HSC Survival Guide 2016 FINAL

Copyright Notice
These materials are the copyright property of The School For Excellence (TSFX).
Reproduction of the whole or part of this document constitutes an infringement in copyright and can
result in legal action. No part of this publication can be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval
system, communicated, transmitted or disseminated, in any form or by any means, without the prior
written consent of The School For Excellence (TSFX).
THE HSC SURVIVAL GUIDE
At some stage during your HSC year you will probably hear yourself say:
"That's it! I give up! I'm not doing this anymore!"
All we can tell you is to hang in and as the saying goes:
This booklet outlines some valuable suggestions that will help you survive your final school
years. We've also included great advice regarding time management, goal setting,
procrastination remedies as well as fast and effective ways to learn!
Good luck with your study pursuits!
This publication is proudly brought to you by
The School For Excellence
The School For Excellence 2015
The HSC Survival Guide
Page 1
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation,

hard work and learning from failure. Colin Powell
In relation to the HSC, this translates to:
Studying smarter not harder

Smart use of resources and time
The correct mindset
CONTENTS
Section 1: Study Smarter Not Harder
Stress and Learning
Stress Management
Homework/Personal Study Schedules
Study Environments
Get Ahead & Stay Ahead
Committing Knowledge to Memory
How Effective is your Current Learning Technique?
The Most Effective Learning Technique Known to Man
Learning Subjects/Topics that Involve Calculations
Learning Facts and Formulae
Additional Learning Suggestions
Section 2: Smart Use of Resources and Time
Time Management
Other Time Saving Strategies
Using Resources Wisely The 4 Ts
Section 3: The Correct Mindset
What Do Successful Students Have in Common?
Developing a Good Mindset
Motivation and Procrastination
Goal Setting
Staying Motivated
Page 2
www.tsfx.com.au
Page 3
SECTION 1: STUDY SMARTER NOT HARDER

STRESS AND LEARNING
Many people do not realise it, but stress is a very natural and important part of life.
Without stress, there would be no life at all!
Our body is designed to react to two types of stress: eustress (the good stress) and
distress (the bad stress).
Eustress activates a part of the nervous system that responds by keeping us alert,
motivates us to face challenges and drives us to solve problems. These low levels of stress
over short periods of time are manageable and can be thought of as necessary and normal
stimulation.
Distress on the other hand, results when our body over-reacts to events. This type of stress
leads to what is called a fight or flight response. During this response, our body prepares to
fly from a dangerous situation by shutting down the regions that are not required for fight or
flight.
HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT BRAIN FUNCTION?
Stress decreases the quality of your work and your performance in tests and exams.
Stress decreases your ability to concentrate and decreases how much information you
can commit to memory.
Stress reduces your ability to recall information when it is needed.
Page 4
STRESS MANAGEMENT
1.
Use effective and time-saving study/learning techniques.
2.
Take advantage of every opportunity to chip away at your studies.
3.
Get ahead and stay ahead.
4.
Complete assessment tasks and assignments AS YOU GET THEM. Do not leave
tasks to the last minute as there are probably more around the corner!
As assessments often come at once, the procrastinator will end up with little sleep and
completing work to a lower standard than otherwise possible.
5.
Commence preparations for the exams well in advance so that you can complete the
bulk of your learning under low stress conditions. Note that stress impairs how much
information can be input into the brain, which means that it will take you longer to
commit knowledge to memory.
6.
Take regular breaks while you study.
7.
Do things that you enjoy and set aside time for yourself.
8.
Exercise on a regular basis.

Our sedentary lifestyles do not allow us to work out stress.
Exercise produces chemicals known as endorphins drugs that have a tranquilising
effect which is good for you in small doses.
Exercise also produces chemicals that are needed for effective brain function
(neurotransmitter production).
Page 5
9.
Get plenty of sleep.

In general, insufficient sleep results in:
Lower grades
Slower learning rates
More mistakes
More day time sleepiness
Mood imbalances
Your brain consolidates and processes the information youve learned during the day
during the REM stages of sleep.
Adequate sleep is therefore crucial for the memory storage/building process. The more
REM stages per night, the greater the amount of information that is stored in long-term
memory.
Note:
Most teenagers require 9.25 hours of sleep each day (which gives 5 complete REM
cycles) to meet the demands of development and learning. If students are unable to
get this amount of sleep each day:
Get at least 7.5 hours when stress levels and study loads are manageable.
Aim for at least 9 hours of sleep when stress levels and study loads are high.
10. Adopt a well-balanced diet.

11. Talk out your concerns and work out anger.
12. Have a set of well-defined and realistic goals.
13. Think positively and embrace set-backs and failures as opportunities.
14. Accept the fact that you will have to do things that you do not enjoy.
15. Accept the fact that life will present many unexpected incidents and that you will need
to change plans and approaches throughout your entire life!
16. Laugh and have some fun. HSC is NOT the end of the world.
Page 6
HOMEWORK / PERSONAL STUDY SCHEDULES
How much time should I commit to homework/personal study each night?

HSC students should be dedicating at least four weeknights and one day over the
weekend for study purposes.
Weekday study periods should be in the order of 3-4 hours (2.5 hours for Year 11 students)
and approximately 8 hours over the weekend (6 hours for Year 11 students). i.e.
Year 12 students should spend between 20 and 24 hours on personal study each week.
Year 11 students should spend at least 16 hours on personal study each week.
What is classified as personal study?

School assigned homework
Working through exam questions
Learning materials off by heart
Revising course materials
Essays/assignments
Weekly tuition classes
Getting ahead
Lectures
Preparing for tests and exams
Private tuition
Ideal study nights:
Monday Thursday with Friday evening off.
A four-hour study session (3 hours for Year 11 students) on Saturday morning, followed
by a one to two hour break and then another four hour study session (3 hours for
Year 11 students).
Note: Timetables will depend upon individual commitments and concentration levels.
Page 7
What should I do during my study sessions?

The ideal order of priorities:
1. Compete any homework that was issued that day. If you are stretched on time, complete
the homework relating to the subjects that you are studying at school on the next day.
2. If no homework has been issued in a particular subject, spend 10 minutes per hour
spent at school on that subject revising the materials that were presented that day.
3. Complete any issued assignments.
4. Write summaries for forthcoming tests and exams whilst materials are fresh in mind.
5. Read topic materials in advance of school.
6. Revise past topics.
7. Work through past examination questions.
In the lead up to the exams, spend at least 10 minutes each night
reading your English texts OUT LOUD.
Page 8
HOW DO I STRUCTURE A STUDY TIMETABLE?

When planning a timetable, take the following points into consideration:
Your personal commitments including sporting activities and part-time work.
Our body moves through a daily cycle of high and low energy. At certain times of the day
and night, we can feel energetic (high ebbs) or lethargic (low ebbs) and everything in
between.
Do not attempt any study during your low ebb periods. Use this time to eat, relax or to do
some exercise. High ebb periods should be reserved for the more difficult tasks.
Identify the times you study best and incorporate these times into your study timetable.
Do not worry about other students study regimes.
Study at the same time each day so that you create firm and regular study regimes.
Include time for relaxation, revision, preparation of study notes, working through past
exam questions and the completion of homework.
Optimum efficiency is obtained when learning time is divided into 50 minute blocks,
followed by a 10 minute break.
If you become restless take a break. Do not waste valuable study time day-dreaming.
There are better things out there to do!
Stop studying when you feel tired or begin losing concentration.
Allocate a time limit in which to complete each individual task. Work has a tendency to
expand and fill the time that is available for its completion!
Always allocate more time to complete a task than what is actually required. This serves
a number of purposes:
If you finish your work ahead of time you will find that you will feel more in control. Your
confidence will increase and you will become more motivated in your studies.
You will find more time for rest or relaxation. On the other hand, you can use the
free time to compile study notes and prepare for the forthcoming examinations!
If your tasks actually take longer than what you expected, you will have additional
time up your sleeve, and you will not fall behind schedule.
Do not study late at night as concentration levels usually decrease throughout the day.
Page 9
List and complete tasks according to priority.

Make sure that you divide tasks into small digestible portions.
Set study goals before you begin studying each day.
Start with the easiest task or one that requires the least amount of concentration.
Start large tasks ahead of time. Do not leave these tasks to the last minute.
Underset your task lists to ensure completion. This will also help with motivation, and will
provide you with a great sense of achievement when all of your assigned tasks are
completed.
Bring interest into the materials being studied as well as a sense of purpose to each
task.
Regularly ask questions. This will keep you focused and hopefully increase your interest
in each task.
Give yourself small rewards as each task is completed.
Pass out your timetable to family and friends so that they know when not to interrupt you.
Additional Hints:
If necessary, start with short study periods and slowly build up to longer sessions.
Take advantage of free time during the school day. Use this time to revise new materials
and to read materials in advance of school.
Trade time to compensate for unexpected events. For example, if an unexpected visitor
drops in and takes up 2 hours of your time, add two hours to your study schedule to
compensate for the loss.
Construct daily and weekly lists of tasks to be completed.
For easy access and reference, carry daily timetables on small cards.
Regularly review your performance.
Record your study behaviour so you can easily identify distractions and the conditions
that work best.
Try not to break your study timetables. The longer that you stick to a timetable,
the easier it becomes to commit to study related activities.
Page 10
SAMPLE TIMETABLE WEEKNIGHTS

4 hour study schedule (where there are NO personal commitments)
Morning
Read materials ahead of class OR Revise materials (30 minutes).
3.30pm
Finish school.
Whilst travelling back home revise materials for the subjects in
which you do not have any homework (30 minutes) OR Read the
sections of work that you had difficulty understanding OR
Read ahead of class.
4.30pm
Arrive home, shower and eat. Do not leave much of a time gap between
leaving school and getting home, otherwise, you are likely to lose motivation
and/or procrastinate.
5pm
Start your homework.

Remember to commence the finite and quickest tasks first.
6.30pm
Take a break.
7pm
Start homework session 2.
8.30pm
Finish study for the day.
Remainder of Evening = Free Time
Page 11
STUDY ENVIRONMENTS
Allocate one particular room to study related activities. Do not use this room to relax,
engage in conversations or sleep. This will help you associate this location with studying,
and assist with concentration.
If you must study in your bedroom, arrange your desk so that the bed and any items
associated with relaxation are not in your direct view.
Ensure that your study environment has the following:
Good lighting.
Good ventilation.
A comfortable chair.
An area to spread your work out.
No distractions such as TVs, radios, telephones.
Sufficient stationery and study tools.
Enough snacks to ensure that you get through the allocated study time.
Organise your desk before commencing study and remove all distractions.
Allocate a set amount of time to your task, and stick to the time allotment before
taking a break.
Page 12
GET AHEAD AND STAY AHEAD
Take advantage of any opportunity that will help you get ahead of your state-wide peers.
The sooner you get ahead, the further ahead you advance and the harder it becomes for
your peers to catch up maximising your ranking and ATAR score.
Work through course materials in advance of school.
By gaining a good understanding of course materials before they are addressed at school,
you will absorb more information in the classroom, develop a stronger understanding of
course materials, improve your ability to recall information and decrease study commitments
throughout the year.
Page 13
Year 11 & Year 12 Head Start Programs.

Get Ahead. Reduce Stress. Maximise Marks.
The summer holidays offer students the opportunity to get ahead in their studies, reducing
stress levels and study loads in 2016.
Those students who work through course materials in advance will quickly realise the
benefits when the same topic materials are addressed at school. Whilst other students
struggle to understand new concepts being delivered in class, you will be consolidating this
information for the second time. Your ability to apply concepts will be greatly improved,
increasing confidence levels, reducing the time that needs to be spent on homework, whilst
significantly improving Year 11 and HSC marks.
Working through materials for the second time at school has the added benefit of ingraining
examinable materials deeper into long term memory decreasing the time and effort that will
be required to prepare for tests and exams!
During our Summer School lectures, you will cover the first half of the Year 11 or HSC
course to an A+ standard, gain exposure to a comprehensive collection of examination-style
questions and begin developing the problem-solving skills that are required to secure those
higher marks. You will also receive valuable advice and instruction from some of the most
prominent and successful teachers across the state, giving you a further edge in the HSC.
Detailed A+ course notes will be provided in each subject.
Dates:
Venue:
Wednesday 6 January Friday 22 January 2016

The University of Sydney (Camperdown)
Enrolments commence Thursday 5 November 2015.

Visit www.tsfx.com.au for additional information & online enrolment forms.
Page 14
COMMITTING KNOWLEDGE TO MEMORY

HOW EFFECTIVE IS YOUR CURRENT
LEARNING TECHNIQUE?
Unbeknown to most students reading silently and/or writing notes and summaries are the
most inefficient ways of learning.
Yet these techniques are the most common strategies used by students to commit
knowledge to memory!!!
The process of writing or reading silently does not engage enough zones in your brain,
meaning that it is easy to stray or think about unrelated matters impairing the amount of
information being input into your brain!
As an example, when re-writing materials or reading silently to yourself, have you ever
reached the bottom of a page only to realise that you haven't the foggiest idea what the page
was about?
Writing, re-writing and silent reading are only effective (and then only moderately so) if the
materials being attended to are of great interest, which is usually not the case when
preparing for tests and examinations!
So how should students be learning materials when preparing for tests and exams?
Heres what the science says.
In general, people retain the following information after 24 hours:
10 percent of what they read (eg. handouts).
20 percent of what they see (eg. flip-charts).
30 percent of what they hear (eg. audiotapes).
50 percent of what they hear and see (eg. lectures, videos, classrooms using AV tools).
70 percent of what they say and discuss (eg. study groups).
80 percent of what they say and do (eg. role-play).
Writing
(About15%)
Page 15
THE MOST EFFECTIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUE

KNOWN TO MAN
Irrespective of which subject you are studying, the most effective means of learning involves
doing, be that working through exam-style questions (which will provide a retention rate of
between 80 85%) or verbal recitation i.e. the process of explaining materials in our own
words and out loud. This powerful technique has a 90 95% retention rate, and is the most
effective means of learning.
Learning in this manner will decrease study time up to 8 fold!
This also means that you will commit up to 8 times more information to memory in
any set period of time!
Not only does this technique improve how much you commit to memory and decrease study
time, it assists in the development of better writing and communication skills. This is a great
way to prepare for essay writing without concentrating on the actual task! You will also find
that this technique will improve how effectively you are able to apply and extend your
knowledge; which is highly important in answering analysis style questions, worded
applications as well as those questions that you have never seen before.
By teaching or vocalising what you are learning in your own words (elaborative rehearsal),
you will very quickly realise what you do and do not know, giving you the opportunity to
correct problem areas before tests and examinations.
Page 16
METHOD:
1. Read through a small section of your notes slowly and out loud.
If the materials you are re-learning/revising are difficult address materials one sentence
at a time. If the materials you are re-learning/revising are easy, address materials one
paragraph at a time.
Take the time to understand the materials you will be committing to memory. In this
way, you will gain an appreciation as to how each section/concept links up to the
others which assists in knowledge retention and in the development of application
skills.
2. Vocalise what you have learned in your own words i.e. Relay what you have just read to
your dog, cat or imaginary friend!
If the materials are difficult address materials one sentence at a time. i.e. Read the first
sentence out loud, then re-phrase what you have just read in your own words, and out
loud. Then tackle the next sentence etc.
3. Highlight key words, important concepts and those sections that require additional
attention.
Page 17
SUBJECTS/TOPICS THAT INVOLVE CALCULATIONS
If you are studying a subject that involves calculations, you will obviously need to spend
considerable amounts of time working through questions.
To make the learning process more effective, vocalise what you are doing and why you are
doing it at all times. This will ensure that you commit methodologies to memory and develop
clearer thinking processes, which will be a great asset when addressing the analysis-style
questions in the exams.
Learn formulae off by heart you will develop a much better understanding of your subject
and be in a better position to apply your skills in problem solving/analysis questions.
LEARNING FACTS AND FORMULAE

Commit definitions, facts and formulae to memory by blind repetition. Flash cards are very
useful for these types of materials.
Always learn/re-learn materials by reading out loud and then rephrasing materials
out loud and in your own words. You may use other techniques such as writing
or concept/mind maps when revising.
Page 18
ADDITIONAL LEARNING SUGGESTIONS
Learning occurs when information stored in your short-term memory connects with
information that is currently stored in your long-term memory. This connection occurs
naturally, and only when you stop inputting large amounts of information into the brain.
Therefore, take a 10 minute break every hour whilst you are committing knowledge to
memory, and ensure that you get at least 9 hours of sleep when preparing for tests and
exams.
The first step in memory is attention, which selectively determines what information will
get through for further processing and learning. This process requires that you remove
distracting stimuli and focus on the task at hand. Distractions impair the learning process
and reduces how much information can be input into memory per unit time.
Page 19
SECTION 2: SMART USE OF RESOURCES AND TIME

TIME MANAGEMENT
People shun time management skills because they think that they dont need it and dont like
living life around a schedule.
However, living according to a schedule and managing your time more effectively will help
you in many aspects of life including:
Meeting goals and deadlines.
Completing more work in less time.
Completing tasks to your highest possible standard.
Finding more time to relax.
Reducing stress and anxiety.
Developing control in all aspects in your life.
Page 20
ASSESS YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Keep a time log for one week to see how effectively you utilise your time. Then evaluate the
results and identify strategies that will help you become more time efficient.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Did I complete everything I had to do? Why/Why not?
Did I have to rush to complete the assigned tasks? Why/Why not?
At what time was I most productive?
At what time was I least productive?
Did I procrastinate at any stage? Why/Why not?
At what times did I procrastinate?
Is there a pattern evident in my procrastination regime?
What sort of things did I engage in as part of my procrastination process?
Which tasks were greeted with the greatest amount of procrastination? Why?
How could I make such tasks less tedious?
How much time did I waste procrastinating?
How much time did I waste procrastinating?
How much time did I waste talking on the phone or watching TV?
How much time did I waste searching for items? Why/Why not?
How much time did I waste rebuilding momentum and motivation after being
interrupted during study periods?
Then use your observations to structure an effective and time efficient study
timetable.
Page 21
HOW DO I MANAGE MY TIME MORE EFFECTIVELY?
Live according to a schedule. This will usually enable you to find more time to do
other things as well as minimise procrastination.
Plan each week ahead of time.
Record ALL major deadlines as assessments/ assignments are issued. Always plan
ahead and ALWAYS allocate more time than you think will be required to complete a
task.
Document due dates on a calendar that is displayed in a regularly frequented position

eg. fridge, bathroom etc.
If you are a notorious procrastinator, record due dates earlier than the true date so that
you are forced to work ahead of schedule. This will ensure that there is sufficient time to
complete or polish up on assignments STRESS FREE.
Keep detailed lists of everything that you need to address. Cross these items off your
list as they are completed.
When you start an assessment task or assignment, prepare a checklist of
concepts/items to be covered or included. As the task is completed, cross each item off
your list so that you can feel confident that you have addressed all the required
components.
Prepare lists on a daily basis so that you can take commitments into account into your
study timetable.
Page 22
Use homework/task folders where possible eg. Coloured cardboard document wallets.
File homework in accordance with its urgency. For example:
Red Wallet: Urgent Tasks
File the tasks that need to be completed that day in the Urgent Wallet.
Orange Wallet: Medium Term Tasks
File the tasks that need to be completed that week in this wallet.
Green Wallet: Long Term Tasks
File the tasks that can be completed over an extended period of time in this wallet.
Manage leisure time and friends and family.

Ask friends not to call or drop in between certain hours, as disruptions will lead to a loss
in concentration and motivation. A 30 minute unscheduled break may entice you to break
your study plan for that day. How many of us have justified disruptions by saying
"Ill relax for the rest of the night and work harder tomorrow???
When you finish studying CLEAN UP immediately. You do not want to waste time at
the beginning of each study session cleaning up and sorting material. This will only
create a state of panic and confusion during high stress periods, and at best, create a
valid reason to justify procrastination.
File everything away immediately so that you do not waste valuable time searching for
items. If it takes 30 minutes to find your work:
You have lost 30 minutes of study time.
You have lost 30 minutes of leisure time.
You will start to panic.
You will lose motivation and increase the chance of procrastination.
Dedicate a shelf or box to each subject and file items away
immediately after they are no longer required.
Allocate a box that can be used to store miscellaneous materials for future filing or
sorting. This means that if you cannot find an item in the appropriate place, it should be
easy to locate in the UNFILED box.
Page 23
OTHER TIME SAVING STRATEGIES
Save considerable amounts of time by writing up study notes and summaries within
24 hours of addressing materials at school, reviewing or revising for a test. Do not leave
this task to the weeks leading up to the exams as it will take significantly longer than if
you were to complete this task when your ability to recall information was higher, and
under less stressful conditions.
Learn your theory progressively throughout the year rather than cramming before exams.
This will allow time for revision and repetition as well as greatly improve marks.
Regularly revise materials throughout the year rather than re-learning in the weeks
leading up to the examinations. It is less time consuming to spend short periods
reviewing materials while they are fresh in your mind, rather than re-learning materials
from scratch before the examinations.
Use waiting times eg. travel times, the dentists waiting room, lunch times to complete
smaller tasks or revise materials.
Circle difficult, challenging or tricky questions as you come across them and highlight
sections of work that you found difficult as you come across them. This will save you
valuable time when trying to prioritise which materials need to be addressed in the lead
up to the exams.
Complete assessment tasks and assignments AS YOU GET THEM. Do not leave tasks
to the last minute as there are probably more around the corner! As assessments
often come at once, the procrastinator will end up with little sleep and completing work to
a lower standard than otherwise possible.
Commence preparations for the exams well in advance so that you can complete the
bulk of your learning under low stress conditions. Note: Stress impairs how much
information can be input into the brain, which means that it will take you longer to
commit knowledge to memory.
Page 24
USING RESOURCES WISELY THE FOUR TS

How do I get the highest possible marks with the minimum of effort and at the lowest
possible expense?
Use your available resources and time wisely.
Teachers/School
HSC
Success
Tutors/Coaches
TSFX
Texts/Resources
STEP 1: ADVANCE PREPARATION
Those students who dedicate the time to covering materials in advance of school will
develop a better understanding of course materials, and will out-perform their peers in
school based assessments. This simple measure will cut down on the time required to
address homework, improve confidence, increase a students ranking at school and hence
their final ATAR score.
Advance coverage of materials will also ensure that students commit a significantly greater
amount of material to memory when materials are addressed at school, decreasing study
commitments and stress levels before tests and examinations.
Note:
TSFX offers advance preparation lectures across school holiday periods for those students
wishing to take advantage of a painless and highly effective means of preparing in advance
of school.
Advantages of Lectures:
Highly effective
Relatively painless
Cost effective as compared to using tutors/coaches
Page 25
STEP 2: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR TEACHERS

(IN THE NICEST POSSIBLE WAY OF COURSE!)
Ask questions and correct problem areas as you come across them.
If materials are being addressed in advance of school, you will find that many of the
questions that typically arise whilst you are preparing for tests/exams will come to mind
in the classroom. This will give you the opportunity to address these questions at school,
reducing stress, improving marks and reducing reliance on tutors.
STEP 3: A STITCH IN TIME SAVES 9
Complete homework and assessment tasks as they are issued. If you complete tasks
whilst information is still fresh in mind, you will decrease your need for external help (eg.
tutors) as well as money.
Do not neglect learned information. Keep learned knowledge alive by undertaking

regular reviews.
Highlight key concepts and important questions that should be reviewed as these
materials are presented.
Work through examination questions progressively throughout the year.
STEP 4: USE EXTERNAL RESOURCES WISELY

Tutors and coaches offer invaluable assistance, but unfortunately, many students do not
derive the full benefit from such support services.
To derive maximum benefit from tutors and minimise the associated costs, students should
be using tutors to work on tasks that their school teachers and organisations such as TSFX
cannot address. For example:
Correct problem areas that require one-on-one attention.

Extend a student beyond that which has been covered at school.
Develop strong writing skills.
Correct essays and re-enforce essay writing skills.
Students can obtain comprehensive notes that condense all the examinable materials by
attending our exam preparation lectures (which are held in the weeks leading up to the major
examinations). These lectures further offer students a cost and time effective means of
revising materials, meaning that any time that is being spent with tutors is being used in the
most beneficial manner.
Please remember that many tutors/coaches are no substitute for qualified, currently
practising HSC teachers and HSC exam markers who possess the knowledge and
experience to demonstrate the means by which students can achieve the higher ATAR
scores.
Page 26
SECTION 3: THE CORRECT MINDSET
WHAT DO SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS HAVE IN COMMON?
Successful students exhibit common traits which are not superhuman. These are ordinary
traits which successful students have cultivated to a high level because of their desire to
succeed. These traits include:
High but realistic, achievable goals.
A high level of drive and energy.
Ability to meet challenges.
Ability to cope with stress, set-backs and disappointment.
Readiness to learn from mistakes and failures.
The ability to prioritise effectively.
Ability to control procrastination and not leave tasks to the last minute.
A high level of self-confidence and/or determination.
Page 27
DEVELOPING A GOOD MINDSET
Page 28
MOTIVATION AND PROCRASTINATION
It can be very difficult to maintain motivation across the year and commit to the expected
20 24 hour personal study regime, particularly during school holidays. These periods, are,
however, the ideal time to get ahead and make a significant difference to stress levels and
study loads later in the year.
Students often make up clever excuses to justify why they should put off their studies,
resulting in feelings of guilt and regret when they do not obtain the results they need. By
taking control of procrastination, not only will your marks improve:
You will complete tasks faster. The longer you put off your studies, the more
knowledge you forget, and therefore, the greater the time and effort that will be required
to complete a task.
You will create more free time to do the things you enjoy.
You will feel better about the quality of your work as well as your overall abilities.
You will feel more confident about forthcoming tests and exams.
Page 29
BEATING PROCRASTINATION
Combating procrastination requires a little reverse psychology as well as a technique called
"Nike".
Step 1: Ask yourself the following questions:
Why am I procrastinating?
What are the benefits of putting this task off until later?
What benefits will be derived by NOT putting this task off until later?
These questions are usually enough to propel most students into action, however,
if you do need a little more encouragement, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2:
One of the most important neurotransmitters (chemicals that
transmit impulses from one nerve cell to another) involved in
motivation and ability to complete tasks is called dopamine.
Dopamine also plays a key role in concentration, learning
speed, memory formation and regulating reward and pleasure.
When we complete a task, no matter how small, dopamine is
released, improving motivation and brain function!
Therefore, divide large tasks into smaller more achievable
milestones and/or start with the smallest or most pleasant task.
Step 3: Employ the relevant strategies from the suggestions below.
Trick your brain. Rather than telling yourself that you need to work for three hours
straight (which might put you off starting) tell yourself that you will only study for 30
minutes. Pick something relatively easy you will be surprised at how easy it is to
continue working once the momentum starts.
Think about what you want to achieve before you sit down to study. This will
help prepare your unconscious mind for the tasks ahead, reducing the chances of
procrastination.
Bite the bullet and just start! Dont wait for inspiration to hit or for the perfect
time, just start working.
Try using rewards to motivate you to study. This could be a break or relaxing
activity for every hour of study or for every task completed. Use things that are
typically classified as distractions as rewards (such as TV or Facebook), rather
than punishing yourself when you use technology to procrastinate.
Page 30
Step 3: Continued.
Tell yourself how great you will feel once you have completed each task.
Visualise how you would feel if you didnt get the marks you were aiming for.
Now pick up something easy and get on with the task at hand.
After a productive study session, record a message to yourself. Explain how you
didnt want to study and looked for any opportunity to procrastinate. No matter how
difficult it was, you then decided to spend a short time studying, only to find out
that it wasnt as bad as you thought. Describe how good you felt after completing
your studies and why you shouldnt procrastinate next time. Play this message
when you are struggling to get started there is nothing more powerful than a
personalised message that directly targets your logic and thought processes.
Turn tasks into challenges or games.
Find purpose in the tasks you need to complete. It is always easier to commit to
tasks when they have meaning.
If all of the given suggestions fail just accept the fact that you have to complete
the task and get on with it.
Page 31
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS
Compile all tasks that need to be completed into a list. Then ask yourself:
What is the best use of my time right now?
Set realistic and manageable goals so that you know what you want to achieve and
you can see clear evidence of your progress towards your final goals. It may help to
visualise what you want to achieve and put up posters around your house that remind
you of your goals.
Set early deadlines for tasks. Rather than leaving things to the last minute, fake
deadlines will compel you to complete tasks earlier than required, leaving you with
sufficient time to go over your work before you hand it in.
Find a place to work that is quiet and free of distractions. Your surroundings can affect
productivity as well as the quality of your work.
Use reminders and prompts around your room and house. These will serve as a great
source of motivation when you are distracted or avoiding your studies. Examples include:
Procrastination wastes time. Do it now and get it over and done with.
Procrastination adds time to tasks.
Dont like studying? Dont procrastinate and save huge amounts of time!
Procrastination makes easy things hard, hard things harder.
How will I feel when I get my results and I havent achieved the ATAR I need?
Dont risk it. Get studying.
Keep specific to-do lists or calendars with your tasks and goals clearly documented. This
will help you track your success and recognise your achievements.
Engage in a regular study timetable.

Study every day NO EXCEPTIONS. This will ensure that you develop a regular study
habit and render you less susceptible to procrastination! Established routines will:
Minimise effectiveness of procrastination attempts.

Ensure that work is completed on time and that it does not accumulate.
Create time to do other things.
Reduce stress and workloads before tests and examinations.
Do not over commit yourself to any one particular activity including study. Set aside time
to do the things that you enjoy.
Page 32
Perfectionism often leads to many students avoiding their studies.
If you are a perfectionist, it may be beneficial to learn about the The Pareto Principle.
This principle states that for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of
the causes.
Many natural phenomena have been shown to exhibit the 80 20 rule, including
spending, distribution of wealth, customer complaints, land ownership, company profits,
staff productivity and even essay marks!
So rather than spending significant amounts of time trying to perfect essays and
assignments, aim for a slightly lower standard, saving considerable time as well as
reducing the chances of future procrastination.
As hard as it may be, make every effort to manage procrastination on a daily basis.
You will be very glad you did in the weeks leading up to the exams!
Page 33
GOAL SETTING
Most people spend more time planning a vacation or a night out than planning their lives by
setting goals. People usually have no problem achieving goals its setting the goals that
are the problem. People just dont do it!
Then they wonder why they arent more successful.
Why are goals so important?
Goals provide you with something to strive for.
Goals deter you from giving up.
Goals provide a measure of your progress.
Goals enable us to see progress in what may previously have seemed to be a

pointless exercise.
Fulfilling goals also gives you the confidence and belief in your ability to achieve
greater and more challenging goals. Goals also help to:
Improve performance.
Increase motivation.
Increase pride and self-confidence.
Increase satisfaction in your achievements.
Research shows that people who use goal setting:
Concentrate better.
Perform better.
Suffer less from stress and anxiety.
Are more content with life.
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you

take your mind off your goals.
If you believe you can, you probably can.
If you believe you wont, you most assuredly wont.
Note: Every student should have a well-defined set of goals for the HSC.
If you do not have any goals in mind, you will not have anything to aim for and will not be
able to motivate yourself to study when the pressures and demands of the HSC become
very high.
The winner says It may be difficult, but its possible.

The loser says It may be possible but its too difficult.
Page 34
MEETING YOUR GOALS

Meeting goals will require sacrifices, however, the benefits of reaching your goals will far
outweigh the sacrifices in the long term.
Are you prepared to give up some of the things that you love in order to reach
your goals?
If you are, you are more than likely to succeed.
Some Suggestions:
SMART Goals
Ensure that goals are small and easily attainable.

If a goal is too large, then it can seem as if you are
not making any progress; which may encourage
some students to give up on their goals.
Set goals that you can measure in some way.
Write your goals down on paper and display them

in regularly frequented areas.
Vocalise your goals as often as you can.
When you start making progress, keep yourself motivated by introducing more
challenging goals.
Make sure that each goal has a time limit for completion/achievement.
If you have several goals, give each one a priority, otherwise, you may find yourself
becoming too overwhelmed with the challenges at hand.
Make sure that your goals are realistic.
Some of your goals should be slightly out of your immediate grasp, but not so far that
there is no chance of reaching them.
Use rewards to mark your progress and keep you motivated.
Regularly review your goals.
When you are feeling de-motivated, tired or feel like quitting, visualise the following
scenarios:
Visualise yourself achieving your goals. Visualise yourself not achieving your goals. How
do you feel?
Visualise the course of your dreams. Visualise failure and how you would feel. Then
visualise the pride that you will feel when you succeed.
Remind yourself that every other HSC student is in the same boat.
Remind yourself that other students have been through the HSC before and have
succeeded.
Page 35
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR STUDIES!

TSFX
Page 36

HSC Survival Guide 2016 FINAL

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

HSC Survival Guide 2016 FINAL

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Copyright Notice

THE HSC SURVIVAL GUIDE

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation,

Studying smarter not harder

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

SECTION 1: STUDY SMARTER NOT HARDER

HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT BRAIN FUNCTION?

Stress reduces your ability to recall information when it is needed.

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

Use effective and time-saving study/learning techniques.

Take advantage of every opportunity to chip away at your studies.

Get ahead and stay ahead.

Take regular breaks while you study.

Exercise on a regular basis.

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

Get plenty of sleep.

10. Adopt a well-balanced diet.

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

HOMEWORK / PERSONAL STUDY SCHEDULES

How much time should I commit to homework/personal study each night?

What is classified as personal study?

Working through exam questions

Learning materials off by heart

Revising course materials

Weekly tuition classes

Preparing for tests and exams

Ideal study nights:

Monday Thursday with Friday evening off.

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

What should I do during my study sessions?

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

HOW DO I STRUCTURE A STUDY TIMETABLE?

Your personal commitments including sporting activities and part-time work.

Stop studying when you feel tired or begin losing concentration.

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

List and complete tasks according to priority.

Set study goals before you begin studying each day.

Give yourself small rewards as each task is completed.

Construct daily and weekly lists of tasks to be completed.

Regularly review your performance.

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

SAMPLE TIMETABLE WEEKNIGHTS

Read materials ahead of class OR Revise materials (30 minutes).

Start your homework.

Start homework session 2.

Finish study for the day.

Remainder of Evening = Free Time

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide

Ensure that your study environment has the following:

The School For Excellence 2015

The HSC Survival Guide