Studying for the HSC

The stigma of the HSC being the door to your future makes it especially daunting and terrifying. However, doing your preparation early and managing your time effectively will ensure that your future is in your hands and not in the hands not at the mercy of the HSC.

1. Don't procrastinate and start
   1. Call me Captain Obvious if you like, but similar to how I wouldn't be able to easily run a marathon without practicing WEEKS beforehand, trying to cram in content the night before will do you little to no favours for your exam. The key to this is just starting, even if it's only spending 30 minutes reading your English text or trying to complete one page of your math homework, just starting will get your ball rolling and at least get you thinking about what is going on.
2. Be self-aware about how you study and what words best for you!
   1. Every student is unique and learns differently. Identify what gets knowledge into your head best and capitalise on it. For example, if you're a visual learner, use colourful pens and post it notes to do your notes, stick English quotes on your walls and draw mind-maps!
3. Place yourself in an environment where you will be able to study effectively
   1. Do not underestimate the impact your environment has on your study. You want to put yourself in an environment where you can be in your element and free from distraction. 80% of procrastination cases arise due to students being in poor study environments. For example, they are at a spot where they can hear the family TV, the room is untidy, or they are lacking what they need in that room and so they go in search for that thing, which leads to procrastination. You want to place yourself some place calm and quiet, with the adequate resources required and free of distraction. Somewhere highly recommended in a university library or somewhere really quiet and fully of studying students so you'll feel guilty for NOT studying.
4. Do past papers
   1. Unfortunately for many of us, memorising the theory is not enough for the HSC exam where a lot of the time, it is the APPLICATION of the theory that we are tested on. As such, the only way to practice application of theory is to actually apply the theory, and what better way to do so then with past papers. Especially in the lead up to your exam, try to do at least 2 past papers a week to practice, top 99+ ATAR students are known to do at least 1 paper a weekday!