The Desert Colossus

Now that were all back in school now, how are you guys liking it?

I'm not too particularily intimidated by high school (9th grade). It's not as hard as people make it out to be, it's still the same. The only real change is that I got to choose two of my classes. This symester I have PowerPoint (because it was easy), and next symester I have Art.

I don't like kids.  Being a sub sucks.

Except for you all, you're the cool kids.

Tacheon, you're awesome! :D

Ahem... Anyway, so far, school's been all right. I'm pretty much dual enrolling (a Website design and programming class! \/\/007!) and I haven't been overwhelmed as of yet. Here's hoping it stays that way.

Tenth grade so far has been pretty much like every other school year: relatively straightforward, not too much harder than last year, but a noticeable step up. Can't complain too much, really.

I'm in 10th grade and it's alright.  Not hard, not easy.  Only thing is that it  is an all boy's school.  And Catholic.  I don't like guys, and I am not Catholic.  They make Religion a major course and I have to pass it, or I go straight to summer school.

Word of advice. Demand a transfer NOW!

I'm in Year 11 now, and work has stepped up a notch, loads of essays and data studies. But at least I'm one year away from being in the sixth form, which means no school uniform and doing only four subjects.
I hate school uniform, especially my blazer ><
And the new year 7s make such a noise on the bus, but they are nice and quiet on the train.
But break and lunch are fun, the weather is still ok so we just laze on the field.

I finally made it to calculus, and I am terrible at it.  Maybe I will understand it sooner or later.  Statistics isn't bad though.

Calculus is hell! GET OUT OF THERE NAOOOO!!!

Seriously, it's very very very hard.

Define hard. Isn't the difficulty level various from person to person?

I'm taking a brief break from school right now to raise money for that place.

Taking all donations to the "Not mugging you" foundation right now.

I'm willing to take the challenge.  This semester I am only going part time, so I will have extra study time (if I don't get called in to work extra hours >:( ).  

Quote from: MagmarFire on September 18, 2008, 07:21:10 PM
Define hard. Isn't the difficulty level various from person to person?

Unless you're a math or physics engineering major (and sometimes even then) Calculus is well known to be hard. You may think otherwise because of the relative, subjective definition of 'hard', But unless you're really really really into abstract maths, it's not going to be a cakewalk.

Do YOU think you would be able to calculate the derivative of cosine 5/8(pi)? or how about the derivative of cosecant 5/16(pi)? or all those other trigonometric derivative functions in your head, without use of a graphing calculator? Because I sure as hell can't calculate like that.

Quote from: JQ Pickwick on September 18, 2008, 07:32:25 PM
Do YOU think you would be able to calculate the derivative of cosine 5/8(pi)? or how about the derivative of cosecant 5/16(pi)? or all those other trigonometric derivative functions in your head, without use of a graphing calculator? Because I sure as hell can't calculate like that.

I never said I did, for I myself am not that proficient in calculus yet. And are you even expected to do those in your head? As far as I know, that's one of the reasons why you're encouraged to have a graphing calculator in college.

Boy... in tests, they don't let you use a graphing calculator. True fact!

And yes, they do expect you to do it in your head or on paper.

Say mags, aren't you a senior in high school? So wouldn't you be taking a calculus course by now? All of the advanced honors students in my class (including me) took precalculus in Junior year, and most of us moved on to AP Calculus. A LOT of us had trouble with AP calculus when we were just able to squeak by in precalculus. Hell, I was able to make straight As in Precalculus, but I still got really low test scores when I was in AP Calculus (probably around the middle in the range... I kept getting lower scores and felt like I kept hitting rock bottom... and then it'd get even lower.)

I am a senior, but that doesn't mean my curriculum of choice has to be like everyone else's, and it certainly doesn't mean that the requirements are the same. I'm currently taking honors trigonometry, which I heard has precalculus in there. I really do not wish to overwhelm myself.

I may very well take calculus in college, though, but even then, I'm only going to want to take one step at a time.

Eh, most of us didn't really have much to choose from when it came to cirriculum, so whatever. We didn't do european history for one, and we had only one foriegn language (spanish).

Poor schools suck. I'm glad to be out of that hellhole.

Cant....breathe......
Suffocating under Statistics and Psycology!


Someone get me a juicy juice, or something else to wash the taste of failure out of my mouth.

School's okay so far. It's a little stressful because of the people I'm stuck with, but... eh. I'll get over it. Being the president of a club is annoying as hell, because apparently the writing head thinks I'm not trying hard enough to make the club work.

Pre-AP Precal is my first class. It's not too hard- but on today's test, (f/g) (x) got me... I couldn't figure it out for the life of me for some reason. After that I've got Pre-AP Physics... not hard at all, but she won't let us use calculators. Then it's Apparel, and then AP English 3, Art 3 Drawing, Dance (which should be called "Sit," because we don't do a whole lot of dancing XD) and US History AP and German 3.

I'm making almost all A's - History and German are high B's.

I have:

Biology
Power Point (next symester it will be Art)
US History
German
Gym (next symster Home Education or whatever it's called)
Geometry
Honors English

My Power Point teacher is a cranky old woman who is easy to get on anyone's nerves. I'm doing good in it, though.

We only had one graded assignment in Geometry so far, and I didn't do so well, so right now my grade is a D. But there is a test next week and I'm actually good at this chapter now. I should also mention that I'm not into mathematics at all. Usually, the explanations in the book for how to do problems are easy to understand, but the problems are super-hard and are almost completely different from what we just learned. (Especially in 8th grade, where I almost got two F's in a single nine-week period. Luckily, these were minor tests, so I had a low C)

German is a C. I'm just not really into it, and our teacher isn't so great. Mabye I should transfer into Spanish before it's too late, because the teacher is supposed to be much better. Plus, the German book gives no information on what words mean in English, so... yeah.

Gym is hell. The sexist gym teacher gives guys a huge disadvantage over girls (for example, in this one test to see how fast we are, girls had to get 10.5 seconds for a perfect score, and guys had to get 9.2 seconds for a perfect score. I got 10.7 seconds.), and being a weakling, I'm probably going to fail. While this is understandable, if I see such sexism taken to the extreme, however, I will quit the class altogether and just take an F.

I'm doing impressive in English and History (as I usually do), and in Biology I have a low A right now. If I get my Geometry and German grades back up, then I'll be happy. I couldn't care less for gym, it's completely useless in today's world anyway.

Also, based on what you guys are saing, if I ever get assigned to Calculus, I'll request being transfered to another class. It also sounds like I won't use it in real life, either, especially considering how most people use calculators fo that stuff anyway.

Umm... about your gym teacher being 'sexist', you know how the records for women in sports like track are slower than guys? Yeah, that'd explain  the difference. That happens everywhere, the guys' stuff is usually more rigorous because we're known to be stronger than women.

But in terms of strength, I am actually around that of the average girl my age. And I know girls stronger than the average guy, too. By all fairness, such tests should be taken in terms of strength level, not gender.

As I said, though, I do understand why he did that, though, but I do not think that girls should be rated below guys just for being girls, or guys be ranked above girls simply for being guys. Such is discrimination, which is illegal in the United States.

Dude, I don't think anyone's gonna take seriously your claims of discrimination just because you flunked PE. I mean, loads of nerds/geeks are no stronger than the average girl, it's our destiny to be bad at Gym.

Of course they won't take it seriously; sexism, compared to racism, isn't taken seriously at all.

And I don't mean just because I flunked Gym they'll take it seriously, I mean that they should take it seriously because under United States law it is illegal.

But the example you just cited hardly counts as sexism!

And also about 'strength level', then there would be no need to have standards be made in relation to physical fitness, everything would be so easy, and some people wouldn't have to do jack! Do you really think that's fair?

Hey, easy you two.  This topic's not the place to be debating what's sexist or not.

I'd also like to say, dearest Whocares, that because someone says Calculus is hard is NOT a reason to get out of it.

I'll be taking it next year- YES, it's going to be hard, but it's also going to be worth it. I won't take it in college, either, because of it. I'm not really a mathematical genious, but I'm taking it nonetheless.

:V Just saying, you know. You'll have to take it some time (assuming you're going to college), and running from it sure as hell won't soften the blow.

It's not necessarily true that you'll have to take it, even in college/if you're going to college. Most colleges require only 1 or 2 credits of math, that's it, and doesn't have to be calculus.

The 11th grade is already a challenge for me. I'll get used to it.

I'm in 9th grade this year. But since I go to a junior high, not a middle school, I'm not in high school yet.

My schedule goes like this:

1st- PE (I hate being sweaty for the whole rest of the day. *sigh*)
2nd- Language Arts (I tried out for honors and was ONE postion away from making it in. One *bleeping* position!!!!!)
3rd- Social Studies (The teacher wears reall, really tight clothes *shudder*)
4th- Science (Have you ever watched Ferris Bueler? Well, my teacher and the teacher on the beginning have essentially the same voice)
5th- Advanced Algebra (11th grade math, and still not hard)
6th- French 2 (It's my favorite class by a longshot)

I can't write out my timetable because it is different every day in 2 week cycles.. but I take:
-Biology
-Physics
-Chemistry
-Maths
-English Language + English Literature
-RE
-PE (Fitness/Circuit training this term)
-Games (I chose hockey)
-RS (Judaism + Christian perspectives)
-Geography
-Art
-ICT
-French

And tommorow I have to show round parents and year 6s interested in coming to my school next year which should be fun, only the lesson I miss for doing it is Art which sucks. I like Art.

Does anyone else think it's ironic that we take English classes if we already know the language? :P

Chemistry and physics, eh? The good science classes, in my opinion. ;)

Bleugh, i dont like physics. Biology is my favourite, Chemistry second.
My physics teacher can be quite funny but a lot of the time he annoys me. His way of teaching us a bout static electricity was a bit of a lol though. We shall never forget how well he rubbed his rod.

I like English literature, not too fond of English language.

Quote-RS (Judaism + Christian perspectives)

I would love to know what that class is about. Are you part of a Christian or Jewish school?

It stands for Religious Studies and it's two separate classes.
Every fortnight I have 3 judaism lessons, learning about festivals and their laws and stuff, and then 2 christian perspectives lessons focusing on how christians react to certain things (family, war, poverty etc.)
RS was an option, you didn't have to take it, there were 10 or so subjects and we could pick four of them plus one language. The three sciences, english and maths were compulsory.

I don't go to a religious school, I mean we have to walk to church at Christmas and Easter but that's it.

So, um, yeah. The Homecoming dance was tonight, and it was awesome. Dancing with friends until we got tired...man, that's just epic!

And I almost got run over by a car. That was a little scary. >.>

Had my homecoming dance last night, didn't go due to...well, nobody to go with, and no way to get home.

Just realized I've never put my schedule or anything in here. I'll do it sometime.

I've never been to a dance.

Quote from: MagmarFire on October 04, 2008, 09:10:16 PMAnd I almost got run over by a car. That was a little scary. >.>

Glad you didn't get run over! You okay?

Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Not a scratch on me! ^_^ *itches arm*

However, you'd expect people to actually pay attention when they're turning right, especially when pedestrians are crossing... Good thing I was prepared for it.

As of right now, I am owning calculus and statistics.  I should be able to keep my grades up too just as long this week is the last week that I have to work overtime.

guh...
failing physics and English 3.
I hate my English teacher sooo much >.<

I was in a hockey tournament today for my school, it was great!
We got through to the quarter finals but lost  in the knockout rounds =( But it was against one of the favourites and it was only by oone goal, so it was okay for us.
Most of the other schools in the tournament were private though, so I don't think they liked us very much, probably because we didn't have to pay to get into our school, hahah. 
But yeah, we played at two of the best private schools so the grounds were like AMAZING.
It was fun!

^^ great to be back and start posting again!  :P
yayy...... go school.....   :-* (please note that there was a HINT of sacrasim in that and in this too =D)

I'm in year 11 now (I think that's grade 12 on america? o.0? )
and.... I hate it  :'(
Looking at colleges and 6th forms to go to when I have finished school makes high school seem so...? Boring compared to them  :-*
I wish that school would just end soon and get rid of these horrible G.C.S.E's  ;D
Then again... XD We finish school at the age of 16 over here and I finish school for good in May 09 and THEN I can go to college or 6th form! yayy!!  :D lol

I'm in Year 11 too!
But I think I'll stay on at my school for 6th form.
What subjects are you taking for GCSE?

I've taken History, Spanish and Textiles for my options
and then theres the compulsaries =(
Like, maths, english, science, I.C.T, P.H.S.E, R.E, P.E  :-*

and you? ^^

Mathematics, FTW, by the way. :D

School's okay for me.
In School:
Almost every class I'm in has a SmartBoard. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_board) I'm getting really good grades in German II Honors, which is really good. I'm going to get my certification for CPR in Health soon
I'm learning alot in my Digital Arts class and my teacher likes my work.
21st Century Issues always depresses me because our teacher always talks about how bad the economy is and how hard it will be for an average Joe to get even a simple job.
My Geometry teacher is really nice and spunky. Although there's these two annoying freshmen in my group for Biology, there's this really cool freshman who likes Zelda.
My lunch is really late (7th period), but luckily, my 21st Century Issues and Geometry teachers both let us eat in their classes. And I have alot of friends in my lunch hour.
English is okay. Kinda bored of Greek literature, but it can't really be helped.

After School Activities:
Although I haven't shown up for a single meeting this year for German Club yet because I've been too busy, I got to be with the German Club float for the homecoming parade.
I'm an Officer in Otaku Club and people know me as the weird girl who dresses like Vaati.  ;D There's a boy in the club who dresses like Link, so we duel.  ;)
I stay after school on Thursdays for extra help in Photoshop, but my friend who teaches the class lets me help too since I already have some background knowledge in Photoshop.

Quote from: o0Zelda0o on October 10, 2008, 03:53:37 PM
I've taken History, Spanish and Textiles for my options
and then theres the compulsaries =(
Like, maths, english, science, I.C.T, P.H.S.E, R.E, P.E  :-*

and you? ^^

For my options I chose French, Geography, Religious Studies and Art.
And ICT because it wasnt compulsory for us.

I.C.T is not for you?!  :( That's so unfair,  ::) I can't stand I.C.T, we have to do some OCR Nationals thing  :-* It's soooo boring!!!  :'(

Umm... What do all these abbreviations stand for?

G.C.S.E - General Certificate of Secondary Education

OCR Nationals - vocationally-related qualifications which were officially launched by the OCR Board in September 2004. (An English exam kinda thing)

I.C.T - Information Computer Tech, a subject that students in this country study

P.H.S.E - I don't know what it means lol, but  ;) It's when you study things like the Government, what your going to do with life, sex, relationships, life e.c.t....

R.E - Religious Education

That help?  :D

physical health and sex education? :B

We learn them in Biology mostly, but to part of them in P.H.S.E

For us it's PSHE, personal and social  health education.
But we dont do it for GCSE.

ICT is SO boring, I only chose it because it was one of four choices and I thought it would be more useful than the others (drama, sports studies or statistics.)

P.S.H.E isn't a G.C.S.E for us, we just have to do it  :-*

You totally should've gone for Drama.

I go to drama school so taking it in school would have been pretty pointless. Besides my school is very small and not many people pick Drama.

I meant that towards Alical, since she mentioned drama.

oohhhh  ;) lol Sorry I thought you ment me! XD

I take Hons Geometry, Hon French 1, Hon Earth Systems, Art 1, Band, Hon World History, English and Freshmen Semenar, Only likin ARt and Band at this point

does Hon stand for honors?

I believe you would be correct in that assumption.

Here's what I've got:

• Algebra 2
• History
• Biology
• English
• Consumer Math

I chose to go with Consumer Math because there was a very poor choice of electives and it was the only one that didn't totally suck.

Wait, home school has electives?

Yep. But like I said, their selection is terrible... Not to mention only female students can take Home Ec. Consumer Math was the only one that sounded even remotely interesting. They had one called "Computer Science," or something to that effect, and I was hoping it was programming or something, since I think it might be fun to learn... but it was just working with word processing programs and learning how to type "properly."

Quote from: JQ Pickwick on October 13, 2008, 02:24:23 PM
You totally should've gone for Drama.

I only did ICT because almost every job now requires some sort of Computer qualification. I didn't want to do any of them, I'd rather have done Spanish but ICT seemed the most useful out of all of them.

I found out today that I go to school in the "most complete medieval town in Britain". What larks.

Hmm... so I am definitely the most busy person that I know.

0.) Choir/ Musical Studies
1.)Computer Aided Drafting (at Kirtland Community College)
2.)English III/ MSU class (pretty much two classes in one hour)
3.)Academic Enrichment
4.)World History
5.)Lit.
6.)Trigonometry
7.)English Composition (at Kirtland)
8.)Writing Lab (also at Kirtland)
9.)Physics

Current Sports: Volleyball, Cross Country, and Equestrian (Basketball starts next week)
Other stuff I participate in: Yearbook, Student Council, Knowledge Bowl, the local Fund Raising Committee, tutoring, and a part in the school musical.

I get up at 5:30 and do not get home until at least 7... usually later when I have a meet,game, or practice of some sort. So, yeah.  ;)

oh my god I could never be that busy!
Especially with 2 hours of homework a night, I would never cope.
Good luck with it!

Its actually not that bad when you get used to 5 hours of sleep at night.  :-X

FInally done with first semeister of college...
I think i need to sleep for about two weeks, but I have work and a date tommorrow. Ah well.
(collapses)

I'm about ready to start my first semester of College. 

Going to be going into the Political Science courses.

You'll do well, of course. Cheers to the future president of the Skull and Bones!  ;D

Well (I know I'm a few months late) I'm in the big 12 year. I go to a specialized tech school, so my area of study is Digital Communications, or Digital Art. It's funny, because in college I'm going to study Music Education. I got accepted at the local college, and am starting in the fall.

But the main focus of this year is the huge senior project that the school does. We have to come up with a product as part of the grade, and I am creating and publishing my own literary magazine. I completely created it in Photoshop, and recieved student's work. I just got the first issue las week, and am selling 175 copies.
:-)

At the end of the year we present a huge, 1 hour presentation. Thus, this is what has taken up my whole time.

I scored over 9000 on my final exam in calculus.  For my other two classes I don't know if I did that well but I should still get A's because I was in the high nineties before I took the exams, and I know I didn't bomb them.

In the begining of January I am going to be moving down to Michigan State.  They won't let me pick my classes until I do the orientation thing, which isn't until four days before classes start.  I wonder how I will be able to get any classes.

I'm bringing this back because my school life has been a bit majorly crazy recently. I had 2 weeks of mock exams (basically just practice exams for our real GCSEs in May/June) which were really stressful but not too bad because I had lots of mornings off when there were exams that i wasn't taking.
I did qite well, I've had most of my marks back and they are all As and A*s which is good, but one of the exams I did was a real English one (on the play Journey's End) so I wont find out for a while what i got because it is externally assesed.

But more importantly the past few weeks have been all about A-level choices. It's kind of complicated but right now I have to choose the four subjects (plus one reserve and one sort of sub subject) that I will be studying over the next two years. These choices will directly effect what I will study at University so you know it like matters.
Anyway I have chosen Religious Studies, English Literature, French and Geography with Italian as my sub subject and Psychology as a reserve.

So yeah, stressy...

I could never get straight A's. The last thing I want is all the attention. As long as I get above a C- I'm good.

Well today I got my final Geography mark back which gave me an overll mark of a B for it which ruined my streak of A's.
But then again  I was the only person in my Geography class to get above a D.

But it has now made me a bit conflicted as to whether to do Maths or Geography at A level, I  cant choose!

I'll admit, I'm not the best at Social Studies. All my grades for the past semester were mainly Cs and Bs which is alright, but I got a D+ in 21st Century Issues (Current Events for short, I guess) But that was a one-semester class and over with. Now I have Living Law.
But I'm pretty excited because I'm taking German III. H next year and I'll finally get to take Driver's Ed and I might have it with my best friend. :)