YEAR 12 students are about to embark on one of the most stressful experiences of their young lives to date.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Higher School Certificate exams are looming for Leeton shire’s year 12 students who returned to the classroom for their final term of learning this week.
The Irrigator will be following the journey of the HSC with Leeton High School’s Isaac Collins and Elli Gill.
The pair are among thousands gearing up for the exams and the reality of their situation is not lost on them.
Isaac is studying the subjects of PDHPE, biology, business studies, advanced English and extension maths with the aim of attending university to undergo an exercise science or physiotherapy degree.
Elli selected legal studies, business studies, advanced English, ancient history and general maths as her subjects.
She was hopeful of gaining the marks to undertake a double degree at university in arts and education with the aim of becoming an English and drama teacher.
The pair weighed in on the hype surrounding the HSC every year.
“I think there can be too much pressure,” Isaac said.
“There’s a lot of emphasis on doing well, but most of the pressure you feel is what you put on yourself.”
HSC trial exams get underway for the students in week five of this term before the “real deal” begins on October 16.
Both admitted to being nervous ahead of the exams.
Elli said it was a surreal feeling knowing they were now facing their current term of their schooling life.
“It’s a bit weird, but it’s good,” she said.
“I think everyone handles the pressure and the stress differently.”
The pair said many of their classmates had been planning their futures for some time.
“It’s a bit of a mix of what everyone wants to do,” Elli said.
“There’s people that want to go to uni and people that want to stay here (in Leeton).”
Both Isaac and Elli are preparing to apply for their positions at university, with applications opening from August 2. The option of early admission was also on the table. Elli was hopeful of applying to do so for her degree, while Isaac said it would depend on what university he applied to as to whether or not that option was offered.
Help keep the HSC stress under control by visiting http://www.yourmindmastery.com/HSC_stress.html.
