The first term of year 11 is almost complete, and I would like to share some of the experiences I encountered and mistakes made along the way. Overall, my experience has been pretty harsh and I'll go over some of the reasons why.

Time Management

Time management has definitely become way more significant and important. Compared to last year, almost every moment counts. This includes times to study, finish work and entertainment. Over the 9 weeks of the term, the pressure has increased with every passing week, each demanding more and more time into my own study in order to keep up with the current learning material. What I'm also finding out is the dedication required to make study notes ahead of time. Luckily, I had progressively added to my study notes during the term and it has paid off big time. With such limited study time left, it has given me such relief and has fast-tracked my schedule. My suggestion is to keep updating your study notes and keep up on top of the work. That way, it won't bite you back and be a pain in the ass when it comes time to study for your exams.

Extension 1 Maths

Let's just say, the way extension 1 maths compares to advanced maths is mind-blowingly huge. Not only are questions WAY more difficult, but they are also designed in a way that makes you feel as uncomfortable solving them as you would laying down on a concrete floor and trying to jump up and down like a fish. I would only recommend picking up extension 1 maths if you are willing to put in the extra effort to ensure you are able to keep up on top of the class, as well as prepare for more advanced and puzzling questions which require you to think outside the box. It is safe to say I will NOT be performing well in my first term of EXT 1 maths.

Hand-In Assignments

These are the highlight of the entire exam week. Hand-in tasks are way easier to complete and can be scheduled ahead of time. However, don't do what I did and say:

I'll do it when there are x amount of days left

Why?

Because when you do this, it is almost guaranteed you will NOT be working on the assignment at hand when you said you were going to. Instead, do as much as you can NOW when you have the opportunity. It will give you extra breathing room when exams are approaching, so you don't cram all the work into a single week. Evenly distribute your workload to avoid burnout and pay close attention to any potential homework or extra work you may receive. It can disrupt the flow of your study and will cause headaches if you are not prepared.

Conclusion

Well, I'm set to complete all the major exams on the 30th of March, 2022 so I will update this post accordingly.

Update: Exams are now done. Overall, it was a very different experience from Year 10 exams and only if you are there to experience it will you understand.