Am going away for most of December 2012, am I screwed for year 12? D:

[acciodraco]

Wow, thanks for all of the responses! Read them all, and I really really really appreciate it. I feel much better now. In fact, I'm finally beginning to feel excited.
Thanks so much for answering everyone. 

[kenhung123]

Maybe use it as motivation to get heaps done in the meantime? I feel when you get all the time in the world, you have the tendency to do close to nothing anyway..

[JMoxey]

Last year I went to Germany for all of December on the German Exchange Program... Didn't really effect my year 12 preparation, in fact I didn't start studying until the second week of January!

Don't stress, just relax and have fun!

[ninwa]

for the love of god don't overwork yourself during the holidays, you'll burn yourself out come crunch time

[Phy124]

If you're only going away for a month, you shouldn't fall behind at all.

The only students that you'll fall behind will be those who work through the entire course during the holidays, which, if you want to be stimulated during the semester, is a bad idea, in my opinion.

I have to agree with ning, after all they're called holidays for a reason.

Let me remind you of the definition of a holiday;

holiday
Noun:   
A day of festivity or recreation when no work is done.

It's best to take some time off and keep away from your studies, catch up with friends, enjoy life. It might be last time you're able to for 12 months 

[Art Vandelay]

Paul's Year 12 Survival Guide in 1000 Words :)

Paul’s rule of holidays
Holidays are holidays. Spend a maximum of 50% of your holidays working. You don’t want to wear yourself out.

You should use your holidays away from home to your advantage - just relax

[Russ]

If you're only going away for a month, you shouldn't fall behind at all.

The only students that you'll fall behind will be those who work through the entire course during the holidays, which, if you want to be stimulated during the semester, is a bad idea, in my opinion.

I have to agree with ning, after all they're called holidays for a reason.

Let me remind you of the definition of a holiday;

holiday
Noun:   
A day of festivity or recreation when no work is done.

It's best to take some time off and keep away from your studies, catch up with friends, enjoy life. It might be last time you're able to for 12 months 

I also agree with you and ning

[Biceps]

I find it absolutely unnecessary to even touch your books during the holidays

[thushan]

I find it absolutely unnecessary to even touch your books during the holidays

Wouldn't go that far. It's ideal if you do some light pre-reading.

[Dejan]

It's a must to read, but don't over do it just take it easy and slow

[appianway]

Are you screwed? NOT AT ALL!

If this helps, this is my story of my summer before year 12.

Mid November - early January: was on exchange in France.
Had a few (<4) days at home, before going on physics olympiad camp (which had nothing to do with VCE, as I did VCE physics in year 11) for almost three weeks. Had about one week at home before year 12 started, during which I caught up on sleep, because I didn't get enough during olympiad.

I did have a little bit of catching up to do at the beginning of the year, but it worked out fine. You can do it! If it helps, I did work really efficiently in the times I had to do work over summer, because I was aware that I didn't have any time off.

[Deceitful Wings]

I had the same kind of paranoia as you, but I didn't go overseas during the holidays
However, just because you are granted 2 months of holidays, doesn't mean you should use this time to study only!
Throughout the holidays I would spend majority of the days just studying, and sure I got ahead with all my subjects, but it had minimal benefits when school commenced. In hindsight, I feel that this was a mistake as I didn't spend time to relax and when the workload proliferated, I needed respite.
I am not saying, don't study, rather I am saying that it is extremely important that you relax before a year's worth of intense work.
Maybe start studying in January. Many of my friends didn't study until the last two weeks of the holidays and they were performing phenomenally in SACs

[acciodraco]

Thanks everyone. Really good advice. I'm so glad I'm not the only one.

[LazyZombie]

Have you ever tried studying on a plane before? I've tried, and failed miserably.

Kudos to you if you're flying overseas on economy and manage to study. I found it terribly cramped, and I felt airsick. Try to get as much sleep on the plane as possible. And a travel pillow works great too.

Unless you're flying business class or something, then study away!

EDIT: Though reading is okay lol

[Art Vandelay]

Flying is quite conducive to audiobooks and listening to lectures if you're keen

I just watch movies/sleep