SAC Stress

[Srd2000]

Anyone got any suggestions on how to cut the stress and anxiety around doing SACs? What I mean by this is, when I am writing practice essays or doing practice SACs, I do really well. However, when it comes to the actual SAC, things flop. Thanks

[tashhhaaa]

Anyone got any suggestions on how to cut the stress and anxiety around doing SACs? What I mean by this is, when I am writing practice essays or doing practice SACs, I do really well. However, when it comes to the actual SAC, things flop. Thanks

1. something that worked for me is simulating the actual SAC environment. So if you're doing your practise SAC at home, set a timer, give yourself the reading time, sit on a table on your own with nothing on it, try to find a quiet place. Also don't look at your notes!

do this every time you do a practise SAC, even when studying if you want. When you get to the real SAC it will feel familiar/much less stressful

2. another thing I do as a calming technique is exhaling slowly and focusing on each body part eg. your tongue, your toes, your arms etc and think about how they 'feel' eg. feet touching the floor

it sounds a bit silly but it works for me! I'd do it at the start of or during SACs -- no one noticed so don't worry about that :p

3. be as prepared as you can. Pretend the SAC is earlier than it is -- aim to have all your preparation done by the fake due date (a few days before) and from then on do practise questions in your simulated conditions with no notes

4. stay positive -- if you get a thought in the SAC such as 'idk anything I'm going to fail' say to yourself 'no, I have prepared, I know the content, I can do this' it honestly helps!

5. when you start the SAC, read all the questions (if there was no reading time) and don't do the questions in order -- start with one you know you can answer and keep flipping through finding places where you can write something down. Your brain subconsciously works on the other questions in the background and by the time you've done what you can, you might have an answer for the rest. Even if you don't it's better to spend the time answering questions you are likely to get right than getting stuck on the same thing for 30 mins

hopefully these work for you, I relied on these tips a lot in SACs and exams

[Joseph41]

Anyone got any suggestions on how to cut the stress and anxiety around doing SACs? What I mean by this is, when I am writing practice essays or doing practice SACs, I do really well. However, when it comes to the actual SAC, things flop. Thanks

Hey Srd2000!

tashhhaaa has provided some great advice above. I think it's important to ask yourself why this is the case, though. Like, is it a lack of preparation (presumably not considering you're doing well in practice SACs)? General performance anxiety? Something else?

Depending on the answer to the above, some of these articles may be of use.

How to Get 100% in SACs
Upcoming SACs? Here's How to Deal With Deadlines
Feeling Overwhelmed? VCE Organisation in Three Steps

[mishs]

Hey! Let me say I COMPLETELY understand how you feel. SAC based stress had me bawling every night for a week straight at one point.
However, this does NOT have to be you!
One thing I think really helped me was having a checklist of things to do before a SAC.
Set yourself some small goals, and tick them off as you go. The important part is you have to do them and do them properly. When you get up to sac morning and you're feeling stressed, look at your checklist and remind yourself that you've done EVERYTHING you could do to prepare. If your confidence is low, I find that this really helps.
Otherwise, I know it's so cliche, but listening to music can really help, if you're someone that's easily influenced by music. If so, make yourself a playlist of songs/music that makes you feel calm. These don't necessarily have to have a cheerful theme, but something that makes you feel grounded. For example, one of the songs on my playlist is lowkey about a serial killer. That's okay!
If you've tried a lot of other methods, and you can tell your stress and anxiety is affecting your performance, I highly recommend you speak to your parents and your school counselors/an external counselor. In many cases, you can get special provisions made (something as simple as you sit your sac in a room alone to help deal with anxiety) that might help. I haven't done this yet myself, but friends say it's been a godsend for them, because they can actually think clearly.
And finally, (it's been said before) MEDITATE! And I don't mean sit cross legged and chant "Om" for an hour! Sometimes even simple mindfulness and breathing exercises make a BIG difference. (There's a lot of sciency stuff about more oxygen going to your brain, but you get the gist of it) You can even do it while listening to your happy music! I find if I have like minutes before a sac, it helps to stop cramming and just breathe for a while.
I think above all else, it's important to remember that in most cases, you've done the work you need to do and one, or even a few bad sacs, don't define your study score and atar.
Good Luck!

[Juves]

I find that nowadays if I sleep earlier and get up earlier to do work, there is usually less distractions, I'm more focused and hence peace. I think its important to find a time best for studying for yourself. This way when you are studying, you will be less stressed and more comfortable. Also the night before the SAC, don't sleep too late!! Cramming works to a certain degree but it takes a toll on your body 

[Joseph41]

I find that nowadays if I sleep earlier and get up earlier to do work, there is usually less distractions, I'm more focused and hence peace. I think its important to find a time best for studying for yourself. This way when you are studying, you will be less stressed and more comfortable. Also the night before the SAC, don't sleep too late!! Cramming works to a certain degree but it takes a toll on your body 

Great first post! Welcome to ATAR Notes.