Surviving Year 12 trials and Term 4

[Opengangs]

Hey guys,

You guys are almost finished with term 3 (term 2, if you're not in Year 12), so give yourselves a big pat on the back. You're almost there! With trials creeping up ever so slightly, these holidays are a great way to wind down and catch up on anything that you may be falling behind on. Whether that be assignments, difficult topics, or essays, give yourselves a quick break before cracking down on exam revisions.

Holiday motivation
These coming holidays should primarily be focused on how to approach the trial exams. While these exams are extremely important, you shouldn't lose yourself in the long hours of study that you may endure. You still need to eat well, rest well, and exercise! Make sure you have enough energy to sustain yourself in the long run.

With that being said, you should definitely use these holidays to catch up on anything you're struggling with. Ask if your school will be offering any holiday classes - my maths teacher offered a holiday class where we'll just be doing revision for 2 hours before going out for lunch. Form study groups, and teach each other. After all, the more you teach, the better your understanding will be.

Use this time to reflect on your own study methods. Has it worked? How could you maximise retention and efficiency? You should also consider what time your brain activity works at its optimum, and work around that time. Don't study when you're tired or you're starting to feel tired or stressed. Like driving, studying should be an activity when you are functioning properly. Else, you could burn out before the exams.

Term 4 - what to look forward to - best of luck with the trial exams!
Term 4 marks the final year of high school! Another 10 weeks until you all finally graduate. 10 weeks until you guys are officially the Class of 2018. It's definitely a big term. There will be exams, assignments, emotions and lots of it. It will be an exciting time for you all - it's the final few weeks where you will share together as a cohort, joke about the HSC as a cohort, together as a cohort.

But there's just one big exam block in the way - trials. No doubt it will be tough, but you can do it! The countless hours of studying you've placed upon yourself will reveal itself as you flip open the first page; in your mind, it can go one of two ways, I'll let you decide for yourself.

But above all, help each other! Encourage one another to do well, and as a cohort, you will flourish. We all believe you can do it - you just have to believe in yourself! You've got this.