Good Luck Class of 2020!
Year 12 is a year filled with trepidation and excitement. The final year of high school brings with it many challenges, and for lots of our students, none more challenging than the upcoming external exams.
The students have been preparing for these exams since Term 4 of 2019 when they began their first foray into Unit 3 content. While they have studied and prepared for the internal assessments each term, they have also had to maintain a regular revision schedule of all of the content from each term, in order to prepare effectively for the final exams. For many subjects, these exams will contribute 25% towards their final result. In the maths and science subjects, the results from these exams will contribute 50% toward their result.
A.B. Paterson College Seniors of 2020 are incredibly committed to achieving their personal best. Over the September holidays, many students participated in extra online and on-campus tutorials with their teachers. Students have been at the College early, working through their lunch hour and staying after school to seek every bit of extra help that they can get. They have worked closely with their dedicated teachers to come up with specific, targeted study plans that directly address areas of challenge for every individual student and provide them with strategies and activities to develop these skills further.
And, here we are.
The Year 12s of 2020 are now only one week away from embarking on their final challenge. From Week 4 to Week 7 of this term, our students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate how far they have come and how much they have learnt across the entire year. It is imperative that in this last week, students ensure that they are making the most of the time they have left. Below are some tips that students can use to help with their revision. Students should focus on:
- What to study – be incredibly familiar with the syllabus for each subject and refer back to this at all times;
- Plan your study – know exactly what you will be focusing on when. Set yourself reasonable timeframes and try to stick to them;
- Prioritise – don’t spend too much time on the stuff you already know. Identify your weaknesses and work to improve them;
- Effective study – know exactly what strategies suit you to best retain knowledge. There is no point spending time reading content over and over if that does not suit your learning style;
- Use your time efficiently – know exactly when your concentration levels are at their highest (are you a morning or evening person?);
- Set goals to accomplish and focus on the big picture – if you are finding that you are not managing to take anything in, take a break, refocus and come back to it when you are ready.
'Trust Yourself – you know more than you think you do' - Benjamin Spock, American Scientist
Finally, I would like to encourage all of our students to ensure that they are maintaining a good work-life balance. Take the time to get outside and get some fresh air, play a sport, or spend some time catching up with friends. You will be much more effective in your exams if you are relaxed, healthy and happy.
Good luck year 12. You have the entire College community supporting you and wishing you the best. We believe in you and cannot wait to hear all about your wonderful results.
Melissa Presland
Acting Dean of Senior School
