How Year 12s Should Use the Summer Holidays
Of course, the very idea of studying over the holidays is something that is unnecessary and might seem a bit excessive for most secondary students.
However, despite the fact that teachers often preach that the long six-week summer holiday is the ‘last holiday’ a Year 12 student will ever have, the break provides a valuable opportunity to reset before the HSC year begins. Used correctly, the holidays can help students reflect, prepare, and build sustainable habits without sacrificing rest or motivation.
Here are four practical steps Year 12 students can follow to use the holidays efficiently while avoiding burnout.
Let’s get into it.
Reflect on your first term of Year 12
The six-week break is the perfect amount of time to step back and objectively reflect on how Term 4 went. Rather than vaguely thinking about what “went wrong,” students should physically write a list of all feedback received from exams, assignments, and assessments. This might include teacher comments, recurring mistakes, or topics that caused difficulty.
Writing these down helps turn feedback into something actionable instead of overwhelming. From there, identify patterns - are marks being lost due to weak content knowledge, poor exam technique, or time management?
Understanding why results were what they were allows students to make targeted improvements rather than studying blindly next year.
2. Choose the right time to start studying
One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to study heavily before Christmas, often leading to exhaustion before the year has even begun. Instead, the holidays allow students to properly switch off first, then restart with purpose. Beginning consistent study after New Year gives students nearly a full month to prepare, which feels far more manageable than forcing productivity in December. This timing helps maintain motivation, as students are refreshed and more willing to engage with work.
A light but consistent routine (such as a few hours every second day) can build momentum without overwhelming students.
3. Catch up on and consolidate notes
The study break is an ideal time to catch up on notes across all subjects. During the school term, lessons move quickly, and note-making often becomes rushed or incomplete. Unlike practice questions or memorisation, quality notes are difficult to create close to the HSC when time is limited. Using the holidays to refine, rewrite, or complete notes gives students a strong foundation for the year ahead.
This preparation also builds excellent habits, organised folders, clear summaries, and familiarity with content, which makes studying during Term 1 far more efficient. Starting the year prepared creates confidence and reduces stress early on.
4. Rest, recharge, and prevent burnout
Finally, it is important to remember that these are summer holidays. Rest is not wasted time - it is essential for long-term performance. Taking breaks, spending time with friends and family, exercising, and enjoying hobbies all help prevent burnout later in the year.
A balanced holiday that includes both rest and light study allows students to return to school motivated rather than exhausted. By respecting the need for downtime, students give themselves the best chance to stay consistent and resilient throughout the HSC year.
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