SURVIVING THE HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

Major examinations such as the Higher School Certificate can have a significant impact on students and their families as they try to negotiate the challenges and increased pressures that often surface at this time.

These days, young people and their families often live busy, complex lives with potentially many competing elements. The HSC student may be trying to juggle study with part time jobs, social activities, sport and family commitments.

Generally it is important to maintain appropriate priorities so that there is a complementary balance. The potential for these priorities to clash or compete often happens at a time when intensive involvement is required in one or more of these areas. This can be a source of stress.

The increased demands of the HSC is one of these critical times when some adjustment of life activities needs to occur so that a balance is achieved and with it, increased confidence that things are managed and priorities addressed.

Advice For Students:
Be sure that your study plan includes breaks. Keep up a nutritional balance, eating and drinking adequately. This is important to maintain energy levels. Try to join the family for the evening meal which is also an important way to maintain the ‘connection’ to family members and to keep communication open.

Include relaxation techniques both during breaks in study at home and in the actual examination room. Deep breathing can be helpful. Breathing in, and then smoother, longer breaths out can often relax muscles. During this exercise focus on areas that may be tense, for example neck, shoulder and jaw areas are often affected. Detailed relaxation strategies can be found on the HSC Online web site http://hsc.csu.edu.au. Do some physical exercise, even as simple as stretching or going for a short walk.

Adequate sleep is essential. Allow some time after study, maybe half an hour prior to going to bed to practice some relaxation or listen to music to prepare for sleep. Preferably not ‘screen based’, as this can increase alertness.

Your parents will worry at times about how you are coping. They may wonder how often they need to ask you about this. Too frequent may be irritating, but try to be tolerant and give them an occasional message that you are coping okay and they don’t need to worry. Again it’s about keeping the communication channels open.

If you are struggling however, you can let them know that you may need some extra support, discuss it with them and consult with people who can also assist like the School Counsellor.
Always keep in mind that while the HSC is a milestone that increases educational and vocational choices, an examination in itself does not define our qualities as a person or indeed how effective we apply life skills in the real world. There is life after the HSC!

Article supplied by Kaleidoscope’s Child and Youth Mental Health Service.
Next week’s article will offer advice to assist parents during the exam period.