This week, Year 12 attended a study skills session titled ‘The HSC Countdown’  with Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services. The aim was to help Year 12 put together a plan of attack for between now and their final exams. The session focused firstly on what students need to do before the end of term. It is essential that study notes are completed, students work through their returned Trial HSC exam papers thoroughly (using the checklist provided), pinpoint areas of weakness and seek help on these, and endeavour to do as much practise of essay writing and past examination papers as they can before the end of term, so they can obtain feedback from teachers. Year 12 also reviewed the study techniques they are using and looked at ways to improve and avoid common study mistakes using research about the brain.  Each Year 12 student also filled out a grid with their HSC exam timetable, planning the best way to allocate their study time over the weeks prior and during the HSC exams using the guidelines that Dr Salter explained. Having a plan in place can take away a lot of exam anxiety, as students know what they need to do to move forward and can see the steps they need to take to make the most of the last few months of their final year of school.  

All students at our school also have access to a great study skills website to help students develop their skills. Go to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and enter the username: staugustines and the password: 146results and start improving your results today!