How to nail your VCE exams: 5 tips from successful students

Ten Weetbix for breakfast? Lucky underpants? Cardi B on repeat? Everyone has their own way of working when it comes to studying for exams – and superstitions are one way to drum up luck. Whatever works for you, works for you!

But, we thought we'd speak to some experts on some more concrete study tips that could have you see results (and none of them will involve changing your undies).

With final Year 12 exams fast approaching, these top study tips from VU students who scored an ATAR over 90 can help you beat those revision-stress-feels.

Check out our top 5 tips to boost your study and stay on top of your game.

Developing good study habits is essential to acing your Year 12 exams. Here’s how top students do it:

Changing your mindset from 'What have I learnt?' to 'How can I apply this knowledge to the real world?' will bring about good marks. You need to extend your understanding of a concept by seeing the theory applied to real life settings. By tackling this question, you will be able to bump your marks up, thereby increasing your study score.” – Thomas Thien Ngoc Nguyen

Be creative with your note-taking. I found that drawing a diagram or picture next to a specific piece of information meant I could recall that piece of information in an exam just by thinking of that picture." – Mary Baras-Miller

Want more? Check out our article "10 tips on how to study effectively" for a bunch more helpful hints and suggestions.

Managing exam stress is key to staying calm under pressure. Our students share their tried-and-true methods for stress management:

In the hour leading up to the exam, I would walk around the school rather than wait outside the exam room. Walking around the school is beneficial as exercise combats stress and places you in the right mind frame.” – Thomas Thien Ngoc Nguyen

Towards exam time, I relaxed and took the stress off myself by acknowledging that I had put in a large amount of effort throughout the year. This made me feel as though there was nothing more I could do and it was the final piece of the puzzle for the year in order to achieve my results.” – Sarah Arrowsmith

Want more? Flick through our mental health tips for VCE students article, for some other strategies to staying cool and calm. 

Finding a balance between studying and enjoying life will help you stay focused and motivated throughout Year 12. It’s not just about study – taking care of yourself will help you perform better in your VCE exams:

Throughout Year 12 I always made sure to balance my time, making sure I got through my study and homework, while still getting enough sleep, exercise, chatting with friends and time for myself. This helped to make sure I was very efficient and effective in my study.” – Ella Guinane

It’s impossible to be switched on and studying all the time, your brain will simply be overloaded. Allow yourself to step away from the books. You’ll return more focused and motivated to excel." - Declan O'Brien

Want more? Read about how you can best motivate yourself when you'd just rather be kicking the footy: "how to find the motivation to study".

While Year 12 exams are important, they don’t define your future – and you're more than just your ATAR. It’s helpful to keep the bigger picture in mind, so take a step back and think ahead:

Outside of VCE, the things that you learn may potentially assist you in your exams and at university. While VCE may be important to you at this point in time, try to look further beyond Year 12 and see how you can apply your acquired knowledge into practice.” – Thomas Thien Ngoc Nguyen

Don’t let the year consume you. If you have the motivation and desire to achieve results, you will get there. It takes more than just study to succeed in VCE and a large amount of it lays on your motivation and passion to do well.” – Sarah Arrowsmith

Want more? Find out how at VU, we see you for more than just your ATAR score.

Procrastination can sneak up on you during VCE, but there are strategies to help. These tips will help you stay on track:

Be creative with your note-taking. I found that drawing a diagram or picture next to a specific piece of information meant I could recall that piece of information in an exam just by thinking of that picture.” – Mary Baras-Miller

Giving yourself a break is as important as working hard. Rather than study for four hours straight, do 30 minute study sessions with five minute resting periods in between. In doing so, your brain will not wander off as much and you'll maximise productivity.” – Thomas Thien Ngoc Nguyen.

Want a smarter way to study? The VU Block Model allows you to focus on one subject at a time in manageable four-week blocks, helping you retain information, stay productive, and reduce stress. With smaller class sizes and real-time feedback, you'll stay on track and maximise your learning without the overwhelm. 

Did you know that VU students have access to ongoing study and employability support through our Learning Hubs?

Learning Hub Coordinator Lynette Frey offers her advice, pointing to setting clear goals and creating a realistic schedule as being the best way forward – and to success:

Setting goals and planning your study schedule, allowing enough time to redraft assignments, connecting with other students and looking after yourself (such as eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep and taking regular breaks).”

For more top study tips Cody McCormack, VU Learning Adviser, suggests checking out online resources from Youth Central and VCE Study Guides to help you ace your exams. Stay focused, stay balanced, and smash those goals!