Over the last ten years I have worked with countless HSC students across the state. Some of them have gone on to become state ranked students, while others have really struggled just to pass their subjects. In every situation the determining factor between success and failure has been the same thing:
Time management.
It is without a doubt the most important skill for HSC success.
I have seen the most naturally gifted students fall apart because they haven’t been able to manage their time well. Inversely, students who are not natural academics have outdone themselves with their ability to stay on top of their schedules.
There is a reason most schools give out diaries at the start of each year. It is because at some point in year 12, exams and assessments will hit you like a tidal wave and at that point it is so crucial to have a good time management system in place to ensure you prioritise what you need to get done at the right time.
Here are 5 quick tips to help HSC students manage your time well:
Use your diary: This might seem like the simplest of tips, but too many students don’t do it. Often I will sit down with a student, and they know they have homework but they can’t remember what it is because they didn’t write it down. Write absolutely everything in your diary, so you know what to do and when things are due.
Use your phone: Utilising the calendar app, create reminders when important tasks are due. Get a reminder a week before, and then a few days before. Things can get so overwhelming, so the added benefit of technology can make your life a little easier.
Come up with a study planner: Especially around exam periods, study planners ensure you cover every module in every subject, without wasting time on things you don’t need to focus on. Simply create a list of every topic you need to revise, list it in order of priorities and then divide your study time in to study blocks.
Prioritise study: Too often a student will tell me how stressed they are with the school work load because they don’t have enough time to do everything. But when I ask a few more questions it turns out they have plenty of time – they just aren’t committing enough of it to school work. They stay out late at parties, wake up late, watch Netflix for a few hours and then once they sit down to study they get a text from a friend and they go back out again.
I am not at all saying you don’t deserve time to rest and unwind – but prioritise your study times each day and make them a non-negotiable.
Make study time 100% study time: If you can maximise your productivity during study time, you will get so much more done and find the pressures of time fading away. When you study, leave your phone outside your bedroom, block out Youtube and just focus on what you are doing. Distractions will add up and steal huge amounts of time without you noticing.
Being good at your subjects is important. Working really hard is great. But they are in vain if you don’t manage your time well. Considering a tutor for your child? We can help! We have amazing tutors ready to go that will help your child grow in confidence, love the learning experience and ultimately realise what they are capable of. Learn more here and book their first lesson online today!
