HSC....

Two years ago to this day I have vivid memories of sitting my HSC, and attempting to try anything in order to reduce those common stress levels. Hot baths, delicious aromas of candles filling my room, anything to make me feel somewhat better about these final, extremely daunting exams. Every year the Sydney Morning Herald delivers the education goods; tips to try before sitting exams, the high achievers, different ways to study, you name it! I was quite intrigued when I come across a particular article though, that interviewed a 17 year old private school boy and his attitude pre-HSC. It's no doubt we all at times feel pressured to do well in our HSC, with some teachers and even parents putting high expectations on students, without their own personal struggles to deal with on top of that. We are all under this idea that if we don't do well in our HSC, our entire future will be a failure, yet what majority are blind to is the fact that there are always other options that lay in front of us. This Sydney student is feeling very relaxed before his HSC, which is quite a rare read as we're often drowning in stories containing what good brain foods to consume or beneficial techniques to reduce that looming anxiety. I was shocked to read that more and more students are turning to hypnosis before the exam period, as they personally feel there is no other option as effective. Through muscle relaxation and calmness, students are tranced into a focused state of mind, somewhat comparable to that of meditation. In one thought I think it's great that students have this sense of escapism, but it's also really concerning that the Australian education system places so much importance on a few set of exams that students are feeling like this. Marickville student, Cristian Pagano exclaims "In the exams I would freak out, lose concentration and come out getting all angry." and is finding a lot of relief from the recent discovery of hypnosis treatment. Students from around the country are quickly jumping on this band wagon, with the likes of Ashleigh Flanagan, a year 12 student from St George who made a long trek to Newcastle just to seek a particular hypnotist. Maybe, us a society should take a leaf out of these student's book, or merely take this as a cry for change. Our ATAR is important in some ways, yes if we want to student medicine at an elite University and need a particular result. However, in the end it's one number, something that shouldn't determine our future; it doesn't determine who we are as individuals so all of the hype surrounding the HSC should be a little bit less stressful and maybe a little bit more optimistic.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/thinking-their-way-clear-to-hsc-success-20130824-2sihg.html