HSC 2022 post trials slump

Aug 17, 2022

With trials finished up for almost everyone, we wanted to discuss a very common obstacle that students tend to face around this time of year: the post-trials slumpYes it’s a real thing!

After (hopefully) working very hard in the lead-up to trials, and an intensive exam period, it’s very natural for students to want a break from study and we completely understand the need for a week off.

However, particularly later in the term, distractions are imminent and tend to take up space and time for students so if your week long break turns into a second or third week, students will look back and realise that they’ve lost nearly an entire-term’s worth of study time before their HSC. Very similar to that feeling of going back to the gym for the first time after two weeks off. It’s hard to regain momentum, motivation and you feel like you’re starting from scratch again.

At this stage, you don’t need to operate at the high level of intensity that you did pre-trials, however you should maintain some level of productive output every day. The most important Key Behaviour to harness at this time is Grit.

What is Grit?

Grit refers to our level of resolve, resilience, and determination. Grit is sitting down, and just getting through the work – no matter what’s going on externally. This is of vital importance during this period, because unless someone scored 100% for every trial exam, there’s going to be something they need to work on. Grit is harnessing your passion, reminding yourself of your vision, and taking the necessary steps, no matter how difficult, to get there.

What does Grit look like?
  • Going through a past exam or test, isolating the topics you underperformed in.
  • Working through exam marker feedback to re-write and improve your responses. Remember you will be re-visiting these texts and topics in the HSC.
  • Revisiting topics from the start of the HSC year
  • Teaching a friend around a topic you find challenging. As Albert Einstein put it “If you can’t explain something simply, you don’t understand it well enough”
  • Completing regular mindmap pads to keep syllabus content fresh.

With 50% of overall HSC marks still available, it’s imperative that we kick the post-trials slump out the door. Great assessment marks can still be brought down by poor exam results, and poor assessment marks can definitely be recovered by great exam results. What is required to put yourself in the best stead for the remaining 50%, is Grit. So, let’s get working!

For anyone interested, Angela Duckworth has delivered a fantastic ted-talk on Grit. You can find her talk here or below.

 

 

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The Trials are now over for many students… so what happens next..!?!
For many Year 12 students, this is when the post-Trials slump kicks in.
After months of assessments, revision and exam pressure, the intensity suddenly drops. Graduation is around the corner, the HSC still feels a little way away, and motivation can disappear fast.
But Trials are not the finish line. They’re the dress rehearsal and they have just given you incredibly valuable information about where marks are being lost and where to focus your energy before the real HSC exams begin.
In our latest blog, we share our 5 tips for getting out of the post-Trials slump and finishing your HSC strong:
1️⃣ Take a short, intentional break - Recover and reset, but give your break an end date.
2️⃣ Turn your Trial results into a game plan - Use your results and feedback to identify exactly where you can improve.
3️⃣ Don’t wait to “feel motivated” - Reconnect with your goals and start taking small actions. Action creates momentum. Momentum creates motivation.
4️⃣ Move from studying to exam training - Past papers. Timed responses. Essays. Feedback. Corrections. Make your mistakes now, not in the HSC exam room.
5️⃣ Use the support around you - The HSC CoWorks Teachers, Coaches, HSC Markers and subject experts can provide the structure, accountability and feedback you need through the final stretch.
There is still plenty of opportunity between Trials and the HSC to improve.
Read the full blog via the link in our bio.
#hsccoworks #hsc2026 #hsctrials #hscexams #hscmotivation
🎳 We’re bowling over the “Post Trials Slump” and bringing a little extra fun and motivation into your CoWorks Chatswood sessions🔥
This is the period where the intensity suddenly drops, motivation disappears and the thought of getting back into serious study (for HSC Final Exams) feels almost impossible. 
So for students who hit a 7+ day streak & complete all their session goals in this period, you will be eligible to score a FREE game at Strike Bowling! Because consistent action deserves to be celebrated 🌟 
#HSCCoWorks #StrikeBowling #HSC2026 #StudyMotivation #ConsistencyCounts
🚨 FINAL HSC 2026 STUDY BOOTCAMP 🚨
Make those final weeks count.
Join us for our final HSC Study Bootcamp and get the structure, support and expert coaching you need to turn your preparation into exam performance.
📅 WEEK 1
Mon 28 Sept – Fri 2 Oct
📅 WEEK 2
Tues 6 Oct – Fri 9 Oct
⏰ 10AM – 2PM DAILY
📍 Balgowlah
📍 Bondi Junction
📍 Chatswood
📍 Mosman
✓ Practise past papers & exam-style questions
✓ Get expert Coach support when you’re stuck
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✓ Stay focused, accountable and productive
✓ Build confidence before walking into the HSC exam room
🔥 PLACES ARE LIMITED & SELLING FAST
Secure your Bootcamp place now #linkinbio
Students hitting the challenge board in Chatswood tonight 💪 
#hsccoworks #hsc2026 #hsc2027 #hscexamskills