Hi, my name is Dominic and I’m in my 1st year studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Health Sciences at Flinders University. I finished Year 12 last year at Christian Brothers College in Adelaide.
I know that Year 12 can seem like an overwhelming and daunting experience, so I have some tips that you can use to help make the second half of Year 12 a success.

1) Take notes in class
This may seem tedious or even boring at the time, but you will be thanking yourself when it comes to exam preparation. There is no worse feeling then approaching your exams and having to rewrite succinct notes because you didn’t see the benefit of them at the time. Having clear notes is an exam preparation tool as they assist in consolidating your learning.

2) Don’t be afraid to ask questions in class
Your Year 12 experience is what you make of it. If you are struggling with content, ask your teacher for clarification. If you are uncomfortable with doing this in the classroom environment, seek out assistance after class, or via email. Your confidence to do this is important for Year 12, and for life after school.

3) Create study groups
Remember that your peers are also experiencing the highs and lows of Year 12. Create a subject study group of 3-4 people to collate information and test each other on content knowledge. These are particularly useful as your peers may present information in a different way, which can help you to understand and retain the information.

4) Don’t stop your extracurricular activities
The second half of Year 12 can be a stressful time for you. In order to combat this it is important to continue taking part in extracurricular activities. Whether it be sport, music or a part-time job, continuing your normal routines will give yourself time away from the stresses of Year 12.

Looking back on my Year 12 experience there are few things I would change, however there is always room to improve. In all subjects your teacher will be willing to look at your draft assessment pieces in order for you to reach your potential. Although I embraced the opportunity to partake in the drafting process, if I had my time again, I would ensure that these drafts were always my best possible effort. Year 12 passes quickly, and if I had my time again, I would have a stronger focus on exam preparation earlier in the year. Try focusing on using study lines to prepare rather than take it as a break opportunity.

Lastly, there are a few key dates to put in your calendar. These include submitting your SATAC application before the 29th of September to avoid late fees. Attending the Flinders University Open Days on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 August is also beneficial to familiarise yourself with the campus and see all that Flinders has to offer.

Best of luck with your Year 12 endeavours. We hope to see you next year.