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.