Each school has scheduled the trial exams for a different week after timetables were shifted to accommodate the disruptions to face-to-face learning.

For students at Mater Dei Catholic College, including Phoebe Duncombe, Chloe Mannell and Isabella Belsito, the trials will begin in week five.

"We've been disadvantaged by this year, but at least we've all been disadvantaged together," said 18-year-old Chloe.

Planning to study at Charles Sturt University next year, Chloe has had to keep her options broad, just in case her choices disappear as the university is forced to axe 600 subjects.

"I want to do social work or business and I want to stay at home to do it because I've got a good job here," she said.

"It might end up being that I have to wait and just work for a year though."

At first, 17-year-old Phoebe welcomed the home-learning operation. But, she said, she soon found the reality to pale against her expectations.

"I thought I'd be more motivated if I was at home on my own, I thought there'd be [fewer] distractions. Online classes were so hard to stay focused in," Phoebe said.

"Now, it still feels like there's so much pressure to do well, that hasn't changed. But we haven't had any of the fun stuff from going to school."

Vice president of the NSW Teachers Federation, Amber Flohm told The Daily Advertiser it had become a common feeling across the state that teachers and students had missed face-to-face learning this year.

"It's been an absolutely difficult year for all students but particularly our year 12s," Ms Flohm said.

"Teachers have really gone above and beyond to make sure school is as constant as possible. Many have not had a break for months, in bushfire-affected areas, they haven't had a break since before January.

"But what we keep hearing is that teachers, parents, students, everyone has found it really difficult and have missed the face-to-face time this year."

Both Phoebe and 17-year-old Isabella have planned to take gap years next year. But travel bands and economic crises have pulled the pin on their plans.

"I was looking forward to travelling to Italy next year but I can't do that now," Isabella said.

"I'll just get a job and work before uni, but I'm anxious I won't find one now."

John Reid and Lily Hamilton at The Riverina Anglican College will begin their trials in four weeks.

Especially with his major woodwork project due at the end of week six, 17-year-old John lamented the lack of face-to-face school hours.

"A fair few hours need to go into [the work] and my studies," he said.

"It would have been nice to have more time at school, but in saying that, it's not the teachers' fault at all. They've given up so much of their own time to help us. It just feels like school has been disjointed."

When classes headed home for online learning, Lily said, there was a prevailing feeling of despondency among her classmates, while no-one quite knew for certain when they might return.

"Learning the content online was fine, but the classroom has added support that's just not online," said the 18-year-old.

"You learn from discussions with peers, and when the teacher says something that might be beyond what the textbook says."