Last Minute Study Advice for the HSC and VCE

Last Minute Study Advice for the HSC and VCE

Some VCE students have already commenced their exams, and the start date for the HSC is fast approaching. 

This is a stressful time for a lot of students, but the good news is there are many things you can still do to boost your marks.

Make the most of this time with our last-minute study advice.

Take time to get organised 

Whether you’ve already started your exams or are in the final stretch before they begin, you can benefit greatly from being more organised. Take some time out to organise your notes and study area so that you can find what you need with ease. Throw out anything you no longer need.

Getting organised will help you feel refreshed and more motivated. It will also reinforce the fact that the end is in sight. Make sure you’re very familiar with your exam timetable. Pack your bag the night before your exams so you don’t have to rush in the morning. Plan to arrive thirty minutes before your exam starts. 

Hone-in on your weak spots 

By this stage, you should have a very good idea of where your strengths and weaknesses lie. There’s still time to hone-in on areas which need work. 

This might be a particular subject or a topic within a subject that you’re having difficulty with. You can seek expert help, find additional resources, or talk to your teacher about what you can do to improve.

Mix up your study techniques

If you’ve been using the same study techniques for a while, your brain has probably become accustomed to them. This may cause it to switch off instead of retaining knowledge. 

To help your brain become more alert and focused in the days before exams, we recommend trying different techniques. This could include making diagrams and visual representations of your notes, recording yourself reading them or organising pop quizzes with your friends. 

Turn to pen and paper

Studies have found that people perform better when studying with books and an old-fashioned pen and paper. If you always use a computer or iPad to study, consider switching them off for a while.

One of the possible reasons behind this finding is there are less distractions with books and paper. This is also another good way to change things up and help your brain remember.

Test, test, and test again 

You might be sick of looking at past papers by now, but this is still one of the best ways to study. Try to find papers you haven’t seen before and think about how you’d answer each question.

It’s extremely helpful to time yourself completing practice papers. Jotting down notes and essay plans is also beneficial if you don’t have time to do the full exam.

Get into a healthy routine 

It doesn’t take long to establish a new routine, and there’s still time to help yourself by going to bed earlier and eating well. When you get a good night’s sleep, you’ll feel more refreshed and focused the next day. 

Make the effort to put devices away an hour before bedtime so you get a quality night’s sleep.  Ditching junk food and energy drinks for nutritious meals will help you concentrate and give you stamina.

Avoid last-minute exam stress by following our tips.

 

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