It is never to late to achieve in the HSC, but it takes hard work and dedication. In the midst of trials and with the HSC exams coming next term, you can still do well, you can still achieve in the HSC and in PDHPE, you just have to get going.
When I completed my HSC, my half-yearly results were not great. My average mark was around 50% and I had a long way to go in order to achieve my goals for my HSC. By the end of my HSC I had turned my marks around, finished in the top 3 at my school for each of my subjects and achieved an ATAR of 92.55. Below is my reflections on what caused this improvement in my results.
Firstly, I spent 1 week in the July Holidays at a HSC study camp. This camp was pivotal as I sought to achieve in the HSC. It opened my eyes regarding how much time I actually had to study. I was playing representative football (soccer) during my HSC year and time management was not my best attribute. But this camp showed me how to create useful study schedules and keep them. I began creating schedules that were only 2 weeks in length and fit over 10 hours a week of study into the normal school week, with a social life.
Secondly, I used flashcards to achieve in the HSC. Using flashcards helped me to achieve in the HSC because I went through them all the time. I did not write any other summary, which saved me time and I found myself able to complete them during class as the content was delivered by the end of term 3. I then used to complete them on the 40 min drive to school and each day at home. I had piles that I knew the first time through and a pile that I knew I had to keep going over, but I used to make sure I went through my flashcards every chance I got. It was my study method, and it worked for me. I used them to remember quotes for English, equations for Math, syllabus content for the Sciences etc.
Thirdly, I created mind-maps and stuck them up around the house. I used to revise my mind-maps every time I went into the bathroom. There were study notes on the mirrors, and I could read them as I brushed my teeth or went to the toilet. I would even recommend laminating some and putting them in the shower. Mind-maps particularly helped my to learn the connections between the content.
Finally, I managed to achieve in the HSC because I bothered. Before the half-yearlys I had not done a lot of work, but after them I studied my butt off. During the October Holidays, I didn’t get into a study camp and so I decided to invite my friends over for a week long study camp at my house. I had a number of the top students at my school come over, and I had other friends from other schools come along as well. We worked together to ensure we all got over 8 hours of study done a day during those holidays and shared our resources and notes to help each other achieve in the HSC.
