Dean of Studies | Mr Mason Hellyer
During exam block, I meet with each subject cohort of Senior students 15 minutes prior to the commencement of their exam. There are a number of reasons to do this. Firstly, to gather them all in one space to ensure that they are on time for the start of the exam. Secondly, to provide updates on what has been occurring and what may be coming up in the near future academically, as many will only come into school for their exams. However, most importantly, it is an opportunity to focus students on the exam ahead.
This has been especially challenging at present. Consequently, I have been using the concept of controllables and uncontrollables as advice for students navigating not only the pressures of exams, but also this period of uncertainty. The message is to recognise the stressors that you cannot control – school closure, what will happen in Term 2, whether sport and cultural activities will resume, and accept that you cannot influence these outcomes at present. However, you can control aspects of your life at this present time that will ensure you maximise your academic performance – exam preparation, staying healthy, getting enough sleep.
In these current times, it is important that students feel they are in control of aspects of their lives and can influence future outcomes. Academically, this requires that students should be directing their energy and time into the things they can control, not on things that they cannot.
Ultimately, the key to good performance is preparation – It is still not too late to be prepared. Therefore, when your son is feeling the pressure of exams, here are some hints to share with them:
- Be prepared. Work backwards from your exam date to plan when you will prepare. Don’t just leave it for the night before.
- Complete all of the revision sheets.
- Use the Moodle and the subject checklist to go back through the content you have covered.
- Test yourself:
- use flashcards
- do as many practice questions as possible
- mind dump – close your notes and recall everything you can in your own words
- Continue to exercise and eat well. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
- Have a good sleep the night before - be well rested.
- Go back over your study notes before the exam. Don’t engage in speculative talk.
- It is okay to be nervous, in fact it is normal. Your mates may not obviously show it, but they are just as nervous as you. Feeling nerves is your body’s way of getting ready.
- Walk into the exam with confidence – you have done the work, now is the time to show it!
With today's developments regarding coronavirus, the final exams for the term will be held tomorrow. I encourage all students to give them their very best and I wish our young men every success.