Tips to get you ready for the exam room part 2

Aug 10, 2021

When it comes to time spent studying, many students will measure their success based on how long they were able to spend at their desk. However, effective study is all about quality over quantity, and the students who perform best in exams are the ones who study most effectively by learning the foundational knowledge and then training in exam conditions.

 

One task which many students spend a lot of time on is notes. Notes are important, but students must work actively in order to actually absorb the knowledge they are trying to learn. For example, recalling mindmaps or writing out short summaries for a topic from memory is far more effective than simply highlighting their class notes. 

 

Once students have become highly confident with their foundational knowledge, it is crucial that they start training on exam style tasks weeks before their Trials, Prelims or HSC. There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment as to the exact form that these exams will take, but we do know that, wherever these exams are, students will have to complete them in timed conditions. Therefore, the best way to build confidence and certainty is for students to put their phone away, pretend they are in an exam room and practice sections of exams such as writing their English essay in 40 minutes.

 

Doing timed exams at home requires a lot of self-discipline, but so does any type of training that we do, and at the end of the day, it is how we train that determines how well we do when it counts.

Join our Head Performance Coach Jesse, and Founder Fergus as they provide their best tips for success in the Trial Exams and the Final HSC Exams.  

 

 

 

 

Our HSC Specialists are ready to take any questions you have about the HSC process or about how your child can take control of their HSC year and achieve the results which they deserve.

Get in contact with us via our live chat or calling us on 1300 967 890.

Check out our previous blog post on how to maintain motivation during the Sydney Lockdown here.

“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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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
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
The HSC isn’t meant to feel easy. But every time you choose to keep going, you’re building the confidence you’ll take into that exam room.
Do the hard work now. Thank yourself later. 💪
#HSC2026 #HSCMotivation #HSCStudy #HSCCoWorks
HSC CoWorks Open Days are coming this September!
If you’re heading into Year 12 (HSC 2027), come and experience HSC CoWorks for yourself.
Meet our team, explore the space and discover how we help students build the structure, study habits, accountability and exam skills needed to reach their full potential in their HSC year.
📍 CHATSWOOD — 12 Sept | 10–11:30am
📍 BONDI JUNCTION — 12 Sept | 2–3:30pm
📍 MOSMAN — 19 Sept | 10–11:30am
📍 BALGOWLAH — 19 Sept | 2–3:30pm
⭐ Hear from our Head Performance Coach
⭐ Tour your local campus
⭐ Meet our Coaches & hear their stories
⭐ Ask questions and learn how the program works
FREE TO ATTEND | Students + parents/carers welcome
Places are limited so please book your spot via the link in bio.
#HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #Year12 #HSCStudy #HSCMotivation