Motivation during your HSC

We've all heard it before – "It's a marathon, not a sprint." It's an annoying HSC cliche, but what does it really mean? If you've ever felt like your self-worth is tied to your results, procrastination can become your worst enemy. So how do we find motivation, especially when the road feels long and the finish line far away?

1. What Comes First: Motivation or Action?

It's the classic "chicken or the egg" debate, but for HSC students: Does motivation lead to action, or does action lead to motivation? Many of us believe we need motivation first, but here's the hard truth: if you're waiting for motivation to strike, you'll likely be waiting a while.

Here's the problem:

• I set a big ATAR goal.

• I made a countdown timer for the HSC.

• I thought about all the "what-ifs" if I didn't do well.

Instead of spurring me into action, these ideas became time sinks. I spent more time stressing than studying.

Your mind is like the weather – sometimes sunny and productive, but more often than not, cloudy with a chance of self-doubt. On those gloomy days, waiting for motivation is a recipe for inaction. That's why it's better to flip the script:

ACTION → MOTIVATION → MORE ACTION

Start with action, even if it's small. Open your notes, tackle one question, or write down a formula. That initial step can create momentum, which builds motivation over time. Motivation doesn't magically appear – you create it through consistent action.

2. Consistency is King

At Drift, we believe consistency is the secret to success. Building habits that work for you is crucial, and one of the best strategies is habit stacking.

Here's how it worked for me:

• Habit Stack: Write an essay plan or complete one section of a practice paper → Go for a swim, go for a slow walk, or meditate → Return to mark your work with fresh eyes.

  Why it works: Active relaxation keeps stress levels down and refreshes your focus.

• Habit Stack: Wake up → Make your bed → Prepare a cup of tea/coffee → Spend 10 minutes reviewing flashcards or summarising yesterday's notes.

  Why it works: A simple, structured start sets the tone for a productive day.

• Habit Stack: Finish dinner → Do a 10-minute review of a topic you struggled with → Write down 2-3 clarifying questions to address the next day.

  Why it works: Consistency in revisiting tough topics solidifies learning.

This applies to anything- even writing these posts.

• Habit Stack: Get home from work → Spend 30-minutes on writing or working on the business while still in a work mindset → Eat dinner and finally wind down fully.

This approach made studying feel less like a chore and more like a balanced part of my day.

The takeaway? Pair your habits with things you already do and reward yourself for sticking to them. But remember, the basics matter too – eat well, sleep enough, and move your body (our parents were right).

3. Can You Really Control Your Results?

One of the most liberating lessons I learned during my HSC journey was understanding what I could and couldn't control. Many students believe they have total control over their ATAR, but that's an illusion.

Here's the reality:

• You can't control your cohort's performance.

• You can't guarantee you'll have a clear head every exam.

• Scaling and external factors are out of your hands.

Trying to control the uncontrollable only adds stress. Accepting that some factors are beyond your influence frees up mental energy. Focus on what you can control – your effort, your preparation, and your mindset.

I found myself most motivated when I accepted that it was okay not to be perfect. Success isn't about being flawless; it's about doing your best with what you have.

I'm not much of an Ancient History buff, but I love this from Aristotle:

"We are what we repeatedly do." Will Durant adds: "excellence, then is not an act but a habit". And I'll leave you with that.

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Drift Tuition is here to help and coach you towards your total potential. Let's make excellence and high-performance a habit.