Some Flunkies' Journey through University

I'm not really sure what the context behind all this abrupt chat is.
Anyway, I'm getting an Advanced Standing Application to transfer my credits across from the Associate's to the Bachelor's Degree. They explained that not all of it can be transferred, but they assured that I won't have to repeat any classes, considering I passed them all. Once I get that back, I can finally schedule all my classes for this year.
And O-Week is coming up, which is always exciting. It'll be nice to even chat to first-years, maybe help them along too

I've finally sorted out my subject for Year 3, Semester 1. The university informed me that due to my prior credits in the Associate's Degree, I only need to do three instead of four subjects. My Advanced Standing Application has not been processed yet, but I can continue with only three classes this semester.

I have decided to Major in Sciences (specifically Biology, and a bit of chemistry) and Minor in Maths. This is a change from my previous plan of becoming a Science and Humanities teacher, as I found the humanities did not interest me as much as I thought it would. Science and Maths are also commonly employed together as teachers (many HS Science teachers also teach maths, and vice versa. It's good to have both together). Whilst I actually chose not to do Maths in Year 12 (and did okay in Year 11 General), I want to focus on 7-10 Maths, mostly leading towards General/Further.

My core class this semester is Designing, Evaluating and Valuing Learning. This is an Education subject, focused on planning and structuring lessons, covering content and Indigenous pedagogies. This subject also has a 2-week placement program, which I am SUPER DUPER excited for. I can't wait to finally work with students, and see how my teaching works in the classroom

Chemistry 1A is a first-year subject, mostly done by biomed and pharmacy students. But I chose it as an elective, which I'm also keen about. I touched on Chemistry a bit in Year 9, but never continued with it (my molecule diagrams were very messy, lol). In Biology of Cell and Organism, we touched on a bit of chemistry, which was informative, but I feel like I'll need to do a bit of catching up between now and then. We also have lab classes again, which I enjoy. One of my friends did Chem 1A last year, maybe I'll email him and ask about the content

Tools for Modelling the World is my Maths class. It seems to be based more on problem-solving, rather than mathematical knowledge, but it also focuses on many topics in maths, such as algebra, geometry and vectors. I won't lie, when I saw the word 'vectors' pop up, I shuddered a bit. I remember my high-achieving, smart friends from Year 12 talking about vectors in Spec Maths and Physics, so I hope it's not too much. It seems like I'll need to teach myself some content before I start

Overall, I'm a little nervous about this semester. Less subjects, but more unfamiliar content, PLUS a two-week placement block to juggle as well. But, the Chemistry and Maths are first-year subjects, so I'm sure they wouldn't be too intense. And they'll also be pathways into more advanced subjects that I can get the hang of next year.

The first week is up in Year 3, and my goodness this is probably the trickiest semester start I've ever had
Designing, Evaluating and Valuing Learning seems pretty straight forward, just like every other core class I've had for education. A lot of group work and uncomfortable chairs, and the content seems pretty familiar

Chemistry 1A seems to jump right into the content. Molar mass, stoichiometry, formulae. I have a lot to ensure I know before we begin prac classes too, but I have a feeling I'll enjoy this subject

Tools for Modelling the World currently seems like a nightmare for me. I only did Methods in Year 10 and 1/2 General in Year 11. This content seems to jump into 3/4 Methods, with vectors, logarithms and crazy algebra. I want to do my best though, because it seems like everyone in this class is doing an engineering or physics course, meanwhile I discovered that fractions can have fractions inside them. We also have a computer lab class, using MathWorks. They seem a bit more straight forward
The problem is, I don't want to teach VCE Specialist, Physics or Methods. I want to reach the foundation levels of 7-10, how to substitute x, and add fractions. This is only a first year class too, so I have a long way to go

Junior Sciences Secondary Pedagogy (that's a mouthful) is also very straightforward. It's very similar to the Teaching Science class I mentioned earlier, except it focuses on 7-10, more than F-6. Someone started a group chat, and they're all confused about the 5E model which we would have learnt in our 1st and 2nd years, so...
This class also finishes in Week 8, so I'll have plenty of time to focus on my Maths and Chemistry exams, as well as the DEVL work

Overall, crazy start, but just like every semester, things will chill out and calm down eventually. I'll be a science and maths whiz before I know it too!

Week 5 is up, Week 6 is around the corner, Easter isn't too far, and placement is on my mind!!!!
Designing, Evaluating and Valuing Learning has been pretty good so far. We've learnt behaviour management strategies to use, depending on contexts and situations. I did a 10-minute teaching session to a group of fellow students, and showed them the dazzling world of cells through the mind of a Year 8 Science class

Chemistry 1A is very content heavy, and it doesn't allow a lot of time to slow down for those who didn't do chem in high school. Had my first lab class last week, which was fun, but unfortunately my lab partner had his head up his ass, didn't want to help out, didn't write down any notes, and left halfway through the lesson to catch a train back to Melbourne (so why didn't you do lab in the morning, this is the only class you had today??). The good thing is that I can explain it in the lab report, so I might be excused, as long as both of us stick around

Tools for Modelling the World has been a full 180. I still have a bit of trouble with the content, BUT I somehow enjoy it? I am very confident with matrices and number sets, but still need help with some algebra and vector calculations. The lecturer said that 40% of the cohort dropped out before census date, which he says is very high for this year, so I hope I don't have too many major issues

Junior Sciences Secondary Pedagogy (i just call it Science Pedagogy) seems to expand further on what we may have done in other science subjects in uni, but teaches us how to teach the content to Years 7-10. I'm currently conducting an experiment on water purity, and the presence of microorganisms in different types of water, and finding it quite interesting

Oooh and earlier in the week, I had a tour of the school I'll be working at for placement. It's a lovely campus on the edge of town, Prep to Year 12, and my supervising teacher will instruct me through 3 Year 10 Maths classes and a Year 12 class too (yaaaaaaaay). The classes are held in open-room spaces, which I really don't like, but I can get used to. I'm very excited to start placement there, I think I'll do well

FH
Should be loads of fun. The students look engaged, but not too too focused on excelling in everything. I'm happy to teach students that want to learn and enjoy the content, so I was hoping to get more science classes for placement.
As for the lab partner, he'll just have to make up his own data unless he wants to shoot me an email. Not my problem, he's an adult, he's responsible for his own learning, and I don't have to drag him through every little thing. I've seen 11 year olds with more motivation than some of the people at uni