I entered my final year of high school like a blank canvas. I knew nothing about the stress and workload in year 12, and if I were to redo my final year, I’d do a whole heap of things differently. I’m going to write (in my opinion the most important) 26 tips on tackling the final years of high school.

• Ask questions It’s simple. When you don’t understand something, ask! Only when you ask, is when you will know.
• Balance play and work – Like all things, moderation is key.
• Cramming will not help, Trust me, I tried. At least for me cramming didn’t help. I did have friends that managed to cram before tests and get above average marks. But I would not recommend it because cramming will not make the information stick into long term memory.
• Don’t fall behind – When I fell behind in one of my subjects, it was like falling into quicksand. I kept putting it off because the workload was just getting bigger and bigger and eventually I just gave up on that subject all together. If you’re going to be absent on a school day, you can ask your friends to give you the notes taken on that day or email your teacher about what they’re going to cover in class.
• Exercise – I heard it was recommended that you get at least 30 minutes every day, but if you’re like me, you might be too lazy to. In this case I suggest mustering up all your strength and willpower in the morning straight when you wake up and doing at least 50 star jumps/jumping jacks. If I can do it, so can you.
• Focus – take notes in class. Listen to the teacher. And I don’t mean listen as in sit and nod while thinking about what you’re having for lunch or what you’re going to be doing in 50 years. I mean actually listen and make sure the information goes through one ear and implants into your brain.
• Grades that aren’t A or A’s do not mean the end of the world if you didn’t get the mark you wanted, don’t fret! So, you had a slight setback, there’s nothing that can’t be fixed. It’ll give you a chance to know where you went wrong and motivate you to do better on the next test.
• Healthy food – I didn’t manage to eat healthy food for the whole year, but I did cut back on my fries and soft drinks. By eating healthier you will feel better and be able to focus more.
• Intelligent does not mean educated – if you’re like me, things may take a while for you to understand them. Intelligent people aren’t always the people to get the A’s! A hard worker will always be better than a talented individual who only relies on their talent to get them anywhere.
• Just do it – avoid procrastination. JUST DO IT.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses and work on them. Use your strengths to help others. What can you do to turn your weaknesses into strengths?
• Learn with friends or strangers. Study different aspects of a topic, then come together and teach one another. It’s more efficient to work in study groups.
• Meditate it’s really good for relaxation and de-stressing. Even 5 minutes can do a great deal.
• Never give up! At the end of the year you’ll be glad you didn’t.
• Overworking is bad – overloading yourself with study will just tire and burn your mind out. Take breaks when you need to.
• Protect yourself – from sickness, and stressful people/things. Stay warm in winter, drink plenty of water (especially in summer), and stay away from sick people.
• QUESTION YOUR TEACHERS I’m repeating this tip because I think this is very important. Teachers are there to help you, not be impressed with how much you can learn on your own or from a private tutor.
• Reward yourself with healthy food. Just kidding! After a good study session it’s only fair that you’re allowed to relax and do what you enjoy.
• Sleep getting 8 hours of sleep every night will definitely make you focused at school. I did it only for one week (the first week of school) and I regret not getting enough sleep throughout the whole year.
• Teach others – when you’re able to teach something, it reinforces your understanding and also helps others understand. It’s a win-win !
• Understand your material – know how information fits together. Why are you learning this? How does it apply to the real world?
• Verify uncertainties – this can be done by ASKING QUESTIONS.
• Work diligently – it’ll pay off. And you’ll feel good about yourself.
• X-ray yourself – By this I mean examine yourself. Reflect. Look at what you’ve done over the past week and make a list of the things you did well, and the things you would do differently.
• You are the master of yourself – no one can make you do anything except for yourself. Don’t pick subjects because of other people. Do what you’re passionate about.
• Zoom is the only word starting with z I can think of right now. But ZOOM is what your final year of secondary education will feel like. It will be full of excitement, fun, and hopefully not too much stress. Year 12 is a rollercoaster ride that has more ups than downs. Enjoy everything and savour every moment, the time spent with your friends, the train rides, and even the awkwardness between you and your teacher.

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