Studious: Aleeza Shady,Kristel Gartner, Shannon Short and Selda Mert prepare for the HSC. Picture: Carlos Furtado
The HSC exams begin on Monday and friends Aleeza Shady, Selda Mert, Kristel Gartner and Shannon Short are in the study groove.
The Hills Sports High School students have spent up to five hours each day in group or individual study for the exams, often at the Max Webber Library in Blacktown.
They are among the more than 73,000 students in NSW who will sit their first exam — English — on Monday.
Aleeza said practice essays and remembering quotes had been the focus of her study efforts.
She has also completed past papers to prepare for the biology exam on Friday.
Selda has an exam every day for the first three of the HSC, with a Turkish written exam on Tuesday.
But she is not too fazed as she has already completed the conversation exam for the subject.
‘‘Because I grew up with the language I don’t need to study too much,’’ she said.
‘‘I’m not as nervous as I thought I’d be by now.’’
Kristel said notes and practice essays were part of her study routine.
‘‘I feel a bit under pressure, but I have to do my best,’’ she said.
Like others, Shannon has balanced study with other commitments — work as a cheerleading coach and barrista.
The drama student has already got a few of her exams out of the way in the form of individual and group drama performances.
‘‘I don’t think I’m as stressed out as I should be,’’ she said.
‘‘I’m not one to sit for hours at a time. I’ll do maybe two hours of study then go for a run.’’