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Feeling the heat of Year 11 exams? Matrix Scholarship student Sam shares the real study habits that helped him stay calm, focused, and ahead in Year 11.
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Sam is a Matrix Scholarship student currently in Year 11. Like many students, he’s felt the pressure of exams and the stress that comes with it. In this post, Sam shares the healthy study habits and mindset shifts that have helped him stay focused and confident during high-pressure times.
Table of contents:
Name: Sam
Grade: Year 11
School: Barker College
Year 11 and Year 12 exam season can be intimidating, but stress does not have to take over. I often find myself looking over my notes, feeling stuck or anxious and completely unprepared.
However, I’ve learnt that stress itself is not always the problem; it’s how we deal with it that matters. With a few essential tactics, I was able to change my approach, study more effectively, and go into tests with more confidence.
For me, stress frequently manifested as frustration. I’d sit down to study, and nothing seemed to stick, which only added to my stress. Looking back, I realise that a lot of the tension was unwarranted. There were tactics I could have used earlier (small modifications in mentality, healthy study habits, and exam preparation) that would have changed my life.
For a long time, I assumed that stress was an unavoidable aspect of tests. I had no idea how much it was impacting my focus, productivity, and overall well-being.
The indications were there, but I frequently dismissed them as just part of the process.
I later discovered that if stress is not properly managed, it does not lead to improved performance.
Stress reduces study effectiveness, increases the danger of fatigue, and, as a result, lowers exam confidence.
During a particularly tight exam block, I found myself increasingly staying up late even when, at that time, I was nowhere near productive compared to early in the morning or after enough rest.
This accumulation of “sleep debt” led to decreased performance, where I actually noticed that in even the exam, I would find myself making mistakes and forgetting knowledge I thought I had consolidated.
Over time, I found a few strategies that helped me manage stress and stay productive (hint: It wasn’t cramming or working long hours).
Instead of cramming, I used a study plan with specific time slots for each subject. For example, I liked to have a general study plan that revolved around different “focus days” for each subject, like Mondays for Maths, Tuesdays for English, and so on. I would dedicate a specific amount of time on a certain day towards furthering my aptitude in a certain subject or reading ahead to allow me to stress less during the exam period.
One thing that really helped was having a consistent structure through my Matrix tutoring courses. With weekly goals and teacher feedback, I was able to focus my efforts and track my progress clearly. Matrix courses kept me accountable and made exam blocks way less chaotic.
I followed the Pomodoro method: 25 minutes of study followed by a 5-minute break. It made long study blocks feel manageable and I felt more motivated to complete what I had to within those 25 minutes so I don’t lose my 5-minute break. Time passed by a lot quicker.
I reminded myself that exams don’t define my worth.
A single test isn’t the end of the world, and small daily efforts matter more than last-minute stress.
Instead, I looked at the bigger picture with every test being a learning experience for the next. After every exam, I would always try to find at least one thing I could get out, such as not taking shortcuts when memorising quotes for essays.
It sounds simple and overdone, but getting enough sleep, moving regularly, and eating real meals actually helps you study better. When I looked after my health, I could think more clearly and handle stress better.
Try these habits yourself and you’ll see how they make you feel more in control of your study, making exam periods much less stressful. The key is small efforts, consistently.
For a while, I would look at what other people did, including highlighting everything in sight or rewriting my notes neatly. But, none of it really stuck, and I would often end my hours of studying feeling still questioning whether I’d actually absorbed the information. It was only after repeated trial and error that I was able to discover what worked for me.
This included strategies like proper time management and working ahead prior to exam blocks. Even the Matrix+ video lessons helped for reviewing concepts at my own pace when I needed a refresh.
Furthermore, ensuring healthy routines in regards to sleep, eating, and physical activity helped, on top of holistic mindset shifts and learning from each assessment.
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When the day arrives, I always keep these in the back of my mind.
One of the biggest things I learnt was that stress isn’t a study strategy. Working smarter, not longer, leads to improvements in results.
If I could go back, I’d tell myself to focus on consistent effort rather than last-minute panic. This could be in the form of using flashcards (spaced repetition) or daily consolidation of content learnt at school.
Matrix helped a lot too, by giving me a clear roadmap—both in class and with the resources—to improve the way I approached study. That consistency made a huge difference, especially during the lead-up to exams.
Exams are tough, but they’re also temporary. With the right healthy study habits, you can get through them feeling confident and in control.
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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