As over 5,000 Year 12 students across Sydney's Catholic schools prepare for the start of HSC exams this week, Seamus O'Grady, Director of Curriculum at the Catholic Education Office, Sydney is reminding students not to panic.

Sitting for the HSC is stressful, Mr O'Grady said, but whether you're preparing for Ancient History or Chemistry, it is important to remember during examination preparation that there are plenty of resources available that provide assistance to students.

"The HSC Advice Line is open and will be until Thursday 8 November," he says.

"It is staffed by highly experienced expert teachers, including many teaching in our Catholic schools, who are willing and able to answer questions and help students prepare for their exams."

Mr O'Grady reminds students that, while these final weeks are a special time for them as it marks the culmination of 13 years of schooling and the transition to work or further study, "there is life after the HSC!"

"Hopefully, your Catholic education will have prepared you for making life decisions that will be both wise and compassionate," he added, wishing students every success in their preparation as they approach a significant milestone in their life journey.
The NSW State Library is also assisting students with last-minute HSC jitters, providing them with free access to thousands of local and international newspapers, journals, magazines, rare books, literary and film resources from the convenience of home.

According to NSW State Librarian Regina Sutton, students can access online information covering 25 HSC subject areas, including Legal Studies and Applied Sciences.

"All NSW students can access a fantastic range of the State Library's online resources, many of which are relevant for HSC assessments and exam work," she said.

Some of the online resources include 'ProQuest 5000', which is a collection of almost 8,000 local and international journals, half of which contain full text articles.

'Literature Resource Center' is another resource available to English students. It contains author biographies, literary criticisms, historical timelines, current journal articles and tips on how to conduct literary research online.

A third resources is 'Film Indexes Online', which can help Drama students search for a comprehensive record of films and film stars from over 170 countries dating back to early silent movies. It includes full production and cast details and extensive plot summaries.

Students can access these online resources by registering for a readers' card at www.sl.nsw.gov.au/databases/athome.cfm

The full catalogue can be viewed at www.infocus.sl.nsw.gov.au

The HSC examinations start on Thursday 18 October and end on Tuesday 13 November.

Full timetable at http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/events/hsc-exam-timetable-2007.html

HSC Advice Line: 13 11 12

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Top Ten Tips for HSC students - and their parents!

Parents can help or hinder their children during the HSC, says Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, one of Australia's leading Adolescent Psychologists.

At a parent information evening at St Michael's Primary, Belfield, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg advised parents against habitual nagging and burdening their children with talk about their own HSC experience.

He advised parents instead to offer practical support, such as making short visits to their children's room with food or drink to help them face the pressures of their final school examinations.

"All you do is make your children hate you," he said. "It's a temporary hate - but it's not much fun or helpful during this very stressful time."

Recounting on his own experiences as a parent he said the number one mistake parents make is saying to your child: "don't think you can have a social life this year!"

"At no other time in your life is your desire to be with your friends stronger," he warned. "Human beings are not computers, and research shows that having balance in your life is important."

His top ten tips to help students study smarter, thrive and survive the HSC are:

1. Sleep at least 9.25 hours per night. This amount is necessary to consolidate long-term memory.
2. Eat breakfast daily. The sole source of energy for our brain is glucose, which is derived from carbohydrates. A University of Ulster study found a teenager's ability to memorise becomes equivalent to a 78-year-old when they skip breakfast.
3. Eat foods that help memory. Toast, eggs, yoghurt (which helps relieve stress), anchovies and sardines work best, followed by omega 3, fish oils, blueberries and pinto beans.
4. Drink water regularly. The brain is 80% water, and dehydration can cause headaches.
5. Exercise. Three 30-minute intervals per week helps prevent depression.
6. Chew gum. Brain performance can be increased by 35%. Chewing stimulates the production of insulin and raises the heartbeat, causing extra oxygen to be pumped into the brain. 
7. Take a 15-minute break after every 50 minutes of study. The brain overloads if uninterrupted after 50 minutes.
8. Discover what works best to remember! Discuss work with your peers or listen to tapes repeatedly. Repetition helps your brain transfer information from your short-term to your long-term memory. Pathways to memory also work well through smell.
9. Keep to a study routine. Students who have a regular schedule and study in the same place at the same time score 33% more than students whose routines vary, according to an examination of 500 students.
10. Avoid late-night study. Research shows students who go to bed when they are tired retain 35% more than students who ignore sleep warnings.