You’ve made it to your final year of schooling, what an achievement! Year 12 will be a large and impactful year in your life and we’re here to discuss the transition from Year 11 into your last year of high school during the VCE.
So what are you waiting for?
Let’s get started!
How is Year 12 different from Year 11 for the VCE?
Tip #1: Keep on top of your notes
Tip #2: Create study groups to prolong your productivity
Tip #3: Maintain balance in your life
How is Year 12 different from Year 11 for the VCE?
Throughout Year 11 you will complete Units 1 and 2 for your chosen VCE subjects and upon embarking on Year 12, the transition is structurally very smooth.
During Year 12, you will complete Units 3 and 4 for each of your subjects whereby you will be assessed on School-Assessed Coursework (SAC) along the way to your end-of-year VCE exams. Therefore, you are already familiar with the structure of each subject including the key knowledge within the study design.
Looking for guides on study designs for various VCE subjects? Check out the ones we’ve created below:
Instead of the ‘Outcomes’ you are assessed by in Year 11, SACs will take the place of your assessment throughout Year 12. SACs will contribute directly to your study score for each subject.
For example, within VCE English, Unit 3 SACs will make up 25% of your study-score and Unit 4 SACs will make up another 25%. Ultimately combining with the 50% weight of your end-of-year English exam.
Need some help with VCE English to get your marks up? We can help with our Melbourne English tutors!
Naturally, a large difference that may be felt in Year 12 is a newfound sense of pressure.
You have been working towards this year throughout your entire schooling life — do not fret! You are more than ready. Let’s take a look at some tips for starting the year with a bang!
Learn about how your ATAR is calculated with our article on VCE SAC Rankings and how they affect your ATAR!
Tip #1: Keep on top of your notes
A potent shift from Year 11 to Year 12 can be the constant awareness of your end-of-year VCE exams; looking forward ahead of time in order to remain on top of the different key knowledge can enhance your Year 12 experience immensely.
Therefore, a productive and achievable way to put your best foot forward is by completing consistent upkeep on your study notes. By going about this task with diligence from the beginning of the year, you’re servicing your future self whilst keeping your current self calm and motivated through the completion of small tasks along the way!
By establishing a habit of adding to your notes across each of your subjects from Term 1, you can achieve small, constant and crucial goals.
Implementing practice questions within your notes and taking the time to create plentiful detail is a gift to yourself further down the line. You can begin by hand writing your notes in an exercise book or typing them up onto your computer and assess which method suits you most.
When you arrive at the second semester and ultimately exam period, an incredibly time consuming and foundational task will already have been ticked off. By becoming aware of this difference between Year 11 and 12 at the beginning of the year, you will put your best foot forward!
Tip #2: Create study groups to prolong your productivity
Establishing a study group with your peers from the beginning of the year can create a newfound support and troubleshooting system for your Year 12 experience. Sharing and collaborating ideas in a respectful space can help to broaden your understanding of the subject matter and ultimately enrich your mastery of the content!
Concomitantly, having the ability to express concerns or thoughts in which you might not feel comfortable doing in class can help to mitigate feelings of unrest throughout the year. As the study group continues to meet, you can adjust how often you deem it appropriate to have a meeting depending on the demand of the subject.
The study group is a powerful tool to harness in Year 12 as it is completely catered to you and can support both your academic career and mental wellbeing.
Tip #3: Maintain balance in your life
Having an outlet whether it be sport, music or arts based is crucial to prioritising your mental health and consequential academic abilities throughout Year 12. By continuing to undertake activities which make you happy alongside your study, you will enhance your academic endeavours.
Taking the time to create balance between your study load and your mental health by playing the piano for half an hour or going to your netball match is a mindful step towards having a more productive week. Year 12 is one of the most important times to recognise this.
A happy mind equates to a happy life and with something to look forward to at the start or end of the day, you will prevent burning out from your scholarly ventures.
Don’t forget that structurally, Year 12 is quite similar to Year 11 — you have already completed a practice year of some sorts. Familiar with the concept of different Units within each subject and what is expected of you, the progression from Year 10 to 11 is far steeper in terms of adjustment, assessment and semester structure.
You’ve got this team — please don’t sweat the small stuff! Year 12 is an opportunity for you to embrace the last of your schooling years and showcase both your knowledge and hard work. Let’s do this!
Learn how to manage multiple VCE SACs at once with our ultimate guide!
Tip #4: Get a tutor to help
It’s no secret that students who get a tutor often outperform those who don’t. Why?
It’s because tutors offer exclusive resources, benefits and support which no other student has access to!
The past papers, extra practice with complicated questions, and other perks often leave Year 12 students feeling confident and prepared by the time end of year assessments come around (unlike all the rest of your peers)!
Looking for a tutor? Check out our expert Melbourne VCE tutors and get booked in today!
Are you looking for some extra help with stepping up from Year 11 to Year 12 for your VCE?
We have an incredible team of VCE tutors and mentors!
We can help you master the VCE study design for your subjects and ace your upcoming VCE assessments with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home or online!
We’ve supported over 8,000 students over the last 11 years, and on average our students score mark improvements of over 20%!
Extra support will allow you to ACE the jump up from Year 11 to 12! Get booked in with one of our Footscray tutors today! Or get VCE support in Doncaster!
To find out more and get started with an inspirational VCE tutor and mentor, get in touch today or give us a ring on 1300 267 888!
Evie Warnes is a Content Writer for Art of Smart and a current undergraduate student, completing her final year at the University of Melbourne. She studies a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Criminology and minoring in Indigenous Studies. In her free time she loves to walk, create videos and hang out with friends. After graduating, Evie hopes to do a Post-Grad in Film and Television and travel overseas.
