Dealing with the D word

Dear students,

The results are out and the boys here have thoroughly covered that topic. So, I want to focus on another big issue; depression.

A recent media article (Barry 2011) reported on the stress being felt by students to do well, and how it was leading to an alarming number of suicides and attempts of self-harm. It raises attention to some alarming statistics, one in particular struck me by surprise.

Department officials have found that, on average, one Victorian student attempts suicide each week of the school year.

That’s one student every week who reaches the point where they can no longer cope. That’s a scary thought.

This article raises an alarming issue; the mental health of students is in turmoil. Students are feeling so much stress that they are threatening self-harm, or even taking their own lives. Barry (2011) raises some alarming statistics about the current number of students who threaten to commit suicide, self-harm, or suffer as the result of another person’s suicide, and how that number has increased over recent years. The article does not, however, mention why this number is on the rise, but rather that the minister is going to look into. It leaves us readers to ask why students are going to such drastic measures, because students are not only harming themselves around the notoriously stressful exam period, but rather all year long. It ends with a plea to help anyone that is seen to be struggling to cope, which touches on the importance of social support.

I’m currently studying both nursing and psychology at University, and so I have quite a bit of information and plenty of resources at hand. I don’t just want to bombard you with information, as it’s an emotional topic, but there are facts that need to be known and tend to get swept under the rug, or simply forgotten, when it comes to depression.

“Depressive illness is the emotional equivalent of a broken leg.  The condition is painful and disabling, but with a very high cure rate… Depressive illness is similar to cancer in many ways.  No one is immune from either, regardless of age, sex, intelligence, social status, etc.  In severe cases, the condition is life threatening.” (retrieved on 15 Decemeber 2011, quote taken from <depression.com.au>)

I just want to emphasise this point; depression is an ILLNESS. Depression is not something ‘weak’ people experience when they ‘can’t handle stress’ – it can affect absolutely anyone and can be triggered by a wide variety of things. No two cases are exactly the same, and so no two cases are treated in the same way. But the symptoms are similar, and some of them may include:

• moodiness that is out of character
• increased irritability and frustration
• finding it hard to take minor personal criticisms
• spending less time with friends and family
• loss of interest in food, sex, exercise or other pleasurable activities
• being awake throughout the night
• increased alcohol and drug use
• staying home from work or school
• increased physical health complaints like fatigue or pain
• being reckless or taking unnecessary risks (e.g. driving fast or dangerously)
• slowing down of thoughts and actions.
  (list taken from <BeyondBlue>)

If you’re worried that VCE, or life in general, is just getting to be to much, the best thing you can do is talk to someone. Ideally the best person to talk to is a professional – but anyone can help you relieve some stress; a good friend, family member, or even a teacher.

What can others do to help?
The most important role is to understand the illness and indeed the suffering that goes on under the seemingly healthy surface in patients with depressive illness, sometimes described as the “walking wounded”.  You cannot give answers to the illness, but a vital aid to recovery is to express understanding and sympathy, while reminding the depressed person that they will recover, despite their own pessimism and fears. And for many patients with depression, it is very useful if you can offer “non-demanding presence”…have the sufferer with you, and alone as little as possible, without feeling the need to make conversation or do anything much.
(retrieved on 15 Decemeber 2011, quote also taken from <depression.com.au>)

If you’d like to know more, here are a few helpful sites: Depression.com, Beyond Blue, StudentsAgainstDepression, and SANE.

And if you want to talk to anyone here, please don’t be shy!! I check this place regularly and I’d be more than happy to reply to comments if you have any concerns or if you’d like to get in touch with me – I’m always happy to listen & I’ll help where I can.

Till the next post, please take care and study lots!

-Amanda AV

Some questions about the VCE results!

Hi guys,

I’ve noticed that in the last few days, we’ve been receiving a few hits with readers asking questions through Google (and other search engines), and hitting the blog. That’s great and all, but it appears that we may have missed out on some of your questions. This post is going to do the best to help you out with those questions. I’ve picked out as many as I can, and I’ve answered them as best I can. They’ve been corrected for spelling, too.

Question: Are there people who don’t check their VCAA scores?

Answer: I’ve heard of people that didn’t check their ATAR and Study Scores. A few years ago, there was a girl in the year level above me that didn’t check her scores, and funnily enough, ended up being one of the highest scoring students in the school.
In my experience, people want to check their results for a few different reasons. The most important thing to realise is, though, is that the scores you receive do not define you. You’ve gotten through Year 12, you’ve made it through school, and that’s a fantastic thing. The ATAR and Study Scores you receive, in a way, is a bonus.

Question: How do you know what your VCAA number is?

Answer: There are a few ways to find this. The first and foremost is the number on your VTAC application (if you made one). This 8 digit number (and letter) is your VCAA number. This is because the two organisations need to collaborate with data and that sort of thing, so it makes it easier to have one common number.
If you didn’t make a VTAC application, you can check your exam timetable (it’ll be on the official one the school sent you), or you can call up your school and ask.

For more information on how to obtain your results, take a look at It’s almost time! – A guide to getting your results.

Question: What time do VCE results come out?

Answer: Depends on how you get them. If you’re getting them by SMS, you should have received an SMS at about 7am this morning. If you didn’t, you can always check online, at http://resultsandatar.vic.edu.au.

If you’re receiving them by mail, you won’t receive them until Monday, at the earliest.

Question: What to do when my VCE results come out?

Answer: There’s a few things you can do, if you want to. In regards to the scores and ATAR, if you have any queries, you can call the Post Results and ATAR Service at any of the following contact numbers.

• Metropolitan callers: (03) 9651 4640
• Freecall: 1800 653 080
• Email: pras@edumail.vic.gov.au

You can also change your preferences, if you’re doing a VTAC application, up until Wednesday the 21st of December, at 5pm.

Apart from that, it’s up to you.

Question: Why don’t people share their VCE score?

Answer: Depends on the situation. Personally, I shared my scores to everyone. Purely, because my friends all thought that I was going to have a super high score (like 90+), and then, I was shocked with a pretty good result, but not fantastic (I had a score of 81.65). I told everyone, solely to prove that I was not a supergenius, like they thought.

The best thing to do when people want to talk about VCE results is only talk about them if you want to. It can be incredibly unnerving to talk to someone that got a score ten points higher than you, and it can also be a little intimidating.

Some people end up disappointed with their results, or simply don’t want to check, which are both totally understandable. Don’t harass people to tell you their results, that is not the right way to approach things.

Question: What happens if your VCE results are bad?

Answer: Don’t worry too much. Even if you don’t get the offer for the course you really want to do, there is always another way in. So don’t panic, and freak out. A bad result may not necessarily be a bad thing (ironically).

Some options you might not be able to access with a lower ATAR, but you don’t need to worry. If you persevere, you will get to where you want to go. It just might take a little time. :)

Question: How can students get their ATAR texted to them?

Answer: The instructions are located here.

Question: When we receive the VCE text is the score scaled?

Answer: No, it is not. The scaled scores can be seen in the letters mailed out to you by VTAC, or online.

Question: What does the VCE results text look like?

Answer: The text will look a little like this:

VCAA Results for INSERT NAME HERE:

(Subject Number 1), GA1, GA2, GA3, Study Score

(Subject Number 2), GA1, GA2, GA3, Study Score

(Subject Number 3), GA1, GA2, GA3, Study Score

(Subject Number 4), GA1, GA2, GA3, Study Score

(Subject Number 5), GA1, GA2, GA3, Study Score

(Subject Number 6), GA1, GA2, GA3, Study Score

ATAR: –.–

From memory, that’s what it looked like last year. I’m not exactly perfect with recollection, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it looked.

Question: What is GA1/GA2/GA3? Which one is the SAC score in your VCE results?

Answer: GA stands for Graded Assessment. That’s basically another word for ‘stuff that has been marked’. SACs and Exams come under different GA numbers, and as a result, will generally be different. Don’t worry too much about it, a C+ is the median mark students get.

Your SAC score is generally either GA1 or GA2 (or both). It depends on the subject.

Question: How do I get my VCE results if I’ve forgotten my student number?

Answer: There’s a helpline for it, but I’ve forgotten the number. (Sorry). Try calling your school, they may be able to help. Alternatively, you can wait for the mail to arrive on Monday.

Question: Do your scaled scores get rounded up, when they’re a 5th or 6th subject? What about my aggregate?

Answer: Nope, they get rounded down. Unfortunately. But, this only happens at the final step, so potentially, the biggest error you can have is 0.05 of your ATAR (which doesn’t mean much, in the scheme of things).

I hope this has helped answer some of your questions. I’ll keep answering as I get the time to. If you have any more, feel free to leave them in our Have a Question?  section, or drop us an email at survivingvce@gmail.com.

For now, sayonara!

Josh.

So the VCE Results are out, Year 12 is over… wait, what happens now?

The title says it all, doesn’t it?

Well, not really. Undoubtedly, the SMS, or webpage you checked this morning kind of crashed it for you already. Reality is in, Year 12 is over. You never ever ever have to go back to school again (at least, not if you don’t want to).

So what happens now?

There’s a few different things that will happen, in the next few weeks, that you best be aware of, if you’re making an application through VTAC. These dates are:

Wednesday December 21st, 5:00pm – Change of Preference Closes.

Monday, January 16th, 2012, 5:00pm – Round 1 Offers are released.

Friday, February 3rd, 2012, 2:00pm – Round 2 Offers are released. (Only relevant if you didn’t accept the first offer.)

For the moment, though, you can relax. It’s still another four weeks until the next set of stress, :P

So for now, go and stop stressing. It will do you wonders to go out, and not panic. The VCE is over, you’re free! :)

Enjoy your summer, Graduating Class of 2011. Do us proud.

Anyways, sayonara for now,

Josh.

So Fly Like a… GA?

No… This post isn’t as fly as a G6.

Anyways, just to clear things up, GA stands for “Graded Assessment”.

All VCE Studies have 3 GA’s; appropriately titled GA1, GA2, and GA3.
All VCE VET Programs have 2, instead of 3, however [called GA1 and GA2, respectively].

Now many of you have been asking what does GA1/GA2/GA3 mean for [insert Study/Subject/Program name here]?

The answer? An Excel file that has it all.

I must mention that the information is directly taken from this year’s VCAA Administration Handbook, and outlines what each Graded Assessment is and how much each is worth.

Naturally, I have decided to break it down even further, to clarify how much certain unit’s SACs are cumulatively worth.
You’ll see what I mean when you download the file.
You can do so here: SurvivingVCE Graded Assessment Weighting Table [.xlsx file].

For those who are doing VCE in 2012, please wait…
…Your edition will be uploaded as soon as I can find the time to edit it.

Until then, take care.

-Noleskie.

A side note: If you have calculated your SAC scores and they appear different to what it says on the GA1/2 result, then remember that C+ is the average grade and that your SAC scores have been statistically moderated by the VCAA, to ensure that there is a level playing field.

Buying Stuff for School – A Guide

So, for everybody, buying books is something that has to be done. Generally, schools give out a booklist, with books that you are required to have for your school studies.

Now, as most booklists are, they’re expensive. Sometimes, stupidly so. When I was in Year 12, I bought my materials from my school. It cost me $630. That’s not including school fees, mind you. On top of that, I went to a public school.

Parents are always going to be wondering ‘Hey, can I make things a bit cheaper?’. I was wondering the same thing in Year 12. I was self supporting through my final year for school, so everything I had to buy I had to pay for myself. On my way, I found some really great and useful resources to buy books cheaper, and also developed some really good habits.

So, here’s five useful tips to buying things for school.

1. Do your research – It may seem stupid to hear that, but the majority of people just order what they need off of their booklist and end up spending more money than they need to. It’s the same for anything, TVs, Cars, Homes… you do your research before buying those, so do yourself a favour and do some research before buying books. Some great websites to look at before purchasing books and materials are:

• Booko – I typically use this for my Uni books. Instead of spending $150 on some textbooks, I can buy them for about half price off of some of the websites that Booko searches through. Think of it as Google for books.
• eBay – Although the book may not be brand new, you can always take a look around and see if you find the text you’re looking for. You can always pick up some neat bargains for books around this time of year, when people are all offloading their old books.
• Calculator King and Officeworks are great places to research before buying a calculator. My reasoning is simple here: Why spend $219 on a calculator on a booklist, when you can buy it for much less somewhere else?

Booko and eBay are also really good for finding your English texts, in general. Typically, you can buy some of these texts at about 60% off of the retail price.

2. If you can, buy secondhand – You might have an older sibling, cousin, friend who’s just finished Year 12. See if they’re interested in selling their books, you never know. You may be able to save a small fortune buying books from your friend, rather than any online place or bookstore.

3. An older version isn’t always a bad thing – This goes for things like Checkpoints, in particular. The places that sell these books generally have to restock with a new book every year. Why? The book has to be updated with the new exam.

Some books you need to buy the most recent year for (e.g. English textbooks like Insight), but for most additional texts, or optional books, you can get away with buying an older version. E.g. Buying the Checkpoints Methods 2010 may not be the same as the Checkpoints Methods 2012 book, but it will cover most of the same material.

4. Always be on the lookout for a bargain – Sometimes, academic bookshops have books that are discounted or on special. A little bit of writing in a book may be a bit annoying, but if you’re not taking it into an exam, does it really matter?

5. Academic bookshops are around, take a look at some of them. Two that I shopped from when I was in Year 12 are Academic and General and the Senior Student Resource Centre, but there are others around.

I’m hoping this has helped, but make sure you take a look around and see what you find. Sometimes, you can pick up a great bargain.

 

Bye for now,

Josh