Who did Maths at A-Level?
- Thread starter Arnie
- Start date
My school/college had an incredibly elitist maths teacher. If you couldn't get 25 out of 30 on a times tables test done over 3 minutes in year 9, then you weren't allowed back into top set for the rest of your time in school. Then, just to rub the salt, if you weren't a member of top set maths then they wouldn't let you apply to do A-level maths in their Sixth Form either.
It was ridiculous. I fell between the cracks at precisely the wrong time. I was just starting to grow a strong interest in maths, was doing lots of revision and homework on it in my evenings. I spent the remaining 2.5 years trying to get back into top set, doing everything to impress the teachers, but their decision was made and that was it. Unfortunately if you weren't in top set then you weren't taught things like calculus, and even trigonometry was dumbed down.
They didn't even want me to do Computing A-level, by claiming it was too advanced for someone without A-level math. Fortunately I got onto the course in the end otherwise it would have properly screwed the rest of my life up.
I had the last laugh though
By scoring A in Computing A-level then going on to get a 1st in CompSci at Uni. I'll never forgive that elitist **** of a maths teacher though.
It was ridiculous. I fell between the cracks at precisely the wrong time. I was just starting to grow a strong interest in maths, was doing lots of revision and homework on it in my evenings. I spent the remaining 2.5 years trying to get back into top set, doing everything to impress the teachers, but their decision was made and that was it. Unfortunately if you weren't in top set then you weren't taught things like calculus, and even trigonometry was dumbed down.
They didn't even want me to do Computing A-level, by claiming it was too advanced for someone without A-level math. Fortunately I got onto the course in the end otherwise it would have properly screwed the rest of my life up.
I had the last laugh though
By scoring A in Computing A-level then going on to get a 1st in CompSci at Uni. I'll never forgive that elitist **** of a maths teacher though.
Soldato
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I failed C1 twice but got a B in C2 first time. My maths teacher didn't even know how that was possible
B in Maths C in further.
The applied modules raped me because I did 0 revision for them because they had no interest on me. Mechanics 2 and Statistics 2 I got U's in both, but I owned the further pure modules and core modules. Ah well, probably should have tried harder in M2 and S2. But pure maths is what interests me.
Now studying Comp Sci MEng
The applied modules raped me because I did 0 revision for them because they had no interest on me. Mechanics 2 and Statistics 2 I got U's in both, but I owned the further pure modules and core modules. Ah well, probably should have tried harder in M2 and S2. But pure maths is what interests me.
Now studying Comp Sci MEng
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My school/college had an incredibly elitist maths teacher. If you couldn't get 25 out of 30 on a times tables test done over 3 minutes in year 9, then you weren't allowed back into top set for the rest of your time in school. Then, just to rub the salt, if you weren't a member of top set maths then they wouldn't let you apply to do A-level maths in their Sixth Form either.
It was ridiculous. I fell between the cracks at precisely the wrong time. I was just starting to grow a strong interest in maths, was doing lots of revision and homework on it in my evenings. I spent the remaining 2.5 years trying to get back into top set, doing everything to impress the teachers, but their decision was made and that was it. Unfortunately if you weren't in top set then you weren't taught things like calculus, and even trigonometry was dumbed down.
They didn't even want me to do Computing A-level, by claiming it was too advanced for someone without A-level math. Fortunately I got onto the course in the end otherwise it would have properly screwed the rest of my life up.
I had the last laugh though
That must have been incredibly annoying.Maths A and Further Maths A, in 2005/6. Went on to study physics...
Now studying music.
Feels like a waste of a degree and A levels, but I hope the pieces of paper and knowledge are useful at some point in the future.
My school/college had an incredibly elitist maths teacher. If you couldn't get 25 out of 30 on a times tables test done over 3 minutes in year 9, then you weren't allowed back into top set for the rest of your time in school. Then, just to rub the salt, if you weren't a member of top set maths then they wouldn't let you apply to do A-level maths in their Sixth Form either.
It was ridiculous. I fell between the cracks at precisely the wrong time. I was just starting to grow a strong interest in maths, was doing lots of revision and homework on it in my evenings. I spent the remaining 2.5 years trying to get back into top set, doing everything to impress the teachers, but their decision was made and that was it. Unfortunately if you weren't in top set then you weren't taught things like calculus, and even trigonometry was dumbed down.
They didn't even want me to do Computing A-level, by claiming it was too advanced for someone without A-level math. Fortunately I got onto the course in the end otherwise it would have properly screwed the rest of my life up.
I had the last laugh though
Yeah that old school view of math based on times table rote learning was annoying in my childhood too. I was doing basic calculus(Differentiation, Integration). and algebra at a young age, but because I could not rote learn the times table I was put down.... Silly system really, everyone should be able to reach their heights in whatever they show aptitude..
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Deleted member 11679
Deleted member 11679
A-level Maths...grade C.
Now teach A-Level Computing.
Now teach A-Level Computing.
Not studying at Bristol is pretty much a fail at life. Go to Bristol, you will NOT regret it.
Please tell me young paddawan
. Sitting on the fence about, Bristol vs UCL vs Southampton.
Please tell me young paddawan
Sitting on the fence about, Bristol vs UCL vs Southampton.
Because it's just a truck load of awesome! Like many decent cities, the central area (where the university is based) is divided into zones which are all within walking distance, with the 'extremes' being Clifton (a very 'poe-shhh' and lush area) and the grittier stoke's croft (home of many a Banksy piece and other urban art). Every area has its own persona and cool place to go.
The variety of night life (heavy metal, chart, crazy rave, you got it), recreational activities, shopping etc are all phenomenal. Last year in Clifton I was a 4 minute stroll from a student clubbing area (the triangle), a 20 minute walk from Cabot circus (an amazing shopping centre) and a 5 minute bike ride to Ashton Court for some off road biking (over the suspension bridge).
The thing that really makes it though are the people. The people in Bristol LOVE Bristol - I've never heard a bad word. All the cider / wildlife festivals are packed with enthusiastic students and locals, there really is a sense of pride. I was a student there for 6 years and didn't get bored and many of my friends who have left are trying to find ways to return. It's a very happening, enthusiastic and cultural city. It's just brilliant, I can't wait to go back in September
I bet my soul that you will not regret going to Bristol. I am that confident.
Soldato
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I've made the same choices and have the same grades as him, and our reasoning for probably not choosing Bristol is because we both want either Cambridge or Warwick as a first choice and then a backup. Manchester is likely the best backup with an offer that can vary between A*BB or AAB, meaning we still have a place if we don't get A*'s in maths, which is unlikely, but that's the point of a backup.
I'd love to have Cambridge as a first choice and Warwick as a backup but it's unrealistic to expect to do brilliantly in the STEP paper, which is gonna be the hardest part.
There are obviously benefits to going to Cambridge, but all the others you are looking at really aren't going to make a difference to your employment prospects so I'd plump for the one which was most fun.
I didn't even bother looking at Oxford or Cambridge, not sure why I'd want to go to a boring city for university. Warwick never appealed to me for the same reason.
Interesting, just curious, what are you doing now that means you are away from Bristol?Because it's just a truck load of awesome! Like many decent cities, the central area (where the university is based) is divided into zones which are all within walking distance, with the 'extremes' being Clifton (a very 'poe-shhh' and lush area) and the grittier stoke's croft (home of many a Banksy piece and other urban art). Every area has its own persona and cool place to go.
The variety of night life (heavy metal, chart, crazy rave, you got it), recreational activities, shopping etc are all phenomenal. Last year in Clifton I was a 4 minute stroll from a student clubbing area (the triangle), a 20 minute walk from Cabot circus (an amazing shopping centre) and a 5 minute bike ride to Ashton Court for some off road biking (over the suspension bridge).
The thing that really makes it though are the people. The people in Bristol LOVE Bristol - I've never heard a bad word. All the cider / wildlife festivals are packed with enthusiastic students and locals, there really is a sense of pride. I was a student there for 6 years and didn't get bored and many of my friends who have left are trying to find ways to return. It's a very happening, enthusiastic and cultural city. It's just brilliant, I can't wait to go back in September
I bet my soul that you will not regret going to Bristol. I am that confident.
It really depends on my January exam grades as getting A* is not an easy task,Southampton is AAA but unsure whether I can get an A in physics.
I still have ages to decide, Southampton is probably has the better reputation for my course but Southampton is fairly tacky compared to Bristol.