- 2 min read
How to break down your English Study Load
Written by the YK Writing Team
A group of tutors & HSC Band 6 All Rounders led by Yuna.
Introduction
Whether you are a Standard English, Advanced English or are an Extension 1 or Extension 2 student, it may seem daunting studying for it.
With some clever planning, here’s how you can break down your study load in a short time:
1. Review and revise past material
Firstly, try reading or summarising your notes from the past term to try and identify areas where you may need practice or clarification.
If you are an HSC student, it’s important not to forget the texts you studied in previous terms in order to make the most of your study time when those HSC English exams come around at the end of the year.
Create summaries of the plot, themes and characters from your prescribed texts. Try refining the technique tables and essay plans you made for your term assignments- these notes will come in handy during the HSC!
If you’re in Year 7-10, you won’t be assessed on any of the texts you’ve already completed, but if you’re up for an extra challenge try reviewing the new techniques and vocabulary you learned last term!
2. Read your syllabus to ensure that you have not missed any key content.
In senior years, reading and understanding the syllabus is integral to crafting a Band 6 essay. Try summarising the rubrics of past and upcoming modules into concise and digestible dot points to fully grasp the key concepts of each topic.
3. Practice past exam papers
Practice past exam papers to get a feel for the format of the exam and the types of questions that may be asked. This will help you to identify areas where you need more practice.
Whilst you complete these exams try stimulating the exam environment. Find a quiet place to study with no distractions, set a timer and begin. This will be especially helpful if you’re a student who finds themselves constantly under pressure during exams.
4. Get ahead on coursework
Whether you’re a junior or senior student, reading your upcoming prescribed text and rubric is always a great activity for the holidays to save yourself valuable time during the term. You could also try doing a bit of research on the author and context of your text.
Conclusion
Getting any work done during the holidays can be a daunting task. If you implement these steps into your next term break, that “tower” of tasks will be gone in no time. But by giving yourself some structure, you can achieve your study goals!
