Year 12. Day in and day out, you’re reading, writing and reading some more! As each week passes, you consume more and more knowledge that it begins to feel like your head is figuratively, ‘going to explode!’ More often than not, this causes unbearable stress and leads to a low-mood, which evidently affects both your study and your life!
But how can we avoid this?
Amongst all the hustle and bustle of this busy year, it becomes difficult to find a balance of study and leisure and focus on what really matters to you most. Study is important as it helps you to receive your best personal mark. Conversely, leisure and time spent with friends and family is of equal value as it keeps you grounded and sane.
How do we balance?
To avoid the overload of stress and find your healthy balance, you’ve got to start working smarter, not harder. That is easier said than done, and I understand that completely! But here are some tips to get you on the right track and keep you there.
1. Be self-aware
Too often we are far more critical of ourselves and our work than need be. Thus, stress and demoralisation set foot in our minds. Use your self-awareness to prioritise your weaknesses and polish your strengths! Utilise your books, teachers and tutors to build a network around you to help reach your goals in the quickest and most efficient way.
2. Prioritise
Be tough on yourself when prioritising! Spending time with friends and family is a healthy way for you to stay connected to your loved ones, but you have to learn to balance life and study! It's important to write a list of all the things you need to study.
Plan it carefully, and be very specific on this list. Instead of saying “study English,” write something specific such as “read pages 34-58 of the English textbook.” When you accomplish each task, tick it off the list! This small sense of achievement pushes you to complete your next task.
3. Appreciate Year 12
It is your most important schooling year, as it is a conclusion of what seems like a life time of studying! BUT, take a moment. Breathe. Appreciate all the friends you have around you. Your family. Your loved ones. Each and every one of these people will have made an impact in your life and you owe it to them to do the very best you can in all that you pursue!
Work smarter, not harder. Year 12 will come and go and in years to come, you may not remember whether you got a 99.95 ATAR, but you will remember the effort that you put in.
By Shannon
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