- Treat early assessments as trajectory-setters, not just tasks. Your first internals strongly influence confidence, study habits, and sometimes IA feedback culture. A strong start compounds. - Optimise for consistency, not perfection. QCAA success comes from repeatedly executing good processes — organised notes, spaced practice, error analysis — not last-minute heroics. - Assume assessments test thinking, not memory. Especially for IA2 / problem-solving contexts, focus on interpretation, modelling, justification, and reasoning rather than rote recall. - Prioritise exam-style practice early. Many students over-rely on textbook exercises. QCAA questions often require multi-step reasoning and unfamiliar contexts. - Build an error-tracking habit immediately. Document mistakes, misconceptions, and patterns. This is one of the highest ROI behaviours across all subjects. - Confidence follows preparation, not the other way around. Students often wait to feel confident before working hard. In reality, confidence is the by-product of systematic preparation.

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- Shift your mindset: Term 1 is for building systems, not grinding content. The biggest mistake is thinking “there’s nothing to do.” Early term is when you quietly set up habits, workflows, and expectations that carry you for the entire year. - Get 1–2 weeks ahead, not 6 months ahead. Skimming the next topic, definitions, formulas, or key ideas gives you confidence without burnout. You’re aiming for familiarity, not mastery. - Set up your folders, notebooks, and digital systems properly. Clean folders, clear naming conventions, and organised notes save hours later. Future-you will thank present-you during assessment season. - Rewrite your syllabus into a checklist you can tick off. Turning dot points into a living checklist makes studying feel concrete and purposeful, even before lessons fully start. - Turn past assessments into a ‘map’ of what actually matters. Look at past exams or assignments and identify patterns: common question types, recurring skills, and high-yield topics. This gives direction when content is light. - Focus on weak foundations from last year. Early term is the best time to fix gaps without pressure — algebra, basic chemistry reactions, core definitions, or graph skills. These weaknesses compound later if ignored. - Practice how you’ll study, not what. Trial note-taking styles, active recall methods, flashcards, exam question logs, or weekly review routines. Lock in what works before workload explodes. - Study lightly, but show up every week. Early term study should feel calm and controlled — not intense, not stressful — just consistent presence that compounds quietly.

1. Treat the first assessments as momentum builders, not threats – Your goal isn’t perfection, it’s establishing confidence and rhythm. A solid early performance reduces stress for the rest of the year and makes improvement feel easier. 2. Start revision earlier than feels necessary – Early preparation feels calm and controlled, which directly feeds confidence. Last-minute cramming creates anxiety, even for strong students. 3. Use early feedback as data, not judgement – First assessments reveal how examiners think, how marking schemes work, and where your gaps are. Students who improve fastest treat mistakes as strategic information. 4. Standardise your study routines immediately – Consistency beats intensity. Establish weekly revision, spaced practice, and error review habits before workload increases. Good systems prevent panic later. 5. Avoid comparing your confidence to others – Many students look relaxed but feel uncertain. Confidence is built through preparation quality, not external appearances. 6. Protect your early mindset – A good start isn’t just about marks; it shapes how you see yourself academically. Early wins strengthen motivation, while early panic can create unnecessary self-doubt. 7. Prioritise understanding over frantic effort – Confidence comes from clarity. If you genuinely understand the core concepts, unfamiliar questions become manageable. Blindly doing more questions without reflection rarely builds real security.

If you missed last weeks session — or want to rewatch it — the recording of How to Maximise Your ATAR in 2026 is now live. This session was run by: - Ryan Khan (99.90 ATAR, 97th percentile UCAT) - David Sun (Dux of Brisbane Grammar School) 👉 Access the recording in the classroom section We recommend all Year 11 and 12 QCE students watch this early in the year and revisit it as needed. More resources and updates coming soon. Cheers, Ryan