Grace Costigan, who achieved the top score in English Extension 2 for the 2023 HSC, has taken a gap year to travel across Europe. Despite her busy schedule, she paused to offer valuable advice to students preparing for the 2024 Higher School Certificate exams. Her insights, shared via email with the Gazette, aim to support this year’s cohort as they navigate their final preparations.
Strategies for Managing Exam Nerves
Addressing the common issue of pre-exam anxiety, Costigan acknowledges that nerves are a natural part of the process. “No matter how much or how little you studied or revised, nerves before any exam are inevitable,” she explained. During her own exams, she focused on calming her mind rather than revisiting her notes. “I tried not to hypothesise about any potential questions, as learning new information or stressing about missed content wouldn’t help me remember what I already knew.”
Costigan encourages students to create a mental space free from stress, whether that’s picturing a serene environment like the ocean or a favourite spot in nature. “When you are in the actual room, before and during the task, stay in this bubble and remember that you have the knowledge you need!” she added.
Exam Techniques for Success
In terms of answering exam questions, Costigan suggests tackling the paper in chronological order. This method helps ensure that all questions are addressed, allowing students to manage their time effectively. “I usually completed the essays first as they were my strongest section and then went back to answer the short answer questions,” she noted.
She advises against reading the multiple-choice questions during the allocated reading time, recommending that students instead focus on longer questions that may provide deeper insights. “Always read the questions before reviewing the example text or extract,” Costigan stated. “Most questions will hint at specifics that you should be looking for.”
Costigan emphasizes the importance of finding a personal approach to the exam format. “Just don’t spend too long on multiple choice questions—they are only a few marks to either gain or lose!”
Life After HSC: A Gap Year Journey
After completing her HSC, Costigan deferred her double degree in Law and Communications to embrace a gap year. She is currently travelling Europe, a journey she began in July 2023. “As I am writing this, I am in London, which feels so unbelievable!” she shared, reflecting on her experiences, including a recent visit to Bath to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
Looking ahead, Costigan has ambitious career goals. She aims to publish a novel, potentially expanding her major work, Claude, which explores themes of male grief through the lens of the Simon and Garfunkel album, Bridge Over Troubled Water. Additionally, she hopes to work in a legal field focused on gendered and domestic violence, as well as family law, allowing her the flexibility to continue her writing pursuits, ideally in the tranquil Tasmanian countryside.
As this year’s HSC students prepare for their exams, Costigan’s advice reflects both her personal success and her desire to support others on their academic journeys.
