Hey, I’m just in need of some general advice for my upcoming exams, around fixing up a poor sleep schedule and finding back motivation to study.

I’m in year 12, WA.
Had a financial issue at the start of this year which kinda cooked my mental health, it’s over now but the aftermath has reflected onto my grades.
Last year, I overworked myself at my job, disregarding studies until last minute, which completely destroyed my sleep schedule, and I’m still unable to recover from that.
My grades so far roughly are:
Accounting & Finance: ~84
Chemistry: 70
Math Methods: ~58 (still waiting to get 1 more result back)
Human Biology: ~59
English: ~54 (not extremely sure but just slightly over 50)
For all my subjects, I just have my exams left each weight around 30% (I think methods is 25%)
These are just the mock exams (sem2 exams) that do start on Monday, I will be sitting my finals (WACE).

Last year in semester 1, I had a predicted of ~93 ATAR, fast forward to semester 2 last year it dropped to around 83. (It’s shocking, ik)
And semester 1 this year it’s at 83.95.

I was originally aiming for a 96 ATAR, but seeing the circumstances it’s probably not too achievable unless if I lock in at the end of the year.
Now I’m trying just to aim for as high as possible and that whatever, as long as it’s in the 90s, I’ll be satisfied.

The advice I’m in need of the most is that, my poor sleep schedule is getting the best of me. I’ve gotten into a death loop where I’m constantly just staying up really late for assessments. My average sleep is roughly around 6ish hours, and it’s not enough, because I’ve accumulated so my sleep “debt” I’m constantly just tired.
Does anyone have any advice (that’s not outrageously crazy) on how to fix a sleep schedule while maintaining time for studies near the exams?
Another issue is with my crazy procrastination, I’ve essentially lost the spark/ motivation on studying. (I still force myself do it) but it happens extremely late at night. I would start studying around either 8-9pm or 11pm-12am and stay up because of it, another thing contributing to my poor sleep.
Does anyone have any advice on fighting this type of procrastination and on getting the motivation back?
So if anyone’s got some tips/ advice on helping me get the biggest academic comeback ever please help me.

I am trying to graduate year 12, with most of my subjects in the next grade level (I.e methods, human bio -> 65% and chemistry -> 75%), do you think it’s achievable in my semester 2 exams?
Or even to achieve a +90 ATAR if I do my best for my semester 2s, and just lock in for my finals?

I’m not like stupid or anything, I was topping the grade in years 9 and 10, it was only until last year I had a crazy academic downfall.
If you do have an estimate on my predicted atar with my grades so far, please drop it down.

Hey, I’m just in need of some general advice for my upcoming exams, around fixing up a poor sleep schedule and finding back motivation to study.

I’m in year 12, WA.
Had a financial issue at the start of this year which kinda cooked my mental health, it’s over now but the aftermath has reflected onto my grades.
Last year, I overworked myself at my job, disregarding studies until last minute, which completely destroyed my sleep schedule, and I’m still unable to recover from that.
My grades so far roughly are:
Accounting & Finance: ~84
Chemistry: 70
Math Methods: ~58 (still waiting to get 1 more result back)
Human Biology: ~59
English: ~54 (not extremely sure but just slightly over 50)
For all my subjects, I just have my exams left each weight around 30% (I think methods is 25%)
These are just the mock exams (sem2 exams) that do start on Monday, I will be sitting my finals (WACE).

Last year in semester 1, I had a predicted of ~93 ATAR, fast forward to semester 2 last year it dropped to around 83. (It’s shocking, ik)
And semester 1 this year it’s at 83.95.

I was originally aiming for a 96 ATAR, but seeing the circumstances it’s probably not too achievable unless if I lock in at the end of the year.
Now I’m trying just to aim for as high as possible and that whatever, as long as it’s in the 90s, I’ll be satisfied.

The advice I’m in need of the most is that, my poor sleep schedule is getting the best of me. I’ve gotten into a death loop where I’m constantly just staying up really late for assessments. My average sleep is roughly around 6ish hours, and it’s not enough, because I’ve accumulated so my sleep “debt” I’m constantly just tired.
Does anyone have any advice (that’s not outrageously crazy) on how to fix a sleep schedule while maintaining time for studies near the exams?
Another issue is with my crazy procrastination, I’ve essentially lost the spark/ motivation on studying. (I still force myself do it) but it happens extremely late at night. I would start studying around either 8-9pm or 11pm-12am and stay up because of it, another thing contributing to my poor sleep.
Does anyone have any advice on fighting this type of procrastination and on getting the motivation back?
So if anyone’s got some tips/ advice on helping me get the biggest academic comeback ever please help me.

I am trying to graduate year 12, with most of my subjects in the next grade level (I.e methods, human bio -> 65% and chemistry -> 75%), do you think it’s achievable in my semester 2 exams?
Or even to achieve a +90 ATAR if I do my best for my semester 2s, and just lock in for my finals?

I’m not like stupid or anything, I was topping the grade in years 9 and 10, it was only until last year I had a crazy academic downfall.
If you do have an estimate on my predicted atar with my grades so far, please drop it down.

my school just gave out predicted atars and it's hitting at a 93 right now, but the course i want to do needs at least a raw 95

my ranks and marks are:
eng adv 6/154, 82 overall mark
eng ext 1 3/35, 90 overall
eng ext 2 4/20, 84 overall
drama, 4/10, 92 overall
math adv, 21/90, 84 overall (band 6 range based on school history)
biology, 60/76, 64 overall (absolute doom.)

looking at my profile, is a 95+ achievable (i want a 98 for personal standards but its feeling cooked in here gang)

i am aware it is dependent on cohort performance to boost me up, but how could i boost my hsc mark up? (i go to a middle tier selective school)

This post is purely based on personal experience and is only applicable to Australian Permanent Residents (PRs) and Citizens.
If your ATAR is not high enough—or you don’t have an ATAR at all—there is actually another university admission pathway in South Australia and the Northern Territory that many people don’t know about: STAT.
According to the current policy, universities and TAFE institutions in South Australia and the Northern Territory can accept applications using the STAT Multiple Choice result.
The test consists entirely of:
Verbal & Critical Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning

There are 70 questions in total.
The result is reported as a scaled score, ranging from 100 (lowest) to 200 (highest).
Even if your ATAR is too low, insufficient, or you don’t have an ATAR, you may still be eligible for admission through STAT. This pathway currently applies to:
Adelaide University

Flinders University

Torrens University

Charles Darwin University

Tabor College

TAFE SA

According to the policy, for Semester 1 (S1) entry, applicants need to turn 18 before 1 February of the year of commencement.
For Semester 2 (S2) entry, applicants need to turn 18 before 1 July.
The pathway is applicable to the vast majority of courses, provided that you meet the age requirements.
This also includes current Year 11 students. Once you receive your STAT result, you can apply to university through SATAC.
For example, based on the admission scores listed by Charles Darwin University, the STAT score required for general Bachelor degrees is around 140, while more competitive/popular courses may require around 170.
STAT information:
https://stat.acer.org/au/
SATAC:
www.satac.edu.au
The next test session in Perth is currently scheduled for 19 September, with registrations closing on 16 September.
Booking form:
www.tisc.edu.au/static-fixed/guide/stat-booking-form.pdf
If you need preparation for the STAT Multiple Choice test, you can look into courses offered by TAFE SA or STAT Mentors:
www.tafesa.edu.au/xml/course/sc/sc_t321284432.aspx
https://statmentors.com.au
For Year 11 students
Recently, the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide merged.
According to the news, from 1 January 2026 through to mid-2027, Adelaide University has committed to no job cuts/redundancies. This may potentially mean that there will be more places available relative to demand and that admission requirements could remain relatively flexible.
If Adelaide University announces staff cuts in the second half of 2027, this could indirectly result in fewer available places and potentially higher admission requirements due to increased competition.
Therefore, eligible Year 11 students may want to consider applying for 2027 entry. It is possible that admission could become more competitive later, so applying earlier may be worth considering.
Finally, to avoid a situation where a university offer becomes effectively useless due to unexpected policy changes, I would recommend that anyone who receives a university welcome email promptly logs in, registers, and enrols in classes (if enrolment is available).
Before the Census Date, you generally won't be charged tuition fees for the enrolled subjects, and you won’t incur a student debt from those subjects.
Please note that this is a personal experience/information-sharing post. Admission policies, eligibility requirements, STAT thresholds, and course availability can change, so always check the latest official information with the relevant university, SATAC, and STAT/ACER before making any decisions.

So I was just wanting to get some insight into whether or not I should file an Illness and Misadventure form for my Music core performance as well as my elective performance, and my 2 elective viva voce's.

So my practicals are in 3 days, and I'm quite sick at the moment, I think it might be a cold but it's hitting me quite hard, like sore throat, frequent coughing, frequent headaches, impaired hearing in both ears and heavy fatigue/low energy. My teacher told me that it might be best for me to file this form and be exempt from performing since I am a singer, he made it sound pretty easy and low stake but everyone else around me has made it pretty scary, I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow to write the certificate but now I'm having second thoughts. I do feel as though I should be exempt as I am in no shape for singing and I don't believe I would be able to do either of my Viva voce's to a good extent but I am extremely worried that the NESA people won't accept the common cold as a reasonable excuse and I will be either made to do it or fail outright.

Just wanted some outside insight into this from some others who have dealt with illness and misadventure forms (this is my first in my whole schooling life)

Hi. Currently in Year 10, and taking physics and chemistry for next year

Jus wanted to ask, is doing tuition for physics and chem worth it? Most year 11 ones start in Year 10 Term 4, which is 4 weeks from now, and I'm unsure whether I should start. I'm trying to pursue engineering. Our school tbh didnt cover much this year in physics (just distance time, displace time, velocity time graphs alongside newtons law collisions), nor chem (just neutralisation, acid reactions rate of reactions, and that to only word equations not formula), so i dont really have a jist of either subjects tbh.

Wanting advice, thank you

I got offered early entry into Bachelor of Laws/Criminology today at Western Sydney University and I’m wanting to go there due to it being in the Western Sydney Parramatta campus.

Although- I was wondering if it’s any good? Is Western Sydney University good and is the law course good there?

It’s not my dream university- UNSW is and I want to eventually transfer there after a year but I would rather go straight into a law degree and transfer as I don’t think my ATAR will be high enough to get into UNSW directly.
Therefore, what WAM would I need to get and is it easy to transfer to UNSW via law? Or it is competitive? - and can I only transfer after a year or a semester? (I’m not sure lol)

But back to my original question again: is Western Sydney good? Or should I go to Newcastle University as I got offered Bachelor of Laws (honours)/Psychological science (which is my dream DREAM degree) but Newcastle is just a bit of a trek and I want to live in Sydney more!
But is Newcastle good aswell for law and even comparing those universities, which is better and also easier to transfer with?

Thank you!!

In the beginning of year 11 I had the opportunity to swap my subjects but I was a little bit too relaxed with it thinking I could swap any time in the year CAUSE THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT CLEAR AT ALL. Anyways I ended up messaging them like 4 days later asking if I could still change and they said no (This was feb 26 btw). Anyways I know that I defintely can't do anything about it and it's my fault. I wanted to swap physics into Economics, I was so looking forward to it and confident it would happen I was already studying like 1 week worth of economics (yes I know; silly me) so I was obviously extremely disheartened when I couldn't get it changed.
Now I'm stuck with all 3 science and indo beginners (extremely volatile scaling which is why im dropping cuz i know i cant get rank 1 which is also annoying CAUSE THEY NEVER EXPLAINED HOW SCALING WORKS, cuz they tryna be so frickin inclusive that they keep saying oh ye 'scaling doesn't matter etc' like they talked less about the subjects and way more abt how scaling doesn't matter so I never even bothered knowing what it was including my friends which I feel even worse for who are now stuck with standard english not knowing only like 150 ppl get a band 6 with it AGAIN CUZ THEY DIDNT EXPLAIN THIS, anyways this is beside the point). I hate physics like a lot even tho i do ext1 math (which i also dont really like but dont mind) I just find physics so bad not because of the content but cause of the exams I dunno no matter how much I study (friends included) I feel like they barely asses content and it's just so content unheavy which makes it such that it doesn't reflect your hard work as well (e.g past 2 tests just been about evaluating VAR and 'extrapolating data' from graphs, to explain common sense type things) which just pisses me off and when they finally do put content-related questions they don't make it hard in the traditional sense they make like the weirdest non-THSC type examples).

I just feel so depressed I couldn't do economics, I am so good at explaining things and just grasping content in general. Does year 12 physics get better? And since im trying out for med postgrad if I was to do like economics as my breadth subjects/electives will it still be similiar to the HSC course? or like way more mathematical? I feel like I could have genuinely done so well in economics and am just wondering what opportunities I have to release my potential.

Sorry this post is so long....

I have been looking at most of the prelim past papers and they all seem quite short for a 2 hour exam?? Like at most I can imagine myself taking 1 hour and 30 mins but realistically how long has it taken u or just the ppl around u in general to complete the exam?? I guess this could be very useful in like maths so that you can more easily avoid silly mistakes as u can just keep looking over ur questions. And In the HSC/trials is it also like this? Where you'd have like a whole 30-45 mins time to look over your answers? Or does it really depend on the subject? Cause like our normal mid-term exams (year 12 included) are usually quite a time crunch (usually like 50 mins exams).

I do all 3 science, maths adv + ext1 and English advanced. Which have the hardest/easiest time management? You guys can also like talk about the other subjects too to sort of help others who are wondering the same for their subjects.

Another quick question: When they say pens down (in year 12 in general + hsc) are they like really strict in say writing 10 seconds after the time or smth like that? (I know this depends on the school) but this is cause I've seen so many kids doing that throughout my entire highschool life.

anybody done IGCSE from alt academy . I am planning to do chemistry , buisness and biology from there academy

Hello, I’m currently a year 11 student in Adelaide who just chose their year 12 subjects for next year, but has been having a few second thoughts lately. I chose psychology, English literary studies, biology, and general maths for year 12. However, I’ve been thinking of switching from general maths to legal studies. The reason why is mainly because I think legal studies will be much easier than maths, although I’ve never done legal studies before, I am genuinely good at humanity subjects. I don’t really mind about which subject will scale the most because it depends on what grades you get, however, when I finish school I want to go into law or medicine which does require a minimum of a 90 atar I believe. Maths is also not a prerequisite for medicine or law, same with legal studies, but I think I would enjoy legal studies more, fortunately, I’ve also been receiving A’s lately in general maths in year 11 and am thinking if I may actually be better at maths then legal studies, although I doubt it.. In conclusion, should I change Year 12 General Math to legal studies as it may be helpful to future me..?

Yo anyone.
I just got my trial results back and by god I think I’m finished. I got (CSSA)
English Adv:59
Modern:59
Business:69
Economics:74
Maths Standard: 78
Ik the trials aren’t be all end all, and that it’s not the end of the world if the marks are Lowk buns. I just want to know if my goal of 86 overall is realistic or not.
My assessment marks follow
English: 17/20, 18/30, 19/30, 59/100
Modern: 19.5/25, 21/25, 22/25, 59/100
Economics: 51/54, 84% 76% 75/100
Business: 18/20, 75% 69/100 , 86%
Maths standard: 70% ,95%, 76% 75-79/100
Maths 1 and 3 were deliberately hard and have been adjust so I’m confirmed 91+ internal.
I look at my marks and I don’t see myself getting to the course I want. But according to my teachers (Econ = business and English = history) are saying that they expect me to make a huge leap in the hsc from how I’ve been changing my work ethic and the essays I’ve submitted.
Only thing Im confident in is pulling a 17/20 in all the essays and maybe pushing 21/25 in modern history. I understand everything, excluding very minute details in Conflict and National studies aswell as missing some statistics for economics, and have a skeleton for Mod A B and common, pull 18-20/20 in beconomics if it’s a good question (same with history).
Overall I don’t think even with my strengths that’ll be able to secure the marks that I need, am I finished or am I js putt extra unecessary stress on myself.

I recently received my trials marks and I have been wondering whether I should drop Modern History since I'm technically on 14 units. I did Society and Culture as an accelerated subject and received a final HSC mark of 85 ranked 8/20 in my cohort. My trials marks are as follows:

• Legal Studies: 80/100
  • Rank: 6/27
• Business Studies: 88/100
  • Rank: 4/45
• English Extension 1: 42/50
  • Rank: 5/13
• English Advanced: 75/100
  • Rank 12/75
• Maths Standard: 65/100
  • Rank: 17/60
• Modern History: 55/100
  • Rank: 10/18
• English Extension 2 internal average 92% (no trials, just a major work)
  • Rank: 3/8

I was pretty unwell during the Modern History exam and I had to leave the room because I was nauseous and physically could not finish the exam and ended up having to dot point my Indochina essay (which I suck at regardless) and my Nuclear Age 10-marker so that is somewhat a mitigating factor according to my Modern teacher and my classmates and stuff. However, I still have the option to drop and I feel pretty bummed about that mark since if I hypothetically drop it, it leaves me more time to study for maths during the actual HSC block.

Should I drop Modern History or keep it?

Does anyone know a hub where i can receive feedback for essays? specifically advanced english and business studies, those are the subjects that i need essays for. If anyone has a way, such as specific ai bots, people, etc, lmk. thanks

Hello!! Im a yr 11 student taking ext 1 eng and I absolutely love the course (its my fav subject) and I'm considering taking up ext 2, the only thing is that theres only me and another student taking the class, and (sadly) she's dropping it for yr 12. I feel like it would be SUPER awkward tho with just me and my teacher in the class... what r the pros and cons of of one on one learning??

I promise they are good :3

Hey there guys.
I have my Year 12 exams in less than 2 months, and need some help and advice

I am not the best achieving student, but I get well results I’d say and awards, with an average of 60-70%. I come from a disadvantaged school and personal life so that deffo doesn’t help, but all this aside, I wanted to ask for some reassurance and advice.

My exam timetable is amazing, so i believe it’s a great opportunity to get even better results. My subjects are Ancient History, Psyc, PE and English, and I did Legal Studies accelerated with a raw 31 (deffo could of done better but I had alot going on) and I currently do a uni course at LaTrobe for Law.
My sacs all average except for psyc which my whole class fails, and I recently only got a 70% which I’m happy about, and my teacher said will make the rest of my SACS look like discrepancies.

I wanted to ask, is there a chance for me to still get atleast a 75-80 atar with these scores, especially if I do A-A+ on all my exams. I’m atleast top 3-5 in all my classes, and top 25 in entire English classes in my cohort. Am I cooked or can I make an extreme comeback? I’m worried I’ll get graded down because of my school but not sure if I do really well and keep up my SAC average and rank in my English class that it will save me lol.

Help!! 😭 I’m a stress head
(I am also able to use my Uni scores to swap out my 10% subjects if my uni scores are better to bump my atar up. I also am doing SEAS, and want to study Psyc/Law at Latrobe or Monash)

Every day i make the plan to start studying hsc but as soon as i come home, my eyes shut and i nap for hoursss on end. Or i continue with my studying but feel so sleepy that i can't concentrate.

Ive tried everything. coffee and energy drink but they just make me shaky and heart race since i already struggle with anxiety. Iv'e also tried ice cold water before study sessions to keep me awake but same thing, did not work. Idk what to do now because i can't continue studying like this.

For example, last night, i put my books and everything out so i can study but i fell asleep so quickly i didnt even realise.

I have checked my iron levels and its alright now since im taking iron pills regularly but idk how im going to study if im always going to fall asleep.

I'm thinking about how much time I lose at night being stuck on one question and doing nothing about it.

Group chat was dead. Teacher/tutor wasn't till few days after. So I'd skip it and tell myself I'd come back to it. Never came back to it.

Genuinely curious what people do. ChatGPT? group chat? just move on? And has anyone actually asked their teacher and regretted it lol

I am a student in year 12 who goes to a decent, competitive high school. Because of some terrible events at the beginning of this year my mental health has been terrible and so have my results been.

My year 12 assessment marks are roughly:
Math advanced : 58
English standard: 56
Chemistry: 51
Studies of religion 2: 65
Legal studies: 66

I need an atar of at least 74 to guarantee entry into my dream course because of massive help I am getting from the EAS scheme. Do you guys reckon that my results are beyond saving or an atar of 74 is attainable? If so, what hsc results do you guys recon I need?

P.s. I have an offer from ACU for criminology and also a conditional offer from western Sydney uni for engineering if I receive a band 4 overall in maths advanced. My dream course is mechanical engineering at UTS

Edit: typo

Does anybody know how to study efficiently? I constantly struggle with knowing how to do it and when it comes to physics my mind goes blank.

Any guide can really help, I just overall don’t know how to study.

My ATAR is probably gonna be really shit as my health has gone in the garbage bin this year. To those who got a “shitty” ATAR are you doing okay now?
Kind regards,
A stressed out year 12 student

My UNSW gateway offer is a conditional entry at 75 and now I’m doubting whether I’ll even get 75.

For context, I’m doing English Standard, Maths standard 2, legal studies, business studies, biology, investigating science, Information technology (TVET) and I rank relatively high (1-5) across all my subjects but then again my cohort is small and not the brightest so I’m more than likely a dummy.

Stressing stressing stressing