LC Off Topic Thread (2015/16)

legocrazy505 · 16-09-2015 7:35pm

DA7800 wrote: »

Ouch, that sounds rough. Extra classes are always tough, but taking them out of lunch must be soul-destroying. In my school, those doing higher level (like me) have no P.E., no religion, no pastoral care, a class less of career guidance, and so on as a result of extra classes that are needed, and one-hour classes after school for some subjects twice a week. Even at that I think I prefer what I have to missing lunch. Everybody needs a break.

That said I did extra curricular stuff during every lunchtime of every school week for the last 3 years, but given that I was sufficiently motivated and choosing to give up my time I doubt it compares.

I honestly would give up PE to do extra work, not Irish though but any other subject. Department would go nuts though and the school is due a full inspection. We only get one careers class but honestly I think it's actually quite handy, I actually know what I'm supposed to do with the CAO now. We were offered for maths to do it after school but a lot of people in the class have buses or the supervised study to do. I'll just have to keep telling myself it's only for the next few months.

Accounting we really don't need an extra class but apparently we do so I'll just go with it.... I'm honestly though not really stressed about accounting. Maths she wants the extra class so she can have the course done quicker. Since we have a smaller class now thanks to everyone dropping to ordinary level we are speeding through stuff already.

chocolate98 · 16-09-2015 7:50pm

TheBiz wrote: »

Anyone going to Higher Options in the the RDS tomorrow?

going friday was it good??

:eek::rolleyes::):D

DA7800 · 16-09-2015 8:21pm

Blue giant wrote:

I don't really understand the need for ye having all these extra classes. I did all higher level last year and the only extra classes I ever went to was 2 for geography to do the project.

I probably should have mentioned that I finish at 1 on a Wednesday which means we need to make up that time on top of any other extra classes that would be there anyway.

Rachel98 · 16-09-2015 8:56pm

chocolate98 wrote: »

going friday was it good??:eek::rolleyes::):D

Go to nuim stall because apparently they had free lollipops ðŸ˜‚

spurious · 17-09-2015 9:58am

legocrazy505 wrote: »

I don't understand then why we have two religion classes that are non-exam but not easy to get out of, it would be far more productive to give us an extra maths class or something.

The joys of a mostly religious run/owned education system.
AFAIK Religion and Irish are the only two compulsory subjects for schools to offer.
It's supposed to be 2 hours religion a week I think, so it could be worse.

I agree though, shocking waste of time. Even if it wasn't exam-oriented stuff, those classes could be used for life skills - how to deal with the tax system, how to budget, cook basic meals, take care of your mental health etc..

DublinArnie · 17-09-2015 4:46pm

Does anyone know how to do Q19?

I tried it, and got an equation with a three part inequality, but got stuck with zp and -zp when I did the equation I got.

1-(1-p(z<x))+(1-p(z<x)) = 0.6368

...

I got another equation by using (1-0.6368) etc etc and tried to simultaneous equation the two equations but don't know that works with three inequalities.

Thanks!

BTW, x is Z1.

TheBiz · 17-09-2015 9:28pm

chocolate98 wrote: »

going friday was it good??:eek::rolleyes::):D

Yep definitely worth it (even with the trek from Galway!)
It was very busy when I went.. Hard to walk around but it's manageable to get where you need to go.

Just make sure you know what you want to ask and try to ask someone who studied that subject (might be on tags, it was for some!)

Oh and the presence of lollipops is no word of a lie!

TheBiz · 17-09-2015 9:41pm

Anyone know if it would be possible/realistic to take up History in a year?
I've some dodgy subject choices and may need an extra subject for points..

DA7800 · 17-09-2015 11:10pm

TheBiz wrote:

Anyone know if it would be possible/realistic to take up History in a year? I've some dodgy subject choices and may need an extra subject for points..

I do history and I have to say if you're looking for a high grade in it there's a colossal amount of learning. Learning isn't even the hard part if you have a method developed, just ensure that you remember all of the relevant details in your essays to build up the marks. Personally I find the amount of work I have at the moment bearable but time-consuming, so I would imagine that condensing it down would put you under an awful lot of stress. Possible, but painful.

Things get complicated when you factor in the RSR though. How difficult you make that for yourself varies by the topic that you choose. You would also want to make a history teacher aware of your intentions, and fairly fast too, so you don't miss any deadlines. I'm no expert on this though so you definitely would want to talk to the relevant teacher.

hubluh · 18-09-2015 6:44pm

Anyone go to the higher options today?

chocolate98 · 19-09-2015 10:57am

hubluh wrote: »

Anyone go to the higher options today?

i did

GeneralC · 19-09-2015 6:38pm

Is it realistic to take up HL Chemistry in a year? I'd need a B3!

QuiteHumerus · 19-09-2015 6:56pm

GeneralC wrote:

Is it realistic to take up HL Chemistry in a year? I'd need a B3!

Depends on how much time you're willing to put into it. If you're repeating the full leaving cert I'd say no way but if you're doing Chemistry by itself for entry requirements its possible. Quite tough, but possible. You'd have to put a load of work into it, it's a shorter course than some but you would need to start now and spend a lot of time on it.
Also I think you may need a teacher to sign off on your experiments although I vaguely remember of some grinds schools that you can do your experiments in. I like chemistry so if you decide to do it I'd be happy to point you in the right direction of some good resources.

GeneralC · 19-09-2015 6:59pm

QuiteHumerus wrote: »

Depends on how much time you're willing to put into it. If you're repeating the full leaving cert I'd say no way but if you're doing Chemistry by itself for entry requirements its possible. Quite tough, but possible. You'd have to put a load of work into it, it's a shorter course than some but you would need to start now and spend a lot of time on it.
Also I think you may need a teacher to sign off on your experiments although I vaguely remember of some grinds schools that you can do your experiments in. I like chemistry so if you decide to do it I'd be happy to point you in the right direction of some good resources.

I am taking up HL Bio, OL Maths and HL Chemistry. I am also enrolled in a college to do the repeat LC.

That would be fantastic, thanks!

QuiteHumerus · 19-09-2015 7:53pm

GeneralC wrote: »

I am taking up HL Bio, OL Maths and HL Chemistry. I am also enrolled in a college to do the repeat LC.

That would be fantastic, thanks!

I presume you already have the Chemistry Live textbook. Exam Edge is also essential, it sorts exam questions by topic and shows you the correct answers. I would advise downloading the syllabus- no point learning things that won't be asked and leaving out things that could. I printed it out as I found it helpful to have while studying.
The YouTube channel 'CrashCourse' has brilliant chemistry videos. They aren't leaving cert specific but really help with understanding certain topics. Those videos peaked my interest in chemistry so much that I'm thinking of doing it in college. Khan Academy also have videos but I found the Crash course far more engaging. YouTube has some great resources for Maths and Biology as well, just search for the topic you're having difficulty with.
I have the Chemistry Live Revision Book, but I don't think it's worth buying. A combination of the syllabus, textbook, and Exam Edge is the best I think. Let me know if you ever need help with it.

Troxck · 19-09-2015 9:35pm

legocrazy505 wrote: »

Not going to the higher options, was going to but not enough interest in our school and I can't be bothered now going all the way up to Dublin. Going to the event in Limerick Racecourse on the 29th with the year and then UL open day.

As for course, I've got my eyes set on Maths And Physics at UL, means I don't have to be forking out on rent and I already have my fees covered (no not money from my parents).

If you ever want info on studying Physics in UL, you can shoot me a PM. I've only started Applied Physics though. I share 3/5 of my modules with Maths & Physics students. Only difference is I study Chem and have a different Maths module.

On the plus side, both courses are generally small so it's easy to get on with the people in your course.

I have a 24 hour week which I assume is the same for M&P students.

GeneralC · 19-09-2015 10:12pm

QuiteHumerus wrote: »

I presume you already have the Chemistry Live textbook. Exam Edge is also essential, it sorts exam questions by topic and shows you the correct answers. I would advise downloading the syllabus- no point learning things that won't be asked and leaving out things that could. I printed it out as I found it helpful to have while studying.
The YouTube channel 'CrashCourse' has brilliant chemistry videos. They aren't leaving cert specific but really help with understanding certain topics. Those videos peaked my interest in chemistry so much that I'm thinking of doing it in college. Khan Academy also have videos but I found the Crash course far more engaging. YouTube has some great resources for Maths and Biology as well, just search for the topic you're having difficulty with.
I have the Chemistry Live Revision Book, but I don't think it's worth buying. A combination of the syllabus, textbook, and Exam Edge is the best I think. Let me know if you ever need help with it.

Which textbook would you recommend? My Chemistry teacher recommends "Chemistry Live"

QuiteHumerus · 20-09-2015 7:34am

GeneralC wrote:

Which textbook would you recommend? My Chemistry teacher recommends "Chemistry Live"

Chemistry Live is perfect

DublinArnie · 20-09-2015 11:42am

DublinArnie wrote: »

Does anyone know how to do Q19?

I tried it, and got an equation with a three part inequality, but got stuck with zp and -zp when I did the equation I got.

1-(1-p(z<x))+(1-p(z<x)) = 0.6368

...

I got another equation by using (1-0.6368) etc etc and tried to simultaneous equation the two equations but don't know that works with three inequalities.

Thanks!

BTW, x is Z1.

After spending three days dwindling on the question, managed to answer it! Pretty simple

GeneralC · 20-09-2015 12:49pm

Does anyone know where I can get a list/breakdown of the chemistry/biology experiments?

Bazinga_N · 20-09-2015 2:22pm

GeneralC wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can get a list/breakdown of the chemistry/biology experiments?

Chemistry:

http://www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/7bdd3def-f492-432f-886f-35fc56bd3544/SCSEC09_Chemistry_syllabus_Eng.pdf

All the experiments are listed under 'Activities' with their corresponding topics.

Biology:

http://www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/0cc3a7ac-fd8c-4612-8e4d-81cd82482abc/SCSEC07_Biology_Syllabus_Eng.pdf

All the experiments are listed under 'Practical Activities' with their corresponding topics.

GeneralC · 21-09-2015 12:12pm

Is there any advantage of buying one of these lab books from companies like Folens?

Beca19 · 21-09-2015 7:34pm

GeneralC wrote: »

Is there any advantage of buying one of these lab books from companies like Folens?

If you want help with the form of the write-ups yes, but if a teacher can show you how to write them up properly then there's no need really.. I spose it might save you a bit of time though!

swallace3454 · 21-09-2015 10:18pm

GeneralC wrote: »

Is there any advantage of buying one of these lab books from companies like Folens?

I got it from a friend who did chemistry Last year

Great book but if you can get it second hand it wud save ye money.

GeneralC · 21-09-2015 10:54pm

Sorry for all the q's. Best revision book for Chemistry/Bio HL and OL Maths? Thanks!

hubluh · 21-09-2015 11:23pm

You could just search it up on google..

spurious · 22-09-2015 10:10am

GeneralC wrote: »

Sorry for all the q's. Best revision book for Chemistry/Bio HL and OL Maths? Thanks!

To be honest, your best revision book in most subjects will be notes you have made yourself.
The making of the notes is revision in itself.

For Maths, practice is the way to go.

swallace3454 · 27-09-2015 10:49am

Oh guys, i'm studying religion for the leaving cert and I was wondering if you can write bullet points for an answer instead of essay style answer would I lose marks. This is only if I run out of time in an exam. I know it's early but it's best to know now then later. Religion is similar to history so i'm asking history students as well

thanks
Shaun

spurious · 27-09-2015 1:20pm

swallace3454 wrote: »

Oh guys, i'm studying religion for the leaving cert and I was wondering if you can write bullet points for an answer instead of essay style answer would I lose marks. This is only if I run out of time in an exam. I know it's early but it's best to know now then later. Religion is similar to history so i'm asking history students as well

thanks
Shaun

If it's your last answer and you're running out of time, yes, but don't answer everything in bullet points.

legocrazy505 · 27-09-2015 7:51pm

Taps are driving me mental, doing work on the history of them tonight. Trying to go for the water taps since that's what my tap is. All I get when searching through things is evolution of the supply of water. Obviously got some stuff but not enough to cover a page. Trying to juggle so much these few weeks now with monthly tests, projects, essays (our English teacher is relentless) and then the Irish oral stuff is actually driving me mad even at OL.

Honestly the way Irish is examined is an utter joke, in my opinion it just kills the language even more to force it on people like they currently do. I'm not born in Ireland though so it could just be me and my Britishness coming through. :P

malnurtured · 27-09-2015 8:09pm

legocrazy505 wrote: »

Taps are driving me mental, doing work on the history of them tonight. Trying to go for the water taps since that's what my tap is. All I get when searching through things is evolution of the supply of water. Obviously got some stuff but not enough to cover a page. Trying to juggle so much these few weeks now with monthly tests, projects, essays (our English teacher is relentless) and then the Irish oral stuff is actually driving me mad even at OL.

Honestly the way Irish is examined is an utter joke, in my opinion it just kills the language even more to force it on people like they currently do. I'm not born in Ireland though so it could just be me and my Britishness coming through. :P

No, it's not just your Britishness. I went to an all-Irish primary school, and did my JC through Irish, and I actually hate the language myself... it's so badly structured compared to English or French (my other languages) and just has exceptions all over the place. I'm dreading the oral for HL because I don't like the language enough to study for it ...

DA7800 · 28-09-2015 9:38pm

We got our CAO handbooks today in my school. It's starting to feel like the end is near!

spurious · 29-09-2015 6:14am

DA7800 wrote:

We got our CAO handbooks today in my school. It's starting to feel like the end is near!

Please read it so that you understand how the CAO works and how to fill in your form.
It's scary how many people don't, leading to all sorts of trouble later on.

DA7800 · 29-09-2015 5:05pm

spurious wrote:

Please read it so that you understand how the CAO works and how to fill in your form. It's scary how many people don't, leading to all sorts of trouble later on.

I finished the white pages last night, I was a little bit eager. Most of it is information that has been circulated around by way of questions to teachers anyway, just laid out nice and clear in one place. You're right though, it would be very easy for somebody to simply skim and not have all of the information.

Now all I have to do is decide on the preference of some of the courses I'll be putting further down on my list. I have my top 5 picked and in order of preference, just the other 5 to go. I'm probably doing this far too early, given that we only register in November, but I suppose it helps to be prepared. Knowing what you want to do is half the battle, or so I've been told.

spurious · 29-09-2015 6:14pm

Better be early than asking on the last day 'will they take late applications?' - and you can be sure there will be at least one.

legocrazy505 · 29-09-2015 8:27pm

Went to the careers exhibition in Limerick today. It was a very good event I must say even though we only had under an hour for us to get around to see the groups we needed to see (thanks to the bus drivers having other ideas about when we needed to be back). First thing I did was go and have a look at Intel's stand which was super interesting to see the applications of the Galileo dev board. Obviously asked them about the areas they look to get employees from. They gave free packets of haribo sweets, was kind of hoping to get maybe a skylake processor but hey I'll take what I'm offered.

Then after that had a rather long chat with a lecturer in the UL Science & Engineering department about doing a physics course in UL. I kind of had an idea already what the courses I'm looking at entailed but it was really handy to actually be able to have a discussion with someone who works in that area.

Rachel98 · 30-09-2015 8:06pm

For geography do u have 2 write the regional answers in Srp form? My teacher says I shouldn't b writing them like essays after correcting my exam Qs. First time she's said this

spurious · 01-10-2015 10:09am

Rachel98 wrote: »

For geography do u have 2 write the regional answers in Srp form? My teacher says I shouldn't b writing them like essays after correcting my exam Qs. First time she's said this

SRPs are found and corrected from within essays - if she is suggesting answering the whole exam in bullet points, I wouldn't listen to her.

DA7800 · 01-10-2015 5:33pm

Is anybody attending the NUI Galway open day tomorrow? I will be making the journey from Cork with a few friends... That will be an experience in itself.

I'm excited to see another third level institute, I've only ever been to UCC and CIT.

Rachel98 · 01-10-2015 7:22pm

spurious wrote: »

SRPs are found and corrected from within essays - if she is suggesting answering the whole exam in bullet points, I wouldn't listen to her.

Ah ok sound thanks. Yeah she's abit of an eejit anyways tbh

Beca19 · 03-10-2015 4:23pm

Anyone doing physics have a good definition for polarisation?

hubluh · 04-10-2015 3:33pm

Beca19 wrote: »

Anyone doing physics have a good definition for polarisation?

I dont understand what you mean?.. Is it one for a polarised wave your looking for?

Beca19 · 04-10-2015 6:40pm

hubluh wrote: »

I dont understand what you mean?.. Is it one for a polarised wave your looking for?

No the back of my book has a question that just says define polarisation and I don't really know what I'm supposed to say?

DA7800 · 04-10-2015 6:44pm

Beca19 wrote:

No the back of my book has a question that just says define polarisation and I don't really know what I'm supposed to say?

Polarisation was mentioned recently in my class, we were doing current and covering charges when it was talked about. I don't have any relevant definition to give you right now, as I don't have any physics books with me. Maybe knowing where to find it will help you? I'll find it tomorrow for you if you're still uncertain.

Troxck · 04-10-2015 7:44pm

Beca19 wrote: »

No the back of my book has a question that just says define polarisation and I don't really know what I'm supposed to say?

Polarization is the restriction of light waves to one plane. You know light waves are transverse waves are they can pass through polarized material.
Normal light is unpolarised – vibrates in all planes. When this light reaches the Polaroid only the light vibrating in the same plane as the slits in the Polaroid will get through – all other light is stopped.The light is now said to be plane polarized. If a second Polaroid is lined up with its slits parallel it will have no effect, if its slits are perpendicular no light gets through.

Polarization, also called wave polarization, is an expression of the orientation of the lines of electric flux in an electromagnetic field is a more "advanced" way of saying it.

The definition usually goes along with the demo of it.

Further from that you can manipulate Maxwell's equations. When you do it, you end up with a wave equation which has electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other and with their direction of propagation. You don't need to know this but it's an interesting fact and a good idea as to know where things come from.

DublinArnie · 06-10-2015 6:21pm

Today is the first day in sixth year where the tides between homework and personal study are clashing.

Feel overwhelmed with the amount but alas I'll attempt to juggle both today.

It's October, how's everyone coping?

Take Your Pants Off · 06-10-2015 6:44pm

Just after reading the UCD prospectus and under the CAO section it talks about how applicants may add the restricted coures(med,vet etc.) to their application during the CAO Change of Mind period, provided their CAO application at 1 Feb 2016 included the same course at another institution.
Does that mean what I think it means:
I can put down, lets say NUIG Med, first choice.
Than come June, when hpat results come out, I will have clear idea if I have a chance of getting med or not, I can put down the other UCD,Trinity,UCC,RCSI for med ?
So 6 courses going for med.
Could I also change the order of preference, change NUIG to no.2 and put down UCD in no.1 during the change of mind ?

Troxck · 07-10-2015 12:10am

DublinArnie wrote: »

Today is the first day in sixth year where the tides between homework and personal study are clashing.

Feel overwhelmed with the amount but alas I'll attempt to juggle both today.

It's October, how's everyone coping?

At this stage of the year I would prioritise homework, especially since you learn most of the new material between now and Christmas. I'd start proper revision just before the mocks!

randylonghorn · 07-10-2015 1:09am

Take Your Pants Off wrote: »

Just after reading the UCD prospectus and under the CAO section it talks about how applicants may add the restricted coures(med,vet etc.) to their application during the CAO Change of Mind period, provided their CAO application at 1 Feb 2016 included the same course at another institution.
Does that mean what I think it means:
I can put down, lets say NUIG Med, first choice.
Than come June, when hpat results come out, I will have clear idea if I have a chance of getting med or not, I can put down the other UCD,Trinity,UCC,RCSI for med ?
So 6 courses going for med.
Could I also change the order of preference, change NUIG to no.2 and put down UCD in no.1 during the change of mind ?

Yes to both.

For med, for example, you *must* have one med option at least down before the deadline for restricted courses, so that the system knows you're a med candidate / will be presenting a HPAT result / etc. etc.

You can re-order your choices or even add or subtract med courses in other institutions later provided you're already in the general pool of med applicants.

Hana98 · 07-10-2015 7:32am

DublinArnie wrote: »

Today is the first day in sixth year where the tides between homework and personal study are clashing.

Feel overwhelmed with the amount but alas I'll attempt to juggle both today.

It's October, how's everyone coping?

That's an everyday struggle for me!:( We are getting so much exams for revising and going forward.

I feel like there's so much to be done and learnt that I'll never get it all in my head. But every piece of studying gets a little more done is all I can keep telling myself

I still don't feel like i'm in 6th year for some strange reason.

LC Off Topic Thread (2015/16)

Comments