Ganbatte Method Students! - Luminary Novels

This is to certify that you have been one of those discriminating students who chose to enter the exclusive domain of VCE Mathematical Methods in 2023. In making this choice, you have elevated your thinking to new heights and expanded the powers of your mind. You have learnt how to find solutions to a whole series of world shattering problems and to identify the wide range of factors which need to be considered. As a result you are now in a position to compute what chance you have to getting up late three mornings in a row, or of finding at least one defective chocolate in a gift box, or how many committees of three you can make from ten people. Something you have always wanted to know! And none of that is a patch on what you know about dealing with SACs!!

You have progressed so much, and brought so many dimensions to your development. Only twelve years ago, you would happily sit on a log and from that base count your marbles with the age of your digits. Now you are far more sophisticated and can count your marbles and your logs by pressing buttons. What a step up! There is no substitute for a little grid of plastic buttons, the ultimate product of man’s imagination!

As a child you questioned the origin of man. “Where did I come from?” you would ask. Now you know that what counts in the long run is finding x. Already you have spent years reflecting precisely on this matter. There has been no limit to your patience. It could have caused acute depression, because as soon as you explored a new angle and were convinced that at last you had x within your grasp, it changed again. There it was in the next question, and the next and so on. This is quite a variance “y oh y?” you may well have asked. Think of all the volumes of papers you discarded- all those trees gone! The more you think about it and the more you distance yourself to look at it in perspective, the more you realise this is absurd! One is tempted to wonder what difference equations make. Equally, one could not be blamed for starting a revolution or correspondence on a 1-1 basis with some person in a position of power or joining a student union to investigate who arranged this odd dilemma. Perhaps it is all a great plot – a result of some mad genius who has lost his marbles. I guess you are not pro-numerals any more.

However you have endured all these trials and tribulations, accepted the outcomes and conditions and have never been mean or expected too much to be done for you. Not that you are a square! Far from it. You are simply pummelling your mind into better shape, which is perfectly right- the only direction to take if you wish to experience real growth. As you know, an unused mind falls into decay and becomes quite obsolete. Reflexes slow down, thoughts become irrational and your relations truly suffer.

Speaking of shapes, another area on which you have focused is modelling. Here is another life skill which will help you map out your future. Just look at your knowledge of this topic. Elle McPherson, as another exponent of the art, has nothing on you! And you can sketch curves with the best of them. To sum it up you are learning to differentiate between what is worthwhile and what is not. It is not your average subject.

At any rate, as you face your final exams, maximise your output with a minimum of fuss. When you read the paper, keep calm, do exactly what is asked and be certain your answer makes sense. When diagrams are required be very careful. It only takes a fraction of the time to avoid mistakes. And whatever you do, do go round in circles or fly off a tangent, or even worse, let yourself reach a stationary point. All sines are that you will do well, but in any event, do your best cos if you don’t I’ll tan your hide after all the time I’ve invested trying to translate this to plain english and to find appropriate derivatives.

If I might add one final comment. When your exams are over and the excitement has died down, you will be entering an even more important phase of your life. This is the real turning point. You will have in front of you two paths to choose from. The first is an easier path, trod by 95% of the population. The second is much harder. It will require more of you. To travel along it you will need to be like a tree, anchoring your roots into a firm foundation, branching out in many directions so that you will live a balanced and upright life, with the bearing tall and dignified. You can therefore offer shelter and support when they are needed.

There is no parallel along the final path. Along there, life is lived on the surface; there is no depth and no real reflection. Thoughts are shallow and consequently the society born of it is divided and self-centered. Both paths will have their successes and failures, and of course the choice must be yours. Only you can decide. However, my wish for you is that you find the second path for the remainder of your life, and travel along it to find true wisdom. I leave you with a small gift. It may affect the distribution of your assets so that there is a temporary skewing effect… but, what a way to go! My best wishes go with you whatever you do. Come back and visit. I hope dis place ment something to you too during this year!

Sincerely, an anonymous teacher.