and AP's unless your highschool classes are determined in an RPG fashion. I mean we had credits at uni but even then, how does "okay I want to take these classes, to do this, are these the correct classes for that and should I take any to expand my experience base/keep options open or whatever?" come to AP's and Dual Credits and "Core 40" etc etc?
Mar. 20, 2014  4:59 AM
 
Only French and Spanish are offered and I need 6 credits in a foreign language for my diploma I'm going for.

And I looking towards being a computer engineer, graphic designer, web designer, and even culinary maybe haha.
Mar. 20, 2014  5:09 AM
 
(Mar. 20, 2014  4:59 AM)Tri Wrote: Only French and Spanish are offered and I need 6 credits in a foreign language for my diploma I'm going for.

And I looking towards being a computer engineer, graphic designer, web designer, and even culinary maybe haha.

Wait, you need to know spanish to do web design?
I have a lot of misgivings about required classes that are unrelated to a person's end goal/desired career. I get that you want to have your options open but if you know you want to go for something, to me it just seems like a great way to make students pay for more classes, the relevant information in which they will learn in the units for their actual career path anyway. /rant

In that case you basically have to take computer applications, and then I'd say either principles of engineering or 2D art, probably the latter, especially as you've already got some decently heavy subjects there and it should hopefully give you something a little lighter to balance it out, especially because as you say, you can take principles of engineering later.
Mar. 20, 2014  5:17 PM
 
I agree with like, everything th!nk said, hahaha.

I'm taking Coordinated Sciences right now, and I'm being asked to cover the ENTIRE Chemistry Book in a month before my IGCSE exams... That's 3 whole books, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in a month. And my Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry) teacher is hopeless and helpless. My Biology teacher doesn't understand my handwriting... So my mark is fluctuating in that class. So I'm getting an A in Science, whereas I COULD/SHOULD be getting an A*. It's so frustrating, since I like science... Gaaaah.
Mar. 20, 2014  8:59 PM
 
So in English we've been reading "The Great Gatsby." However, for some reason, the book just doesn't stick with me - I simply can't remember the details I need to in order to do well on the tests. It makes no sense - I'm normally an excellent reader, and typically do very well on this type of test. But now, I'm failing test after test, which is something that simply does not happen, ever. I'm inclined to believe that partially this is due to the nature of the questions - the original curriculum got leaked to the Internet, complete with answers, so now the teacher is basically making up the tests as we go along. It's very unusual and extremely annoying to fail tests...

Anyways, my senior year classes, off the top of my head: (GAHHH SENIOR ALREADY D: )

English 12 AP
AP Calculus II
Latin III
Study Hall / US Gov't (I'll take Econ over the summer, as I'm told it's extraordinarily boring)
Computing Logic and Design (not sure if that's the right class, again, this is all off the top of my head)
Robotics III / Robotics IV
Physics C (Which is basically Physics 2 and a half, the system we have is really wacky)

Overall, due to the boatloads of dual credit/AP classes I've taken over the years, I'm getting out of a substantial portion of my first semester, and a few second and third semester classes in college. I'm shooting for a Electrical Engineering major with a minor in Computer Science, since doing that only requires like three extra classes over just the major, due to some overlap in the courses.
Mar. 20, 2014  9:27 PM
 
(Mar. 20, 2014  8:59 PM)Cake Wrote: So in English we've been reading "The Great Gatsby." However, for some reason, the book just doesn't stick with me - I simply can't remember the details I need to in order to do well on the tests. It makes no sense - I'm normally an excellent reader, and typically do very well on this type of test. But now, I'm failing test after test, which is something that simply does not happen, ever. I'm inclined to believe that partially this is due to the nature of the questions - the original curriculum got leaked to the Internet, complete with answers, so now the teacher is basically making up the tests as we go along. It's very unusual and extremely annoying to fail tests...
Lolz we just finished reading The Great Gatsby. I have a feeling that every junior in America has to read that book.
I actually enjoyed it, surprisingly; it's one of the best books I've had to read in High School, second only to Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Mar. 20, 2014  9:38 PM
 
We just finished The Great Gatsby over here too, hence the quote in my signature. I read it in 8th grade, and again in Sophmore year. It's a pretty good book.
Mar. 20, 2014  10:08 PM
 
(Mar. 20, 2014  8:59 PM)Cake Wrote: So in English we've been reading "The Great Gatsby." However, for some reason, the book just doesn't stick with me - I simply can't remember the details I need to in order to do well on the tests. It makes no sense - I'm normally an excellent reader, and typically do very well on this type of test. But now, I'm failing test after test, which is something that simply does not happen, ever. I'm inclined to believe that partially this is due to the nature of the questions - the original curriculum got leaked to the Internet, complete with answers, so now the teacher is basically making up the tests as we go along. It's very unusual and extremely annoying to fail tests...

I feel you on this one bro. Sometimes that happens to me, especially when it is a collective novel study (everyone in the class reads it). What I usually do is look up summaries online and watch YouTube summaries (ThugNotes, anyone?). That might help you Smile SparkNotes is good for details too. Check 'em out!

--

On the topic of courses, it might just be me but the way courses are named in other countries (Indonesia comes to mind because of Kuji's post) seems complicated to me. I mean, the courses just sound so much more sophisticated xD Even the USA.

Here the courses codes are easy. For example ENG3U1 (ENG= English. 3 = third year. U = university level.) Grade 12 English is ENG4U1.

What I'm taking for my last year at high school (senior year??) is the following:

SPH4U1 (Physics)
SBI4U1 (Biology)
SCH4U1 (Chemistry)
MCR4U1 (Advanced Functions - a kind of math).
Calculus (can't remember the course code)
Exercise Science (can't remember the course code)
ENG4U1 (English)
FSF4U1 (French)

I literally am taking all the options because at this point I couldn't care less which program I get accepted into, since my marks are mediocre in everything. I'm more of a well rounded student so even if I did knock off a couple of the other subjects and focus on one of the science fields, I still wouldn't do exceptionally well. I'm looking at Nuclear Engineering, Human Biology and Environmental Science as my three possible undergrad degrees (a bachelors degree).

Woo Smithicide
Mar. 20, 2014  10:41 PM
 
(Mar. 20, 2014  9:27 PM)The Supreme One Wrote:
(Mar. 20, 2014  8:59 PM)Cake Wrote: So in English we've been reading "The Great Gatsby." However, for some reason, the book just doesn't stick with me - I simply can't remember the details I need to in order to do well on the tests. It makes no sense - I'm normally an excellent reader, and typically do very well on this type of test. But now, I'm failing test after test, which is something that simply does not happen, ever. I'm inclined to believe that partially this is due to the nature of the questions - the original curriculum got leaked to the Internet, complete with answers, so now the teacher is basically making up the tests as we go along. It's very unusual and extremely annoying to fail tests...
Lolz we just finished reading The Great Gatsby. I have a feeling that every junior in America has to read that book.
I actually enjoyed it, surprisingly; it's one of the best books I've had to read in High School, second only to Their Eyes Were Watching God.

I really like the book, too. Possibly one of my favorite books I've had to read for school, which makes it all the more unusual that it gives me so much trouble Tongue_out
Mar. 20, 2014  11:04 PM
 
Gatsby never caught me...neither did Their Eyes are Watching God.

Tree of Red Stars, on the other had, had me captivated. It's the only book I ever finished in 1 sitting for school.
Mar. 20, 2014  11:43 PM
 
Well I can read any Diary of a Wimpy Kid book in 1 hour. Beat that! (Just kidding, it is half pictures)
I just finished the CAHSEE test, not too hard. The English took 4 hours to finish, and the Math took 3 hours. That test determines if I get a diploma or not. (Yes, one test can represent my entire overall grade.)
Mar. 21, 2014  6:12 AM
 
One of the things I mostly dislike about my high school is the lack of freedom in selecting classes. You take what you're told to take, and that's it. There's just one AP class, and you can only take it once. I aced it, but there's nothing to take for an hour of the day this year. On the other hand, the senior thesis we have to write isn't so bad. I like the idea, though nobody else does.

Because of my high test scores (32 on the ACT first try, 33 the second. 10 for writing.), I don't have too many issues getting into undergraduate programs at good schools. It's affording them that's an issue. I had to forfeit the scholarship I had to Kansas due to paperwork complications caused by a lazy college counselor, so I have to replan pretty much everything.
Mar. 22, 2014  6:11 PM
 
My highly unusual ability to sweep a sidewalk ridiculously fast just got me a job doing yard work for some people in the neighborhood!

More cash for replacement parts, haha.
Mar. 24, 2014  11:10 PM
 
Well I had a job interview last night. To say the least I think it went well.
Mar. 25, 2014  7:46 AM
 
It's really interesting to come back here after about a year or two and not recognize anyone. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if I'm no longer well-known to the community, haha. Regardless, I'm glad that the community here is growing.

In other news, I made the decision to purchase a Wii U (Legend of Zelda: WindWaker edition) tonight over the other two next-gen consoles, hopefully I made the right decision.
Mar. 25, 2014  2:06 PM
 
Welcome back Oki!
Mar. 25, 2014  3:11 PM
 
(Mar. 25, 2014  7:46 AM)OkiBlaze Wrote: It's really interesting to come back here after about a year or two and not recognize anyone. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if I'm no longer well-known to the community, haha. Regardless, I'm glad that the community here is growing.

In other news, I made the decision to purchase a Wii U (Legend of Zelda: WindWaker edition) tonight over the other two next-gen consoles, hopefully I made the right decision.

Welcome back oki blaze! I know who you are Smile. Your an ex-global mod that lives in Japan, right? I watch your youtube channel Joyful_3
Mar. 26, 2014  4:12 AM
 
It's been forever since I've posted in this thread!XD
Anyway I'm soo scared!!Unhappy the third nine weeks end for, I think, all schools on Thursday!Unhappy and I'm failing World History with a 56!Crying if I fail… Track is over for me!Crying but I'm planning on going to tutoring in the mornings for the rest of this week, hopefully that'll boost my grade up.:\
Mar. 26, 2014  4:22 AM
 
Don't be afraid to talk to your teacher and ask what you can do to bring it up, you will most likely get a comment about not asking sooner, but it doesn't matter because something I didn't learn till 10th or 11th grade, they aren't there to fail you, they are there to guide and help you. Usually there is something you can do to bring it up even if it is so close to the deadline.
Hope everything works out.
P.S. up to my sophomore year I was the kid that got c's or d's in class and got A's on my exams that saved my GPA but i learned this wasn't gonna last so i do have experience with what you are going through.
Mar. 26, 2014  4:35 AM
 
I have a 75 in math, and my parents are going to take away my computer and my beyblades if I get a 'C' or lower. I turned in 2 assignments that are now '0's in the gradebook, but my grade will go up SO high if the teacher 'finds' my work and puts the revised version of the assignment into the gradebook. Any help or advice?

Also, my parents do not believe that I turned it in whatsoever, because of my bad reputation of not turning homework in the day that it is due
Mar. 26, 2014  4:48 AM
 
(Mar. 26, 2014  4:35 AM)The Ninja Wrote: I have a 75 in math, and my parents are going to take away my computer and my beyblades if I get a 'C' or lower. I turned in 2 assignments that are now '0's in the gradebook, but my grade will go up SO high if the teacher 'finds' my work and puts the revised version of the assignment into the gradebook. Any help or advice?

Also, my parents do not believe that I turned it in whatsoever, because of my bad reputation of not turning homework in the day that it is due
Stay in school and eat your vegetables.

All kidding aside, that's a whacked up grading system if two assignments will boost your grade at least one letter up, unless they're projects. All I can say is first, make sure your teacher finds them. If you have the time, redo them and turn them in, it proves you are responsible and it will get the grade in faster. Second, change that reputation. If you want your parents to believe that you turn in work, give them reason to.
Mar. 26, 2014  4:51 AM
 
I suggest you talk to her about it and explain your situation, but don't directly state that he/she lost it (teachers don't like that) just explain that you swear you turned it in and that you are willing to maybe resubmit it if need be (possibly at a deficit) Also ask for any extra credit opportunity that may be available. That's what I would do anyways xD.
P.s. one thing to keep in mind is that teachers talk, so another thing I may do is explain to a teacher I know often confers with the math teacher and "ask for advice" they will likely tell you something similar, but that teacher may bring it up to the math teacher and possibly help your situation.
EDIT: Also in my own opinion 2 homework assignments on a major subject like math usually doesn't boost your grade by half a grade unless there were a lack of assignments in the grade book that quarter. if your lucky you get a 78 and he/she rounds up being super nice..
Mar. 26, 2014  2:17 PM
 
(Mar. 26, 2014  4:48 AM)Dual Wrote: All kidding aside, that's a whacked up grading system if two assignments will boost your grade at least one letter up, unless they're projects.

Actually, it would if the teacher only gives a few assignment. Some teachers only give 2 (Like my Filipino Teacher) so you would really give the assignment.
Mar. 26, 2014  3:54 PM
 
Yeah. Our grades start over at mid terms (Half of a semester), and the grades were released 2 weeks ago. I turned the assignments the day mid terms came out, but the teacher says that she doesn't have it. I know that I turned it in.

My teacher does a small amount of grades. I got a 100 on a test, and 100s on all of my homework (3 or 4). Those 2 '0's are weighing my grade down A LOT. I am going to talk to here today though.
Mar. 26, 2014  7:08 PM
 
(Mar. 26, 2014  4:22 AM)SwitchBlayder Wrote: Don't be afraid to talk to your teacher and ask what you can do to bring it up, you will most likely get a comment about not asking sooner, but it doesn't matter because something I didn't learn till 10th or 11th grade, they aren't there to fail you, they are there to guide and help you. Usually there is something you can do to bring it up even if it is so close to the deadline.
Hope everything works out.
P.S. up to my sophomore year I was the kid that got c's or d's in class and got A's on my exams that saved my GPA but i learned this wasn't gonna last so i do have experience with what you are going through.

Ok thanks. I was able to go to tutoring and do one assignment this morning and I have no idea what my grade is. Hopefully up to at least a 62 right now??Unhappy I think I need to finish about 3 extra credit assignments by tomorrow?:\
Prev
Page 184
Next