Taylah Carozza

Taylor also received a General Exhibition, Subject Certificate of Excellence for English, Subject Certificate of Excellence for Human Biology and Certificate of Distinction

Which courses did you study in Year 12?

Human Biology, Chemistry, English, Dance, Mathematics Methods and Religion & Life

Which subject interested you the most?

I never had a preference. I liked all my subjects for various reasons and because of the various skills I would learn in each.

What strategies did you use to prepare for your exams?

• I studied in a place where I didn’t feel completely detached from the household, hence not my bedroom. In this way, study never felt like a solitary punishment, rather a communal and casual, everyday habit
• Initiated study early, approximately 4-5 weeks before the exam period, and with a drafted day by day plan of what I would like to complete each day/week before the exam for each subject
• I used a regimented time schedule – when to eat, when to go for a walk, and when to study. This really helped eliminate procrastination and allowed me to gain satisfaction from ticking stuff off as I went along!
• Started studying straight after school, so I could go to bed early
• I gave myself a reward after I finished studying each night – whether it be food or an episode of the TV show I was watching.
• I met with my teachers during the exam break to ask questions and clarify things, especially to go through practice questions I had attempted. For me, face to face help was much more effective than email.

What are your plans for this year?

I have been offered a position in Sydney Dance Company’s pre-professional program, as well as a Bachelor of Dance at WAAPA. I have also received a direct pathway to study Medicine at Griffith University and UWA. I have just decided to accept my postgraduate position at UWA in Medicine and will be studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, majoring in Physiology and with a second major in Communications and Media Studies as an undergraduate degree. As well as my studies, my plan is to continue practising dance and drama, as long as I don’t run out of hours in the day!

What is one piece of advice that you would like to share with students studying ATAR this year?

If you are ever unsure about whether you should study for an extra 20 minutes or watch tv, finish writing up an essay or go to bed – push through the ‘pain barrier’ and just do it! Set aside the thought ‘I can just do it tomorrow,’ because tomorrow there are other things you have to do. You know deep down whether you have put in 100% or only 50% effort each day. These small decisions to push that extra little amount will not only help you stay on top of your studies but will give you a real sense of satisfaction.ELOISE DIXON

Eloise also received a General Exhibition and Certificate of Distinction

Which courses did you study in Year 12?

Literature, Religion & Life, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics Specialist and Mathematics Methods.

Which subject interested you the most?

It’d be a tie between Spec and Lit. Although they require very different skills, they both give you a whole new level of appreciation for their respective areas. Watching ‘Dead Poet’s Society’ and ‘Good Will Hunting’ might give you a glimpse into what they are both like.

What strategies did you use to prepare for your exams?

My exam revision was different for each subject. For Literature, I would write as many practice introductions and body paragraphs as I could and read through university theses on the texts I had chosen. For my sciences, I would revise the marking keys of practise exams I’d completed. For maths, I just did a lot of practise.

What are your plans for this year?

This year I am starting my first year at UWA doing a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with a double major in Medical Sciences and Chemistry.

What is one piece of advice that you would like to share with students studying ATAR this year?

Make a plan for each day. You don’t necessarily need to create a timetable, but making a list you have a reasonable chance of completing helps to reduce stress, keeps you focused and enables you to work around out-of-school activities like sport.Congratulations, Girls!