Hey so I'm a year 11 doing methods 3/4. I'm finding it really hard to keep up with the workload. Can anyone help me? How do I study/how do I do well? I feel like everyone is so much better than me - especially the year 12s
I'm a year 12 doing methods and I also don't know how to study well for methods. Trust me, it doesn't matter if you are in year 11 or 12, methods is hard!
I did methods in year 11 last year and got a 38 raw. I'd recommend just doing as many practice SACs and exams as possible. Also I had a tutor and I'd recommend you get one if you don't already have
I went to my tutor every week. We went through tough questions, questions I got wrong in SACs and from the textbook. We soemtimes went ahead as well (usually in the holidays I'd start on the first 2 weeks of methods work with my tutor). Obviously you don't neeeeeeeed one but everyone I know that did well had one
The best way to study for anything, especially math, is just practice...a lot! Do heaps of questions, try do a few every day. Also, start your exam prep early. Remember, the only cure for stress is preparing yourself really well in advance. I started exam prep 3 months before my exam (I finished methods last yr -raw 38 as well) doing exam 1's from like the early 2000's, they haven't changed much over the years.
I'll break down my study tactics into 3 simple steps:
1. Test yourself
-do a couple of practice papers, doesn't have to be timed or anything and you don't need to do the whole thing, just the stuff you have learned in class.
2. Reflect
-The most important part after you have done an exam is to reflect, go back over the questions you got wrong and figure out WHY you got them wrong, because this could flag gaps in your understanding.
-ask yourself: what am i good at? what could i improve on? (maybe its getting faster using your CAS, or there's a particular topic you find challenging)
3. Hone in on your weaknesses
-Do heaps of targeted revision on what you find difficult until you get it.
Hope this helps.
If you have an edrolo subscription, the video tutorials are extremely helpful otherwise LMK maths, khan academy and maffsguru on YouTube should provide you with support - this should help you with understanding the content. In terms of the workload, I'm in year 12 and even I find it crazy. However, I guess i just adjusted to it over time and accepted it. Making your bound reference as you go along (after each exercise) helps me. :rabbit:Remember quality over quantity!
You have to be extremely organised. I don't know your personal situation but It is important to keep up. Each night set mini tasks for yourself. For example tonight I want t complete "x" chapter and do 30 minutes of revision. Have all the book material and resources ready to go so that by the end of the night you are satisfied with what you have accomplished. You have to change your mindset to one where you will work to your best. The way I work is I will do every single revision I can find so that after the SAC or the exam I can say to myself that I did my best and nothing I could have done because I did everything possible could change my result.