First Education

Many students finish a study session feeling like they’ve put in solid work, only to find the next day that very little has actually stuck. The textbook was open, the notes were out, the time was spent, but the results don’t reflect the effort. This is a common experience, and it usually comes down to one key distinction: the difference between being busy and being productive.

Busy studying often looks like effort with little return. Re-reading passages, copying out notes, and colour-coding summaries can all feel useful in the moment, but they don’t require your brain to do a great deal. These habits are comfortable precisely because they’re low-effort, which is also why they tend to produce limited results when it comes to actually retaining information.

Productive studying works differently. It involves recalling information from memory rather than simply reviewing it, working through practice questions before checking answers, or explaining a concept in your own words as though you were teaching it to someone else. These approaches require more mental effort, and that’s exactly the point. The more actively your brain engages with the material, the more effectively it stores it.

Shifting your approach doesn’t require a complete overhaul of how you study. It starts with being a little more deliberate. Setting a specific goal before each session, rather than just opening your notes and seeing what happens, gives your study time a clear direction. Removing your phone from the room, even temporarily, reduces the kind of low-level distraction that makes it easy to stay busy without making much progress. Working in shorter, focused intervals rather than extended sessions also tends to produce better results for most students.

Ultimately, the quality of your study time matters far more than the quantity. Small adjustments to how you approach it can make a significant difference to what you actually take away.

Emma Birrell

Today, I had the opportunity to observe Anna working with her year 3 student, Mason, as they explored mathematical word problems involving time, adding decimals and using the right operation to solve the questions. The lesson focused on helping Mason break down multistep questions, identify important information and apply the correct sequence of calculations to arrive at accurate answers.

Anna began the session by reviewing key vocabulary regarding time such as hours, minutes, before, after and elapsed time. She encouraged Mason to carefully read each question and highlight important details before attempting to answer the question. This approach helped him develop a clear understanding of what each problem was asking and reduced the likelihood of rushing into incorrect solutions.

Throughout the lesson, Mason worked through a variety of real-life scenarios, such as calculating how much time remained before an event or determining the finishing time of an activity after several time intervals had passed. Anna consistently prompted him to explain his thinking, allowing her to identify misconceptions and guide him towards more effective problem-solving strategies. They also worked through addition and subtraction of decimals, introduced by the word problems. By breaking complex questions into smaller, manageable steps, Mason became increasingly confident in applying the correct steps in addressing the questions.

Apart from Anna’s academic strategies regarding the topic at hand, a valuable aspect of this session was observing how she was able to quickly draw Mason’s attention back to the lesson when he became distracted by objects around him. Rather than interrupting the flow of the lesson or becoming frustrated, Anna used calm verbal prompts and engaging questions to refocus his attention on the task. She maintained a positive and encouraging tone throughout the session, ensuring that Mason remained motivated and willing to participate.

Overall, this observation highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive and focused learning environment, while combining content knowledge. This can enhance a student’s confidence, participation and overall learning outcomes.

Tira Rustom

Many students view mistakes as something negative. They can become frustrated when they get an answer wrong or feel discouraged when they do not understand a concept straight away. However, mistakes are one of the most valuable parts of the learning process and can provide important opportunities for growth.

In tutoring, mistakes allow both the student and tutor to identify areas that need further attention. When a student answers a question incorrectly, it often reveals a misunderstanding that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Addressing these misconceptions early helps build stronger foundations and prevents confusion from carrying over into future topics.

Creating an environment where mistakes are accepted is essential. Students should feel comfortable attempting difficult questions without worrying about getting everything right on the first try. When tutors respond positively to mistakes and use them as teaching opportunities, students begin to see challenges as part of learning rather than something to avoid.

Mistakes also encourage critical thinking. When students review where they went wrong and work through the correct process, they develop a deeper understanding of the content. This reflection often leads to stronger retention and greater confidence when tackling similar problems in the future.

Another benefit is that mistakes help build resilience. Students who learn that progress comes through practice become more willing to persevere when faced with difficult tasks. This mindset is valuable not only in education but in many areas of life.

As tutors, it is important to celebrate effort and progress rather than focusing solely on correct answers. By normalising mistakes and encouraging students to learn from them, we help develop confident learners who are willing to challenge themselves and continue improving.

Demetria Koutavas

One lesson I have learned as a tutor is that real progress happens when students take ownership of their learning. While it is natural to want to guide students through difficult problems, I have found that students develop more confidence and understanding when they play an active role in the learning process.

In my tutoring sessions, I try to resist the urge to provide answers too quickly. Instead, I encourage students to explain their thinking, identify where they are stuck, and suggest possible next steps. At first, some students find this challenging, especially if they are used to being shown exactly what to do. However, over time, they become more comfortable taking responsibility for their own learning.

I have noticed that students who take ownership of their progress tend to ask more questions, engage more deeply with the material, and show greater persistence when faced with difficult problems. They begin to see mistakes not as failures, but as opportunities to learn and improve.

As tutors , our role extends beyond teaching content. We also help students develop the skills and mindset needed to become independent learners. By giving students opportunities to take responsibility for their learning, we can help them build confidence, resilience, and a sense of achievement that will benefit them well beyond the mathematics classroom.

Benjamin Hickman

When students think about improving their academic performance, they often focus on studying longer, completing more practice questions, or attending extra tutoring sessions. However, one of the most powerful tools for success is often overlooked: sleep.

Many people assume that sacrificing sleep for study is a worthwhile trade-off. In reality, research shows the opposite. After just one night of getting only four to five hours of sleep, the brain’s ability to create new memories can decrease by up to 40%. This means that even if you spend hours studying late into the night, your brain may struggle to absorb and retain the information.

Sleep is essential because it helps transfer information from short-term memory into long-term storage. During deep sleep, the brain strengthens important memories and connections, making it easier to recall information later. In a way, sleep acts like a “save button” for everything learned during the day.

Getting enough sleep also improves concentration, problem-solving skills, and decision-making. Students who are well-rested tend to perform better in class, participate more actively, and make fewer mistakes on assignments and exams. In contrast, sleep deprivation can reduce focus, slow reaction times, and increase stress levels.

Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poor sleep. Experts recommend that adolescents get between eight and ten hours of sleep each night, yet many regularly get far less. Over time, this lack of sleep can negatively affect both academic performance and mental wellbeing.

Rather than viewing sleep as time that could be spent studying, students should see it as part of the learning process itself. A full night’s sleep helps the brain learn, remember, and perform at its best. If academic success is the goal, prioritising sleep may be one of the smartest decisions a student can make.

Matthew Kuskoff

English tutoring is about much more than improving grades, it helps students develop confidence, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Whether a student struggles with essay writing or simply wants to achieve their personal best, English tutoring provides personalised support that can make a significant difference.

One of the greatest benefits of English tutoring is the opportunity for individualised learning. In a classroom, teachers must divide their attention among many students, which can make it difficult to address everyone’s specific needs. Tutoring allows lessons to be tailored to a student’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. This personalised approach helps students build skills at their own pace and gain a stronger understanding of key concepts.

English tutoring also helps students become more confident writers and communicators. Many students find essay writing, textual analysis, and comprehension tasks challenging. Through regular practice and guidance, they learn how to structure arguments, analyse evidence, and express their ideas clearly. As their skills improve, so does their confidence, making them more willing to participate in class discussions and tackle difficult assignments.

Another rewarding aspect of English tutoring is watching students discover that English can be enjoyable. Literature introduces students to different perspectives, cultures, and experiences, helping them develop empathy and critical thinking skills. Through engaging discussions about novels, films, poetry, and current issues, students learn that English is not just a school subject, it is a way of understanding people and the world.

The positive impact of English tutoring often extends beyond the classroom. Strong literacy and communication skills are valuable in every subject and are essential for future careers. Students who can read critically, write effectively, and communicate confidently are better equipped for success in both academic and professional settings.

Ultimately, English tutoring empowers students to achieve their goals while developing skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. It is a rewarding process that helps students grow not only as learners but also as confident and capable individuals.

Lara Venn Jones

When people think about English tutoring, they often imagine grammar exercises, essay structures, and analysing novels. While those skills are certainly important, English tutoring is about much more than helping students improve their marks. At its heart, it is about helping young people find their voice and develop confidence in their own ideas.

One of the most rewarding parts of being an English tutor is seeing students realise that they are capable of far more than they initially believed. Many students arrive feeling intimidated by essay writing or convinced that they are simply “not good at English.” Over time, however, they begin to understand that English is not about memorising the right answers. It is about thinking critically, expressing opinions, and learning how to communicate effectively.

Every tutoring session presents an opportunity to help students overcome challenges and celebrate progress. Sometimes that progress looks like an improved assessment mark. Other times, it is a student voluntarily contributing to a class discussion for the first time or finally understanding a text they once found confusing. These small victories often have a lasting impact on a student’s confidence both inside and outside the classroom.

English tutoring is also incredibly enjoyable because of the conversations it creates. Literature explores universal themes such as love, identity, ambition, justice, and belonging. Discussing these ideas with students often leads to thoughtful and engaging discussions that go far beyond the pages of a book. It allows students to connect their learning to the world around them and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Perhaps the greatest reward of English tutoring is knowing that you have played a role in a student’s growth. Strong communication skills are valuable in every career and every stage of life. By helping students become more confident readers, writers, and thinkers, tutors are equipping them with skills that extend well beyond the classroom.

Lara Venn Jones

“I seem to discern the firm belief that in philosophizing one must support oneself upon the opinion of some celebrated author, as if our minds ought to remain completely sterile and barren unless wedded to the reasoning of some other person. Possibly he thinks that philosophy is a book of fiction by some writer, like the Iliad or Orlando Furioso, productions in which the least important thing is whether what is written there is true. Well, that is not how matters stand. Philosophy is written in this grand book, the universe, which stands continually open to our gaze. But the book cannot be understood unless one first learns to comprehend the language and read the letters in which it is composed. It is written in the language of mathematics, and its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it; without these, one wanders about in a dark labyrinth.”

The famous quote above is from Galileo Galilei in 1623, which allows us to understand that for a long time have pondered over the idea that the communication of God, the universe, nature, philosophy, and even us are written in the language of mathematics. Galileo comments that truth does not act as a prerequisite for understanding stories, arguing that the language which we rather should understand is mathematics. Maths is a vital tool for us to learn, whether it is a prerequisite for the truth of the universe or not. It may be a tool to understand the world around us, one that is understandable for our brains, but it may only be understandable BECAUSE our brains made it up. Is understanding the ‘language of the nature’ the final goal? Maybe what is also important is for us to use this maths to connect with others through teaching, transcending other verbal languages, in order to create peaceful relations and build a strong social foundation.

Josie Daniell

Trial exams are fast approaching, which means for many HSC students they are starting to feel the pressure. While it can be tempting to focus on how much content a student needs to learn, successful preparation is less about studying longer and more about studying smarter.

The first step is to create a realistic study plan now that will help in the long-term. Rather than spending hours on one subject, a student should break their time into manageable sessions and rotatate between subjects, trying to focus on the weaker subjects first. Specifically, prioritise areas where they feel least confident and set specific goals for each study session. For example, instead of saying I am going to study for 12 hours today on the subject of English, aim to chunk a study session by completing one past paper. This is because realistically it is very difficult to study for 12 hours as you will easily lose concentration.

Past papers are one of the most valuable revision tools available. They help students become familiar with different question styles, identify common themes and helps with time management. Try completing sections under exam conditions and reviewing the marking criteria to understand how to attain the desired marks.

Active revision is also essential. Simply re-reading notes often creates a false sense of confidence. Instead, students should test themself regularly using flashcards, practice questions, essay plans and dicussing your understanding of content with others. The more a student actively recall information, the more likely they are to remember it when it comes to the exam.

Equally important is looking after wellbeing. Students should get consistent sleep and implement healthy habits as this will significantly improve concentration and memory of content. While students may feel productive to study late into the night, it can in fact hinder academic performance.

Preparation does not require perfection. Trial exams are not the finish line and students still have the HSC to go. Starting now, staying organised and telling our students to trust the work they put in can make a significant impact.

Annie Bulkeley

We’ve all been there — staring at an exam question that feels more like a riddle than a clear prompt. Wordy or tricky exam questions are designed to test more than just content knowledge; they challenge your reading comprehension, critical thinking, and ability to apply what you’ve learned in unfamiliar ways. But with the right strategies, you can break them down and respond with confidence.

1. Read the question carefully — twice.
It’s easy to miss key details when you skim. Always read the question slowly, then read it again to spot hidden cues, command words (like explain, justify, or compare), and constraints (like “using only data from the table above”).

2. Highlight or underline keywords.
Pull out the most important words or phrases. What exactly is the question asking you to do? Are there multiple parts? Is it referring to a graph, scenario, or formula? This helps keep your answer focused.

3. Rephrase the question in your own words.
Before answering, try putting the question into simpler language. This ensures you understand it and helps reduce anxiety caused by complicated wording.

4. Plan your response.
Don’t just start writing. Take 20–30 seconds to jot down key points or steps, especially for extended responses. A quick outline can save time and help keep your answer structured and relevant.

5. Don’t overthink it.
Sometimes tricky questions seem difficult because they look different — but they’re still testing familiar concepts. Trust your preparation and focus on applying what you know logically.

Finally, practice is key. The more past papers and unfamiliar question styles you expose yourself to, the more comfortable you’ll become with handling complex wording under pressure.

Julian Podgornik