Last week our Year 12’s enjoyed the end of their schooling with the Gratitude Dinner which was a wonderful celebration of their time at Encounter as students and for some it is the end of the family connection at Encounter. Another big event happened last week too, and that was the end of the Year 12 exam period. There are always happy faces leaving the final exam.

Over the next couple of week Year 11’s and Year 10’s will participate in their end of year exams. These are a great opportunity to be in exam conditions as we prepare them early for their eventual Year 12 exams. Following are some tips in how to view and handle exams.

Reframe the narrative

Exams are often portrayed as the defining moment of schooling, particularly for Year 12’s, but this perspective doesn’t serve everyone, especially those who don’t get the results they hoped for. Stress naturally increases leading towards exam time, and while some pressure can be helpful, too much can harm wellbeing and performance.

Remember: one exam does not decide your future.

It’s healthier to consider the bigger picture. Education encompasses more than exams. It includes connections, learning, and experiences over all the years of schooling. Students have already achieved a lot, regardless of their exam outcomes.

What is ‘success’?

Research has found that students focusing on personal growth and relationships tend to have better wellbeing than those driven by external validation. Families can support students by emphasising life beyond the classroom and encouraging a broader definition of success.

You’ve got options

Your future doesn’t hinge on this result. There are many pathways into university or further study, including TAFE or non-ATAR university entry schemes. Reminding yourself or your child of these options can reduce pressure and high-stakes thinking.

Have a clear plan

As exams approach, create a strategy. Use your practice exams to refresh your memory on format and question styles. During the exam, read instructions carefully, note choice sections, and be mindful of question weightings. Spend time understanding command terms like “analyse” or “compare”.

What if something goes wrong?

It’s common to leave an exam feeling like things didn’t go well. What matters is how you respond. Academic resilience, or “buoyancy”, comes from planning and persistence. Revise your approach for the next exam, whether it's the next day or the next week or even the next year. Use teacher feedback and past practice to strengthen your preparation.

Remember, resilience is not just personal but it grows from supportive relationships and environments.

Keep some balance in your life

In among your revision and preparation, don’t forget to look after your health.

Get plenty of sleep, eat well, take breaks and spend time in nature. These will all help you maintain focus and wellbeing. 

– Jon