Year 12 is an extremely stressful time, believe me, I'm currently in it. I'm going to write down a few tips to help you out, and after I've completed my actual exams I'll give you some tips on handling those as well.
I'm currently at the edge of the cliff for year 12, just before exams start. I am studying English, Maths Methods, Specialists Maths, Physics, and Chemistry. Sadly I can't provide much help for VCAL students because I never did it, but I have a good friend in it who basically says most of all work hard, keep up to date and you'll do great.
First of all, work hard
To set yourself up for year 12, if you can please do a year 12 subject in year 11. It will not only give you an extra subject if one of your subjects in your last year doesn't go to well, but it also gives you an idea of what year 12 is like without the stress of having all of your subjects instead of just one. I took year 12 Further Mathematics in year 11, and without the stress of actually being in year 12, I got a study score of 45. I was very happy. My teacher was someone who has left a mark upon me. She always tried to get me to excel, constantly encouraging me and knocking down anyone who gave me crap for being naturally smart. She came up to me once, near the end, and said something along the lines of "I know they all get annoyed that you are smarter than they are, but I also know how much work you put in and thing you deserve the marks you are getting," Now that hit home. Your teachers will always want you to achieve your best, please don't let them down, if they ask you to do something for homework, do it. If someone is achieving well, don't be envious, see what they do, copy their study habits, and soon you'll be there too. To be honest I know a lot of those students in that class did not put the hard yards in, but many did. You can only do the best you can do, but you can also greatly extend that limit.
In year 12, work hard. Do not miss notes, or classes, because it is really hard to get that knowledge back. I still have gaps in my knowledge from missing around 2 or 3 days for music commitments that I'm trying to fill perfectly. Please keep up to date
Write really good notes.
You may not be able to use sticky notes to mark pages but you can make a contents page with page numbers and you can colour code each topic by highlighting the corner of the page. You will actually be able to see the colours when you close the book and this will make it easier to find everything. Also buy a really big book for notes. Mine are 300 pages but it tends to fall apart so I've had to re-enforce it with tape and glue. My Further book was about 100 pages, but in the past I've had to usually tape two of these books together to have enough pages. CHERISH THESE NOTE BOOKS.
Go over what you've learnt at the end of the day just to make sure everything sticks, even just for 5-10mins. The more you revise, the more you'll retain.
Email your teachers, make them work for their money. They really want you to achieve and they want to help, all you have to do is ask. There is no such thing as a study question, except for the one that goes unasked.
USE CHECKPOINTS!
These books are brilliant and will make you familiar with exam style questions. Also do as many past or trial exams as possible. According to my Chemistry teacher (Which you will learn of in the heading Drink green tea) you should do a minimum of 19 per subject to get a really good study score, we're talking over 40. I may have done that for Further last year, but it is much harder to do with 5 subjects. Try your best, do as many as possible.
Attend lectures please, they will help you immensely, even school run ones. They often give you study notes which you can add to your own collection.
Do not underestimate the power of discussing things with classmates. As soon as you can teach other people, it means you completely understand the topic. This is fantastic. I have so many people to thank for just asking me how to do things, it has helped me understand things a lot better. This includes my Methods teacher for getting me to work out questions with her when someone asked her a question, and having whoever worked it out first teaching the other, and then me going over and teaching the student that asked.
Know your goals. Work out what ATAR you want to reach, what you want to do with your life, and make adjustments to get there. But remember that there are many other pathways to get to your goals. My dad failed HSC and did it again before going into work, and then going to university at night when he found an interest. He was top of the class in uni.
Take breaks
Give time for socialising! Do not drive yourself into the ground, everything must be done with moderation. That being said, please do not overly drink and party in year 12. Lucky for me, my birthday is in October, right before our exams, so no drinking or partying for me until after. On the other hand this leaves space for bowling and sleepover movie marathons with friends. It's a good chance to forget everything that is stressing you out for a while.
Keep up your hobbies. If you are a sport star, keep it up! But maybe drop it down a notch so that it doesn't interfere with your studies. I have worked all through year 12, and my boss understands that I only want two days a week to make sure it doesn't interfere. She also understands that I can't work during exams and before SAC days, but in return I give her at least 2 weeks notice, always. Sometimes work can give you a much needed break from study. I also do a lot of artwork and music. Studying guitar with my amazing teacher has given me half an hour every week to forget everything and be immersed in his wisdom and knowledge and music. It's amazing. Playing music can really help you break away for a little while from everything. I also like making costumes, and having little projects is also a good way to understand time management.
Drink green tea
I'm being serious. As much as I thought my Chemistry teacher was obsessed and slightly crazy, he was completely right in everything he said, including the value of green tea. As much as he drove me insane with his absolute NEED for everyone to put Chemistry first (Chemistry was not my favourite) he was right every step of the way. Not only does it clean out your system and keep you healthy, it maximises brain power as well.
On this subject, keep healthy! It'll do you wonders. You do not want to get sick in year 12, and you definitely do not want to take days off. So for this, eat good food, and exercise, as much as you don't want to. I tend to do a few crunches, leg raises, push ups and prone on every off day, and then I go bike riding on Sunday morning while my dad goes running. It doesn't have to be much, even dancing to music for a few minutes in the kitchen can help. Stressed? Go for a walk down the street for 5-10mins.
Another thing, music is absolutely important. I've been told (by the same teacher) that music at 60 bpm with no lyrics is perfect for studying, but on most days I listen to songs I like. I find when doing equations or creating things, music with lyrics doesn't really hinder you, but every man for themselves. If you listen to music, especially that which you like, you will immediately lift your mood and work won't seem so terrible anymore. I don't do any sort of art without music playing in the background, especially prop making. Everything becomes so much better with it!
Relationships
The hard part. It is probably best to not have a boyfriend or girlfriend for year 12, as they can be a distraction and can create emotional trauma if they do not respect what year 12 means to you. Emotional trauma can happen at anytime, and if you have a partner you want them to be able to help you through it, not be the source. If you currently have a partner then you need to make a pact: Try to fix things as soon as possible, don't go looking for a fight, and please please PLEASE do not separate right before exams.
To be honest I had a friend last year in my year 12 class that told a boy that she could not have a boyfriend until after year 12. And he actually waited until she came out of that last exam to ask her out! If they do love you, they'll wait.
On the other hand, I currently have a boyfriend, one I have been with for around 2 years. Being with me has actually made him realise how much he wants to succeed with school, and over the 2 years he has gone from being average to top of the school, sometimes beating my scores. As we have similar interests (Mechanical Engineering vs Mechatronics Engineering and Physics for me) we take the same subjects which allow us to compete, help, and test each other on everything, helping us succeed. Without him I wouldn't be anywhere as confident with these subjects as I am. Of course we have had quite rocky situations, but due to our care of the other we have stuck together for the better I believe.
It's really a matter of individual circumstances.
And please please PLEASE be nice to your friends! You have to be there for each other. I have one friend whom I constantly tell terrible jokes to and hug and muck around with to keep up her spirits because she is so stressed and worried about the exams, despite her outside appearance. In return she gives me chocolate and almonds on either side of class. After our trial exams we sat in the sun and ate chocolate while she repeated her Italian speaking exam intro to me, one I attempted to translate with my limited knowledge of the language. (Apparently "the blue prince", il principe azzurro, actually translates to Prince Charming... we were both surprised) Cherish your friends very closely! They'll give you a lot of good memories.
Well hopefully this has helped you out a bit. Just remember to do your best, listen to others advice and try to remain calm. Don't worry if you miss your ideal ATAR, because there's always another way to get to where you want to go.
Take a deep breath everyone, and get excited for the end of school!
- Michelle Keane
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