Year 12 News

Year 12 Trials

The Year 12 trials seemed to come much quicker than I expected, and at first, it felt overwhelming to try and adjust to the sudden pace. Balancing study sessions, assignments, and personal time quickly became a challenge, which made time management absolutely essential. I found myself planning out each day carefully, trying to make sure every subject got enough attention without burning out too early.

Memorisation was by far the hardest part for me. It wasn’t just about reading notes; it was about actually retaining the details and being able to recall them when it mattered most. I spent hours revising, trying different techniques like summarising, making flashcards, and even teaching concepts out loud to myself. Despite the effort, there were moments when everything felt like it was just slipping away, which was frustrating but also motivating.

One thing I found really helped reduce anxiety was going into the exams with a mindset of “yes, I can do this” rather than feeling sorry for myself. That small shift in attitude took away almost half the stress of sitting the test and gave me the confidence to focus on what I could control.

Towards the end of the trials, fatigue really started to set in. I could feel myself burning out, and motivation wavered despite knowing how important these exams were. It was a clear reminder that taking care of your wellbeing is just as important as study itself. When it was finally over, the relief and sense of accomplishment were huge, and the break that followed was definitely well-deserved.

Looking back, the trials were more than just exams they were a test of resilience, planning, and patience. I learned that pacing myself, staying organised, maintaining a positive mindset, and finding small ways to manage stress made a huge difference. It wasn’t easy, but the experience taught me lessons I’ll carry forward, both academically and personally. If I were to approach the trials differently, I’d focus on refining my study methods by practising more timed responses and being consistent with revision earlier, so the workload feels less intense in the final weeks.

Meshael M