Year 8
Welcome Back
This week we excitedly welcomed Yr 8 back to school for another busy Term. Term 4 will be a time for connection and growth – Year 8 will sit their Yearly Examinations and will round out their first stages of high school, preparing for next year where they will enter their middle years of Secondary School. This week students have again engaged in Coaching Conversations with their Tutors, setting targeted goals for their exam preparation, and also considering what areas they might challenge themselves to rise to this coming term and beyond. Focus areas for Yr 8 are self-management, academic achievement or cocurricular participation.
Redlands My TV – Exam Jitters
Setting a schedule is vitally important. Students need to schedule everything from sleeping and eating, to studying and exercising. It is one of the best ways to manage inevitable exam stress. Students need to look after themselves when they have big demands in their life.
When it comes to productive study, sometimes less is often more. It is recommended that students hit the books in 50-minute stints, broken up by 15-minute breaks. This gives the brain, and body, a rest. Adolescents will often underestimate the amount of sleep they need. Getting enough sleep is key to successful study practices. Research shows that physical activity also has a very positive impact on mental wellbeing. Eating well is another crucial factor to maintaining concentration and staying focused on the task ahead.
Factsheets:
Reach Out – Exam slaying checklist
Reach Out – 5 Apps to help you study at home
Exams – It’s a word that’ll get most people’s stomachs sinking and hearts fluttering. Exam anxiety can be really tough to tackle and it can affect anyone – from the most super-conscientious student to the last-minute crammer. While it’s a tough ask to eliminate exam stress completely, there are some study apps that can help make it all a little more manageable. Here are the best study apps to get you on the right track.
Reach Out – Top 5 motivation boosters
- Work out your ‘why’: if you know the benefit of getting the task done, you’ll be more motivated to do it.
- Put a timer on: set a timer for 20 mins and focus solely on the task at hand. Put your phone away and tell yourself you’ll procrastinate later.
- Celebrate the wins: make yourself a ‘Ta-da’ list where you write down your achievements, no matter how small.
- Get moving: go for a short walk or do some stretches, it’ll help you get inspired.
- Play music: make a playlist of your fave upbeat songs and listen to them when you need an extra push.
Key Dates
Week 1 – Monday 10 Oct – First Day of Term 4
Week 2 – Monday 17 Oct – Yr 8 Music Soiree
Week 3 – Monday 24 & Tuesday 25 Oct – Yr 8 Drama Performances
Week 4 – Yr 8 Yearly Examination Block
Week 7 – Monday 21 & Tuesday 22nd Nov – Year 8 STEAM
Week 9 – Wednesday 7 Dec – Last Day of Term 4/Speech Night
Mrs Lucienne Willis
Yr 8 Advisor
lwillis@redlands.nsw.edu.au