Name : Deanne Do Rosario

School: Baulkham Hills High School

ATAR score: 99.5

What has been your strategy to qualify the exam with such high scores? 

I tried to learn all the content by myself during the holidays and then it was a second revision when taught at school.

Did you make any timetable / chart etc for preparation? 

YES! I definitely made weekly timetables throughout the year. Even though at times, I could not complete my timetable, just creating one and striving to stick to it meant that I ended up doing more work than I would have otherwise.

How do you think one can maintain study and social life balance? 

Year 12 is not about studying 24/7. If you don’t procrastinate and complete assessments tasks early, you should have more than enough time to continue your extracurriculars and social activities. In saying this, if you know that an extracurricular activity is taking up a lot of time and energy, know your priorities and make the sacrifice.

Also, what was your strategy to keep distractions at bay? 

Find out what your weaknesses are, whether it’s Netflix, social media or friends and set out a restricted time for that activity. If you have absolutely no self-control, you can get many apps which block you from using social media/internet websites which might be helpful.

What are your future plans? 

I will be studying the Bachelor of Medical studies/Doctor of Medicine at UNSW from 2019. After becoming a Doctor, I would like to travel to different countries and use my skills to serve those from disadvantaged communities. 

Your advice to juniors in school to succeed in the exam:

1. Work on your Maths and English skills now as the year 12 content for these subjects builds upon this skill.
2. Form good study habits now and figure out what works best for you (making notes, timetables or studying in groups).
3. Pick HSC subjects that interest you. 

What will you miss from your school days? 

1. The friendships, lunchtimes and good memories.
2. The extracurricular activities are all organised for you making it so easy to just get involved.

The best memories from school that you will cherish for life: 

Lunchtimes with my group, end of year class parties and Year 8 science lessons.

Message for your Juniors: 

Year 12 has a way of creeping up on you very quickly, so enjoy while you can and don’t stress too much. Use this time to figure out what type of studying works best for you (by yourself or with others, by making your own notes or by talking to yourself) and get involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible. 

Anything else that you want to add: 

1. Year 12 is especially stressful because you’re always competing against your friends for ranks. However, remember that in the end it all comes down to how well your cohort does in the HSC so work together and support each other.
2. Only Study ≠ success, and how well you do in an exam also depends on how you’re feeling. Keep yourself healthy by sleeping well and destressing by continuing extracurricular activities (for me I used piano).

(By Nidhi Kumari)