Study Skills

Long term approach to the HSC: the whole year (Recommended)

When preparing for an exam don't leave it to a week or two before hand. Plan about six weeks ahead. It is something you have to warm up to so allow time.

Have a study timetable!!!

• Christmas holidays

  • read all your texts. You should also reread your texts when you come to study them.

  • after reading, make a brief summary of each section/chapter/scene. Three key points will stop you going too far. Choose key points relevant to the Aos or module the text has been prescribed for.

  • Do it as a table in Word. In the columns next to the summary as you work in class you can drop in other notes. Have a column for 'Techniques' and for 'Quotations'.

  • A little pain over the break will save you long term and make you feel confident when you study the text in class. It will also help to control your stress levels.

• Up to the end of Term 1 or the Half Yearly (whichever comes first)

  • Read and highlight all class notes and handouts.

  • Skim your texts studied so far.

  • Be familiar with the meaning of the Module and the Elective you are studying.

  • Integrate information from these readings into the Word document you (hopefully) started over the Xmas break.

  • You should be able to pair notes against the summary you made.

  • Match techniques and quotations to this document.

  • Look at your strengths and weakensses in your Assessment Tasks and make sure your notes address these where possible.

• Up to the Trial examination

  • Reread your texts.

  • Consolidate your understanding of the meaning of the Module and the Elective you are studying.

  • Refine your notes in the Word document against your re reading of the text and any new new notes you may have been given. You should be building up a solid document with your critical information set out in a manner that is easy to use - and most importantly - to learn.

  • Refine your knowledge of techniques and quotations. Have you got the best examples.

• Look at your strengths and weakensses in your Assessment Tasks and make sure your notes address these where possible.

• Practice old exam questions.

• The HSC: the last stretch

  • Reread your texts.

  • Finalise the notes you have been developing all year in your Word document.

  • Make sure any outstanding issues from Assessment Tasks are addressed.

  • Learn your notes.

  • Practice old questions.

  • Make use of your teacher as a living resource there to help.

  • Practice old questions.

Short term approach: last minute

• Summarise all class notes and handouts.

• Have quotes and techniques under control for every Module.

• Plan past papers' questions. Write answers if you have time.

• Bear in mind, this approach isn't good enough.