Questions about Chemistry and Physics

[Blueglacier]

Hi,

Are you saying you want someone to make then decision for you?

That's because of the overlaps and the fact that more students (who do well) have done NCEA level 3. - My opinion.

See that's the thing. If you want to do well, NCEA level 3 seems preferable. Also, just to clarify, if I do end up taking physics, I can decide to not sit my exams at the end, right?

 

[Ruth]

So should I or should I not take Physics? The Otago website says also that they strongly recommend taking physics at level 3. The studentsreviewcourses website says that 75% of the physics paper in Biomed is NCEA level 3. I'm so stuck on what to do. School's started but you can still change subjects. I don't knoooooow.

As much as you'd like us to, we cant make your mind up for you. If you're so worried about it, just do physics!

 

[Ruth]

See that's the thing. If you want to do well, NCEA level 3 seems preferable. Also, just to clarify, if I do end up taking physics, I can decide to not sit my exams at the end, right?

What a waste of time! Why do all that and not get credits for it?

 

[Blueglacier]

What a waste of time! Why do all that and not get credits for it?

Oh I might decide to sit them if I take it. I think I'll take it if the school lets me, even if I end up doing terribly in level 3. It'll certainly put my mind at ease at least a little

 

[Stuart]

See that's the thing. If you want to do well, NCEA level 3 seems preferable. Also, just to clarify, if I do end up taking physics, I can decide to not sit my exams at the end, right?

I am not sure why you are already wondering about not taking the externals. Is this because you don't want to get low grades?

I would like to suggest you to forget about HSFY or OLY1 and think about what you would like to get out of your final year. What do you think could make it such that your final year would be meaningful and memorable?

 

[Blueglacier]

I am not sure why you are already wondering about not taking the externals. Is this because you don't want to get low grades?

I would like to suggest you to forget about HSFY or OLY1 and think about what you would like to get out of your final year. What do you think could make it such that your final year would be meaningful and memorable?

I dunno, I just wanna have a nice, calm year and graduate with good grades to get into HSFY or OLY1. And yes, I don't want to get low grades for the physics externals. I'm thinking of taking it so I'll have a sufficient background with it, if that makes sense.

 

[frootloop]

I think it's probably worth noting that, in high school, subjects get conceptually harder each year. HSFY, like medicine, is by and large NOT particularly conceptually difficult. If anything, most of HSFY is a step down from level 3 in terms of conceptual difficulty.

The difficulty lies in memorizing the sheer volume of information, not so much in being able to understand it. So it isn't like you have to have done all of the HSFY subjects at level 3 in order to move to 'the next level' at uni.

Year 13 is your last chance for quite some time to pick interest subjects. If you're interested in classics, take classics.

 

[Stuart]

I dunno, I just wanna have a nice, calm year and graduate with good grades to get into HSFY or OLY1. And yes, I don't want to get low grades for the physics externals. I'm thinking of taking it so I'll have a sufficient background with it, if that makes sense.

I find it quite sad that you have to worry so much about this and getting bad grades. It's NCEA. It's not like a university GPA where bad grades will haunt you down forever.

Do you remember what I said about your priorities last time?

 

[Blueglacier]

I think it's probably worth noting that, in high school, subjects get conceptually harder each year. HSFY, like medicine, is by and large NOT particularly conceptually difficult. If anything, most of HSFY is a step down from level 3 in terms of conceptual difficulty.

The difficulty lies in memorizing the sheer volume of information, not so much in being able to understand it. So it isn't like you have to have done all of the HSFY subjects at level 3 in order to move to 'the next level' at uni.

Year 13 is your last chance for quite some time to pick interest subjects. If you're interested in classics, take classics.

I'm definitely taking classics. But I do think I will take level 3 physics if they let me, even if I suck at it and even looking at the textbook makes me sorta nervous. It'll put my mind at ease and that's what I'm going for right now

 

[frootloop]

To add to Stuart's comment about NCEA grades not mattering, they really don't. So long as you get UE, you're fine.

I know I'm a bit of an exception rather than the norm, but I think I scraped through L3 by like, 4 or 5 credits. I failed more science standards than I passed, and just generally did nothing.

You know how much that mattered the second I started uni? Not in the least.

I'm not saying everyone should be as lazy as me, but if you're only going hard out to get 'impressive grades for HSFY', remember that this is your last year of freedom, and those grades don't matter unless you're going for scholarships.

 

[Blueglacier]

I find it quite sad that you have to worry so much about this and getting bad grades. It's NCEA. It's not like a university GPA where bad grades will haunt you down forever.

Do you remember what I said about your priorities last time?

I don't, sorry. C: But thank you so much Stuart. You have been so helpful and like a mentor to me with this stupid to or to not take physics situation. I think I'll take it if the deans let me. Thank you for being so nice and helpful

 

[Blueglacier]

To add to Stuart's comment about NCEA grades not mattering, they really don't. So long as you get UE, you're fine.

I know I'm a bit of an exception rather than the norm, but I think I scraped through L3 by like, 4 or 5 credits. I failed more science standards than I passed, and just generally did nothing.

You know how much that mattered the second I started uni? Not in the least.

I want to keep Auckland in sight too, that's why I'm worried about the grades, not getting the rank score means I won't get in.

 

[Stuart]

I'm definitely taking classics. But I do think I will take level 3 physics if they let me, even if I suck at it and even looking at the textbook makes me sorta nervous. It'll put my mind at ease and that's what I'm going for right now

My recommendation: whatever you end up taking, try your best. Let it be your learning opportunities, not so much how to apply mechanics and such but I hope you learn something about yourself.

Good luck with your study.

I am more than happy to help where I can.

 

[frootloop]

There's definitely nothing wrong with taking physics in level 3 if you think it'll make you feel more comfortable the next year. In year 13 I took all three sciences, as well as economics and classics for funsies.

How hard is it to actually get into OLY1 in Auckland? Because I don't remember them being *that* stringent.

 

[Ruth]

Perhaps we could add this ('should I do l3 Chem/physics') into an FAQ so that we don't get asked it all the time.

If that's your final decision then I don't want to hear another peep out of you about it blueglacier!! Haha

 

[Stuart]

There's definitely nothing wrong with taking physics in level 3 if you think it'll make you feel more comfortable the next year. In year 13 I took all three sciences, as well as economics and classics for funsies.

How hard is it to actually get into OLY1 in Auckland? Because I don't remember them being *that* stringent.

Hi,

It's essentially the toughest. 250 for Health Science and 260 for Biomedical Science, I think? I will double check. It's been years.

 

[Stuart]

Perhaps we could add this ('should I do l3 Chem/physics) into an FAQ so that we don't get asked it all the time.

Already covered! Only if I can actually post it up...

 

[frootloop]

Hi,

It's essentially the toughest. 250 for Health Science and 260 for Biomedical Science, I think? I will double check. It's been years.

Seriously? Didn't they used to let like, 1400 people into their first year?

I suppose that means that a higher proportion get into med, but the competition is presumably pretty darn stiff.

 

[Blueglacier]

Hi,

It's essentially the toughest. 250 for Health Science and 260 for Biomedical Science, I think? I will double check. It's been years.

280 for Biomedical science.

 

[Blueglacier]

Perhaps we could add this ('should I do l3 Chem/physics') into an FAQ so that we don't get asked it all the time.

If that's your final decision then I don't want to hear another peep out of you about it blueglacier!! Haha

Your last sentence was hilarious, I'm still smiling