How to make the most of Term 1 of Year 12?

Australia’s scorching summer is like no other. Here, we’re blessed with clear skies, beautiful beaches and a very long Christmas break. It’s quite likely that the summer of 2022/23 is the last hurrah Year 12s will enjoy before kicking into gear for a busy year. So, how can you flip the relaxation switch onto full grind mode?

The key is in what you do in Term 1. The work you put in at the beginning and the habits you set up early will set you up for future success. I graduated in 2022, and my plate was not empty; I was house captain, played soccer for my school, had a casual job, and also made time to hang out with my friends – all whilst studying.

Here are some tips that worked for me, and will help you on the road to success!

Table of Content:

• School and Life Balance
• Study Smarter
• Keep Track of Deadlines
• Keep track of Term Dates
• Clarify doubts with your Teachers
• FAQs

School and Life Balance

School-life balance is imperative in optimising academic success. With a healthy balance, you can improve your mental health and your academic results!

It’s very common for Year 12 students to feel the rippling effects of burnout. The omnipresent pressure to achieve a high ATAR through consistent study encourages students to lock themselves in their rooms, and neglect taking breaks. But breaks are so important.

It is crucial to find time for the things you love in your final year. It could be as simple as putting 20 minutes aside everyday to watch something on Netflix, or read a book. Or, you could spend a day on the weekend hanging out with a friend. Research shows that getting out of your study space allows your brain to retain information for longer, so you’re actually helping yourself by taking breaks.

If you have a part-time job, it is also great to keep working. It could be as little as one three-hour shift per week, but it’s a break from studying and will foster healthy interactions with people.

Study Smarter

Have you ever sat at your desk for hours, reading over the same sentence in that textbook, but not understand anything? We’ve all been there. But, what if I tell you that instead of slaving away for hours, you can retain information faster and with a lot less effort?

One method is the ‘Pomodoro Technique.’ This method is based on studying in 25-minute intervals, with a 5-minute break between each study interval. Research shows that this technique promotes sustained concentration and staves off distractions.

Not only is this method awesome for increasing focus, but it is super helpful for helping to break down big assignments. If you’re stuck with an assignment and don’t know where to start, use the Pomodoro technique to break down your huge task into 25-minute chunks. Each 25-minute interval can be used to tackle different aspects of the task; for example: researching, planning, and writing.

If you find that you are struggling with some concepts, or need some help figuring out what study methods work for you, try a private tutor from KIS Academics:

Keep Track of Deadlines

Set up a spreadsheet of when things are due. Being able to physically see when your assignments are due makes everything a lot less overwhelming. You’ll also notice how much spare time you have, and be able to allocate this to either working on your assignments or towards your hobbies.

By planning your time like this, also encourages you to set goals for when you’d like to have things completed. For example, although you may have a draft due in week 5, you may want to have it finished by Monday of week 4 to thoroughly edit it.

Keep track of Term Dates

Knowing your term dates and when you’ll be on holiday will aid in planning your time. Check out your relevant term dates below, and be sure to write them down in your diary or spreadsheet:

• 2026 VIC School Year
• 2026 NSW School Year
• 2026 WA School Year
• 2026 QLD School Year
• 2026 NT School Year
• 2026 ACT School Year
• 2026 SA School Year

Clarify doubts with your Teachers

Even if it might not feel like it, your teachers are there to help you, so utilise them and the skills they can share with you! It’s so important to feel comfortable to ask for help whenever you’re unsure. The more you can get into this habit in term 1, the more confident you'll feel in seeking their feedback and asking questions when the final exams approach.

By getting into this habit, you’re encouraging yourself to be attentive in class and think on your feet; this will save heaps of stress when it comes to remembering content for exams.

If you're not comfortable asking questions in class, a private tutor from KIS Academics can help you instead:

Conclusion

Ultimately, the results you produce are in your hands. These tips can help with setting up healthy habits, but the driving force is motivation. The power is within you, and with initiative and determination, you’ll be set up for an awesome year.

For more resources, check out these KIS Academics articles:

How to get a 99+ ATAR - A Medical Student’s Study Routine

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KIS Academics BlogManoj Arachige

Study tips, tricks and hacks

At times, studying can be an incredibly tedious process. You might feel like you’ve spent hours on one tiny concept and you still can’t wrap your head around it! We are here to share our top tips on how to study effectively, ensuring you stay focused and maximise grind time when it counts.

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5 Self-care Tips for your Year 12 studies | KIS Academics

High school is stressful — Year 12 even more so. But no ATAR is worth sacrificing your physical or mental health. Here are five essential self-care tips to help you stay healthy, motivated and thriving during exam season.

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FAQs

Written by Tiana Rukavina who completed a Bachelor of Laws & Business.

High school can really be a lot of work, so why not get some support? Explore our top High School tutors here.