Scotch College

Study Skills and Work Load

RECOMMENDED VCE STUDY LOADS

In order to do as well as possible in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), students will have to be prepared to complete between 15 to 18 hours in Year 11 and 18 to 25 hours in Year 12 of private study during each week of the school term. These estimated hours include time spent on subject related activities during study periods at school. Nearly all Year 12 students find it necessary to use at least one week of the March and July vacations and two weeks of the September/October vacation, for revision, consolidation and advance work on assignments. Year 11 students enrolled in Units 3 and 4 of a study will also need to dedicate some time during each vacation to revision.

APPROPRIATE APPROACHES TO STUDY

The optimum work schedule differs from person to person. Some students find it relatively easy to concentrate for long periods, while others require frequent breaks in order to maintain interest and attention. Know your strengths. Early in the year students will be given some suggestions for study schedules. Some students in previous years found 45 to 50 minute sessions followed by five to 10 minute breaks to be an effective pattern. The aim is to train the mind to be able to concentrate at least for 90 to 120 minutes, the lengths of most VCE examinations. The English examination is 180 minutes in length.

EFFECTIVE USE OF STUDY TIME

Many books and pamphlets have been produced to assist students with effective study. Several of these are available in the School Library. It is worthwhile to browse through them. Most researchers and successful students are agreed that the key is to be an active learner, that is, not to read passively, but to be as creative and productive as possible. Students should summarise notes and handouts, give themselves lectures on difficult topics, write answers under test conditions, etc. Rehearsal of what has to be done is helpful; continual repetition assists retention enormously.

Some suggestions for study techniques will be given early in the year. Students should ask teachers how best to study their subjects. They should compare their own approach with those of their friends, particularly those who are having success.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES DURING VCE

VCE students should make use of every resource that Scotch College has to offer: academic, sporting, cultural and spiritual.

Being involved in sport, services, music, drama, clubs, publications, etc. encourages students to organise their time efficiently. These activities also provide opportunities for students to gain success and experience in leadership positions, which may offset and complement academic work. Be realistic.

If students are heavily committed to school activities and are keeping up with their studies, they cannot expect also to lead a hectic social life. The ideal is to strike a healthy balance. The opportunity to acquire and develop time management skills is one of the hidden bonuses of Year 12. In the world beyond school such skills will be highly valued by prospective employers.