Tiffanny Junee

Studying for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) can be a daunting task – for everyone in the family – especially your Year 12 student! 😀

Some students start stressing about failure at the beginning of Year 11 while others cruise through 18 months of learning before ‘pulling’ some all nighters thanks to chemical enhancers.

Neither way is overly healthy, nor sustainable. So…

As the second batch of HSC assessments (Term 1 exams) are soon to be upon us, l thought I’d give our buddying ‘HSC success stories’ a little helping hand re: Tips and Tools for How 2 Study and How 2 effectively manage their learning.

With so much content to cover and so many exams to prepare for, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Successful learning starts with YOU – the human.

How 2 Prepare yourself to Study

Just like the texts guiding your studies, students need to take a moment to learn How 2 prepare themselves and their brain for academic study.

So… before reaching for your keyboard or highlighter – STOP!

Take a DEEP BREATH…. Seriously!

Breathing is a critical tool for students to practice.

By proactively seeking to establish the habit of self-awareness, conscious BREATHING can become a helpful tool for stemming the rush of emotions that can engulf students in new and/ or stressful situations.

Step 2: Sit still. This is where you can close your eyes and take 5 slow, deep, steadying breaths and when you feel your shoulders fall to sit comfortably in place on their own accord, it’s time to dive in to your work!

Studying is an art refined over time and rapidly evolving mobile technologies can make studying for the HSC a lot easier and more efficient, when done strategically.

Here are some ways that you can use technology to help you study for the HSC.

1. Use online resources

There are many online resources available to help you study for the HSC. For example, websites such as Khan Academy, Coursera, and edX offer free online courses that cover a wide range of subjects. These courses can help you to revise and learn new topics in a structured and engaging way. Additionally, there are many online forums and discussion boards where you can ask questions and get help from other students and teachers.

2. Download study apps

There are many apps available that can help you to study for the HSC. For example, Quizlet is a popular flashcard app that allows you to create your own flashcards or use pre-made ones to revise key concepts. Another useful app is Duolingo, which can help you to improve your language skills. There are also apps available for specific subjects, such as Mathway for maths and Grammarly for English.

3. Watch educational videos

Watching educational videos can be a great way to learn new topics and revise key concepts. Platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo have a wealth of educational content available, ranging from lectures and tutorials to animations and documentaries. You can also find many educational channels on these platforms that are dedicated to specific subjects or topics.

4. Use social media

Social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram can be great tools for studying. Many teachers and educators use these platforms to share educational content, including study tips, revision guides, and practice questions. You can also join study groups on Facebook or LinkedIn, where you can connect with other students and share resources and advice.

5. Utilize online study tools

There are many online tools available that can help you to study more efficiently. For example, tools such as Evernote and OneNote allow you to take notes, create to-do lists, and organize your study materials in one place. Additionally, you can use tools such as Google Drive and Dropbox to store and share your study materials with others.

Technology can be a valuable asset when it comes to studying for the HSC.

By using online resources, study apps, educational videos, social media, and online study tools, you can make your studying more efficient and effective but first you have to trial them to see, which ones and what combination of tech enhances your study time without providing cause for further distraction.

Let me know how you go via Insta @TiffJunee or email: tiffanny.junee@sydney.edu.au

How 2 Prepare your Study Timetable

In addition to using technology to study for the HSC, it’s also important to have a clear and organized study timetable.

A good study timetable can help you to manage your time effectively and ensure that you cover all the necessary topics before your exams.

Here are some often overlooked ‘first steps’ for embedding efficiency and effectivity into your study timetable:

1. Start by identifying your goals and priorities

Before you can create a study timetable, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your goals and priorities.

This will help you determine how much time you need to devote to each subject and which topics you need to focus on the most.

2. Use a planner or calendar

Once you have identified your goals and priorities, you can use a planner or calendar to create a study timetable. This might be a physical planner/ whiteboard or online tool ie: Google Calendar.

Make sure to schedule in breaks and leisure time as well, as it’s important to have time to relax and recharge.

3. Break down your study sessions

When scheduling your study sessions, try to break them down into manageable chunks.

For example, if you have a lot of content to cover for a particular subject, you might want to split your study sessions into smaller blocks of 30 or 60 minutes, with short breaks in between.

4. Mix up your subjects and study methods

To keep your study sessions interesting and engaging, try to mix up your subjects and study methods.

For example, you might want to alternate between reading, watching videos, and doing practice questions.

You can also mix up your subjects by scheduling in different subjects at different times of the day.

5. Be flexible and adjust as needed

Finally, it’s important to be flexible and adjust your study timetable as needed.

If you find that you’re struggling to keep up with your schedule or that certain topics are taking longer than expected, don’t be afraid to adjust your timetable accordingly.

A well-organized study timetable can help you to manage your time effectively and ensure that you cover all the necessary topics before your exams.

By identifying your goals and priorities, using a planner or calendar, breaking down your study sessions, mixing up your subjects and study methods, and being flexible and adjusting as needed, you can create a study timetable that enables you to create a balance between your studies, as well as your extra-curricular activities, leadership role commitments as well as your family and social life!

The stress/study partnership is an unhealthy habit practiced by students who haven’t yet learnt the art of How 2 Learn.

So make the choice to smile your way through 2023 and get in touch if you need any help.

Cheers,

Tiff