The trick to having a killer social life in year 12

We all like to think of ourselves as that one person who has a selfie at every party, brunch or dinner out and still pulls a top rank in each subject.

But with mid-year exams around the corner, and 18th season kicking off, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll have to make some social sacrifices now or later in the year.

No one is saying that you have to turn down every facebook invite, it’s all about picking your battles. So, here are the top three things to consider when choosing to hit the books or hit the dancefloor.

1. Don’t waste time with weak study

We tend to think that more study = better marks but literally no one can maintain perfect concentration for 10 hours straight on a Saturday without falling into some serious time wasting traps.

Instead of highlighting the same bio chapter over and over again, praying to the HSC gods that some information will stick in your brain, switch up your study habits and work smarter.

If you’re not understanding protein synthesis from the textbook then stop wasting time and move on!

• Try watching a quick video that walks you through the key terms and processes step-by-step so you actually get the ideas.
• If it’s still a bit confusing, write some notes from the video in full sentences so you are really explaining the step to yourself and it ‘clicks’ in your brain.
• Then, test your memory by mapping out a diagram of the process from memory and even try a practice question. Boom.

Getting more study done in less time means you really can nail these crazy mid-year exams AND have to time to hit up your friends.

2. Prioritise. Prioritise. Prioritise.

No one’s doing the HSC just for a laugh. We’re all gunning for some kind of goal whether it’s a 99.00 ATAR, getting into uni or even just making mum and dad proud (right?).

So when you’re deciding between study and your social life, it’s all about prioritising the things that really matter.

You just can’t skip some events - like your best mate’s 18th or your Grandma’s 90th birthday lunch - but don’t lose sight of that big goal for the year either.

If it’s completely impossible to get all your school work done then at least concentrate on assessments that have an HSC weighting - like a chemistry prac worth 15% or the mid-year exams coming up soon.

Don’t let yourself get too behind on writing notes or your normal homework but it’s heaps easier to catch up on those than it is to re-do an official assessment that you’ve bombed!

3. Set study goals

Just like a writing a killer essay, you can’t wing your social life.

Take a look at the rest of the term and map out the big events that you’re keen for - 18ths, family events, team dinners etc.  Now, instead of just promising yourself you’ll get as much study as possible done before you go out, set an actual study goal for each event.

Have an 18th this saturday night but your English exam on Monday morning? Tough luck. But seriously, you can manage both. Write down exactly what you need to do for your exam before you’ll let yourself go out.

It might look like this:

Don’t get your goals finished in time? Well now you have to make that tough call of missing out on the party or not being as prepared for your exam. Either way, it won’t be fun.

And remember…

No one can seriously study effectively for hours and hours straight so quit wasting time and you’ll find the time to get the work done and socialise.

When things get hectic, It’s all about studying smart instead of hard, knowing your priorities and setting yourself proper goals before each event.  Give that a go and you’ll find yourself actually enjoying year 12 AND smashing your exams!