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Let’s talk about the HSC podcast: Episode 4
Preparing for the HSC English Trials In this episode, Jesse interviews teacher Donna about her top tips for students preparing for their trials. Donna emphasises the importance of getting mentally prepared and having a sense of certainty before the exams. She advises students to make decisions ahead of time, such as knowing the structure of the papers and having a strategy for answering the questions. Donna also highlights the need for a deep understanding of the texts and the ability to...
eat frogs?
Why eating your HSC frogs is so important! In this video Jesse outlines what a frog task is and why they are so important. For an HSC student, frog tasks are the hardest or most challenging tasks that they do not want to do, such as a practice essay or working...
8 ways to Overcome the post trials slump
The 'post-trials slump' is real for the vast majority of HSC students. You have covered all the content, assessment tasks are done, the countdown to graduation is on, the weather is heating up, 18th birthday events every weekend and 50% of your ATAR is still up for...
HSC 2022 post trials slump
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 slump. Yes it’s a real thing! After (hopefully) working very hard in the lead-up to trials, and an intensive...
how your child can avoid procrastination and feeling overwhelmed in their hsc year (Part 2)
Following on from my last message this week we will be continuing to look at the signs to look out for when the HSC CoWorks Key Behaviours are NOT being applied. This week we will be looking at the second three Key Behaviours and indicators that they are not being...
How your child can avoid procrastination and feeling overwhelmed in their hsc year
For regular readers of my weekly message, you will be aware that I'm always going on about the HSC CoWorks student Key Behaviours as the path to overcoming any and every challenge associated with achieving a great HSC result. As we always say, if the key behaviours...
Supporting students with the inevitable ‘post trials slump’
It is inevitable that once students put down that pen after their last trial exam that they are going to want to run away from the HSC and have a (well deserved) break. BUT before you throw in the towel on Mount HSC - this is the most important time to demonstrate...
How to maximise your time between now and the final Year 11 exams
Now more than ever students need to prepare for their final year 11 exams with the 6 Key Behaviours in mind. Engage your VisionNo student wants to re-work an English essay or complete another Maths past paper. However everyone wants the benefits of doing so! Remind...
Tips to get you ready for the exam room (Part 1)
Preparing for the exam room Being ready for the exam conditions requires a number of steps rather than simply walking into the exam room and miracuously performing at your highest level in your HSC Trial Exams or Final HSC Exams. The first step to move a...
Tips to get you ready for the exam room part 2
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...
Conquering your Mount HSC
Conquering your Mount HSC At CoWorks, we often use the metaphor that the HSC is like a mountain. We break the mountain up into four basecamps - term 1, term 2, term 3, term 4. After you’ve hit the basecamps you get the opportunity to summit the mountain with...
Adapting to virtual learning
Over the past year, and more recently the past few weeks, students have been forced to move their learning online. At CoWorks, we think this is an incredible opportunity to build resilience, flexibility, grit, and adapt to the changing world around us! Virtual...
How to succeed with essay writing in HSC English
English, whether Standard or Advanced, is the only HSC subject required to be completed by every student in NSW. As a result, many students tend to find themselves in a negative ‘away state’ about English, in particular essay writing. This often boils down to students...
100 Days to go!
After approximately 4200 days of schooling – you only have 100 days to go! Yes, the next 100 days will be tricky and challenging, but with only 100 days to go, make sure you finish with no regrets. Having perspective through visualising this final stretch as one last...
How to stay motivated ahead of the trial exams
With the delay of Trial Exams in Sydney thanks to the Lockdown, maintaining motivation and momentum to continue your exam preparation is certainly a challenge! Motivation is the key to HSC success – but it’s not so easy, especially during a lockdown. At CoWorks we...
welcome to the world of virtual university
A typical week of virtual uni Although it often feels a bit isolating, a typical week of ‘virtual’ or online university is much less frantic than attending university in person. Instead of travelling across town in peak-hour traffic, rushing from one end of campus to...
Stay motivated. engage your vision!
One of the biggest challenges for a year 11 and 12 student is getting and staying motivated to put in the hard yards to produce their best possible results. At HSC CoWorks, motivating students to work even when they don't want to is embedded in everything we do. From...
We’ve expanded our ‘Zoom an Expert’ options for all students
Up until now our 'Zoom an Expert' service provided students with access to our amazing teachers Fergus, Tim and Adrian. We have now expanded our Zoome an Expert team to include our expert HSC Coaches, who graduated in either 2019 or 2020. These sessions are open to...
What is ‘rescuing’ and why you should avoid it
Developing resilience and a sense of curiosity in students is one of our primary missions at HSC CoWorks! We encourage students to use the HSC to develop the skill of "Owning it" so that they can ultimately take responsibility for their own success, including...
Developing the skill of essay writing
Fergus Gardiner, Founder of HSC CoWorks + an English and Modern History Teacher, outlines the secret to writing a strong HSC Essay in this video and also highlights WHY essay writing is a critical skill for students to develop at school and take with them into the...
WHY MINDSET IS SO IMPORTANT IN ACHIEVING A GREAT HSC RESULT
Why mindset is so important in achieving a great HSC result! In this video Jesse outlines the importance of mindset in achieving your desired HSC result. In order to unleash your full potential, you must first free yourself of any limitations, and realise the...