“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar
This can be applied not just to life, but to the HSC. How you decide to treat it will directly affect how rewarding the experience will be.
Firstly, do what you love. We hear this a lot, but not everyone enjoys the subjects they choose. I owe my 99.95 ATAR in large parts to the language subjects I studied. Whether it was German Continuers and Extension, in both of which I topped the state, or Chinese in Context, in which I was ranked 3rd in the state, I genuinely enjoyed myself and had a constant drive to perform well in these subjects.
Setting a routine for yourself is also beneficial in helping you stay on top of everything. With my dedication to my subjects, I was more than happy to plan how I would study for my exams early on. I’d recommend making notes as you go and revising these regularly, instead of just before tests. Consistency is key in establishing good study habits, which will give you strong, solid foundations when facing assessments.
After all the preparation, it’s important to put the theory to practice. Start doing past papers early to leave room for making mistakes and correcting them. Don’t be afraid of making a list of the errors you’ve made. To be able to understand and learn from them will ensure we never make the same ones again.
The things we do might seem tedious or insignificant now, but little by little, they will accumulate to something worthwhile in the end. Maintain a positive attitude, and enjoy the view at whatever altitude you reach.