16 Aug 2018

August is nearly over. You’ve screwed up a whole bunch of assessment tasks. Your major work looks like a toddler has mashed it together and you’re dreading having to look at your trial marks. This is normal, everyone feels this, and there’s time to come back from this nine month slump.

1. Accept that you’ve f*cked up

Yep. You’ve done it. That ‘one more episode’ every time you’re on Netflix has caught up to you. There’s no point stressing about things you can’t change so throw that guilt out the window and get ready to get your shit together.

2. Get your study head on

Quit fooling around! Now is very much crunch time. Getting into a studying headspace is hard, you’ve spent 13 years of schooling figuring this out, but this is the home stretch! These last few months could feel like the longest in your life but find solace in knowing that it’s so close to being over.

Open the books and just write some shit down! Even if you’re just copying word for word from a textbook, just start somewhere, and the momentum will come. You can suss out how to actually get your revision notes done here.

3. Prioritise your subjects

Theoretically, if you’re killing it in Art, but flunking Business, you don’t want Business to pull you down if you continue to go terrible in it. Take a time out from being Picasso if you can afford to, and spend some extra time honing in on how you can be the best business-baller possible.

It’s tempting to just spend time on the subjects you find easier, but make sure you’re focusing on the ones that need real improvement.

4. Pace yourself

I’m sure you’ve been heading to a few 18ths this year, making a Sunday hangover a bit too familiar. In these last few months, don’t completely avoid going out, just pace yourself.

If you have exam or something due at the start of the week, maybe take it easy on the weekend. You’ll save yourself money and give yourself more time to figure out how you still don’t know long division.

Plus, you’re going to be getting loose as soon as you leave that final exam room, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on your FOMO.

5. Remember that you’re going to be fine

You really and truly do have time to knuckle down and get shit done. Trials are actually a pretty small percentage of your final mark, which means there’s still a chance to make the comeback of the century (and everyone loves an underdog that comes out on top). 50% of your ATAR is still on the line.

On the flip side, if you aren’t able to pull through, that’s okay too. Everyone is super stressed right now and you have every right to take a breather. Just remember, that everything is going to be sweet regardless of that awful number.