Five Tips For Your Trial Exam Preparation

Aug 4, 2020

“The HSC Trials”. A phrase synonymous with the business end of the HSC. For the majority of you this set of important exams will be beginning over the next couple of weeks.

Despite the slightly anxious and perhaps even fatigued faces I have been seeing at CoWorks recently, you should all be excited for what lies ahead.

In short, the Trials can be an opportunity for redemption, a chance to further move up the schooling ranks or even solidify your dominance. On the other hand, they also have the potential to become the realization of your downfall.

The difficulty of these next few weeks leading up to Trials are entirely up to your own discretion. They can be consistent revision and exam preparation or spiral into hellish cramming, sleepless nights and the need for one too many coffees.

So, without further ado, here are my 5 golden tips to staying sane, happy and confident throughout these next few weeks:

  1. Take care of your body:

In short, a healthy body makes a healthy mind. No matter how prepared you are, if you happen to be sick during your Trials, you will not be able to perform to the best of your abilities. Doing the small things like staying hydrated, eating healthy and sleeping 8 hours a day can give your brain the chance to function optimally and even assist with your memory retention. Also doing some exercise everyday, even if just for 30 minutes, releases endorphins (or happy hormones as I like to call them) which really helps deal with stress.

  1. Study NOW rather than later:

As Jesse and the rest of the team have been constantly emphasizing throughout the last few weeks, “the key to success is being highly effective and productive with the limited time that you have”. If you are able to create and stick to a thought-out study timetable, there should be no reason why I should see any of you pulling an all-nighter before your first English Exam.

Like I said before, it’s up to you, these next few weeks can honestly be quite bearable, if you just stay consistent and do the work day by day.

  1. Take plenty of breaks in between your study routine:

“I’m going to study for the whole day today”. I’m sure all of you have started a day with this intention and ended up just burning out after the first hour and then watching YouTube videos for the rest of the day.

Studies have shown that your ability to concentrate falls dramatically after the first 50 minutes, and so giving your brain regular breaks gives you the chance to stay focused for longer during the day.

One very good method is the Pornodoro Technique. Its principle is simple. You work for a short period (usually 25 minutes) without distraction and take a break (usually 5 minutes) after that period is done. Anything that distracts you is attended to in that break, where you can also get up and move around.

  1. Stick to your own plan:

Trust in yourself and believe in your own study plan. Remember you have all been in school for almost 12 years now, so you know what studying methods work best for you. Worrying too much about how other people are going about their work will just make you more anxious.

  1. Don’t forget, you’re not alone:

The Trials are meant to be tough, in fact many people actually say that they are harder than the HSC exams, because you are essentially doing the same exams but in a shorter period of time. So remember, you are all going through this together. If you are feeling really tired and burnt out, don’t forget so are your friends. So stick together, support each other, and we at HSC CoWorks will also do our best to push you all through this next couple of weeks.

The truth is, by the first day of your Trial Exams, your marks will all have already been largely pre-determined, based upon the work you are doing now and over the next few weeks. Every extra past paper you do, essay you write or second you spend preparing, is really just an extra mark you are guaranteeing come Trial time. So work hard now, and you will get the marks you deserve later.

“Ultimately, there are more important things in life than exams. Ironically, you might just need to do well in your exams in order to achieve those things.”

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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

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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