Making the most of stuvac: How to create a killer study plan for the HSC.

Make the most of stuvac with an expert study plan from Rowan Kunz.
Make the most of stuvac with an expert study plan from Rowan Kunz.

There’s good news and bad news. We’re only a few short weeks out from the HSC Exams. That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news. We’re going to show you how to create a killer HSC Study Plan in three simple steps.

Ready to dive in?

Step 1. Make your 30-Day HSC subject ‘To-Do’ list

Grab a piece of paper, write the name of one of your subjects at the top and the goal mark you want in that subject next to it. Now write down everything you want to do to study for that subject between now and your HSC exam.

This might include finalising study notes, revising on challenge areas, working on practice essays, practising short answer and multiple-choice questions, and past papers. Once you’ve got your list of tasks, you want to schedule them into the time between now and the exam.

Divide your page into columns representing each week between now and the exam, and plan what tasks you’re going to do when. As a guide, it’s best to get study notes and revision done earlier, and do your practice questions, essays, and past papers closer to the exam.

Now, simply rinse and repeat for each subject.

Step 2. Study in reverse

Now you know exactly what you need to do and when, it’s time to study in reverse.
Studying in reverse means studying for your last exam first, your second last exam second, and your first exam last. Sounds confusing, but there’s a reason for it.

Studying in reverse means you don’t put all your effort into your first exam and then run out of time and effort for the next four or five exams.

To study in reverse, grab your epic to do list and a calendar. Schedule your to-dos for your last exam first, then your second last exam, and so on. Now you’ve got an epic calendar, post it on your wall so you can see it every single day. This is key for keeping yourself accountable to your study schedule.

Now you’re ready for Step 3.

Step 3. Use the ‘Rule of Three’

The Rule of Three is the best strategy to use for practice questions and past papers.
Here’s how to do it:

1. Under timed conditions, do your question or past paper with an open book (or open study notes).
2. Now take 5 percent less time, and only look at your notes when you absolutely can’t remember something.
3. Give yourself 10 percent less time now. With a closed book.

There you go. You’ve got all the tools you need to create a killer HSC study plan.

By Rowan Kunz, HSC Study Expert and Founder of 'Art of Smart'. Rowan has conducted years of research with the top 2 percent of students in Australia. He's the author of  'Secrets of HSC Success Revealed' and his presentations and videos on YouTube have been viewed over a million times.

Join Rowan LIVE for more stuvac advice.

Don’t miss our 7 HSC Hacks to Ace Your English Exam webinar on 5 October (7.30-8.30pm). Special host Rowan Kunz will share last minute tips to help you do your best in the upcoming HSC English exam.
Save yourself a spot. Register now. >