Surviving & Thriving in Year 12

stress, focus, motivation, sleep and study that sticks

It’s been a dozen or so long years of packed lunches, uniforms, random excursions, report cards, sports days and come-and-go friendships. You’ve both made it to Year 12, the pinnacle of the school years, the final step between classroom and freedom.

Year 12 is part of a major life transition to adulthood and you want to set your child up for the best possible adult life.   And the secret to all transitions is preparation.

But there’s this thing called ATAR which seems all encompassing.  Year 12 exams can be very stressful. Many students feel pressured to do well – to get into certain courses, or to please their family. On top of that, young people may be stressed about the uncertainty of what will happen once school ends.

Thriving and Surviving In Year 12 is not just about academics. It is also about shifting responsibility and letting your child slowly take charge of their own life.  This year is just part of the rapid phase of growth that is adolescence and there are times when parents might feel that it’s all happening too quickly.

Navigating year 12 successfully, particularly with the growing educational, employment and life-goal challenges our young adults face in 2025, is critical. Year 12 is the central point of these changes, and rightly or wrongly it’s a significant focus for parents, children, educators and the media.   But to really succeed and flourish, we need a broader perspective that places Year 12 in the context of the bigger transition from childhood to adulthood.   Year 12 is a time when good communication, support and a focus on wellbeing are critical to ensuring that this step into the adult years is as successful as possible. And by success we don’t just mean a good ATAR. We define a successful Year 12 year as one in which your young people achieve to the best of their ability, doing subjects that they love, while maintaining their wellbeing.

In this critical talk you will learn:

·       About stress, how to handle it and use it to your advantage

·       About memory and what enhances memory

·       What are the best conditions to learn in?

·       How to get the most out of the teenage brain

·       How the brain studies

·       The most effective study tips

·       How to ditch digital distractions

·       How to get a good night’s sleep

·       Study apps

·       The best nutrition advice, including quick breakfasts

·       Exercise, work, mood management,

·       Parenting tips – especially communication