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Worried about how to handle Year 12? 99.95 ATAR student and Matrix Scholarship student Jake shares how finding joy in learning helped him thrive — and how it can help you too.
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Jake achieved a 99.95 ATAR, and he’s here to share how he did it. The Matrix graduate shares his subject strategies, including how making time for your passions can actually help you do better in Year 12.
Please note: this was written by Jake during Year 12 before he completed his HSC exams.
Name: Jake Murray
School: Northern Beaches Christian School
Grade: 12
ATAR: 99.95
University goal: B Arts/B Law or B Science/B Law at USYD!
Table of contents:
| Subjects | HSC Mark |
English Advanced | 95 |
Maths Extension 1 | 98 |
Maths Extension 2 | 97 |
Physics | 99 |
Modern History | 95 |
English Extension 1 | 48 |
English Extension 2 | 49 |
I am somewhat of a Maths, Philosophy and Literature enthusiast – an unconventional mix, I’m aware, but it works for me! And, I have been known to spend a little too much time binge-watching old sitcoms and analysing old films. I adore spending time with family, friends and (perhaps most of all) dogs.
I’m Vice Captain of my school, currently wading through the sea that is Duke of Ed Gold, captain of my school’s International Ethics Olympiad team, and an International Science School alumnus.
I’m sure you’re still a little unsure as to why you ought to stick around to the end of this article.
Well, over the past few years, I’ve accrued a few tips and tricks I’d love to share regarding how we, even as senior students, can enjoy school. Dare I say, even love school.
The reality is, schools aren’t designed to produce numbers. They’re designed to produce thinkers. Sadly, this sometimes gets lost in translation when the ATAR remains on our heels, ever-present, polluting the air we breathe and the thoughts we think.
However the good news is, this does not need to be the case. Believe it or not, you can find joy in your Year 12 learning, just as I have!
I achieved a 99.95 ATAR by working consistently and having a plan for each subject—something Matrix teachers helped me refine in my Year 12 courses.
Let me start by saying that study schedules will, and should, vary from one individual to the next. Certain systems are well-liked, but your final approach is entirely your call! I would suggest establishing an organisational system at a micro and macro level.
This is where I note any important dates for school and Matrix term tutoring. It can be pretty overwhelming to stare at what seems like an endless list of To-Dos, so being able to visualise the coming weeks is invaluable.
This includes regular school and Matrix homework, and miscellaneous tasks that crop up. Allocate a completion date for each to provide some structure to your week.
Each day when I sit down to work, I’ll hand-write a list of what I need to do in that given session. There’s something cathartic about physically ticking off elements of a visibly finite list.
I personally find this system to be highly useful, and again, organisation and rhythm are highly subjective.
I do recommend spending time finding what works for you and what doesn’t (the holidays are a prime opportunity for this), and, of course, don’t be afraid to make it a little aesthetic!
The holidays are the prime opportunities to get ahead of the curve and put yourself in a great position for the coming term.
The tricky thing is, studying over the break can lack accountability and structure, and this is precisely the reason why I enrolled in my first Matrix holiday course.
Matrix’s holiday lessons not only acted as a form of study but a point of consistency in my days, and I was able to form a more solid routine around such.
During holiday study, you must schedule in breaks. We all have an idealistic image of what the perfect year 12 student’s holidays would look like; studying 10 hours a day, churning through so much paper that local mills are forced to up production, etc. Unfortunately, we’re all human. We all need breaks, and that’s perfectly fine.
To maximise the benefit of a break and eliminate any guilt surrounding ‘unproductiveness’, work it into your schedule – this provides a goal to push towards as well!
1. Read!
Read what you enjoy. For some, that’s a collection of the essays of Freud, for others, that’s Harry Potter. Reading frequently (which, I know, is a difficult thing to make habitual) will help reframe the subject of English as something more free and even relaxing.
You might also find inspiration in Matrix’s English Study Resources or Common Module Essay Examples.
Plus, exposing yourself to ideas beyond the classroom will help you create more nuanced, enjoyable and distinctive essays.
When you read and find what you like and what you don’t, you’re developing your own authorial voice.
2. Follow ideas, not numbers!
Don’t confine yourself to here’s an idea that I think will get me a 20/20. Embrace your curiosity, extend your thinking to here’s an idea that truly interests me, or truly scares me, or truly comforts me.
Again, this reframes HSC English – it’s not about a mark, it’s about you as a thinker. I’ve always performed better in tasks where I’ve felt connected to my ideas than those I’ve figured ought to get a high score.
3. Talk to peers and teachers
Find peers who are willing to have these conversations with you! I’m thankful to have one of my dearest friends in all of my English courses with me. We talk every day or two about what we’ve been reading or thinking about and, importantly, what we found particularly engaging in such.
Whenever you read/think/hear/see something and make an audible “wow!” or “ooohhhhhh” in response, bring it to a friend and chat – this helps clarify your thinking and, truly, is a lot of fun.
I’ve never known a teacher who doesn’t want to chat about the subject they teach. Talk to them! I liked English in early high school, but never loved it. It was only through conversations with my Year 10 English teacher about film and philosophy that I discovered my passion for the subject. Now I’m doing four-unit!
Your Matrix teachers are also exceptional people to chat to about these interests – your passions will fairly often overlap with theirs!
I’m sure we all have aspects of subjects that we love, so embrace those interests and chat about them with the experts. You never know what else you might be prompted to read or consider.
Side note: the above also applies to students studying Modern, Ancient or Extension History.
1. Do the questions that force you to think!
The fun in Maths comes from the feeling of accomplishment when a tricky concept finally ‘clicks’, or finding the correct answer to a complex problem.
Overcoming a mental hurdle releases a rush of dopamine, which boosts your mood and increases motivation. Use this knowledge to your advantage! Seek challenges!
Yes, it’s hard to sit down at your desk and say, I really want to do something brutally difficult right now, but once you push past that first hurdle, study becomes more enjoyable and effective.
If you’re already finding school textbooks difficult, that’s great — you’re being challenged. But if not, look for harder problems.
Matrix’s Mathematics courses, especially Extension 2 Mathematics, provide a range of problems, from satisfyingly tough to terrifyingly thrilling (thanks Hugh!).
The takeaway: don’t just stick to the questions you already find easy. That’s when study starts to feel dull and repetitive. Seek a challenge – your future self will thank you for it!
2. Don’t be afraid to explore independently!
If a new topic grabs your attention in class, follow that curiosity. Talk to your teachers, Matrix tutors, or research on your own. Maybe you’re curious about where a formula came from, or how two topics connect – that’s a great thing!
The internet is an absolute treasure trove for learning resources. My personal favourite is Dr Simon Singh’s ‘Parallel Maths Project’, which shares challenging weekly problems along with snippets of maths history and real-world applications.
Yes, it’s hard to justify expending time on non-curricular content every week, but trust me – the best thing you can do as a student is keep the flame of curiosity alive and burning.
3. Work with friends that share your passion!
I’m lucky to have a close friend who shares my interest in the why behind maths. Each week, we set aside time to tackle fun, tough problems together.
Why? It’s simple. It’s what keeps us motivated. Of course, this is merely an extension upon tips 1 and 2… they’re much easier to implement when you’ve got a mate by your side.
1. Work to understand the gravity of it all
Wow. See what I did there?
A lot of what we do in HSC physics can simply be seen as a collection of formulae and qualitative rules. That’s no fun. The content in the course has vast implications and applications – explore this! It brings a real sense of gravity (I’ve done it again) and context to your learning.
The Matrix Theory books are a great place to start with this kind of thing. Among the theory notes are numerous references to how the content’s being applied in the real world.
Above all else, remember that school is a place to learn to think and build life long skills and experiences. Good memories, cultivated passions, and an ability to think critically will all aid you in your exam studies. You don’t have to go through it alone – speak with your friends, families, tutors and teachers to protect your wellbeing, stress levels and health.
Do your best to find fun in your last year of school whilst studying for your HSC – all the best!
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Written by Guest Author
We have regular contributions to our blog from our Tutor Team and high performing Matrix Students. Come back regularly for these guest posts to learn their study hacks and insights!
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