You do have to write an essay or report each semester, but the main focus is generally on the final exam. If you can rote learn well, you should be fine for that. The essays and reports require more analysis and interpretation, but they should teach you how to do that.
A lot of people find first year is fine, but it (generally) gets harder as the years go on. Not difficult to get a pass, which allows you to go onto the next year, but if you intend to do honours, you generally need a D average (at least at Sydney)