In this issue

Term 4 is that last long haul before you are rewarded with summer break and Christmas, which is worth getting excited about.

It also means exams, reports and preparing for next year. If you are in Year 12 with exams coming up, you might be feeling the pressure more than ever. Hopefully, you have already started revising, but if not, now is the time to begin!

Perhaps you have been putting it off because you are not sure where to start or it just feels completely overwhelming.

If you haven’t already started, now is the time to knuckle down.

Here are a few study tips to help you get started:

Get into your groove

We are talking about finding the best styles and times for you to study that give the maximum results. When it comes to revision time, routine is a great way to get the most out of your study sessions without wearing yourself out.

Whether that is half an hour when you get home from school and then some exercise, followed by another hour and a half in the evening, then do it. If getting up at 5:30 am and studying for two hours suits you better then do it.  You may prefer to use your study periods at school in the library. Great, schedule it in at every opportunity. Perhaps you are a night owl and find that hunkering down for an hour or two in the evening works best for you (but do not stay up all night and jeopardise your sleep).

Turn your preferred schedule into a habit. You will give your body and mind a chance to settle into the rhythm and you will hopefully find it easier than studying sporadically.

1. Focus on one thing at a time

We are far less effective when we are juggling multiple things at once. So turn off social media, put your phone in a drawer and focus on the task at hand.

Ideally do not push yourself to focus for long periods – instead, find your sweet spot. You might study hard for 30 minutes then do something else for 10 minutes – check your phone, listen to some music, get some exercise or have a drink and a snack. Then sit back down and focus for another 30 minutes.

If you can study for longer in one period then great, go for it. Find what works for you and helps you focus.

2. Check the syllabus

If you understand the syllabus and the expectations for each subject, it will be easier to focus on studying the right things, rather than just studying everything in the subject textbook.

Another advantage is if there is a gap in your knowledge, you will find out now rather in the middle of an exam. It is a great way to make your study more effective and it will feel a whole lot less overwhelming.  Remember to speak to your teachers as they can help you access the right information and make sure that you understand it, they want you to do well.

3. Become a note-taking ninja

If you are not already an avid note-taker, now is an excellent time to boost this skill.  After checking out the syllabus and getting clear on what is important, the next step is to make notes in a dedicated study folder. Making notes may seem old-school, but for lots of people, the physical action of writing down information can help to cement it in your brain.  Keep that folder with you in all study periods so that you can refer to it and add new notes as you come across them.

It is a great idea to highlight the important ones. Highlighting is another way to reinforce learning and help retain information. It also helps cut down on the volume of information to read through during the rest of your revision time.

4. Practising self-care is a study tool

Looking after your body and your mind might not help you ace exams alone, but just like a top athlete, racing car driver or brain surgeon – if you are in top condition, then you are going to be able to perform at your best.  Staying up late and then drinking heaps of energy drinks and coffee is not the way to succeed, no matter how ‘cool’ it might seem.

You need to get back to basics. Sleep (8-10 hours a night). Drink two litres of water a day (at least). Exercise and lastly, eat good food!

5. Practise, practise, practise

The thought of sitting your exams can be daunting for most people and our bodies have sneaky ways of reacting to stress but you can work to reduce that stress.

The simplest way is to practise. Doing things repetitively not only helps us learn but it also gives us confidence and can help combat those pesky stress symptoms.

Find some practice exams online, or ask your teachers to provide you with previous years’ exams and incorporate answering them as part of your revision strategy. Once you have done a few you will start to feel more comfortable and you could even introduce time limits, just like in a real exam scenario. Familiarity with the kinds of questions you might get asked and the layout of the exams will set you up for success.

6. Check off some goals

Having something rewarding to look forward to can make it much easier to stay on track through the months ahead.

Long-term goals should be the ultimate reward, but consider setting some short-term goals too. For example, if you stick to your study schedule all week then you could go to the movies or visit friends on the weekend. It could even be a little treat at the end of a study session, even though you are looking after yourself, it doesn’t always have to be healthy.

7. Every little bit counts

If you lead a super busy life and are struggling to schedule big study sessions every day, don’t be discouraged. Doing a little each day adds up to a whole heap at the end.  Conversely, if you do not study every day, the little study periods you missed will add up to a lot you have not done.

You are in charge here – which option will you go for?

8. Have faith in yourself

You’ve got this! Get your revision schedule organised and get going. You have been at school for almost 13 years – it has been an intensive learning curve and you are almost at the end. Just one more hurdle to go and you are off into the world to do your thing.

You have done lots of exams before right? And you are Ok, you will be Ok after these ones too.

“Just believe in yourself, even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point you will.” Venus Williams

Sarah Luck
Head of Careers
sluck@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Year 12 Information 

Dates to Diarise – Victoria

VTAC late applications: close 4 November, 5:00 pm

Dates to Diarise – NSW

UAC applications: close 1 December

INITIAL TEACHER EDUCATION COURSES

If you are applying for teaching at a Victorian institute you may need to sit the CASPer test to be eligible for course offers.
Book the test ASAP via https://takealtus.com/

If you are applying for courses in NSW or ACT you may need to complete the Teaching Questionnaire in your UAC account or the Motivation to Teach questionnaire direct with the university.

NURSING COURSES

Complete the Nursing and Midwifery Declaration form via your VTAC account.

University News

News from Deakin University

• Bachelor of Marine Science

Studying a Bachelor of Marine Science at Deakin University’s Geelong Waurn Ponds or Warrnambool campuses gives students access to spectacular marine environments right on their doorstep.  The Great Southern Reef becomes the classroom, giving students amazing opportunities for immersive study experiences.

Students can customise their degrees to fit their interests and career goals by majoring in either Ocean, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science or Sustainable Marine Management, and minoring in either Global Engagement or Indigenous Studies.  This course also includes an industry-based placement of at least 80 hours at a course-related host organisation, which provides students to gain practical experience and start establishing professional networks.

The Bachelor of Marine Science at Deakin equips students with the skills and experience needed to create a sustainable future for the world’s oceans.  This course is offered at both the Geelong Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool Campuses.

Find out more at Bachelor of Marine Science.

• Bachelor of Engineering (Industry) (Honours)

Deakin’s Bachelor of Engineering (Industry) (Honours) gives students the skills needed to create innovative solutions to the challenges of tomorrow and enhances their employability.

Deakin’s industry-aligned and internationally recognised course combines contemporary theory with industry-led projects and Deakin’s unique industry partnerships.  A compulsory year-long work-integrated industry placement kickstarts students’ careers, providing invaluable professional experience and career-focused learning.

Students graduate with significant hands-on experience and are ahead of the pack in establishing professional networks.

Students can tailor their studies to their future careers by majoring in either civil, electrical and electronics, mechanical or mechatronics engineering. This future-focused course goes beyond theory to provide students with the skills and experience needed to create cutting-edge engineering innovations.

This course is offered at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus.

Find out more: Bachelor of Engineering (Industry) (Honours)

• New Undergraduate Degrees in Data Science

From 2023, students will have the opportunity to study a Bachelor of Data Science or Bachelor of Data Science (Honours) at Deakin.  Throughout these courses, students will learn how data is created, gathered, processed, analysed and used to generate insights and inform strategic decisions.  Students will learn key concepts and deep dive into advanced topics in machine learning, AI and predictive analytics.

Students can tailor their study to their interests with minor sequences available in a breadth of contemporary data science topics, from cyber security to sports analytics.  This tailorable study will prepare them for employment in a field that is experiencing increasing demand across all areas of business, research and government.

The Bachelor of Data Science is a three-year course culminating in capstone units that give students invaluable hands-on professional experience.

For those keen on a further research project, they might consider studying the Bachelor of Data Science (Honours). The final, research-focused year of study, gives students invaluable critical thinking skills, analytic and project management skills as well as specialised knowledge of a chosen topic within the field of data science.

Study Human Rights

Australian Catholic University has just announced a new suite of human rights courses commencing in 2023 as follows:

• Bachelor of Human Rights
• Bachelor of Human Rights/ Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Human Rights/ Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

The single degrees will take three full-time years, while the double degrees will take five full-time years.

The Bachelor of Human Rights degrees will prepare students for a career in human rights and social justice.  Students will graduate with the job-ready skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of policies and practices that are highly valued in the corporate, government and non-government sectors.

Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of human rights law and the legal institutional mechanisms, legal principles and legal decisions that provide the framework for all human rights dialogue and practice. Students will undertake a specialised suite of units from legal studies, the social sciences and humanities and philosophy – culminating in a final-year human rights clinic unit, where you will complete an industry placement in the human rights sector.

Students can combine the Bachelor of Human Rights with a Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice to further expand their career prospects.

Studying a Bachelor of Human Rights/Bachelor of Laws will prepare students for a rewarding legal career in human rights both in Australia and globally.  A strong commitment to social justice is at the heart of this double degree.  As a central part of their studies, they will gain essential skills in critical thinking, writing, analysis and debating – skills in high demand from employers.

The Bachelor of Human Rights/ Criminology and Criminal Justice explores the causes of antisocial behaviour and develops the knowledge and expertise graduates need to make a valuable contribution to the criminal justice sector.  By studying this degree, students will understand the complex reasons and impact of crime, and the legal and social policies that keep us safe.  The course includes studies in forensic psychology, forensic science, cybercrime, border protection and biosecurity and understanding violence and trauma.  This double degree prepares students for a rewarding career in human rights and in the criminal justice sector. 

These courses will be available on VTAC to be added to preferences at the end of October 2022.

For further information visit: ACU Human Rights courses

The Good Universities Guide

The latest batch of ratings from The Good Universities Guide is here! These ratings highlight universities that scored highest in various categories, from student experience to graduate outcomes. Prospective students can use these independent ratings to assist in making decisions about where to study.

Check them out via www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au

Scholarships 

Victorian Institutes 
Some direct scholarships are closing soon. For example, most direct scholarships at RMIT University will close Sunday 16 October (including accommodation scholarships), www.rmit.edu.au

The following universities do not place scholarships through the VTAC system:

• The University of Melbourne: apply for all scholarships direct.
• Australian Catholic University: apply for scholarships via the UAC system by 9 December as well as direct to the university by the relevant due dates, acu.edu.au

NSW/ACT Institutes
If you have applied to the university directly and not via UAC, contact the institute to confirm if you have to complete a UAC Equity Scholarship application.

For most institutes regardless of the application method, you will still need to complete a UAC Equity Scholarship application as well as apply directly to the university for scholarships.

Accommodation

On-campus
A reminder that if you plan to move out of home to go to university, you may need to consider accommodation options. If you would like to live on-campus, you will need to start considering your options now as some universities are ‘first in, first served’ so apply early.

• Make an Excel sheet or table in Word.
• List the universities you are applying to.
• Google the university and the term ‘accommodation’.
• In your table, list the types of accommodation available (for example, studio, shared apartment, catered, non-catered).
• Then list the weekly or yearly price for each option and the contract period.
• List the application method, the closing date, the cost to apply and if a deposit is required.
• Speak to your family about budget considerations.

Private student housing
Some universities are affiliated with private student accommodation companies such as UniLodge, Scape and Yugo. Whilst you will generally receive an offer quickly, you will be required to pay a large deposit to secure your place, ensure to ask if it can be refunded if you do not end up living there.  Costs can add up if you are applying for accommodation at multiple universities, so budget carefully.

Off-campus
An off-campus option is Brunswick Street College which has been providing affordable accommodation opportunities and a tight-knit community for university students in Melbourne for over 20 years. With separate houses in Fitzroy, Fitzroy North and Collingwood they offer accommodation in private rooms in share houses.  Students meet every weeknight for dinner together and have access to mentoring, tutoring and a range of activities.

For more information visit: Brunswick Street College

Some accommodation providers will have closing dates – make sure you apply well in advance. 

Information Sessions

Victoria Police | Information Session – Traralgon
The Traralgon Bowls Club, 50 Liddiard Road, Traralgon

If you are seeking a stimulating, challenging and rewarding career and have values aligned with those of Victoria Police, we encourage you to consider a career in policing.

Please join Victoria Police at this session to learn about the Police role, the recruitment process, training at the academy and policing in Traralgon.

Tuesday 18 October 2022, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Find out more: Victoria Police information session

Australian Catholic University

The university is running its annual ‘Talk with Series’, showcasing ACU graduates working in different health professions. The following virtual sessions are being held in October:

Tuesday October 18, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Talk with occupational therapists and speech pathologists
Wednesday October 19, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Talk with exercise scientists and physiotherapists

Register via ACU events

Competition

Film Competition

Passionate about filmmaking? Flickerfest, Australia’s largest and only Academy® Award accredited and BAFTA recognised international short film festival, is now accepting entries from around Australia for the SAE FlickerUp competition.

SAE FlickerUp is Flickerfest’s national youth short film competition. Short film entries are invited from primary and secondary school students or filmmakers under 18 years of age across Australia.

For information about the initiative and to apply by Friday 4 November, go to Flickerfest

Employment Opportunity

Macquarie Group

An exciting opportunity exists for a bright, driven and conscientious Year 12 student to join Macquarie’s Equity Derivatives and Trading team within the Commodities and Global Markets Group.

The successful candidate will be available to start full-time work following high school graduation and will have work rights and language skills to work in Thailand, Taiwan or Malaysia long term.

The role will start in the head office team based in Sydney where the student will receive on-the-job and formal training. They will then join the Asia team to commence an international, fast-paced career in financial markets.

For further information visit: Macquarie Global Markets Group

Year 11 Students

VCE Summer School

The University of Melbourne Student Union is running their annual VCE Summer School for 2023 Year 12 students. The two-week program will be run mainly on-campus. Students will be able to get a head start on their studies, develop study skills and receive tutoring for their Unit 3-4 subjects.

Current Year 11 students are invited to express an interest in participating in the program by filling out an expression of interest form. Official registrations will open in late 2022.

Regional students can apply to live on campus during the program for a small fee.

Date: 9 – 20 January 2023

For further details visit: Uni Melb Summer School

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)

Current Year 11 students who are considering applying for ADFA are encouraged to start their application now. You can complete the YOU (Your Options Unlimited) session at a local Defence Force Recruiting Centre or online.

During this session, you will complete an aptitude test which will narrow down the roles you are eligible for. If you do not achieve the marks required for your desired role (e.g., pilot), you can retake the YOU session in Year 12.

University degrees offered at ADFA are:

• Arts
• Business
• Science
• Engineering – Aeronautical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Naval Architecture
• Computing and Cyber Security
• Technology – Aeronautical Engineering

For information visit www.defencejobs.gov.au

For information on the YOU session and to register, visit – YOU session

Medicine and Dentistry

Current Year 10 and 11 students who are considering applying for undergraduate medicine and/or dentistry courses in the future may need to sit the Undergraduate Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in Year 12 for the 2024 intake.  Visit: www.ucat.edu.au

NIE is running a UCAT simulation program that will run over two days. To assist in preparing for the UCAT, students can complete the program this year or early next year.  Visit: NIE

University Snapshot

Box Hill Institute

• Box Hill Institute, formerly known as Box Hill TAFE, began operating in 1984
• Box Hill Institute (BHI) offers qualifications that range from certificates I to IV, diplomas and advanced diplomas and even associate, bachelor and master’s degrees – Courses at BHI
• BHI’s vocational and higher education qualifications are nationally accredited and internationally recognised
• BHI offers apprenticeships, traineeships, and pre-apprenticeship courses across a range of trade and industry areas – Apprenticeships and Traineeships
• BHI has a number of Melbourne campuses – three in Box Hill, two in the city and the Lilydale Lakeside Campus is the newest campus. Through its partnerships with international educational institutions and other organisations, Box Hill Institute has more than 10 international global educational partners delivering Australian qualifications to residents throughout the Asia-Pacific region and in the Middle East.  The
• BHI has a number of excellent facilities including its new, one-of-a-kind, Integrated Technology Hub which provides collaborative and innovative learning spaces for the air conditioning, refrigeration, mechanical, plumbing and electrical technologies industries. There are excellent Workplace Training Facilities where students get access to real and simulated work environments in order to gain lots of practical hands-on experience.  The environments are real, the tools and equipment are the latest and the customers are paying members of the public. Some of the workplace training facilities are:
• Barbershop
• Hair and Beauty Salon, providing spa treatments and services
• Pets on Elgar, a veterinary clinic and dog grooming centre
• Fountains Restaurant, Box Hill Institute’s premier training restaurant
• BHI offers opportunities for its students to Study Abroad
• BHI has a range of Student Support Services, including study support and personal and career counselling
• BHI offers courses through the Job Trainer scheme
• BHI offers a number of scholarships

Diploma of Nursing Pathway

After successful completion of the Diploma of Nursing which is currently a free TAFE course, students may have the option of applying to universities and being granted up to 12 months of credit towards most three-year Bachelor of Nursing qualifications.

Box Hill Institute has specific articulation arrangements with ACU, Deakin and La Trobe Universities.  Students need to apply directly to Box Hill Institute for this course.

Find out more about the Diploma of Nursing at Diploma of Nursing at Box Hill Institute.

Course Spotlight

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Courses

The Good Universities Guide states that a Pharmacist supplies, dispenses and manufactures medicines, whilst, according to the Explore Health Careers website, a Pharmaceutical Scientist spends more time in the laboratory studying and discovering medicines.

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science undergraduate degrees for school leavers offered in Victoria include:

Log onto VTAC to find out more about these and other similar courses.

Note: Monash University has been ranked second in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology behind Oxford University in the QS 2021 World University Rankings by Subject list – University Rankings.