Daily Lukey: The Journey to 200 (Part 2)

So if you missed yesterday's post, you can view it by clicking here. As well as being Part 1 of this celebratory series it was also my 200th Post on this Blog! To celebrate I am taking a journey through the 199 posts that lead up to the 200th. Here's hoping for another 200 posts to be on the way, let us begin. We left off at the end of April with  a post about how easy it is cause offence and am starting with the first post in May about pressure and the various sources from which we experience it. I spent the next day complaining about how I was supposed to have my braces off (in time for my Birthday) but instead had to have them tightened as my front teeth had moved more than they were supposed to so instead of a braces free night, I had to endure pains and a sleepless night, what fun.  I then talked about the different addictions people had followed by a post about whether people think anymore or if they just act. I then discussed the wonders of the French before bestowing unto you (did I really just write that) the horrible story-writing skills of the Maths Department in the first part of our Methods SAC. The next two days were all very positive as I was excited for my Birthday! In fact, the first post was excited and the second was Birthdays so you might have been able to guess that. I then finished the horrible story-line of our Methods SAC the following day.

Source: http://rheumination.typepad.com/

I then discussed the magic of Music before celebrating Mothers Day by writing about how much Mothers are important to us. I wrote about the magic of Books before I celebrated my 50th Post (how far I have come) by reflecting on my time so far as a Daily Blogger and how unexpected the growth of this blog was (it still amazes me so thank you readers, it means a lot to me that you bother reading what I write, it really does). I then spent yet another post complaining about Homework before providing one of my most popular posts of all time, studying tips. You guys really seemed to like my tips for studying for exams because it was the number one post on this blog for quite a while (yes, I do actually look at that). The next day I wrote about the benefits of sport before I got lazy the next day (ironically) and posted my English speech on why internet censorship is wrong. The next day I reflected on Sandy's experiences with the RSPCA Million Paws Walk before I wrote another one of my most popular posts about the start of the Language Perfect World Championships. This was actually one of the first times someone had actually shared my blog on their site and I did see a spike in views over the following days. I then complained about how hospitals just made you feel "sick" (for want of a better word) before I wrote a post about Competition and how some competition can be good for you while too much is not such a good thing. I then complained about the selfish act of violence followed by another rant on etiquette and how to many people it is stupid and how this annoys me (I was having an annoying weekend it seems). I then wrote another post on how to get the most out of study before I wrote a post about the wonder that is King Kong Live on Stage at Melbourne's Regent Theatre. I then wrote a post about distractions since I was so distracted when I was studying for exams. Then it came exam time and the following posts were about topics such as annoying things people do during exams, the stupid exam logic some people have and a celebration for the end of exams. That is the end of May and for this post. The next two parts will be coming out after a days break tomorrow to allow for some variety. Part 3 will be out on Monday and Part 4 on Tuesday. Part 5 will then be on Thursday and Part 6 (if necessary) will be out on Friday.

Thank you all so much for reading, sharing and supporting my blog, it really means a lot to me. See you tomorrow!

Spooky Driving

As some of you may know if you read the frantic and excited posts I wrote around May 9 I am now aged 16. As I live in Victoria this means that I am able to apply for my Learners Permit Test which I aced and achieved a perfect 100% score on. Just saying, not trying to brag or anything, you know me (or maybe you do not). Anyway, this meant that I was able to begin learning to actually drive. Since then I have accrued just over eleven hours of practice. I know, it's not very much but it is better than nothing. Tonight I went on a driving lesson (around 8pm I left so I only just got back) which actually went longer than we expected because we got carried away. As it was dark and we went on a few questionable roads it was a little spooky and here is my experience.

Image Source: http://www.groupon.com.au/deals/perth-premium/drivestyle/716605920

It started off normal enough except I thought I had my foot on the accelerator when it was on the brake. A lot of confusion ensued as to how and why the car was not moving but in the end we realised my mistake and I continued my journey. First, Dad had to fill up and again I forgot to change the gears back to first (yeah, I am learning in a Manual) so as we pulled out I may have stalled the car. At least the other people at the petrol station were being entertained. Finally we continued into our spooky journey and it was not until I was driving through some of the back roads around the You Yangs that I realised how spooky it was. I swear, it looked like I was driving through the forests of one of those Slender Games. I swear if somebody was around in a suit I would have freaked out. Then we turned into a more open gravel road which made me actually believe I was in a horror movie as there began to be less signs around. I actually said to Dad that it feels like a horror movie and any minute now the car is going to mysteriously break down and our phones will be out of range. That's how spooky it was. The rest of the drive was pretty normal but that was actually the scariest part. That is why I said that it was a very spooky drive.

Always act as though you are the only competent driver on the road, see you tomorrow!

Exam Logic

As you all will know if you have been reading my posts recently, this week is exam week. I just have to say that during exams people have some really messed up logic. I am terming such logic "Exam Logic" as it only happens when there is an exam. During the past two days I have experienced people doing some really illogical things. It is like full-moon madness except with exams, I guess you could call it Exam-Madness or something. If I miss anything be sure to comment down below on any weird "Exam Logic" you may have experienced.

Image Source: http://www.ivoryresearch.com/custom-exam-notes-writing/

One of the worst examples of "Exam Logic" I can think of right now happens before you even sit the exam. This is the logic where people think they will be able to get by without studying. I do not know how people even manage to do this when I still get stressed out with exams even after I have studied all night for them. I had a friend who claims (I say "claims" because I don't believe he could do that) to not have done any studying for his exams today and when I arrived to school he was playing a game on his laptop. The weird part is that when it comes to tests and assignments these people will study but when it comes to exams which is really just a big test they do not even get stressed when they don't study. How can you not study for exams? I would be a mess if I didn't study for any exams. "Exam Logic" can be really illogical at times.

Image Source: http://www.vrkmphoto.com/interesting/more-study-more-confusion-no-study-no-confusion/

"Exam Logic" really comes into play during the actual exam. The first part is when people get out all their pens and pencils but forget to bring out the most important part they'll need like a rubber or ruler. Halfway through they realise and they have to move their chairs to reach what they need and so they do what I talked about yesterday with the chair. They'll start out quick and then realise the noise it makes. From here they'll go extra slow to drag out the noise instead of going fast to get rid of the noise (oh the logic). Then there are the people who turn up on the day of a Maths exam without a calculator. Who would not think of bringing a calculator to their Maths exam? Then they go running around everywhere trying to find a spare calculator. It is even worse when they just assume they'll be able to borrow the calculator off the person nearest them. Like I said in yesterday's post they'll act like they're doing you a big favour in letting you use it until they need it. Excuse me, it's a Maths exam, you are more likely than not going to need the calculator most of the time. I just do not know how these people actually think anymore. Sometimes I think people just automatically switch off when exams come around. I really hope "Exam Logic" isn't contagious. Yes, I know the person in the picture is playing Pokemon, if you don't like it then email me at legolukeytutorials@gmail.com I'll be happy to reply. So I know this isn't all the "Exam Logic" that is going around these days so if I've missed out anything you have thought of then comment it down below or email me (see above).

Image Source: 

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/ti-nspire-cx-cas-calculator-lets-you-play-pokemon-in-full-color-during-class

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow!

Annoying Things People do During Exams

Well exam week officially started this week for Years 9 and 10 at my school and so today we had an English Exam and a Rio Tinto Big Science Competition (not an exam). Today I am not going to talk about the exam itself but rather the annoying things people do during the exam. We have all experienced one exam or test that had someone doing something incredibly annoying and distracting. If you have experienced something annoying during one of your exams/tests don't be afraid to comment down below!

Image Source: https://www.dkit.ie/examinations/timetables

One of the most annoying things a person can do right at the start of the exam is to maneuver their chair into a position that is comfortable for them. I'm not saying that I get annoyed when people feel comfortable (oh the injustice) but it is the way they go about getting comfortable that is annoying. They start out fast but then they realise it makes a really loud noise. So what do they do? Maybe move it fast so that the noise doesn't last as long? No, that would be too simple. What they do is slowly move their chairs so the noise just goes on forever. Then they finally get comfortable and they start work and you think you can relax but no, they move it that little bit further so they are even more comfortable. Has anyone else had this experience? It is really annoying and why wouldn't you get the noise done quickly rather than drag it out so you distract everyone in the examination hall? Sometimes I lose faith in the future of humanity.

Image Source: http://empirefurniture.com.au/Ergostack-Classroom-Chair.aspx?p38783

Then there are the people who think it is alright to communicate during exams. These are the people who think it is okay to play the game where you have to repeat a certain word (for the decency of this blog I won't say it) one after another getting louder each time. I mean, where is the fun in that? Oh, I said a bad word, hehehe. See how lame and immature that is? When you're trying to relax at the end of an exam it's even worse. Then there are the people who think it okay to borrow someone's ruler, or calculator during an exam. Sometimes they have the audacity to say "I'll give it to you if you need it" as if they are doing you a massive favour. That is so annoying when it happens and it has happened to me quite a few times. There are also the people who think there is nothing wrong with looking over to someone else's answers. This is incredibly annoying when, during the exam, they ask you how you did that or that it's wrong (even when you've checked it on CAS and it's correct). It's annoying because they can end up getting you into trouble for doing nothing. These people are really infuriating and really ruin your exam time because you might be thinking "well, this is alright" and then they annoy you and you just wish you could leave. Does any of this happen to you guys? Good luck with exams everybody!

Image Source:

http://www.123rf.com/photo_16079543_student-sitting-and-talking-at-desk-in-empty-exam-hall.html

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow!

P.S. It's also annoying when your stupid brother comes into the room and starts listening to stuff on his phone (without headphones) and just stands there when you're trying to study! #Frustrating

Distractions

Distractions are around us all the time and it isn't until we are trying to concentrate that we realise how distracting they really are. It's currently exam week at my school and so I am learning first-hand just how distracting things can be and so today I just want to talk about the different types of distractions and how to best overcome them. It is obvious that it isn't easy to avoid distractions but you can limit your exposure to them.

Image Source: http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/4453/distraction-can-reduce-pain/

In our world it is no secret that there are a myriad of distractions around us. Even the tiniest things can be the most distracting. Who's ever tried studying when someone has the television on loud down the other end of the house? Who has ever tried studying while their annoying siblings put incredibly loud music on down the other end and your parents say nothing? All these things are distractions and keep us from doing what we need to. Distractions can turn a ten minute task into the slowest hour of your life. Distractions can ruin your careful planning and preparation. The worst part is when you're in a test and you're 'friend' won't stop tapping his (or her) pens on the table like he's some wannabe drummer. Do you know how hard it is to concentrate when this is going on? It's even harder just to stop yourself from walking over there and snapping all their stationary. These are all very annoying distractions and can have negative consequences on the quality of our work and our performance in stressful situations (such as tests or exams).

Image Source: http://web.scott.k12.va.us/martha2/VaStudiesTests.htm

Distractions can be incredibly annoying but some of them can be overcome. If you're trying to study and all you can hear is the television then try and move as far away as you can, within reason, and shut the doors between you and the television. It is very important not to be able to actually see the television or you'll just end up watching it. If you can still hear the television just tell the person and if they don't listen to you then you'll just have to put up with it. The same can be said about the music except if it's your brother. Feel free to give him a whack over the head. If he's the nicest brother/person in the whole world then don't though. For test or exam situations you will most likely know before you go in who the person who does that is and so try and get a seat as far away from them as possible. Also if they are a person who likes to talk during tests and exams (I'm getting this all from the one person) then do not share a desk with them because during a VCE exam they can take your paper off you as well as that person's, even if you weren't talking because the people running the exam won't know that. So the simple thing is if you can't avoid the distraction just get as far away as possible from it within reason. Distractions really are annoying though so don't go psycho if it happens to you (unless its your brother)!

Image Source: http://simplelifestrategies.com/sls-reduce-distractions/

May the odds be ever in your favour (and good luck with exams), see you tomorrow!

Getting the Most out of Study

Ever had a day where you had to get something done but just couldn't get down and start? I'm sure it's happened to all of us on at least one occasion. There may be an assignment due tomorrow, an exam next week or a report completed as soon as possible. No matter what it is the chances are we'll struggle to just sit down and start it because there are just so many distractions going on around us. We'll just keep thinking to ourselves that we'll start soon and before you know it it's 10pm and you haven't even begun. So today's post is on how to best limit your chance of being distracted and to get the most out of your study or homework.

The best thing you can do to limit distractions is to start as soon as you get home. If you leave it to later you're going to find more and more excuses as to why you can't start yet. If you start straight away you can get it out of the way and enjoy the rest of the night without having to think about finishing it. However, if this is not possible you could have a quick break but don't start watching television or playing a game because you won't stop and before you know it it's late and you're assignment is due in the morning. Once you have had a quick break and are feeling refreshed you are almost ready to start. Before you start be sure to find a place well away from any distraction or if there isn't a space like this then move the distractions away from you. Of course, I don't mean drag the television set out the front door (you probably won't see it again) but instead maybe move the remotes or throw out the batteries (or hide them if you're not wasteful). Just make sure that when you start there is nothing close to you that might distract you. This means no phones! If you do need your phone make sure it's on silent or you'll be messaging your friends when you should be working. Now this is done you can begin your studies.

The best way to complete your studies is to start with the most urgent task so you can get it out of the way and not have to worry about it. However, if you don't really have an urgent task to complete then start with the task you least want to do. This is because you are motivated to do it at the start when you're fresh rather than later on when you're tired and just want to get it done. A good idea to lessen the chance of being distracted is to have all the materials you are going to need with you at the start so that you don't have to get up and go anywhere and lose your concentration. Chances are if you leave to get something you are not going to come back for a while. It's also good to leave the tasks you are looking forward to most at the end. This is because by the end you are tired of homework and if you don't want to do it chances are you'll take a 'short' break and forget about it. If you do something you want to do at the end then there is a higher chance of you getting it done. It can also give you something to look forward to. It's always good to have some water with you in case you get thirsty. If you follow these tips you should be able to get through your homework effectively.

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow.

Studying Tips

So it's that time of year again. Yes, it's time for exams! The time we all love to hate. The only really good thing about this is we only have to go to school for the exams which means really short school days. It's also good because the whole week before is just Revision Week where they can't teach us anything new. The downside of this is also that we can't have anything due that week and so all our assignments are due the week before (this week) meaning a very stressful time for students. At least once this week is over all that's left to do is study. In today's post I am going to discuss some study techniques that could help you do really well on your exams!

For Maths subjects I find starting my revision by reading through the chapters we have completed to be my first step in studying. From this reading I make summary notes on key concepts of the chapters. These may include formulas, graphs, rules and a few questions as examples. After this is completed I find it time to complete the chapter review just from the summary notes so you can see if you need to add something. Once this is done it is also useful to go back to the chapters and complete some more questions that you weren't on the layout that you completed the first time around. I have used this many times both in normal Maths and Maths Methods and it really has helped me a lot in remembering all that I need to. It is also useful to go online and do find some practice tests on Google. It is very helpful to complete these tests under exam conditions and without breaks as this will provide you with great practice. Remember, cramming the night before will do you no good as you will not retain what you just read. If this does work for you (and you get good marks), I am very jealous of you.

For subjects like Humanities and Science where there is a lot of information to remember I find the following study methods helpful. First, I create a summary sheet of all that I can remember about the topic (or topics) without looking at the text book or notebook and then I look through my textbook/notebook/workbook and write down any extra notes I may have forgotten in a different colour so that it stands out and I know what I need to work on remembering. After this I go online and search up online quizzes or tests about the topic that can help me revise. I also find the use of flashcards to be very helpful and I used it a lot (and to great effect) in the Semester 2 exams last year as there was a lot to remember with Health and Physical Education and Science. There is a great free app for android called StudyDroid  where you go online and make the flash cards (you can also create them on the phone) and you can sync the ones you create online with the ones on the phone so that you can study topics on the go. I also use this app in my Piano lessons for theory. I find it very helpful and there is bound to be a similar flash card app on the Apple App Store. Remember, trying a variety of study methods is best so you can find which one works best for you.

For LOTE subjects (such as French or Chinese) there are a number of tactics I use to revise. The first thing (and most favourite) I do is use Language Perfect to revise some old vocabulary that could come in handy as well as learn some new adjectives that might help in the written task. The next thing I do is read through my workbook and look at some of the activities we have completed and then do similar ones that I make up myself or search for online. This really helps with the application of different words and verbs because there is only so much you can do when you know what a word means. If there is a written component it is also very helpful to look over some of the previous topics you may have covered to gauge what sort of writing task it might be. If the teacher provides a Revision Sheet make sure you complete it as they are very useful. Then you can try your hand at several different writing activities to see how you do, the teacher will be happy to look through it with you to see where you could improve. Remember, just because you learnt something last year does not mean it will not be involved in the exam.

For English where there may be a text response essay there are ways you can study. First, the teacher will generally tell you what it is you will be responding to if it is a text, or the sort of topic (such as persuasive writing). If it is a text the first thing to do is to write a summary of each part of the text so you can gauge what you can remember about it. This way you know what parts of the book you may need to re-read if you cannot remember what it is about. From your summary look at some key themes and write down some good  quotes for each because there is more than likely going to be questions relating to some theme or something. From here it may also be useful to make up your own prompts based on previous ones you have worked on or other ones relating to major (or minor) themes in the text and then write a plan out for this. If you want, you could write out an essay and show it to your teacher for feedback but just a plan is enough so you can work out what sort of topics you might discuss. For something else, like a persuasive piece or text analysis, it is best to look at examples of these and use textbooks or notebooks for examples of how to write something like this. You might even do a Google search for some of these topics and practice things for you to work on. Just don't forget to practice, even if this just means writing out a plan. Some practice is better than none. Remember, just because you may not be allowed to bring in your text does not mean you do not use quotes.

May the odds be ever in your favour for Exams, see you tomorrow!

The Methods SAC

So today we had a Maths Method SAC on Cubic and Quartic Functions as well as everything we had learnt so far (Linear, Quadratic, Graphs) It is so large that we actually haven't finish it yet. It goes for 4 periods and there are 2 sections. During the first 2 periods you can only work on Section 1 and in the next 2 periods you can work on both section 1 and section 2. So it is a big SAC and I studied a lot for it because I knew there would be a lot of stuff on it that I may be a little rusty on because it has been a while. Even during lunch time today I was studying with my friend (who is also in Methods) for the SAC.

So we were pretty nervous about the SAC and it didn't help that one of our friends said that the teacher had said that it was hard. Anyway, as the SAC was going to take full periods we had to arrive at class before the end of lunch so that we could start as soon as the bell went. So when we do finally start I open the first page and I just try really hard to hold my laughter because the Section 1 of the SAC (and I hope Section 2 is also) is based around the story of "Tasmania Jones and The Temple of Doom" or something along those lines ("Tasmania Jones" was correct but I don't think it was "Temple of Doom"). It made the SAC more entertaining as there were questions based around different parts of his journey.

Well, the story started off with the main character ("Tasmania Jones") on his way to retrieve a stolen cure. His first struggle is at the edge of a cliff and he has to jump from the top of the cliff, over the lava and onto a platform. There were two ways Tasmania knew he could do this and the first rule was given and you had to graph it, the second rule you had to work out based on the points they gave you (y-intercept and turning point) and then graph it also. There were questions related to these two rules and once you completed them Tasmania continued on his journey.

Having successfully passed this obstacle Tasmania now faces a pit of crocodiles. He notices a stalactite growing from the ceiling which conveniently has a hook on the end (as stalactites would) which is conveniently exactly in the middle of the gap. You then had to work out the rule for the semi-circle the path the end of the 5 metre rope made when it swung from one side to the other (with Tasmania on the end casually avoiding the snapping crocodiles). Our hero then continues his journey where he discovers he must go on a dangerous roller coaster (sounds like fun) but he needs the key which is at the end of a room with a motion sensor at the entrance. Conveniently, Tasmania is a very fast runner but on his way back he fatigues and only runs at half his speed. The major question here was the distance from the entrance to the back wall (it gave you how long it took to get there and you worked out his initial speed [before fatigue] in an earlier question) which you had to work out.

Jones then stops and checks his blood-sugar (or chloride or something, it wasn't blood sugar) levels [because "He's a very health conscious person"]) and he has a drink called Gatorfade (the originality of this text is marvelous) which restores these levels. There is a rule provided which gives you the levels of whatever he is checking a number of hours (t) after drinking the Gatorfade. Then there are a few questions relating to this rule and it tells you the target levels of whatever it is in his body and you do some more calculations of how long it takes for his levels to drop below the target range.

Finally, Tasmania Jones reaches the roller coaster after a perilous tumble down a hill before finishing at the roller coaster starting platform 20 kilometres below sea level. Then there are a few questions relating to the cubic rule defining the path of the roller coaster and questions relating to this path. That is all for Section 1 and so far it is the end of the story. On Thursday (which also happens to be my Birthday, yay!) I complete section 2 and that day's blog post will probably be the continuation of this story (if it is done so in the SAC) so look forward to the finale of Tasmania Jones awesome adventures to recover the stolen cure.

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow!

Tests and End of Term

So, yeah, today I had two tests, what a fun way to end the term! So we started off in Period 1 with a Maths Methods SAC on Matrices which was really easy...

So yeah, that was great (except for the fact I was stressing out thinking it was going to be hard). So then I go into the Maths test at the end of the day thinking it would be easier because of course you would think a VCE SAC would be harder than a Year 10 Maths Test but no, the Year 10 Maths test was way harder... many people are sure they failed (I'm certain I didn't but I know I didn't get 100% because I didn't get to answer all the questions) and so when the teacher said "5 minutes left" I was like this:

But I feel better knowing that hardly anyone in all the classes that did the test finished. Plus I finished by getting back our Maths Assignment which I got 100% on and I felt like:

Then we had end of term assembly which was basically just the principal making a "30 second" speech that ends up going for 5 minutes. Then some other stuff was said and a video montage of photos from the Athletics Carnival was shown. Then it was time to go and everyone just got up and stormed for the door as soon as the teacher said Year 10s exit from top exit and Year 9s exit from the bottom floor. She hadn't even finished saying it and the auditorium was half empty. The worst part was that I was near the front of the crowd and trying to get downstairs in a crowd pushing you is a nightmare and I tripped twice (luckily no one noticed!) but I finally managed to get to my locker, get my bags and head home. Now I felt like this:

So yeah. On unrelated news: I am now addicted to Dr Who. Also, getting up early tomorrow (on the first day of school holidays, grrr!) to be at the fire station (yeah I'm a CFA member [firefighter]) by 7am for the Good Friday Appeal. So if you live in Victoria, Australia and someone knocks on your door asking for donations to the Good Friday Appeal please donate generously. Though if they don't have a Good Friday Appeal Tin lock the door and call the Police. So yeah, there's nothing I'd rather do on my first day of holidays than knock on strangers' doors asking for money.

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow!

Nutrition and Sooky Sandy

So our Health and PE assignment on Nutrition is due tomorrow, just printing it out now, FINALLY! I am glad that it was an easy assignment otherwise I may have got a little physical with my laptop. But luckily I finished it in time. I was almost going to not do a Bibliography but then I did just because I could, wow, that sounded really weird... Anwyay, so that assignment is done and I was going to put it in a folder but...

So yeah, I'm just gonna staple it and then hand it in! Tomorrow is gonna be busy we have a Maths Test and a Maths Methods SAC, though I am more worried about the Maths more than anything because Methods I understand the topic, Maths is mostly revision of what we already did in Methods but it is still a little tricky.

Anyway, so as you know my dog's name is Sandy and he is a sook! So today, my brother comes home and, being silly, tries to scare the dog (which is actually very easy). All he did was close the door and pretend to bark like a dog and Sandy got so scared he came up and sat on my chest as if I would protect him. Then he started barking at the door, but only when he was behind me or on me. When my brother comes in and Sandy realises it is him he starts barking at him as if he knew it all along and wasn't scared. It was hilarious! Sandy was soooo scared!

Also, only one more month of my Braces! Next month they are getting taken off and I am wearing a retainer instead to insure all the hard work of braces isn't for nothing. So yeah! EXCITED for that! It is also good because my brother got his braces three months before me and even though mine are coming off next month his are still a long way off. HA! I have better teeth than him! I WIN!

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow!