The Final Count Down to The HSC Exam

Oct 18, 2017

Using the last 24 hours before an exam effectively

 

THE NIGHT BEFORE

Pack your bag

Don’t leave it until the morning! Make sure that you have everything you need the day before your exam, so that you have time to pick anything up that you may have forgotten. Also take the time to ensure that everything you have adheres to exam specifications.

Recharge your brain

It’s a well known fact that your brain needs 8 hours sleep a night to function, and that is more vital now than ever before! Make sure you get a good night’s sleep, so you will be well-rested and alert in the exam room. Ensure you eat foods and consume drinks which are supportive of sleep. So no caffeine!

Give yourself time

Set an alarm that gives you ample time to prepare in the morning, so that you aren’t rushing around before the exam. Aim to get to the exam at least half an hour before it starts, just incase.

Relax

Take some time to wind down — read a book, meditate or listen to music.

Ban Your Tech!

Once you climb into bed, avoid all of your screens. Yes, even your phone! The light that they emit makes it harder for you to sleep effectively. Avoid watching a movie on your laptop or scrolling Instagram tonight, and your brain will thank you for it tomorrow.

THE MORNING OF

No Snoozing!
Avoid the temptation to sleep in, with the extra time you allowed. Get up and start the day right.

Revisit your notes

Take some time to read over your notes, flash cards, practice exams and formula. Just remember — no new information, only go over that which you have already learned.

Have a good breakfast

Feed your brain, so that it can perform to the best of its ability — after all, our brains burn around 30% of our total energy. Good food ensures you have enough mental energy for your test. Research brain foods and add a few to your breakfast — nuts, berries, greens and eggs are just a few brilliant options.

Positive thoughts

Focus on your end goal, and try to remain in a positive and confident mindset, knowing that you’ve done everything you can to prepare for this moment. Engage your vision and keep your end goals in the front of your mind.

Avoid pre-exam chatter

While it can be tempting to head straight for your group of friends and chat about the upcoming exam, try to avoid it, as much as you can. Talking about the exam could worsen any anxiety you have, or interfere with your revision.

 

JUST BEFORE

Breathe

It’s totally normal to be stressed before an exam — all it means is that you care deeply about the outcome, which is a great thing! Take a moment to try and relax, and practice your favourite stress management techniques.

Check your exam conditions

As you sit down, make sure you’re comfortable in your seat. Is your table or chair wobbling? Is there intense sunlight shining on your paper, or, on the contrary, do you have enough light to see your work? If anything is wrong, alert a supervisor and fix the problem before the test commences.

Believe in yourself

Do your best, and know that that is all that you can do. Believe that all of your preparation will pay off, and you have the skills and information needed for the task ahead. A positive mindset is crucial.

Just do it!

This is the moment everything has been building up to! Make sure you read the question properly, allocate your time effectively to each section and show off all of your hard work — we know you can do it.

 

TOOLS

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LITERARY TECHNIQUES

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TEXTS AND HUMAN EXPERIENCE

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Module C - The Craft of Writing

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PDF of our planning pad for download

PDF of our Mind Map pad for download

“Let’s Talk About the HSC”

The ultimate podcast for students and parents navigating the journey of the HSC. Presented by HSC CoWorks, each episode dives into the challenges and triumphs of the HSC experience, offering expert advice, study tips, and insights into achieving academic success.

Whether you’re preparing for exams, managing stress, or looking for ways to stay motivated, this podcast is your go-to guide for all things HSC. Join us as we chat with educators, students, and professionals to help you thrive during this important academic milestone!

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🔥 FINAL HSC STUDY BOOTCAMP

Finish your HSC campaign with zero regrets, knowing you gave it everything you had.

Our final Study Bootcamp of the year is all about making those last few weeks count.

🔥 Boost your productivity with focused, structured exam training.
💡 Stay motivated alongside other students pushing towards their goals.
✅ Get exam ready with unseen questions, practice under pressure and accountability to tackle those ‘frog’ subjects and tasks you’d rather avoid!
⏰ Four focused hours each day, supported by HSC CoWorks coaches who know what it takes to navigate the final stages of the HSC.

📅 Monday 28 September - Friday 2 October (ALMOST FULL) and Tuesday 6 October - Friday 9 October
⏰ 10am–2pm
📍Balgowlah, Bondi Jct, Chatswood, Mosman

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Open post by hsccoworks with ID 18115732673054305
🔥 FINAL HSC STUDY BOOTCAMP Finish your HSC campaign with zero regrets, knowing you gave it everything you had. Our final Study Bootcamp of the year is all about making those last few weeks count. 🔥 Boost your productivity with focused, structured exam training. 💡 Stay motivated alongside other students pushing towards their goals. ✅ Get exam ready with unseen questions, practice under pressure and accountability to tackle those ‘frog’ subjects and tasks you’d rather avoid! ⏰ Four focused hours each day, supported by HSC CoWorks coaches who know what it takes to navigate the final stages of the HSC. 📅 Monday 28 September - Friday 2 October (ALMOST FULL) and Tuesday 6 October - Friday 9 October ⏰ 10am–2pm 📍Balgowlah, Bondi Jct, Chatswood, Mosman

For most Year 12 students, Trial Exams are officially behind you! 🎉 Take a few days to switch off, reset and enjoy the feeling of having made it through!

Then it’s time to turn your attention to the final stretch. Trials aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re exactly what the name suggests, a trial run for the real thing.

So embrace the mistakes. Look closely at where marks were lost. Get feedback. Work out what needs to change and adjust your approach.

The next few weeks aren’t about starting again. They’re about refining, improving and building confidence from everything you’ve already done.

You’ve come this far. You’ve got this. 💪

#HSC2026 #HSCTrials #HSCStudy #Year12 #HSCTips

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Open post by hsccoworks with ID 17887635177450005
For most Year 12 students, Trial Exams are officially behind you! 🎉 Take a few days to switch off, reset and enjoy the feeling of having made it through! Then it’s time to turn your attention to the final stretch. Trials aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re exactly what the name suggests, a trial run for the real thing. So embrace the mistakes. Look closely at where marks were lost. Get feedback. Work out what needs to change and adjust your approach. The next few weeks aren’t about starting again. They’re about refining, improving and building confidence from everything you’ve already done. You’ve come this far. You’ve got this. 💪 #HSC2026 #HSCTrials #HSCStudy #Year12 #HSCTips

Celebrating 30 years of HSC CoWorks! 💫

In 1996, @fergusgardiner started working with a small group of HSC students in Bondi Junction. His ability to inspire a genuine passion for learning particularly in English quickly saw that small group grow through word of mouth.

Fergus’ wife @carollgardiner alongside their son @jesseperformancecoach and his wife @sarahgards7 joined the business as it grew, helping to establish campuses in Mosman, Chatswood, Lindfield, Dee Why and Balgowlah. Jesse and Sarah now lead the organisation alongside an incredible team of more than 100 coaches, markers, teachers, an amazing Head Office and Web Development team, and also Emily and Nick who joined our team this year. There have been plenty of ups and downs, milestones, obstacles and lessons along the way, and HSC CoWorks wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible people who have been part of it over the years.

And to every student who has walked through our doors and every parent who has trusted us to play a part in their child’s education, THANK YOU. Your support and trust over the past 30 years means more to us than we can say. We are so grateful to have worked with your child during the most important stage of their schooling career and thank you for championing our program as we strive to support young people develop the skills, habits and mindset that will support them long after their HSC.

And of course to our own family, especially our three children who put up with having both parents in the business and many weekends and evenings spent around the dinner table building new ideas, solving problems, packing study toolkits and everything in between!

We’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the past three decades, but even more excited about what comes next.

Thank you,
Jesse, Sarah, Fergus & Carol Gardiner

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Open post by hsccoworks with ID 18153572545519445
Celebrating 30 years of HSC CoWorks! 💫 In 1996, @fergusgardiner started working with a small group of HSC students in Bondi Junction. His ability to inspire a genuine passion for learning particularly in English quickly saw that small group grow through word of mouth. Fergus’ wife @carollgardiner alongside their son @jesseperformancecoach and his wife @sarahgards7 joined the business as it grew, helping to establish campuses in Mosman, Chatswood, Lindfield, Dee Why and Balgowlah. Jesse and Sarah now lead the organisation alongside an incredible team of more than 100 coaches, markers, teachers, an amazing Head Office and Web Development team, and also Emily and Nick who joined our team this year. There have been plenty of ups and downs, milestones, obstacles and lessons along the way, and HSC CoWorks wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible people who have been part of it over the years. And to every student who has walked through our doors and every parent who has trusted us to play a part in their child’s education, THANK YOU. Your support and trust over the past 30 years means more to us than we can say. We are so grateful to have worked with your child during the most important stage of their schooling career and thank you for championing our program as we strive to support young people develop the skills, habits and mindset that will support them long after their HSC. And of course to our own family, especially our three children who put up with having both parents in the business and many weekends and evenings spent around the dinner table building new ideas, solving problems, packing study toolkits and everything in between! We’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the past three decades, but even more excited about what comes next. Thank you, Jesse, Sarah, Fergus & Carol Gardiner

The HSC matters. But what students build along the way matters even more.

The HSC year is your training ground for life.. where you can develop skills like how to plan ahead, take ownership, tackle challenges, respond to feedback and perform under pressure.

These aren’t just skills for getting through Year 12. They’re the skills, mindset and habits that you will take with you into university, work and whatever comes next.

At HSC CoWorks, our role is to provide the structure, support, coaching and accountability that helps students develop these capabilities, while working towards their HSC goals.

#hsccoworks #hsc2026 #hsc2027 #hscstudyskills #hscmotivation

6 0
Open post by hsccoworks with ID 18141126814573634
The HSC matters. But what students build along the way matters even more. The HSC year is your training ground for life.. where you can develop skills like how to plan ahead, take ownership, tackle challenges, respond to feedback and perform under pressure. These aren’t just skills for getting through Year 12. They’re the skills, mindset and habits that you will take with you into university, work and whatever comes next. At HSC CoWorks, our role is to provide the structure, support, coaching and accountability that helps students develop these capabilities, while working towards their HSC goals. #hsccoworks #hsc2026 #hsc2027 #hscstudyskills #hscmotivation