4 UNIT MATHS

FUCK MATHS.

Actually, fuck the HSC. What more cruel and unusual punishment is there over establishing an institution of which the purpose is solely to heighten the stress levels of graduating high-schoolers?

Okay I don't mean that, of course. But it does often feel that way.

For example, why on earth would the Board of Studies make English Paper 2 two hours long, when we need to write three essays? That is an essay every forty minutes, 6 pages each - a total of 18 pages. No set planning time, everything is taken out of that precious writing time.

I can understand the importance of being able to think on your feet for a subject like maths: it shows evidence of practice, ingenuity and quick recall of information. But for English?? Sure, we should be able to plan and articulate our ideas well and in a relatively speedy and efficient fashion, but what is the point of having such a strict time limit when it so hinders our abilities to do so?

For one thing, syntax begins to fly all over the place as you struggle to find the exact word you're looking for, and in the rush of the moment you must settle for a mundane, unsophisticated, general term which does not necessarily accurately express your writing skill.

Another is the evidently greater benefit one has if they are able to write quickly - but the HSC isn't to test the strength and stamina of your wrist, rather an individual's mental capability, so as to determine your future degree, and by extension, occupation and the rest of your life.

The problem is, I know many of my classmates who are more than capable of securing any future path they wanted - absolute geniuses such as Vianna, against which others pale in comparison in regards to intelligence. But often even they are not able to finish - thus being unable to secure the marks their essays deserve - and you must wonder at the efficiency and fairness of such an educational system, in which the whole point is to determine who is capable and who is less so.

Well, I've completely digressed from my original point.

Long story short, I hate maths.

PS you would think that after already having completed HSC trials you'd be more used to the HSC and not as scared. But then you'd be wrong.