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Want to stay ahead without sacrificing your holidays? Matrix Year 11 student Abbey shares how a school holiday program helped her boost results and enjoy a more balanced term.
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I’m Abbey, a Matrix scholarship student currently in Year 11. I’ve been doing Matrix’s school holiday program since last year. Honestly, it’s made a huge difference in how I use my holidays to get ahead of the next school term and Year 11 exams.
For me, holidays are now an opportunity to reset, refocus, and rise above the stress that can build up during the term.
Here’s what my experience has been like, and why I think more students (like you!) should consider giving a holiday course a go.
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So, the big question. Why would I, or anyone for that matter, willingly sacrifice their holidays to attend tutoring?
Well, there is actually a pretty simple answer: It’s helpful, and surprisingly, really fun.
I know “fun” doesn’t usually go hand-in-hand with study. Most people think of laser tag, gymnastics camps, or scrolling TikTok when they picture a break.
Back in Term 4 of Year 10, I was slightly concerned about my schedule in Year 11. How will I balance tutoring, homework, assessments, and still stay sane with my penchant for procrastination?
Like a godsend, I was encouraged towards a Matrix school holiday program.
At first, I was worried that I would regret surrendering my holidays to Year 11 Maths and Chemistry. But I gave it a go — and I’m so glad I did because my fears were quickly resolved.
From day one, I realised this wasn’t just another tutoring class. The teachers are truly inspiring and skilled in their fields. They make the accelerated content incredibly easy to understand in such a short amount of time.
For example, in my latest Maths Extension holiday course, my teacher Kimberly was so incredibly helpful. I went from racking my brain for fragments of calculus to scoring my best results in a Matrix Maths topic test ever.
I genuinely looked forward to doing three hours of Maths a day during my holidays. And honestly, I’m excited to go back.
Beyond the academics, what made the experience really stand out was the environment.
The spirit of camaraderie and ambition within my school holiday program were so incredibly inspiring.
You get to meet like-minded students with a passion for their subjects and a desire to achieve their best. This encourages you to stay motivated and find enjoyment in your learning.
The class becomes bonded over the experience, inside jokes are developed, and friends are made.
One time, my friend and I, while practising differentiation questions during Maths, began singing this really annoying song, and I now can’t do calculus without it getting stuck inside my head.
It wasn’t a sacrifice. It was an investment in both my learning and my well-being.
During a lot of my previous holidays, there would be at least one week where I would do… nothing. It was neither restful nor productive. I was just lying on the couch…
Scrolling on my phone…
However, the Matrix holiday courses changed that. They gave me a low intensity routine for several full days throughout the holiday break. I would go to class, get ahead in Maths and Chemistry, come home to do my homework, and still have time to relax.
Funnily enough, I was more refreshed and energised starting the new term!
By the end of my holidays, I felt noticeably different about my acamedics than I usually do.
Less stress: I wasn’t scrambling to keep up once school started.
Better organisation: I had a clear plan and stuck to it — no last-minute panic.
A head start: I was way ahead and more comfortable with the content than my other classmates, even those who do regular tutoring.
Because I’d covered so much during the holidays, I could spend the term revising rather than learning new content under pressure. And that made a huge difference.
I didn’t feel like I had sacrificed my holidays; rather, I made the most of them.
Last holidays, while completing the entire Term 3 syllabus for Maths Extension 1 and Module 3 of Chemistry, I also:
Made new friends
Co-hosted a radio show
Visited the State Library
Played tennis
Went to the beach
Read a bunch of books
That’s the magic of the Matrix school holiday program — it doesn’t take over your life. It gives you structure so you can get ahead academically and still enjoy your time off.
If you’re looking to improve your organisation and academic results (without sacrificing your break), I definitely recommend giving a school holiday program like Matrix a try.
It helped me cut down term stress, improve my results, and actually enjoy the process.
Q: Is a Year 11 school holiday program worth it?
A: Absolutely. Year 11 is a foundational year for senior high school. A school holiday program can help you get ahead, reduce stress, and build confidence in core subjects, which means less panic and more control during the term.
Q: Will I have time to relax if I do a Matrix holiday course?
A: Yes! Most students (like Abbey) find that the structure actually gives them more time to unwind. Classes are just a few hours a day, leaving you free to enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Q: What subjects are covered in the school holiday program?
A: Matrix offers holiday courses in English, Maths (Standard, Advanced, Extension), Chemistry, Physics, and more — tailored to each year group, including Year 11.
Q: Is the content different from regular term courses?
A: The content is either accelerated or revision-based, depending on the subject and time of year. It’s designed to support your school syllabus and help you get ahead or consolidate knowledge before assessments.
Q: Can I do the program online?
A: Yes! All Matrix school holiday programs are available both on-campus and online via Matrix+ — same content, same quality, more flexibility.
Written by Matrix Education
Matrix is Sydney's No.1 High School Tuition provider. Come read our blog regularly for study hacks, subject breakdowns, and all the other academic insights you need.
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