The two are among about 150 Ballarat High students, about 800 across Ballarat and thousands across Victoria who will pick up their pens at 9am Wednesday for the compulsory VCE English exam.

The English exam marks the start of three weeks of testing that signal the end of formal schooling for students.

Both girls have six exams with three in common – English and two exams for maths methods, while Ella will take psychology, health, and chemistry and Jasmine will also tackle photography, health, and physical education .

“I’m nervous and I know I’ve revised and I know my stuff, but worry if I’ll forget it in the exam,” Jasmine said yesterday while putting in some final study at school.

The girls have used similar study methods throughout the year, with both admitting to taking their families along for the ride.

“I’ve been making cue cards throughout the year, and I’ve taken to every single mirror space at home with chalk marker so the whole family have had to study with me,” Jasmine joked.

“And I’ve got post-it notes all over the house so I think my mum knows half my psychology,” Ella said.

Jasmine hopes to be offered a place next year in the Bachelor of Nursing at Deakin University in Geelong, while Ella is still undecided having concentrated on getting in to medicine but is now leaning more toward psychology or psychiatry.

More than 1150 Ballarat students will sit at least one VCE examination, with many year 11 students taking one or two year 12 subjects in their timetable.

The 1156 students will sit 67 different written exams.

Madelyn Rothe, who was dux of Loreto College last year with an ATAR of 97.75, has just finished her first year of a double degree in law and commerce at Deakin University in Geelong and well remembers the nerves that came before her exams last year.

She said stress management was the key to successfully getting through the exam period.

“The exam period is a really stressful time, but once you get to uni the exams don’t mean anything and after you start uni, no one asks for your ATAR – the number doesn’t really define you,” she said.

Madelyn said knowing how you study most effectively was important, and it was vital to maintain links with school and teachers throughout the exam period.

‘You can’t control what’s going to be on the exam, so be the best prepared that you can. Go in to them with a really positive mindset and what you don’t know you can’t change, so do your best and write an answer to everything even if you don’t know it.

“And once you’ve finished an exam, don’t dwell on it or what you did or didn’t do. Give it no more thought because you can’t change anything.”

Phoenix P-12 College 2017 dux Emiley Cody, who had an ATAR of 95.75, has taken a gap year to relax from the pressure of year 12 before studying a Bachelor of Arts or Science next year.

“My advice for students coming in to exams is to stop and take a moment to relax. You’ve already spent the last year or so working toward understanding concepts. Trust you know stuff and can apply that knowledge in the exams,” she said.

While most of her friends went straight to university, Emiley has worked several jobs.

“I wasn’t ready to make that leap I was ready to get some workplace and life experience before uni. I’ve been working at my old college as a tutor and got to see life from the other side of being a teacher and it’s good.”

​Education minister James Merlino wished all students luck in their exams.

“Completing VCE requires determination and hard work and I congratulate all students on this milestone,” he said.

“I know this can be a very stressful time for many students and it’s important they talk to friends, family and teachers about any concerns they may have. Do your best, but never lose sight of the bigger picture – there are so many different pathways to success and your ATAR doesn’t define you.”

Getting through a stressful test period

The three weeks of VCE exams can be a minefield for students, parents and families who all need to work together to ensure a calm environment and the best outcome possible.

Ballarat headspace manager Janelle Johnson said while the exams were important, students and parents needed to keep perspective that the VCE results were not the only indicator of a young person’s future.

“It is important, but it’s only one part of their lives and there are lots of ways to get where they want to go,” Ms Johnson said. “To do their best is good enough really, and students should not put too much stress on themselves.

“Remember that not all stress is bad stress. A good amount of stress will actually improve your performance, but when you get overwhelmed is when trouble happens.”

This week’s warm weather will provide the opportunity to take breaks from study and enjoy the sun.

“The sun is really useful at this time for a bit of distraction and a break. Students have got to have a balanced life. You can’t study for six hours straight. If you study for about 20 minutes then have a short break and get back to it your study will be much more effective,” Ms Johnson said.

Parents can help make sure their teens are sleeping and eating well during exam time, and that they maintain a healthy balance between social activities and study.

“Sometimes it’s nice to get out of the house and go and see someone who isn’t involved in exams, or study with friends in a different environment.”

Ms Johnson urged students to turn to their teachers and welfare staff for extra support, or if they felt overwhelmed they could drop in to headspace Ballarat to speak to counsellors.

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