LoLs i had the exact same problem i couldnt keep up with the tape. However before the tape started i would often find keywords from the questions and write them down in the notes section and use arrows to rrelate to the information. I write in english during the times because i could do it faster, however if there is a japanese word i dont know i write in japanese. Also when you are looking for keywords in questions look up the words in the dictionary if your not sure. O yea have a good exposure to Japanese People's Names. . .that is one of most confusing things that got students this year, some people heard 'Yu' some people heard 'U' you cant really tell for names.
For podcasts i did listen to some Japanesepod101 and it seems to be a good choice just hand select the ones you would find interesting or worth listening too since they do both basics and advance. Choose the advance, dont let the name fool you lols its that advance its around our level and the good thing is that it goes slow the second time and they translate every sentence.
For Japanese drama i recommend watching those with a school element for example my boss my hero, GTO, gokusen . . . etc. The reason i say school element because they use easier japanese and they are funny plus they usually have issues that circle around your life as well so it enables you to further understand the situation.
For JLPT study the level 3 section because it resembles the VCE course, but with one or two more kanji/vocab/grammer. If you can do well in JLPT3 you can do good in VCE Japanese. O yea take the JLPT exam at the end of the year level 3 and you can add that to your resume if you pass it.
For Oral dont worry about it much, they understand if you sound FOB its called Japanese Second Language afterall even some of the examiners sounded FOB. For extra marks pronounciation is a necessity that divides that those who are sloppy or those who are accurate. Talk to your jap teacher often for practise.
Good Luck anymore questions just PM me