The 2026 HSC written exams run from Tuesday 13 October to Thursday 5 November.

For many families, that countdown has already started.

You may be noticing your teenager is more irritable, more withdrawn, or more anxious than usual.

You may be wondering how much to step in, and how much to step back.

You may simply want to know how to help without adding more pressure.

Here is what actually helps.

1. Practice Papers are the Single Most Useful Study Tool

Reading over your notes again and again may feel productive, but actively recalling the information without looking at your notes is more likely to help it stick.

Past papers are a great way to do exactly that.

NESA publishes official past HSC papers, along with marking guidelines, for every subject. You can find them through the https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/curriculum/hsc-exam-resources.

Encourage your teen to:

• Complete past papers under timed, exam-like conditions

• Mark their own work against the official marking guidelines

• Notice patterns in where marks are lost, not just the final score

This helps turns study time into useful, targeted feedback and shows them exactly where to focus their effort.

2. Structure Reduces Overwhelm

 When everything feels urgent, nothing feels manageable.

A simple study timetable, broken into subjects and specific topics rather than vague blocks of “study”, can give your teen a clear sense of direction.

It does not need to be complicated.

A whiteboard, shared calendar, or a simple study timetable can work just as well as an elaborate planning system.

The goal is not to create the perfect plan. It is to make study feel more manageable and reduce the pressure of constantly deciding what to do next.

3.  Big Emotions Are a Normal Response to Real Pressure

It is normal for teenagers to experience some stress during the HSC.

The HSC can bring a lot of pressure, and stress can show up in different ways.

You may notice:

• Increased irritability or frustration over small things
• Difficulty falling asleep or switching off at night
• Avoiding study, or at times feeling unable to step away from it
• Physical complaints such as headaches, stomach aches or feeling tense

These responses can be a sign that your teen is feeling overwhelmed and trying to manage a lot at once.

One of the most helpful things you can offer is a calm, steady presence rather than immediately trying to fix the problem.

You might say:

• “That sounds really stressful. I’m here.”
• “You don’t have to work everything out today.”
• “What would help make things feel a little easier right now?”

4. Protect the Basics, Especially Now 

 Sleep, movement and food are usually the first things to slip during exam season. They are also the things that most affect concentration, memory and mood.

Small, realistic habits can make a meaningful difference:

• Aim for reasonably consistent sleep and wake times
• Build in Short walks or movement breaks between study sessions
• Regular meals, even on the busiest days

It does not need to be perfect. Simple, consistent habits are often more helpful than trying to completely overhaul a routine.

The HSC is important, but it is only one part of your teenager’s story.

They do not need you to have all the answers or to manage every part of the process for them. What often matters most is knowing they have someone beside them who can stay calm, encourage them, help them find their footing when things feel overwhelming, and remind them that one exam period does not define their future.

Support the structure. Protect the basics. Notice when they are struggling. And, amongst all the study plans, practice papers and countdowns, make sure there is still space to simply be their parent.

Sometimes the most powerful message you can give them is:

“Do your best. We are proud of you, and we are with you through it.”