questions for the class of 2025 (1 Viewer)

[f7eeting]

hello, i know a lot of people have left this site since the hsc is over, but for anybody thats still here:

if you could do anything differently this year, what would you have done?

if you got tutoring, would you say it was worth it? on the other hand, if you didn't, do you think you still managed to perform just as well as those who did?

how lenient were you with letting yourself rest?

how did you manage studying for all of your subjects and not neglecting any of them?

im just kind of curious and would like some insight

 

[C2H6O]

hello, i know a lot of people have left this site since the hsc is over, but for anybody thats still here:

if you could do anything differently this year, what would you have done?

if you got tutoring, would you say it was worth it? on the other hand, if you didn't, do you think you still managed to perform just as well as those who did?

how lenient were you with letting yourself rest?

how did you manage studying for all of your subjects and not neglecting any of them?

im just kind of curious and would like some insight

1. Made a study plan and actually followed through with it (a LOT of discipline required though)
2. No, yes but only cause I’m doing subjects which I am naturally good at (except English, I have no idea how I somehow came out alright). Could also attribute it to my lesser subjects giving me more time but tbh I still somehow studied significantly less than my friends according to ypt (but obv they have more things to study for so per subject I probably did study more). Either way though my position has always been against tutoring if you don’t actually need it. If you’re struggling or would like to reach a higher band I support it, but if you’re not actually struggling it is way more efficient time money and effort wise to just put a little more effort in yourself.
3. Too lenient. But rest is definitely important. Take regular breaks and have scheduled tasks which aren’t study related like gym or going for a walk, doing something creative, etc. also gave my friend my screen time password cause I would doom scroll too much and I actually went fine without doomscrolling for months until last Friday
4. I don’t think I can really answer this one cause I had 3 this year, but definitely plan ahead based on how long you need to prepare/how long hand ins will take, and don’t forget to consolidate lessons within the same day so the knowledge doesn’t leave you. It’s easy to forget about that one lesson you weren’t paying attention in and have something come up in exams.

 

[melanie_o]

hello, i know a lot of people have left this site since the hsc is over, but for anybody thats still here:

if you could do anything differently this year, what would you have done?

if you got tutoring, would you say it was worth it? on the other hand, if you didn't, do you think you still managed to perform just as well as those who did?

how lenient were you with letting yourself rest?

how did you manage studying for all of your subjects and not neglecting any of them?

im just kind of curious and would like some insight

Believe in yourself, keep on going!

 

[melanie_o]

hello, i know a lot of people have left this site since the hsc is over, but for anybody thats still here:

if you could do anything differently this year, what would you have done?

if you got tutoring, would you say it was worth it? on the other hand, if you didn't, do you think you still managed to perform just as well as those who did?

how lenient were you with letting yourself rest?

how did you manage studying for all of your subjects and not neglecting any of them?

im just kind of curious and would like some insight

I would try to make sure that you actually find time to enjoy high school, as once you’re done you will never get to experience it again. I would do ANYTHING to relive it.

 

[Geniusly]

hello, i know a lot of people have left this site since the hsc is over, but for anybody thats still here:

if you could do anything differently this year, what would you have done?

if you got tutoring, would you say it was worth it? on the other hand, if you didn't, do you think you still managed to perform just as well as those who did?

how lenient were you with letting yourself rest?

how did you manage studying for all of your subjects and not neglecting any of them?

im just kind of curious and would like some insight

1. Do extra study for English outside of class and try to gain as much feedback as possible from teachers. English is the only subject that must count, so try to do well so it doesn't drag down your marks.

2. Didn't do tutoring, but I've found from friends that you can do well with or without it. Personally, I don't think it mattered too much for me. I ranked 1 in 4U, 3U, and chem, and got 2nd in phys internally, with marks of 76, 91, 95, and 91, respectively, for trials. But, it really just depends on how disciplined you are individually. Since I didn't do it, I had to learn a lot myself just through online videos (Science Ready and Organic Chemistry Tutor are God sends). As well as this, if you don't do tutoring, it gets kinda lonely and you almost have to do everything yourself, unless you can find a good group of friends who are just as dedicated as you are.

3. This was what I had to sacrifice to get really high marks. I was really strict with rest. From the start of Year 12, I was doing school, then a rest till 4:00 when I got home, and then 6 hours straight till 10:00 each night. Then on weekends, I was able to go to the gym and run, which was my 'rest', until I started studying again for probably another 6 hours sometime during the day. Occasionally, I worked Saturdays, so it forced me to study earlier in the day. I know not many people would see this as 'rest', but that's what I did. At the end of the day, I wasn't crazy genetically talented like some of the other kids in my school, so I had to make up for it by studying twice as much as every other student. However, if you don't need crazy high marks (my hopeful ATAR is 99.65 - 99.85), then take the rest; it is much better for your mental health and wellbeing.

4. I dropped down to 10 units and just used the extra studies to do work. Aside from this, use the notes app on your phone or computer to write down what you need to do for the day. Helps you keep disciplined by ticking off these tasks. I also only did 5 classes (4U, 3U, Chem, Phys and Eng(a)), which aren't exactly content heavy, so it was less revision and more just practicing skills and questions. I also found that since I enjoy all of them (apart from English), it becomes pretty easy to manage my time and study for all of them.

 

[Trial&Error]

hello, i know a lot of people have left this site since the hsc is over, but for anybody thats still here:

if you could do anything differently this year, what would you have done?

if you got tutoring, would you say it was worth it? on the other hand, if you didn't, do you think you still managed to perform just as well as those who did?

how lenient were you with letting yourself rest?

how did you manage studying for all of your subjects and not neglecting any of them?

im just kind of curious and would like some insight

1) Don’t leave studying until 3 days before the exam. I did this for every single one of my exams this year and even though I ended up doing fine, I placed a lot of stress on myself. I was studying normally throughout the rest of the term (writing syllabus notes, hw, etc) but only really did exam study until there was 3 days left. And so I ended up doing things like memorising my essays a day before the English trials. And I regret to say I did the same thing during the HSC block. And it’s kind of annoying if you get good marks at the end, knowing that if you’d just studied even a week ahead, you would have done even better. But I think the problem with me was I couldn’t study efficiently unless I had that pressure of the exam so it kinda worked out I guess.

2) I got tutoring only once for physics in the first term of yr 12, and I ended up preforming horrendously in that exam. But some of my friends are quite content with tutoring and it‘s helped them improve a lot. I honestly just work better by myself and things tend to stick in my brain if I research and spend time on them, especially given the nature of most of my subjects.

3) A lot lenient. When there was no exam in sight for a week I rested whenever I felt like. But during exam periods (cause I was always cramming) I didn’t let myself even think about rest. But in saying that, sleep is super important, even if your cramming. I always ended up going to sleep early a day before the exam, and waking up at 3am to do practice questions or fill in knowledge gaps. This way I wasn’t tired and wasting time studying at night when I knew I wouldn’t remember everything.

4) I didn't originally plan to neglect any of my subjects. I finished my whole English ext 2 Major work in the summer holidays and just continued editing it here and there throughout the rest of the year. And I wrote my extension one essays and assignments over the holidays. But, although I loved maths and I understood all the topics and did great in the first couple of exams, I ended up finding that I didn't have enough time to do practice questions which I think are essential for maths. And my rank in maths was worse than any of my other subjects, so I just lowered my aim to 85 HSC mark and rolled with it.

 

[hi_998]

1. Made a study plan and actually followed through with it (a LOT of discipline required though)
2. No, yes but only cause I’m doing subjects which I am naturally good at (except English, I have no idea how I somehow came out alright). Could also attribute it to my lesser subjects giving me more time but tbh I still somehow studied significantly less than my friends according to ypt (but obv they have more things to study for so per subject I probably did study more). Either way though my position has always been against tutoring if you don’t actually need it. If you’re struggling or would like to reach a higher band I support it, but if you’re not actually struggling it is way more efficient time money and effort wise to just put a little more effort in yourself.
3. Too lenient. But rest is definitely important. Take regular breaks and have scheduled tasks which aren’t study related like gym or going for a walk, doing something creative, etc. also gave my friend my screen time password cause I would doom scroll too much and I actually went fine without doomscrolling for months until last Friday
4. I don’t think I can really answer this one cause I had 3 this year, but definitely plan ahead based on how long you need to prepare/how long hand ins will take, and don’t forget to consolidate lessons within the same day so the knowledge doesn’t leave you. It’s easy to forget about that one lesson you weren’t paying attention in and have something come up in exams.

how to make a pracitical/functional study plan? i make them but never follow them

 

[f7eeting]

1. Do extra study for English outside of class and try to gain as much feedback as possible from teachers. English is the only subject that must count, so try to do well so it doesn't drag down your marks.

2. Didn't do tutoring, but I've found from friends that you can do well with or without it. Personally, I don't think it mattered too much for me. I ranked 1 in 4U, 3U, and chem, and got 2nd in phys internally, with marks of 76, 91, 95, and 91, respectively, for trials. But, it really just depends on how disciplined you are individually. Since I didn't do it, I had to learn a lot myself just through online videos (Science Ready and Organic Chemistry Tutor are God sends). As well as this, if you don't do tutoring, it gets kinda lonely and you almost have to do everything yourself, unless you can find a good group of friends who are just as dedicated as you are.

3. This was what I had to sacrifice to get really high marks. I was really strict with rest. From the start of Year 12, I was doing school, then a rest till 4:00 when I got home, and then 6 hours straight till 10:00 each night. Then on weekends, I was able to go to the gym and run, which was my 'rest', until I started studying again for probably another 6 hours sometime during the day. Occasionally, I worked Saturdays, so it forced me to study earlier in the day. I know not many people would see this as 'rest', but that's what I did. At the end of the day, I wasn't crazy genetically talented like some of the other kids in my school, so I had to make up for it by studying twice as much as every other student. However, if you don't need crazy high marks (my hopeful ATAR is 99.65 - 99.85), then take the rest; it is much better for your mental health and wellbeing.

4. I dropped down to 10 units and just used the extra studies to do work. Aside from this, use the notes app on your phone or computer to write down what you need to do for the day. Helps you keep disciplined by ticking off these tasks. I also only did 5 classes (4U, 3U, Chem, Phys and Eng(a)), which aren't exactly content heavy, so it was less revision and more just practicing skills and questions. I also found that since I enjoy all of them (apart from English), it becomes pretty easy to manage my time and study for all of them.

Thanks! This was really helpful. I do pretty similar subjects to what you did and I'm aiming for a somewhat similar atar (just slightly lower) but I feel a little lost when it comes to figuring out what to even spend my time on asides from homework and studying ahead. I dont think I'm slacking off necessarily but I just want to know what I could do to perform really well, especially for 4U, 3U and chem.
Honestly though, I am really sloppy when it comes to english, so I'll take your advice and allocate more time towards it.

 

[f7eeting]

1. Made a study plan and actually followed through with it (a LOT of discipline required though)
2. No, yes but only cause I’m doing subjects which I am naturally good at (except English, I have no idea how I somehow came out alright). Could also attribute it to my lesser subjects giving me more time but tbh I still somehow studied significantly less than my friends according to ypt (but obv they have more things to study for so per subject I probably did study more). Either way though my position has always been against tutoring if you don’t actually need it. If you’re struggling or would like to reach a higher band I support it, but if you’re not actually struggling it is way more efficient time money and effort wise to just put a little more effort in yourself.
3. Too lenient. But rest is definitely important. Take regular breaks and have scheduled tasks which aren’t study related like gym or going for a walk, doing something creative, etc. also gave my friend my screen time password cause I would doom scroll too much and I actually went fine without doomscrolling for months until last Friday
4. I don’t think I can really answer this one cause I had 3 this year, but definitely plan ahead based on how long you need to prepare/how long hand ins will take, and don’t forget to consolidate lessons within the same day so the knowledge doesn’t leave you. It’s easy to forget about that one lesson you weren’t paying attention in and have something come up in exams.

Thanks! I've been debating getting tutoring because I sometimes feel like I'm going to eventually fall behind but this was really reassuring.

 

[Reasonabledoubt]

hello, i know a lot of people have left this site since the hsc is over, but for anybody thats still here:

if you could do anything differently this year, what would you have done?

if you got tutoring, would you say it was worth it? on the other hand, if you didn't, do you think you still managed to perform just as well as those who did?

how lenient were you with letting yourself rest?

how did you manage studying for all of your subjects and not neglecting any of them?

im just kind of curious and would like some insight

1. Yes and that would be to stop procrastinating so much and giving into distractions

2. I didn't get tutoring and I believe I preformed just as well since I am top 3 in all of my subjects

3. I was very lenient to be honest but when deadlines were getting closer thats when I would get minimal rest. The first term of year 12 was the worst, I didnt have any rest.

4. To be honest I did neglect some of my subjects because some subjects require more effort than others. I was able to still succeed in the subjects I put off but that justs depends on the person

 

[f7eeting]

1. Yes and that would be to stop procrastinating so much and giving into distractions

2. I didn't get tutoring and I believe I preformed just as well since I am top 3 in all of my subjects

3. I was very lenient to be honest but when deadlines were getting closer thats when I would get minimal rest. The first term of year 12 was the worst, I didnt have any rest.

4. To be honest I did neglect some of my subjects because some subjects require more effort than others. I was able to still succeed in the subjects I put off but that justs depends on the person

Is there any specific methods you could recommend to stop getting distracted?

 

[Average Boreduser]

hello, i know a lot of people have left this site since the hsc is over, but for anybody thats still here:

if you could do anything differently this year, what would you have done?

if you got tutoring, would you say it was worth it? on the other hand, if you didn't, do you think you still managed to perform just as well as those who did?

how lenient were you with letting yourself rest?

how did you manage studying for all of your subjects and not neglecting any of them?

im just kind of curious and would like some insight

1. Huge English focus come december (I barely touched my texts last yr in this holiday period which really hurt me in the long run)
2. Tutoring was worth it yes. You can perform well but the catch is that you need to really scavenge for resources and accelerate through content. Doing papers is what will get you marks. But its easy to fall behind through procrastination which is harder to do in a tutoring center where there is an element of discipline involved to keep you accountable.
3. I was a little too lenient at the start. and then had to really lock in past t3 due to a major exam (non hsc related) I had to sit before trials. Of course take a rest, but know that there are ways to 'gamify' your studies. For example, I got overwhelmed when I was doing 4U at the time due to the lenght of the exams. When I felt I was too tired or unmotivated, I sat on the couch and played some rain water ambience on the tv whilst I did the hsc papers on my lap. I wrote on the paper itself rather than on another book. It was sort of like a brain dump thing that I did w the paper such that I'm being both productive and also don't feel unmotivated since the paper was so long.
4. I neglected english and that has accounted to 90-98% of the atar loss I've been predicted this year. It is an atar killer. No matter what you receive in 4u or chem or phys, the aggregate contribution of those subjects do not compare to how much english contributes towards your final atar. My other subjects had to be somewhat neglected throughout the rest of my schooling in yr12 (i.e. I prepped about 2-3 days in advance for those assessments, and the rest of my time was on english). inherently you want balance, but be very cautious about how english cohorts change in a yr. The median mark in my school come yr 11 was around 50%. This yr was 76% as a top 40 school.

 

[Reasonabledoubt]

Is there any specific methods you could recommend to stop getting distracted?

Remembering why I am doing this and what the outcome would be if I keep giving in to distractions, tbh. In the middle of year 12, the distractions got so bad I would spend days hyperfixating on them and not studying, so what I did was write my goal on the whiteboard and the habits and behaviour I would need to have in order to achieve said goal, and then after I wrote that, I would then make a section on the behaviour I am displaying now and see how much of it matches. This is a very humbling experience, and it takes you back to where you need to be.

 

[Geniusly]

Thanks! This was really helpful. I do pretty similar subjects to what you did and I'm aiming for a somewhat similar atar (just slightly lower) but I feel a little lost when it comes to figuring out what to even spend my time on asides from homework and studying ahead. I dont think I'm slacking off necessarily but I just want to know what I could do to perform really well, especially for 4U, 3U and chem.
Honestly though, I am really sloppy when it comes to english, so I'll take your advice and allocate more time towards it.

4U: Literally just attempt all different types of questions. There are so many different ways to solve questions and there are lots of neat tricks that teachers at regular schools won't teach you. Try to do lots of selective school papers to find these different ways to solve problems as it will really help you. Also make sure to push yourself with thw difficulty of questions. Q16 on the 4U paper is pretty difficult. If you want to be aiming for mid E4 or higher, getting those marks will be crucial, but it takes lots of practice with difficult questions.

3U: You'll find that this becomes really easy in Yr 12, especially if you do 4U. Everything in 3U is literally just a watered down version of 4U except for perms and combs and statistical analysis, but those aren't too bad. There aren't as many 'tricks' with 3U, but make sure to attempt lots of hard questions as well. Getting 96,97,98 on 3U isn't too hard, and the difference between the marks isn't too much, so just make sure you eliminate silly mistakes and can really challenge for those last Q14s.

Chem: Don't memorise content, actually understand it. The chemistry paper from 2019 - 2024 was pretty predictable, but this years' paper (the one I sat) was pretty different to the rest. I'd recommend you even learn beyond syllabus to concenptually grasp chem. This will help you be able to explain every question. For Mod 5 and 6, make sure your calculation skills are beyond average, there are some nice questions that can be asked. For Mod 7 and 8, make sure that you know the names of organic compounds like the back of your hand and how to identify them on any spectra.

The most important thing with your subjects, though, is to keep working hard and learning from your mistakes. Keep a mistakes document so that you don't make the same mistakes twice. Doing this over the year will seriously improve your marks (I went from 75 half yearlies in physics to 91 at trials doing this).

Good luck with your HSC!