MATH1081 isn't hard - I took it in Semester 2, after I had a semester of year 1 maths under my belt so... it was kinda easier as I already figured out how maths was taught and how I should study for it.
Also MATH1081 and MATH1231 are different forms of maths. Very different.
If you're doing Maths/Education and you find MATH1081 and 1231 hard... reconsider if maths is for you, because second year maths... big, big, big step up.