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.

 

 

“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!

Instagram

The HSC can feel like it’s all consuming right now.
The assignments. The exams. The late nights. The pressure.
But our Balgowlah coaches are living proof that there’s so much waiting for you on the other side.
From travelling the world, building careers they’re passionate about, studying at university, moving overseas, and saying “yes” to opportunities they never imagined in Year 12 . Their adventures all started with the same thing: putting in the work. 
The HSC isn’t the finish line. It’s a launch pad.
Every study session, every practice paper and every small effort you’re making now is helping create more choices, opportunities and skills for your future self.
So when motivation feels hard to find, remember what you’re working towards.
The adventures ahead are worth it 🏔️ 
#HSC2026 #Year12 #StudyMotivation #FutureYou #HSCCoWorksBalgowlah
The HSC tools and systems you need to succeed are right here at CoWorks! 🏔️🚀 And it’s not too late to start using them! 
Receive expert support from experienced Coaches, Teachers & Markers across ALL your subjects 7 DAYS a week 🔥 
HSC2026 enrolments closing soon. 
#hsccoworks #free14daytrial #hsc2026
40 days... That’s all that’s left until most HSC Students begin their HSC Trial Exams.
While that might sound like plenty of time, these next six weeks will disappear faster than you think. The students who perform their best in Trials won’t be the ones who panic in the final week, they’ll be the ones who use the next 40 days with purpose.
We’ve put together a 40-Day Trial Exam Plan to help you know exactly what to focus on, when to focus on it, and how to build momentum right through to exam day.
✅ Content consolidation
✅ Exam technique
✅ Trial paper practice
✅ Final revision strategies
Plus, we’ve created a FREE 40-Day Study Planner to help you stay organised, track your progress and make every day count.
Read the blog and download your free planner today #linkinbio or COMMENT “Planner” and we will send this directly to you.
#HSC2026 #Year12 #HSCTrials #StudyTips HSCCoWorks
WHATS YOUR WHY? 
Whether its that ski season in Japan, a boat day in Greece, a basketball game in LA or that 3 month summer break post-exams, knowing what you’re working so hard towards is what will keep you going on the days you lack motivation and just want to give up. 
Put in the work now so you can enjoy these things with no regrets 👊🏽👊🏽
#motivation #studymotivation #travel #hsccoworks