Tips, Tricks and Advice for the HSC
Chezza
Chezza
Chem/Phys/Bio/Senior Science -
Get out the syllabus. Look at one main textbook and have one supplementary textbook. Using one complete source of information is the best option but this is hard to find. (Many textbooks can be overpowering! but don't restrict yourself to only one textbook). Understand the concept for that syllabus dot point. Different textbooks have different ways of explaining and one may be good for one dotpoint but better in another textbook.
Write down whatever you remember (handwritten) in a multi subject book (each subject section will become one of the four modules for the course). Use coloured headings or random colour to keep things interesting (colour coding is very effective).
Read over again and add in the points you forgot. Say everything you wrote for that dot point out loud. For scientific diagrams, draw them out as well (supporting theory with diagrams in the actual hsc improves efficiency and makes your answer clearer). Also include diagrams for points with harder concepts, but use the cd included in the book to print these out (saves time and will be use for later reference)
Cross out that dot point on the syllabus sheet. This is very important! This will give you the satisfaction that you are making progress (very important to keep you sustained and motivated).
Also you will never have to refer to the textbook again for that dot-point.
At the end of each Focus point in a module (about 4 or 5 per module..) do past hsc questions. Creelman is good for this as you can do the questions by topic.
In the Summer Holidays you should hopefully have done 1-1.5 modules. Always be ahead of your class/school. Whilst the class is learning concepts you can spend that time doing practice questions and you will also experience less pressure.
Spend 1 hour-2 hours every day on understanding the theory and then writing the notes.
Notes are useless if you don't understand them. If you only memorise then you cannot adapt to the question.
Maths -
Understand concept.
Write down the formula preferably in colour in a book set aside for formulas.
Do practice questions.
When you find a hard question which you couldn't do or took a while to do, write down extra tips and tricks for your self for later reference. Put these in a book sorted by topic.
Do past paper questions for each topic.
Before test, refer to your self made tips.
Economics/Humanities -
Use textbooks to make notes. YES! You can make notes for economics. Print out the syllabus and allow your textbook to guide you through each topic.
Economics is a dynamic subject. You will have to keep up-to date with recent economics events. In your spare time when your surfing the net, spend just 5 minutes going to SHM website and reading a Gittens article. The key thing is, write down any key/important points you found.
The supplementary workbooks with the textbooks are quite good as well. If you can get your hands on one use them!
Write out practice essays using past hsc questions. Short answer questions are usually to show a display that you understand the concepts and know the definitions.
The long response essay questions are much more than that. They want to know if you can apply these concepts to the real world. Use facts and figures, and specific examples of recent economic events. Also have a structure to your essays. It should answer the question.
English -
You write your class notes in a book.
As soon as you get home, type these notes up. Don't say i will do it later. TYPE THEM UP!
Put these under different conceptual points (not by text)
When it comes to writing you essay you have all your points.. All you have to do is add in the missing words and make it sound as if you are arguing that these points are answering the question.
That is what you are doing. Arguing. Adopt an argumentative voice.
Structure -
Point you are arguing (thesis/answer to question)
These texts are examples which prove my argument
A sub point which proves one part of the argument
After reading this paragraph i should be "oh so that is how this text proves this small point. Oh this is how this small point proves the big argument/answer to the question"
Next sub point (have about one to two subpoints for an essay)
Conclusion: It is clear that these texts through the sub-point examples prove the argument.
E.g.
Question: Human's are greedy and thus bad effects
Thesis: We are losing our humanity due to our greed (the answer to the question)
Point A: Technology has made us destroy morals by artifical creation. Thus as morals form humanity and technology is caused by greed we are answering Point A and the Thesis.
Point B: We are destroying the environment due to expansion. Thus we are removing the connection which attaches us/forms our morals. We are destroying the environment due to our greed in achieving what we want. Therefore answering Point B and the Thesis
Conclusion: Through the texts, Point A and Point B are made evident and thus it is clear that the Thesis is true.
Teaching your peers -
By teaching your peers you will find the flaws in you understanding of concepts. Whilst you can parrot out an answer if you are to explain it to another person then it forces you to understand the concept.
Use examples and real life situations in the sciences and humanities to explain these. This will reinforce your learning.
Constant Learning -
When you get notes in school, TYPE THEM UP STRAIGHT AWAY or make your dot point notes for that dot point STRAIGHT AWAY.
When it comes to test time, you are ready. Whilst others will be making notes, you will have clarified any questions with teachers already and will be practicing past hsc questions.
You cannot go wrong.
NOW WHAT? -
Use this Summer Holiday period wisely. This is the time to get ahead but remember to take breaks! Eating health and exercising will do wonders for your capacity to memorise, concentrate and think clearly.
If you don't do well in one of your exams bounce back stronger! Reflect on your mistakes and MOVE ON. Set yourself goals.. write these down on paper! Give it your best shot. At the end you don't want to be saying, "If i put in more effort i could have done better".
Don't complain about the HSC being unfair and it being all about memorising and how it doesn't test your knowledge. If you are smart enough to know this then do it! Its about tactics!
When feeling low call a friend, talk to family, yes...watch some tv (but restrict yourself. I am going to get off at 4:30. At 4:30 get off!). Make a list of things to do after the HSC. Write these down in a book or notepad file. This will grow incredibly. When you feel the urge to do something which smells of procrastination...write it down and get back to work. My list is huge and I'm ticking these off one by one, enjoying these much more than if I had done these during the HSC. When you know you've done the work the sense of relief and accomplishment is enjoyed with much greater appeal.
Transform your weaknesses and harness your strengths.
You will succeed.
What is your advice, tips and tricks for different subjects and how do you approach study and school in general?
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