Bracing yourselves for HSC

It has been quite a while since the SSCs have been over. It is now the time when different rumours surrounding the publication of the results will start to spread. But whatever you end up doing, know that much harder time lies ahead. The SSCs will seem like a honeymoon compared to the HSC ordeal.

The first few months of college pass by in the blink of an eye. With the Ramadan, the new environment, the whole "grown up" feeling, you don't even notice when you're half way into your first year.  But compared to SSC, the syllabus of HSC is huge while the time is at about six months less. So, if you're not prepared, it is then when you'll realise how much you have to do in so little time.

The best way to deal with the huge syllabus is starting a bit earlier, which is now. Especially the subjects with the longest syllabus like Maths and Biology. Because sadly, in most Bangladeshi colleges, they don't bother finishing the course. One math from each chapter is considered enough, but you'll have to finish all of it for the exams. So, if you decide to start with your college, you will find it very hard to keep up. There will be people who'll call you a nerd but these same people will regret it a few months into their first year. 

For science students, practicals are a humongous drag. Since there are two papers in each subject, there will be two practicals for each as well. So that makes it a total of 4*2 = 8 plus ICT, a total of nine practical copies that you'll have to write. I hear the subject "Physical Education" will be added to the curriculum this year so that makes it ten. Now, there's no getting out of this. You'll HAVE to write them. Be it when you're supposed to or binge-writing it before your HSCs (unless you pay someone to do it for you but that's a whole other thing).  Take my advice and do it as soon as you can, even if your college is lax about practical attendances and submissions. Most of us think we have plenty of time left and decide to keep it for later; since that's what we've done in the SSCs. But like I said, there's plenty more to write here and the labour will be worth more than the enjoyment of the time you spent procrastinating in your first year.

After that, come the ECAs. With your universities ahead, they are nearly as important as getting good grades. But make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew. All the clubs might seem to have lucrative and cool opportunities but that doesn't mean you'll have to sign up for all of them. If you do, you'll either have to sacrifice your grades or your club/extra-curricular work. I, myself, have friends who worked really hard for the clubs but then had to leave it after doing badly in a term. Then again, if you're not sure what exactly you want to get into, you can always sign up for multiple activities and then drop out of the ones you don't like after a month or two.

Good luck with your results and may you survive the next two years!