Congratulations Year 12 – you’ve made it through trials and graduation is just around the corner! With about four weeks left before the HSC, the hardest part isn’t over yet: studying while you’re no longer in the school routine. Without bells, teachers, and classmates to keep you on track, it’s easy to feel a bit lost. Here are some practical tips to help you stay focused and make the most of this time.

How much should you study?
Think of study like training for a marathon: you want steady, consistent effort, not all-nighters. Aim for around 4-7 hours a day, broken into chunks with short breaks. It’s more about quality than quantity – two hours of distraction-free work beats five hours of scrolling between TikTok and notes.

Splitting your study time.
Not all subjects need equal time. Prioritise your weaker subjects first – those are the ones where improvements can really boost your ATAR. For stronger subjects, keep practising with past papers or timed practice. A good rule of thumb is a 60/40 split: 60% on areas you’re less confident in, 40% revising your strengths.

Staying focused.
Without school structure, you need to build your own schedule. Set a daily routine: wake up at the same time, map out your study blocks, and finish at a set hour to avoid burnout. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes work, 5 minutes break) to stay sharp. And don’t forget the basics – exercise, sleep, and proper meals all keep your brain firing.

These next few weeks are your chance to turn trial feedback into HSC results. Keep it balanced, stay consistent, and back yourself – you’ve got this.

Benjamin Hickman