The first step of the HSC may have finished on August 28, but students have no time to relax with HSC final exams still around the corner.
Having buried her head back in the books, vice captain Mollie McGrath said her cohort is ready to take on the final exam block.
Although Mollie received early acceptance into Canberra University for international relations politics and business, and plans to defer until 2021, she remains motivated to perform well in her exams.
She said, in addition to a less stressful environment, not having to sit the exams in isolation helped her perform.
“The trial exams were okay, I found them pretty easy because of the early acceptance into university so there is less stress on me compared to others in my year,” Mollie said.
“We were in the multi purpose room because our cohort is small enough to fit.
“Whenever we've done exams we've done them with my cohort so it was good to have everyone in the same room. It was more comfortable.
“We've had a little relax over the weekend but people are getting back into the swing of things, trials were a good indication on what we are struggling in and what to focus on.
“The topics we had to learn during home learning were difficult to put into the test environment because we didn't have group discussions which often helps me learn.
“Some people preferred working from home but I personally didn't because the day wasn't as structured.
“Having topic discussions help you remember so not having that in class made it harder to learn.
“It was difficult for some to keep motivated to finish the work too.
“Personally, I'll be happy to get into the exams, I want to do well but I'm not too stressed out because I've got plans for the future with early acceptance.”
HSC drama and practicals were carried out last Monday and will be marked during the HSC period.
Standing on stage for his final HSC performance was vice captain and drama student Vamos Patu.
Vamos said the three external HSC markers were the only ones watching besides the additional extras to help with his performance.
“I did a seven minute performance which I am really happy with, mine was a businessman giving a lecture to salesmen who weren't doing their job properly.
“No other HSC students were able to watch the performances but we did have others helping with props and lighting, it was nerve racking but I'm glad it's over.”
Student Manaia Joseph has also run into her fair share of COVID-19 induced education drama.
Due to social distancing and home isolation, Manaia's HSC production had to be filmed in quick succession after changes to the assessments.
“Because I was doing a film and quarantine came half way though the year and I can't film myself, I couldn't come in contact with anyone else and I had to do all the pre-production stuff like story boards instead.
“Then we received word that we would have to submit a trailer of our film idea, to be submitted with the plans, so I just ran around with my friends filming them.”
Students will start their final exams with English on October 20, with the last to be completed by November 11 and results issued by December 18.