With exams approaching, preparing early is key to success. For humanities subjects, revisiting and practising the material consistently will help solidify a student’s understanding and grow their confidence to perform well on exam day. Let’s dive into what courses are usually offered and how to be best prepared for exams at St Francis Xavier College.
Humanities teaches students how to analyse the modern world, investigate responses to different challenges, and contribute to the world in which they live. Taking humanities courses is crucial for students so they can have a well-rounded education around a variety of discipline areas.
What humanities courses are offered at St Francis Xavier College?
Under the Victorian Curriculum, students in Years 7, 8, and 9 at our junior campus will cover four main units in the humanities coursework:
They will also have the opportunity to dive into elective courses such as Australians at War, or curriculums that go in depth for Economics and Business or Geography. Once into the senior years, students can choose from a variety of different subjects, including:
With those courses in mind, are you now wondering how to best prepare for these exams? We’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re trying to memorise the history of a battle or the rules of accounting, there’s always heaps to remember in these subjects. But with the right techniques, you’ll be able to smash out your exams and reach success.
First, you’ll want to know your material to the best of your ability. This may be obvious, but cutting corners will ultimately hurt your performance. To avoid this, start preparing for your exam weeks before and get organised with what needs to get done. Make a timeline of when you will study, what you will study, and when you will get breaks.Use the study design for the relevant subject to ensure you know all the key knowledge points and skills that you may be asked to demonstrate in the exam. Whether you are alone or with friends, figure out which kind of system works best for you and make a plan to stick to.
Keep in mind that cramming too much revision at once can exhaust you. To stay motivated and energised, take regular breaks and snacks to refuel. You could try the Pomodoro method which is where students study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break to recharge. Get up, move around or stretch, and avoid going on your phone as that only drains more of your energy.
In preparation for a humanities exam, having a good lifestyle is crucial. Getting in daily movement, the right amount of sleep, and time to both yourself and others is very needed. Studying is important and needs to be done but taking some free time to cook a healthy meal or walk in a park will help clear your mind and ease your stress.
When it comes to how you are studying, it’s best to do it the same way you’ll need to do it on exam day. For example, if you have to write a timed history essay, it would be smart to implement a study technique of setting a timer for the recommended amount of minutes where you can structure an essay question and practice writing a cohesive response. You can also do a mock practice exam and give yourself the opportunity to write down as much as you know and see what you are missing prior to the actual exam. This helps you to see how long it takes and if you remember all the crucial information.
Using flashcards, writing timelines and tables, or placing key facts on post-its are all active learning strategies that are effective for memorising important information. Writing things down reinforces your memory, and having timelines or post-its around you allows for easy reference and frequent review. For example, if you place post-its around your bedroom or on your bathroom mirror, you’ll see the facts, practise them, and gradually retain the information as you go about your day.
You can also map out a timeline with all the key dates you need to remember or do a mind map to write all the key terms in a specific topic. Whichever works best for you, there are a variety of ways to quiz and prepare yourself for your upcoming exams.
Exam season can be stressful, especially when all the subjects pile up at the end of the term. While it’s important to study, don’t forget to take time for yourself and rest—your mental well-being comes first. Study hard, do your best, and trust that everything will be okay.
We are passionate about helping our students reach their full potential, both academically and personally. By offering the right resources, support, and guidance, we empower our students to thrive during exam season. With the right balance of preparation and self-care, there is no need to worry – success is within reach.
Have any questions about our courses or exam season? Connect with us here.