Top tips and hints as thousands of Tassie students face end-of-year exams

The stakes are high and the nerves are tense as almost 6000 Tasmanian Year 11 and 12 students prepare to sit their end-of-year exams, but there are some simple tips to deal with the stress.

A GOOD night’s sleep, embracing the stress and taking a moment to breathe allowed Jaymi Jenkins to get through her chemistry exam on Monday.

Jaymi, 17, is one of almost 6000 Year 11 and 12 students in Tasmania who will sit end-of-year written examinations from Monday until November 18.

It will be a nerve-racking next month, with students to receive their results on December 15.

Year 12 Hobart College student Jaymi has a maths method exam later this week, then science and philosophy next week.

The stakes are high for Jaymi who hopes to study marine and Antarctic science at IMAS and these exams are crucial to gaining acceptance, so she he is following a methodical process of using her succinct and summarised notes.

“There is no avoiding the stress, it is intense but liveable, just focus on what you are doing and breathe,” she said.

Kate Poynter, 18, also sat her chemistry exam on Monday with a similar commonsense approach to preparing.

“Once you are in there you just need to relax as you can’t change anything,” she said.

“There are optional tutorials you can do every day at school and the teachers stay behind after school to answer questions.

“The last month I have put in a lot of study, too, and I am well-prepared from the mid-year practice exams.”

Hobart College students, from left, Jaymi Jenkins, 17, Kate Poynter, 18, Joel Verdouw, 18, and Ben Poortenaar, 18, after completing their chemistry exam. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

With maths specialised, biology and physics examinations all in a row next week, Miss Poynter hopes to ace them with aspirations of studying medicine or becoming a maths and science teacher.

She already has early acceptance into studying science at UTAS.

“The teachers (at Hobart College) are so great that it really makes me want to teach, I can see myself doing what they do,” Miss Poynter said.

“I have always loved maths and science and I would like to give back to the Tasmanian community.”

Joel Verdouw believes that “stress is good as it makes you study”, as does Ben Poortenaar, who finished Monday’s chemistry examination 30 minutes early.

The 18-year-old Year 12 students have big plans for the future with Mr Poortenaar aiming to study marine biology at IMAS with a focus on seaweed and plankton, and Mr Verdouw has received early acceptance into engineering at UTAS.

A total of 42 written examinations for Level 3 and 4 college courses will be held over the two-week exam period.

“The end-of-year exams are a key milestone in many young people’s schooling, leading to future study, training and work of their choice and progressing towards achieving their career ambitions and goals,” Sarah Minister Courtney said.

“This can be a very exciting and anxious time for our students, and I encourage them all to do their best and know that their teachers, families and communities are supporting them on their journey.”

New home school tool for students, parents

TASMANIAN students have access to a new distance education program – the first offered in the state by a non-government college.

The Australian Christian College will offer distance education from next year because of a greater demand from students and parents.

The college already offers distance education to students in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.

The college’s Launceston principal and head of distance education for Tasmania, Martin Howell, said the expansion would provide Tasmanian students with “a high-quality education in a manner that suits them best”.

“Distance education provides parents and students with unrivalled flexibility and a top-notch education,” Mr Howell said.

“It’s easy to see why demand for our programs in other states has grown exponentially.

“Distance education students and their families choose the program for a myriad of reasons, including parents who travel overseas for work, students pursuing athletics or other endeavours, children who have struggled with bullying or mental health challenges, and many other circumstances.”

A new distance education program has been set up for Tasmanian students.

Mr Howell said qualified teachers ran the college’s distance education program, which followed the same curriculum as its on-campus Australian schools, but students had the flexibility to take lessons and finish course work on a schedule that better suited their circumstances.

“Distance education has been part of the Australian landscape for many years,” Mr Howell said.

“School often took place via mail and correspondence for families that lived remotely.

“Through the years and continuing today, students have chosen distance education for a range of reasons.”

The college said while classes were online, primary and high school students would work with their peers throughout Tasmania, sharing their opinions and reflecting on what they have learned in class discussions.

Students complete assessment tasks appropriate to the subjects, including exams, essays and multimedia projects.

“From Hobart to Hadspen, online learning allows a student to progress at their own pace within a term,” the college website says.

“No more being forced to move forward in a topic before understanding it nor being held back when other students don’t understand something.

“Students can learn online at their own pace and at a time of day that suits.

“Having said that, students cannot fall behind. They’re required to submit work following the due dates in their assessment schedule – just the same as regular school.”

Families interested in learning more about the Tasmania distance education program should visit www.accde.edu.au