5th & 6th Year nerves

Kev_M · 18-08-2013 5:33pm #1

So, I just finished 4th year there in June and I'm starting 5th year in a a week and a bit. Thing is, I'm really nervous about starting. I'm worried I won't perform in certain subjects and I'll struggle with the workload (I'm doing English Irish Maths, German, 3 sciences and App. Maths as an extra subject). I'm considering dropping Honours Irish because of App. Maths just to lighten the work load in general.

Does anyone have any honest advice about 5th year, like the work load, and what sort of study should be put in? I'm especially interested in how people found English, I'm probably dreading that the most. Thanks!

Alan_007_ · 18-08-2013 5:38pm

Kev_M wrote: »

So, I just finished 4th year there in June and I'm starting 5th year in a a week and a bit. Thing is, I'm really nervous about starting. I'm worried I won't perform in certain subjects and I'll struggle with the workload (I'm doing English Irish Maths, German, 3 sciences and App. Maths as an extra subject). I'm considering dropping Honours Irish because of App. Maths just to lighten the work load in general.

Does anyone have any honest advice about 5th year, like the work load, and what sort of study should be put in? I'm especially interested in how people found English, I'm probably dreading that the most. Thanks!

Seriously, don't worry about 5'th year too much. The worst part is probably the first month, where you're settling back into the routine of classes and homework. If you do all of your homework every night, and study enough for any tests you have coming up, you shouldn't go too far wrong.

Kev_M · 18-08-2013 5:46pm

Alan_007_ wrote: »

Seriously, don't worry about 5'th year too much. The worst part is probably the first month, where you're settling back into the routine of classes and homework. If you do all of your homework every night, and study enough for any tests you have coming up, you shouldn't go too far wrong.

Thanks, appreciate it! Any advice on English specifically?

aimzLc2 · 18-08-2013 5:56pm

Kev_M wrote: »

So, I just finished 4th year there in June and I'm starting 5th year in a a week and a bit. Thing is, I'm really nervous about starting. I'm worried I won't perform in certain subjects and I'll struggle with the workload (I'm doing English Irish Maths, German, 3 sciences and App. Maths as an extra subject). I'm considering dropping Honours Irish because of App. Maths just to lighten the work load in general.

Does anyone have any honest advice about 5th year, like the work load, and what sort of study should be put in? I'm especially interested in how people found English, I'm probably dreading that the most. Thanks!

I always found English the hardest but i think its because i never practiced , once you start doing essays (even once a week) and getting your teacher to correct them and give advice you will definitely start to improve.You will learn how important layout is in fifth year.

dee_mc · 18-08-2013 6:06pm

For English, the best thing you can do is to practice writing: for paper 1, practice comprehensions, get to grips with QBs, obviously practice all the different essay styles- ask your teacher to correct your extra work in his/her own time using past marking schemes, focus on the corrections/critique and you'll soon get an idea of your strengths/weaknesses, and how you can build on/combat these.
For paper 2, it's important to know your texts and poetry/poets really well. Focus on choosing significant quotes, building character profiles, analysing relationships between characters, becoming comfortable with writing on various themes etc.
Really though the most important thing is to listen in class and ask questions if things aren't making sense, do your homework consistently, correct mistakes in homework and tests, and make quality notes that will help you closer to the exam.
It's a good sign that you are planning this far ahead, a bit of dedication goes a long way!

Kev_M · 18-08-2013 8:24pm

Cheers lads!

Ompala · 18-08-2013 10:42pm

I did the same subjects as you for my LC, its really pretty grand. I had similar worries about english but I was way off, LC english is really easy to do decently in with no great effort, got a B3 myself and left out the whole poetry section, and had a shockingly bad teacher! If you have a good understanding of maths it greatly helps physics (which is ridiculously easy in comparison to the other 2) and chemistry. You can only benefit from studying app. maths, fantastic subject and a shame more don't do it, but meh. Just be consistent in the workload, majority of your subjects are more based on understanding than rote learning but obviously there is some of that too.

Kev_M · 19-08-2013 11:32am

Ompala wrote: »

I did the same subjects as you for my LC, its really pretty grand. I had similar worries about english but I was way off, LC english is really easy to do decently in with no great effort, got a B3 myself and left out the whole poetry section, and had a shockingly bad teacher! If you have a good understanding of maths it greatly helps physics (which is ridiculously easy in comparison to the other 2) and chemistry. You can only benefit from studying app. maths, fantastic subject and a shame more don't do it, but meh. Just be consistent in the workload, majority of your subjects are more based on understanding than rote learning but obviously there is some of that too.

Cheers man!

BittaTrig · 19-08-2013 11:40am

Kev_M wrote: »

So, I just finished 4th year there in June and I'm starting 5th year in a a week and a bit. Thing is, I'm really nervous about starting. I'm worried I won't perform in certain subjects and I'll struggle with the workload (I'm doing English Irish Maths, German, 3 sciences and App. Maths as an extra subject). I'm considering dropping Honours Irish because of App. Maths just to lighten the work load in general.

Does anyone have any honest advice about 5th year, like the work load, and what sort of study should be put in? I'm especially interested in how people found English, I'm probably dreading that the most. Thanks!

I wouldn't drop Irish, Whilst you can still apply to Trinity you won't be able to apply to any NUI's suchas Maynooth or UCD. It's also very useful to have a Backup. Don't stress about fifth year, Sixth year is meant for that, I wish you the best mate

Kev_M · 19-08-2013 11:46am

BittaTrig wrote: »

I wouldn't drop Irish, Whilst you can still apply to Trinity you won't be able to apply to any NUI's suchas Maynooth or UCD. It's also very useful to have a Backup. Don't stress about fifth year, Sixth year is meant for that, I wish you the best mate

I'm talking about dropping to pass not dropping the subject completely
*Edit*
...and I'm pretty sure the NUIs only call for a C in pass Irish, correct me if I'm wrong

BittaTrig · 20-08-2013 11:03am

Kev_M wrote: »

I'm talking about dropping to pass not dropping the subject completely
*Edit*
...and I'm pretty sure the NUIs only call for a C in pass Irish, correct me if I'm wrong

Yeah, You're right but just as long as you keep Irish, I believe you only need a pass, I did for UCD anyway.

Ompala · 21-08-2013 1:11pm

Kev_M wrote: »

I'm talking about dropping to pass not dropping the subject completely
*Edit*
...and I'm pretty sure the NUIs only call for a C in pass Irish, correct me if I'm wrong

Yeah I'd drop it if you are aren't counting it for points, given your subject choices I think its safe to say you are going down the science /maths route so honours Irish isn't going to help you at all in the future!

5th & 6th Year nerves

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