Last Updated on November 26, 2021 by Emma White
Getting to the end of compulsory education can be an exciting part of a teenager’s life. There’s the opportunity to think about university, TAFE or trade college and career while also looking forward to the freedom that will come once school is complete.
But let’s take a few steps back from that point because thinking about grades for the final year ahead is essential. Year 12 can come with some of the most challenging exams that students will ever have to overcome. These challenges mean taking proper steps to get the results and with plenty of parental support.
It’s overwhelming for parents too. Not sure where to start? We’ve covered some helpful tips that’ll make getting good grades a lot less stressful.
Revision & Study
Revision and study are incredibly important for anyone who is preparing for exams and other assessments. Revising ensures that what is learned is cemented in your student’s mind. Year 12 students should give themselves the chance to soak up far more information than they would by simply going to class.
Having the right approach to revision can make or break grades. Creating a schedule can help with this, allowing students to allocate slots for the learning you want to do and, importantly, allocating downtime. Some great smartphone apps help maintain a revision and study schedule, but keeping a paper planner or calendar is as effective. Some apps also act as study tools.
Suggested apps:
- Quizlet
- Flashcards+
- StudyBlue
- Brainscape
Brain Training
Our minds work like muscles; you need to train your mind to make sure it stays strong. Brain training is a great way to handle this and a good activity for year 12 students to add to their schedule. But beyond helping the brain stay strong, studies have found that brain training activities boost executive functions, working memory and processing speed in young adults.
Some examples of brain training are puzzles and games to keep your mind sharp. There are plenty of apps for these types of activities. Reading books and working on favourite subjects is also an effective way to train the brain.
Suggested apps:
- Elevate
- Peak – Brain Training
- Cognifit Brain Fitness
Time Management
Managing time is crucial for finding success in year 12. Study and coursework are just a couple of things year 12 students will need to slot into their agenda without overloading themselves. They’ll also need to manage their time around a part-time job, extracurricular and social activities.
Much like revision, students can use apps and other tools to help with time management. At the same time, these apps will provide reminders, a necessity when things get busy.
Suggested apps:
- Cozi
- My Study Life
- TimeTree
Stress Management
Alongside managing time, year 12 students also need to manage their stress. Many students feel much pressure at this stage in their lives, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There are plenty of ways to manage the stress they feel. Please encourage them to talk to you, family, friends, teachers and school counsellors about their concerns. The act of talking to someone can be a great way to help with stress, anxiety and to push forward.
Monitor your child closely. It’s common for students to work so hard that they push themselves to the point of hurting their chances of success. Taking breaks is essential. Be mindful of your child’s commitments, avoid overcommitments where possible, and ensure time off on the weekends and ample time spent with friends.
Suggested apps:
- Atmosphere: Relaxing Sounds
- Calm
- Smiling Mind
Group Learning
There will always be challenges with studying for exams, but each student will have their strengths and weaknesses. Group learning can give your student the chance to learn from and teach their peers by working together to share the subjects that they find the easiest. Group learning is excellent for student motivation. They work on challenging studies together and find easier ways to understand particular topics.
Most schools have facilities in place that are designed to help students with group learning. Booking rooms in the library, for example, can be a great approach to take. It makes sense to restrict the study groups to those studying the same subjects, as this will help reduce distractions.
When face-to-face opportunities for group study are limited, the use of online group video chat programs is an effective alternative. Several programs will allow students to share their screens, perfect when providing examples and explanations. Many of the programs also allow meetings to be recorded and replayed later on as part of revision.
Suggested apps:
- Zoom
- Skype
- Google Hangouts
- Facetime
Sleep Hygiene
Sleep is critical to a student’s time in year 12. The shortening of sleep and subsequent sleepiness may impair adolescents’ ability to perform to the best potential. In a study by Rachel Sharman and Gaby Illingworthof the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, they confirm that sleep is essential for memory and learning. More specifically, the study found that students showed poor performance and lapses in sustained attention. There was also a cumulative impact of sleep restriction as performance became worse over the week.
The study explained that the circadian clock drifts later in adolescence. However, adolescents still require 8-10 hours of sleep each day. This sleep is not just any sleep. It should be high-quality sleep. How does a high school student get high-quality sleep? Exercise, healthy eating, and drinking plenty of water. Minimisingscreen time in the hour before bedtime is also essential. If possible, remove devices from the bedroom to avoid temptation. Stress management techniques are also helpful for getting a night of good sleep each day.
Suggested apps:
- Headspace
- Pzizz
- Sleep Cycle
Private Tutoring
When a student receives extra time learning from a professional, their exam results will improve dramatically. Private tutoring gives students an edge at school; it builds confidence. A student’s time with a tutor can count as revision and provide them with the chance to fit it into their learning schedule.
You can find private high school tutors in just about every city and town around Australia. Tutors Sydney, for example, offers students extra support thanks to the one-on-one online sessions with an expert tutor on a subject of their choice. Tutors can explain subject matter in a way your student can understand and implement. Understandably, you may not feel confident tutoring your teenager; that’s why Tutors are highly beneficial.
Remember your high school days? The final year goes by in a flash. We often look back in hindsight and wish that we put more effort into our final year. Now it’s time to encourage your year 12 students to put in the effort and provide them with the right tools and support. Remind them that it will get easier with practice, guidance, determination, and expert help. Things will start to make sense, and they might find themselves at the top of the class; it is possible!
