Strategies and Glossary of Key Words (1 Viewer)

[tennille]

Heya Guys,

I've decided to post up a few study strategies to help you with the HSC:

These all came from www.ucc.vt.edu.

Time Scheduling: http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/htimesug.html

Concentration: http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/concentr.html

Memorising: http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/remember.html

Acronyms: http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/acronyms.html

Vocabulary: http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/vocabula.html

I hope these help. I would focus more on the first 3 more than anything else.


Here is also a list of key words used in HSC question. Ensure that you all know them (I know it's horrible, but it's really important). Even if you know what you are talking about, you can only obtain full marks if you know how to set out your answer based on the verb used in the question. This list came from the Board of Studies website at :

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/glossary_keywords.html.

Glossary of Key Words

Account: Account for: state reasons for, report on. Give an account of: narrate a series of events or transactions
Analyse: Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications
Apply: Use, utilise, employ in a particular situation
Appreciate: Make a judgement about the value of
Assess: Make a judgment of value, quality, outcomes, results or size
Calculate : Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information
Clarify: Make clear or plain
Classify: Arrange or include in classes/categories
Compare : Show how things are similar or different
Construct : Make; build; put together items or arguments
Contrast: Show how things are different or opposite
Critically(analysis/evaluate):Add a degree or level of accuracy depth, knowledge and understanding, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to
(analyse/evaluation).
Deduce: Draw conclusions
Define : State meaning and identify essential qualities
Demonstrate: Show by example
Describe: Provide characteristics and features
Discuss : Identify issues and provide points for and/or against
Distinguish: Recognise or note/indicate as being distinct or different from; to note differences between
Evaluate: Make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of
Examine: Inquire into
Explain: Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why and/or how
Extract: Choose relevant and/or appropriate details
Extrapolate: Infer from what is known
Identify : Recognise and name
Interpret: Draw meaning from
Investigate: Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about
Justify: Support an argument or conclusion
Outline: Sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of
Predict: Suggest what may happen based on available information
Propose: Put forward (for example a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action
Recall : Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences
Recommend: Provide reasons in favour
Recount : Retell a series of events
Summarise: Express, concisely, the relevant details
Synthesise: Putting together various elements to make a whole


Always remember to balance between your social life and studying. Don't over-study (menaing like studying all day non-stop). That can be as bad as not studying at all.

I wish you all the best of luck in your HSC exams.

PS: Could someone please sticky this thread if that's okay?

 

[tennille]

I've noticed that many HSC students have been studying 8 hours per day during these holidays. Please, take a break. What I mean by that is take a day off (or even half a day off) and go out with your friends, go Go Karting, shopping, play the Plastation, etc. I've mentioned this many times, but over-studying can be as bad as not studying at all. You overload your brain to the point that you can no longer memorise/concentrate. And remember to take a break every hour or two when you study.

I studied quite hard for the HSC (probably around 2-3 hours at this point per day. That increased when the HSC exams were approaching). I've noticed that I study much better when I eat chocolate (kind of odd). Bit I know I have completely burnt myself out. I currently go you university, and I didn't study for my final exams until about a week before (one of them a night before ). For those of you who continue to think "Oh, I'm only studying a lot so I can get into my desired course at uni and then I can cut down on my study when uni starts", that will never happen. The workload will still be high at uni. So you need to learn to take breaks and enjoy life. I'm not saying don't study at all, but you need to balance between studying and your social life. I only realised this recently.

Remember to look after yourself during the HSC. Eat breakfast everyday. As gross as it can be, porridge is great because it keeps you full for a while (and so your stomach doesn't make funny sounds during the HSC exams). Maybe even chuck on some maple syrup! Eat fruit and veggies (and meat)! They'll all help you!

Remember, look after yourself, dont over-study and take breaks when you study.

 

[goan_crazy]

Thanks very much Tennille for taking time to do that and giving your advice
Im sure it will benefit many BoSers

 

[Casmira]

i'll keep that in mind when i go for my occasional; "Casmira Chemistry topic in a Day©"

 

[jhakka]

Bumping for the benefit of those who haven't seen it.