High school can feel like a juggling act. Between schoolwork, sports, part-time jobs, clubs, friends, and family commitments — not to mention sleep — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But with the right approach, it is possible to find balance and thrive across all areas of life.

Start by recognising that balance doesn’t mean doing everything equally. Some weeks school might take priority, while other times you might focus more on a big sports event or important personal time. The key is being intentional with your time and energy.

Time management is crucial. Using a planner or digital calendar can help you map out your weekly commitments and find windows for study, rest, and fun. Planning ahead also prevents last-minute stress and missed deadlines.

Learn to prioritise. You don’t need to say yes to every opportunity. Choose extracurriculars that genuinely interest you, not just the ones that look good on a résumé. Focus on quality, not quantity.

Make time for rest and wellbeing. Sleep, exercise, and downtime aren’t luxuries — they’re essential. Overcommitting might seem productive at first, but it quickly leads to burnout. Regular breaks and time to relax with friends or family help recharge your mind and boost your academic performance in the long run.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for support. Whether it’s a teacher, tutor, parent, or coach, talk to someone if you feel like you’re slipping behind or stretched too thin. Often, small adjustments can make a big difference.

Balancing a busy schedule is a skill — one that takes practice. But with planning, self-awareness, and a focus on what truly matters, you can succeed academically and enjoy everything else that makes school life fulfilling.

Julian Podgornik

I have spent a lot of time balancing between the worlds of formal and informal education. In the day I work in informal education, by afternoon, I am a tutor. I think many people may think the jumping between the two is difficult, but I believe that through a proper synthesis, this style of education can meet any child.

Informal education aims to teach through creative methods, and has a focus of instilling values into children rather than a specific syllabus. Meanwhile, formal education feels more robust, having a rigid curriculum to follow and information which needs to be understood. There are values in both – it is not ridiculous to expect children to absorb and learn information, but I believe we need to extend past overdone methods to truly meet a child where they are at.

During my time at First Education, I have tried to implement my background of informal education into my teaching methods. For my younger students, I will prepare multiple different lesson plans and ask for their preference. I believe it is important for children to feel they have the autonomy to make decisions about their education, something which is unlikely to occur during school. I found it interesting that some of these students reject this and would rather I decide for them.

Informal education has also taught me to try and anticipate the needs of a child. For example, when I can see that a student is losing concentration and becoming more and more drained, we will take a break and play a game, something which I am glad First Education encourages. Informal education has also emphasised to me the importance of ensuring a child’s wellbeing, another skill which has been implemented in my tutoring. Oftentimes, students will struggle with their confidence, and as important as it is to teach, it is just as important that a student feels assured enough to ask questions and learn.

Though appearing as binaries, in truth, there is much that formal and informal education can learn from each other. This combination has the possibility to create a method of teaching which works better for all.

Maya Weizman

In Year 8 Maths, understanding how to summarize and interpret data is crucial, and two key tools that help with this are the five-number summary and box plots. The five-number summary includes five important values: the minimum (the smallest number in the data set), the first quartile (Q1) (which represents the middle value of the lower half of the data), the median (Q2) (the middle value of the entire data set), the third quartile (Q3) (the middle value of the upper half of the data), and the maximum (the largest value). These values give a quick overview of the data, helping us see how it is spread out and where most of the values are concentrated. A box plot is a graphical representation of the five-number summary. It consists of a box that stretches from Q1 to Q3, which shows the interquartile range (IQR), or the middle 50% of the data. Inside the box is a line that represents the median. The whiskers extend from the box to show the minimum and maximum values. If there are any outliers—values that are much smaller or larger than the rest of the data—they are marked separately, often with dots. Box plots and the five-number summary make it easier to visualize data and understand its spread, central tendency, and any unusual data points. They are especially useful when comparing multiple data sets, as they give a clear picture of the range, median, and overall distribution. By learning how to use these tools, students can analyze data more effectively and confidently, helping them not only in maths but in real-life situations where interpreting data is important.

David Hanna

It can be difficult to keep young students engaged with their tutoring session, particularly if the session is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If the student regularly has struggles with concentrating for long periods of time, this can exacerbate the problem. For this reason, it is important to develop strategies to maximise the student’s engagement for the duration of the session to make sure they are getting the most of their tuition. One method which I have noticed can have a positive impact is allowing them to write on the whiteboard.

Whiteboards are a useful resource for a number of reasons, but one thing I have noticed is an increase in the student’s focus and attention when I get them to write on the whiteboard themselves– whether it be taking notes as I am speaking to them about something, or working through a problem– rather than if I were simply to write the points out myself to show them. Tasking them with scribing the session notes ensures that they must slow down and really listen to what is being said, and think carefully about how to phrase it in their own words and in a way which makes sense to them. It is well-known that writing– particularly by hand– is linked to memory, with a positive impact for learning. Thus, the act of writing themselves will improve their ability to remember the content being discussed. Writing is also a physical action, forcing them to be actively engaged with the session, as well as allowing them to channel any restless energy that could alternatively lead to fidgeting or distractions. Further, focusing their attention on the whiteboard in front of them helps to ensure that the student is staying on task, making it clear if their mind begins to stray.

Ultimately, having students make notes on the whiteboard themselves is a great way to engage them in a more hands-on way by getting them to play an active role in their learning, helping to channel their attention on to the task at hand and improve their connectivity with the material.

Olivia De Araujo

Trials are over and for a lot of students it feels like the hardest part is done. It’s tempting to take a break, sleep in and convince yourself there’s heaps of time before the HSC. But this short window between trials and final exams is actually one of the most important parts of the whole year.

Lots of students start to lose motivation during this time. They’re tired and think they’ve already done the hard work. But here’s the truth. This is the best time to fix the gaps. You’ve already seen what you’re good at and where you struggled in the trials. Now is when you double down and sharpen the areas you weren’t confident in.

It’s not about doing ten hours a day and burning out. It’s about being consistent. Even one or two focused sessions each day can make a huge difference. This is when your brain starts locking in the information for the long term. If you stop now, you risk forgetting a lot of what you worked so hard to learn.

Tutoring during this time can also help you stay on track. It gives you structure, helps you target the right topics and keeps your head in the game when motivation dips. Every hour of effort now will pay off in your HSC results.

Finishing strong matters. When you walk into those exams knowing you gave it everything, the pressure lifts. You’re not guessing, you’re ready. So don’t switch off now. You’re nearly there. Make it count.

Eireyna Papinyan

Today I was able to observe Davids Year 12 Maths Standard session.

During the tutoring session, the student and David worked collaboratively through a range of past paper questions, using them as both a revision tool and a way to strengthen problem-solving skills. David guided the student in approaching each question step by step, first encouraging them to identify what the problem was asking and which concepts or formulas were most relevant. This method ensured that the student developed a structured process for tackling exam-style questions, rather than simply jumping to solutions.

As they progressed, David encouraged the student to explain their reasoning aloud, which allowed for immediate feedback and correction of any misconceptions. This interactive style of learning promoted a deeper understanding, as the student was not only practicing content knowledge but also developing exam technique and confidence. When the student encountered difficulties, David broke the problem down into smaller, more manageable parts, highlighting key strategies and patterns that could be applied across similar questions.

Overall a great session to observe

Alexader Nikitopoulos

When I first started tutoring online, I wasn’t sure how I’d adapt without a physical whiteboard. Over time, the Zoom Whiteboard has become one of the tools I use most often. It’s not flashy, but it makes lessons smoother and more collaborative. Here are a few ways I’ve found it useful:

Essay planning: I’ll set up a quick mind map or outline on the board. Students can add their own ideas, which makes it easier to see how their argument is taking shape.

Problem-solving: For maths, working step by step on the board helps me show the process clearly. Students can also try a line themselves without worrying about “getting it wrong.”

Active checking: Asking students to annotate or highlight key points shows me how they’re processing information, and I can correct misunderstandings on the spot.

Flexibility: Sometimes I just use it as scrap paper mid-lesson, sketching out an idea, a diagram, or even a timeline. It feels natural and keeps the session flowing.

For me, the whiteboard isn’t about replacing in-person teaching, it’s about making the most of what online tutoring offers.

Toby Bower

The Importance of Tutoring: Unlocking Every Student’s Potential

In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, education plays a central role in shaping a child’s future. But the reality is that many students face challenges along the way—whether it’s struggling to keep up with lessons, preparing for exams, or building confidence in their abilities. This is where tutoring steps in as a powerful tool to bridge the gap between potential and performance.

1. Personalised Learning

One of the greatest advantages of tutoring is the ability to tailor lessons to the student’s unique needs. Unlike crowded classrooms, tutoring provides one-on-one attention. This allows tutors to identify strengths and weaknesses, adapt teaching methods, and set a pace that ensures true understanding rather than rote memorisation.

2. Building Confidence and Motivation

Struggling with subjects can often lead to frustration and self-doubt. Tutoring helps students overcome these barriers by offering encouragement and achievable goals. As students see their progress, their confidence grows. This motivation often extends beyond academics, fostering resilience and a positive mindset in other areas of life.

3. Strengthening Foundational Skills

Tutoring isn’t only about catching up; it’s about building a strong foundation. Many students fall behind because of gaps in earlier learning. A tutor can revisit key concepts, ensuring the student is prepared not just for the next test, but for long-term academic success.

4. Developing Study and Life Skills

Effective tutoring goes beyond subject knowledge. Students learn how to manage time, organise their workload, and develop problem-solving skills. These are transferable skills that support lifelong learning and success in professional and personal settings.

5. Preparing for the Future

Whether it’s achieving top ATAR results, gaining entrance to selective schools, or simply feeling prepared for the next stage of study, tutoring provides that extra layer of support. Parents and students alike recognise that tutoring is an investment in future opportunities.

Jordan

Juggling tutoring work alongside university placement can feel like walking a tightrope. Both roles demand focus, preparation, and emotional energy, yet they also provide valuable opportunities to grow personally and professionally. With the right mindset and structure, it’s possible not only to manage both but to thrive in the process.

Tutoring offers flexibility, which makes it a great fit during placement periods. Tutoring also reinforces transferable skills like communication, patience, and adaptability — all of which are vital in a placement setting. Explaining concepts clearly to students can sharpen your own ability to break down complex tasks, something that benefits your professional growth.

The challenge of balancing both commitments lies in energy and time management. Placement weeks are often intensive with steep learning curves. Adding tutoring into the mix can push you toward burnout if boundaries aren’t set. A practical strategy is to block out a timetable in advance, prioritising rest as much as study and work. Even short recovery rituals — like a walk, a gym session, or a quiet meal — can make a significant difference.

Ultimately, tutoring while on placement teaches resilience. It forces you to refine your time management, build discipline, and learn to switch contexts quickly. Rather than viewing tutoring as an added burden, reframing it as a complementary role helps you see its value: you’re earning income, building skills, and shaping future learners while growing in your own professional journey.

Tamiah Mahoney

When I work with students on English essays, I often find that approaching the process as if it were a debate is one of the most effective ways to foster genuine understanding. Instead of beginning with rigid essay structures or formulaic topic sentences, I encourage students to speak through their ideas conversationally, almost like tossing a ball back and forth. In this dynamic exchange, I may present a claim—such as “Shakespeare represents love as both destructive and transcendent”—and the student is then invited to challenge, counter, or extend it. This back-and-forth dialogue naturally opens space for considering multiple perspectives, and it mirrors the critical thinking that underpins strong academic writing.

What makes this approach productive is the way it turns abstract arguments into living ideas. Students begin to see that each point requires not just assertion but also evidence, and together we work out what textual details or quotations might serve as proof. By rehearsing arguments in dialogue, they not only remember the key themes and techniques of a text but also internalise the logic of building and defending a claim. In this way, essay preparation becomes less about memorising a formula and more about developing intellectual agility—the ability to anticipate counterpoints, strengthen reasoning, and adapt arguments when challenged.

This method re-centres essay writing as what it should be: an exercise in constructing an adequate argument rather than filling a pre-set structure. The debate format encourages curiosity, fosters deeper retention of evidence, and gives students ownership over their ideas. By the time they return to the page, they are not constrained by formula but empowered to shape their writing around arguments they have already tested and defended in conversation.

Thea Macarthur-Lassen