It's down to business

ONE DOWN: St John’s College Woodlawn students (front, from left) Mitchell Krause, 17, Matt Fitness, 17, and Tim Yorke, 18, and (rear, from left) Pat Kelly, 18, Mitch Baker, 18, Ben Durance, 18, Paul O’Neill, 17, and Luke Saltmarsh, 18, after completing their first HSC exam.

DAVID NIELSEN

NINE local Year 12 business students kicked off the HSC exams yesterday, leading the way for 70,000 students statewide.

The students from St John's College Woodlawn completed their HSC business exam at Lismore City Hall yesterday and are now six exams away from freedom.

“I have been studying for about a week and the exam was very hard,” student Mitchell Krause said.

“I had a good breakfast this morning and just tried to stay relaxed and calm.”

The young rugby player admits his passion lies with his sport, but is interested in getting into 'sports management one day'.

More than 2500 Northern Rivers students are due to sit their final exams over the next three weeks before entering 'the big wide world'.

Each student has different study methods, ranging from scheduled revision timetables to study sessions with friends.

Other students like Tim Yorke, 18, opted for a last minute cram and tried to stay calm among all his worried classmates.

“I studied for about half an hour this morning,” he said.

“You see so many stressed-out people, you know. I would like to do well, but I'm going to stay calm and not get stressed out about it.

“As soon as I finish I am going to my mate's house to burn my textbooks or going to the school pool to jump in with them.”

Final exams for French extension, information technology and textiles and design will wrap up the HSC exams on November 13.

From then, students will be holding their breath before exam results are available online on Wednesday, December 16.

Celebrations at the end of HSC exams include Schoolies Week, textbook burning and even surprise teacher parties.

Students needing help during the exams can call the HSC advice line on 131 112 to speak to an experienced teacher.