HSC Exams: Here Are The Tips, Words Of Advice And Cute Animal Videos To Help You Cope

Happy HSC day! Well, maybe "happy" is the wrong word...

Though some practical tests have already been conducted around the country, exam season has begun in earnest with Sydney students starting their HSC examinations today.

Over the next four weeks, more than 75,000 students in New South Wales will go through a dreaded ritual that includes sleepless, study-filled nights, and lengthy, silent exams in giant halls and suffocating classrooms alike. The rest of the nation will follow close behind.

The students should take heart, however, that so many before them have gone through the ritual too, including NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Last night, the Premier attempted to assuage the nerves of cramming students by letting them know via Facebook his HSC results were “average at best,” and that they hardly held him back.

His post follows Reach Out’s ongoing “There’s Life After Year 12” campaign, in which notable Australians talk about their personal exam experiences. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull even offered this piece of advice in his own video: “There’s no point being anything other than chill when you do the exam.”

That may be difficult to keep in mind as 119 written examinations – totaling 300 hours, according to the Australian – roll out in Sydney. Still, the PM says “chill.” Who are we to argue?

Since we're sure you've overloaded on study these past few weeks, take a few moments to unwind.

First, watch this man walking a hamster as if it were a tiny dog.

近所のおじさんがハムスター散歩させてた pic.twitter.com/UQS1J6zsuQ

— いのもも (@inomomo_btsv) October 3, 2015

Next, check out a dog conducting a transaction at an ice cream van, like people.

Finally, cats wearing hats.

You are now emotionally ready to re-enter the examination fray. Maybe take some of these calming words of advice and study hacks from your fellow students on board:

5 Exam Tips Every Student Should Know

5 Life-Saving Study Hacks For Students

Or, listen to those who’ve gone through it all before in our ‘Back To School With’ webseries, featuring Anthony Albanese, Scott Ludlam, Michael Caton, Tom Williams, Benjamin Law, Drisana Levitzke-Gray, Tom Ballard, Dame Marie Bashir, the Honourable Michael Kirby, Matthew Pavlich, Shannon Hurn, Lyn Beazley, Peter Klinken and DJ Tom Loud.

Student Edge wishes the best of luck to everyone throughout this stressful – but hopefully rewarding – period. And remember: not only are we here to provide support, but so too are your family and friends, as well as a number of organisations like headspace and the aforementioned Reach Out. If you begin to feel overwhelmed by the stress and expectations of this period, be sure to let someone know.