HSC

With the HSC fast approaching, your stress levels might feel like they’re about to hit the roof. The entire experience might have begun to feel like it is too overwhelming but that’s normal. You should remember that you’re not alone and that there are plenty of study tips out there to get you re-focused and re-energised to continue your study routine right up to the HSC and do great in your exams!

1. Work off the syllabus for each subject. At the end of each topic, make a chapter summary. When you finish all your topics, take all summaries and make a summary of that. If you keep cross-checking your information with what is on the syllabus, you won’t miss anything. All notes you make should be in your own words because this will make it easier for you to remember.
2. Develop your own timetable. Everyone learns in a different way so when it’s time to set up a study schedule, you should reflect on your attention span, the ways in which you best retain information and what you are willing to commit to. Don’t use a timetable you download off the internet or borrow your friend’s because in most cases, it’ll be ineffective. Remember to also schedule in plenty of breaks and time for exercise and clearing your mind.
3. Keep all your notes together. Whether it’s in a book, plastic sleeves or loose sheet paper, there is nothing worse than losing them or having them all over the place. To compile these, you should use plenty of colour including highlighters, Post-It notes and colourful writing paper so you will remain alert and interested.
4. Change up your space. It’s been scientifically proven that the brain associates feelings of stress and emotions to certain spaces, so you need to change the place you study – always choosing somewherewhere its quiet, of course. Try your local library where you can use study desks or even book out a conference room if you need to get away from noise and other distractions.
5. Form study groups. While you would have been told time and time again that in the HSC you’re competing against all other students in the state, forming study groups is actually beneficial for all parties, and you’re likely to absorb more information if you are around your friends or other people you’re comfortable with. You could assign each other aspects to revise and then come together to share the information. Make sure you actually study, though; it’s too easy to get sidetracked by a conversation and not end up doing anything productive. Commit and you will achieve great results.
6. Practice how to answer questions. The HSC includes a glossary of words to phrase their questions and each has a different requirement. It’s too easy to forget to answer the question or not understand what it’s asking when you’re nervous, so read up on the language as provided by the Board of Studies on their website http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/glossary_keywords.html

There are so many study tips that can be found online or learned through people’s experience. Check out this large compilation of the best techniques and stress-reducing tips to help you through the exams at
 http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/highschool/studyingtips.php http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/203.HTM as well as top stress-reducing technique here  http://www.uws.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/getting_help/study_and_life_skills_workshops/study_and_life_skills_workshops