The Night Before a HSC Exam: What to Actually Do

At this point, all the hard work should already be done. You should not be learning anything new. The key is walking into the exam the next day calm, rested and composed.

What to revise
Keep revision light, and keep it between 60-90 minutes. It should not be anything new, just active review.
- Go through your syllabus and ask yourself if you could answer a question on each specific dot point.
- Recall definitions, quotes, formulas and key information from memory to ensure that you can do so on the day.
- Review any errors you have made in the past to ensure you are aware of areas where you may lose marks if you are not cautious.
- Plan a past paper; do not complete the questions, however.

What to leave alone
- New topics. Any cramming before the exam can crowd the brain and impact confidence, impacting the mindset you want to be in for the exam.
- Full practice papers. You do not want the mental stress of completing a past paper and potentially making any small errors that could hinder your confidence.
- All-nighters. This is an absolute no-no. Sleep is undoubtedly the most important thing before an exam.

Sleep
Prioritise 8-9 hours of sleep the night before. Finish studying at least an hour before you want to go to bed, and try to minimise time on screens. Separate yourself from your phone when it comes time to go to bed. Don't stress if you can't get to sleep quickly; just resting quietly is still helpful. Make sure you set a few alarms.

What to pack
Obviously, all the essentials for an exam. Black pens, pencils, highlighters, calculators, etc. Bring extra pens and probably another calculator just in case.

Plan your morning
Work backwards and give yourself plenty of time to get to school in case anything unexpected happens. Make sure you are well fueled for the exam.

Good luck and all the best with your exams!