SURVIVAL GUIDE

Fact check

Is the HSC challenging?

Yes.

Does studying for the HSC take up a lot of time?

Sure does.

Will my head explode from cramming?

Maybe.

(Okay, probably not.)

That’s why we’ve created this HSC Survival Guide.

At Charles Sturt University (CSU), we know a thing or two when it comes to studying. And we’d love to welcome you to CSU as a student – so in the interests of your head health, let’s discover how to survive the HSC.

KEEP CALM

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HSC SURVIVAL GUIDE | 3

Start with a plan .................................................4

Factor in some fun .............................................6

Feed your brain ..................................................7

The sound of study .............................................8

9 things to do the night before your exam .........9

Exam day ..........................................................10

In the exam .......................................................10

Your path to CSU .............................................11

Get in touch ......................................................12

This is a guide only and is intended to provide general information.

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Make a to-do list

Here’s how.1. List all your subjects.

2. List what you need to know for each subject (if you need help with this bit, check the syllabus, textbooks, notes from class and past exam papers).

3. Next to each of these ‘what I need to know’ items, write a mini-plan of how to get that knowledge into your head.

Embrace the dodgyLet’s keep it real – none of us are brilliant at everything. But spending a bit more time revising the subjects you’re a bit dodgy in and slightly less on the ones you’re cruising in makes sense.

The marks in your weaker subjects are likely to improve dramatically, say from 13/20 to 17/20 – a much better result than working on areas where you’re already getting 18/20.

Create a realistic timetableYou’ve still got a life, right? Factor it in when you create your study timetable, otherwise it’ll factor itself in. You know that’s going to be messy.

Study trickier things in the morning when you’re most alert.

Use the afternoon to revise easier things and reread your English texts.

Early evenings are perfect for memorising key quotes or concept definitions.

Night-time? You guessed it – sleep.

Start nowGetting a jump on your HSC study plan is a pretty good way to make sure you do your best. Starting early on means less last-minute cramming, more time to master your subjects – and way less stress.

HSC SURVIVAL GUIDE | 5

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Factor in some FUNAre you allowed to have fun when you’re

studying for the HSC?

Yep.

Your brain needs time to process all the things you’ve been learning.

So pack it up and take a night off – movie, dinner, knit a tea cosy – whatever floats your boat.

Just keep an eye on your ratio of fun to study.

Find the balance.

fun:study

AND DON’T FORGET TO GET SOME EXERCISE.

EXERCISE STIMULATES CHEMICALS THAT IMPROVE THE PARTS OF THE BRAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR MEMORY AND LEARNING.

SO RUNNING AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS (A LEAST FOR A BIT) IS A GOOD IDEA.

HSC SURVIVAL GUIDE | 7

Look after yourself

Your brain is wrapped up in your body, right?

So looking after your body benefits your mind. Activities like sport, dance, walking and yoga can improve your performance by increasing oxygen to your brain. Getting moving is also great for reducing stress.

Manage your stress

Some stress can be useful in keeping us motivated. During the HSC, however, you may find your stress levels reaching the ‘critical zone’.

Proven strategies for beating stress include:

relaxation – smartphone apps like Smiling Mind can help

time management – remember that to-do list we talked about?

talk to someone – share your worries, have a laugh

be kind to yourself – take some time out to do the things you enjoy.

Guess what? You need to eat.

When you’re stuffing your brain, it’s easy to forget you need to stuff your face too.

Make a point of eating mostly healthy food. It’ll keep you going without making you feel gross like junk food can. When you shop, get a bunch of snacks to keep on hand. That way you can schedule regular breaks with yummy food you can look forward to.

What about treats?

A mini chocolate bar for each chapter finished? A little something-something can be a great motivator.

BRAIN

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Music. It’s part of our life. But does listening to it while studying help? Or distract?

The answer is… it depends.

Research has shown that performance in tasks involving memory and concentration is better in a silent environment. Although finding a silent spot can be a bit tricky.

Students tested in environments with background music got better results than those tested against background noise. So popping your headphones in might be a good idea if you’re studying around other people.

The main thing research seems to agree on is that listening to music which is constant, has a steady pulse and is on the quiet side is better for concentration than inconsistent musical styles.

Studies have also found evidence that people perform worse when listening to their favourite music. Sad, but true.

So it’s completely up to you. If you do listen, pick something chilled and quiet. You can always rock out later.

GET OFF THE GRIDYou know your phone?

Yeah. You’ve got to do that thing. You know, where you, ah… sorry it’s hard to even write, turn it off.

Your phone is not your friend right now. It’s a portal to another world you don’t have time to visit. Research shows that students who use social media while studying (even if only in the background) get 20 per cent lower marks than students who don’t.

Sheesh.

So Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat – they can all take a hike.

After the HSC is finished? You can post every minute of your day for weeks to make up for it. But if you want to be smiling in the photos, you need to turn that sucker off now.

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YOUR EXAM

1. Eat a well-balanced light meal. Something like grilled fish with steamed veggies. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and greasy foods.

2. Get your stuff ready. Pens, pencils, photo of your cat. If a laptop or calculator is allowed, charge it up.

3. Lay out your clothes. Something comfy and layered, so you can add or take off a layer if you need to.

4. Review with a buddy. Get someone to ask you a few questions about your subject.

5. Visualise a positive outcome. Imagine yourself tomorrow, working away with a smile on your face.

6. Set your alarm. Actually, this should be number one.

7. Stretch it out. Having a stretch will get rid of tension and help your body relax before you sleep.

8. Get a good night’s sleep. As tempting as it may feel, now is not the time to try for a miracle. Sure, you could cram all night, but then you’ll be tired and useless in the exam tomorrow. Go to sleep.

9. Plan a reward. What nice thing can you do after the exam is finished? You’re worth it.

Do your usual routine and have what you normally eat for breakfast.

Take everything you packed last night.

Leave your phone at home or in your locker.

Listen to some chilled music if that will relax you.

Go over your notes briefly.

Take a short walk before the exam.

Take some water and a healthy snack (if allowed) into the exam.

Do Read each question t.h.o.r.o.u.g.h.l.y.

Use the marks allocated as a guide for how detailed to make your answer.

Keep an eye on the clock.

Answer the question. The question.

Go back and check your answers.

DAY

EXAM

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Don’t Spend the first 10 minutes lining up your highlighters.

Try to make eye contact with everyone in the room while making a ‘this is so crazy’ sign.

Draw a detailed portrait of the examiner.

Stick pens up your nose and try to make eye contact with everyone again.

Clutch your cat picture to your chest and sob loudly.

Okay, breathe – you’ve got this

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There’s more than one way to get into uni, and they’re not all based on your ATAR.

CSU’s admission pathway programs can get you on track towards achieving your dream job. Here are some alternative ways to start studying with CSU.

Missed the entry criteria?

Our Diploma of General Studies is the way to go. This one-year diploma combines TAFE and CSU bachelor’s level subjects, giving you a solid foundation in uni studies. It also gives you guaranteed entry into most CSU undergraduate degrees.

Want to get started but not quite ready yet?

Check out CSU’s Study Link subjects – they’re short, self-paced online subjects that build your skills and confidence, and get you up to speed with university-level study.

Can’t decide which course?

Check out our range of general undergraduate degrees. These include the Bachelor of Business Studies, Bachelor of Educational Studies and Bachelor of General Studies (Science). They offer flexible program structures, have lower admission requirements and can help you choose a more specific degree pathway later on.

Try TAFE

Get started with TAFE. We have formal partnerships with many TAFE Institutes in Australia, which offer CSU courses within their institution. You’ll leave with both nationally recognised TAFE qualifications and a CSU degree. This can also be your way into transitioning fully to CSU.

Unable to take on a full degree right now?

Not ready to commit to a full-time degree? Study single subjects of your choice to test the waters of a course area. Our single subjects are designed to fit in with your life, so you can work slowly towards a full degree, one subject at a time.

Final words of wisdom: the HSC is a tiny part of your life. We know it doesn’t seem like it now, but it is. So whether you ace it or forget how to spell your name on exam day, there’s a place for you at CSU.

TO CSU

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