Why collecting good resources and notes matters when you study for the HSC

There are loads of sites and businesses out there professing to “know it all” about studying for the HSC. They advertise “hacks” and “secrets” that “work for everyone”, and idealise the process of studying and understanding loads of content consistently and over time. However, we know all too well that this isn’t the case - every student out there has a really different method of retaining information, and also their own unique schedules, time and financial commitments, and work ethic. So it’s pretty safe to say that “prescription” study tips and tricks are bad - anyone saying (or advertising) that their unique method is “the one and only correct way” to answer a question or satisfy a rubric ignores the blatant fact that no aspect of learning or development are a one-size-fits-all undertaking.

Why do good notes matter?

Some will read this and then suggest that rote-learning and memorisation, the all-too-common one-trick ponies of frustrated students and tutors, are the blanket solution that can work for everyone “if they just work that bit harder”. They also believe that blindly doing questions and writing essays, rightly or wrongly, with no direction, will somehow miraculously deliver improvement. They recite “practice makes perfect” - well, this isn’t true either. Practicing something the wrong way for you means perfecting that wrong way and causing yourself a lot more difficulty. Analysing a range of resources and learning styles, trying out different methods that you like, and assembling your own learning style and voice, a sort of “collage” of resources and notes, if you will, is hence the best way to go about your own individual study, and it also sets you up for success in later life, because in a few years, you won’t be able to get “tutoring” telling you what to do, or “past papers” allowing you to make unlimited mistakes, while you’re operating on a patient, arguing in court, or designing a building!

People also argue that compiling your own notes and resources is futile because it just duplicates work that other people already did in the past. Well here’s the catch - the work that you put in compiling, organising, deciphering, and simplifying the concepts and ideas in those notes actually contributes the most to your learning - the process of writing notes in the moment is often much more valuable than going back to those notes later and reading them as you prepare for exams. Plenty of research has shown that making your own notes is subconsciously helping you apply and adapt details to exam questions and scenarios in a way that memorising an essay or flipping through hours of flashcards just can’t get - unless you can guarantee that the HSC is going to be entirely multiple-choice and content-based, you need to be prepared to think on your feet with the information you learnt! Modern learning goals also go far beyond just memorising facts - so flashcards, dot-points, or past-papers in isolation won’t be enough for you to truly master a topic. You need a central way of collating everything you know and applying it to everything you can think of, for each subject - and those should be your notes!

How do I make good notes?

But even though you’re now convinced that notes are the right way to go, it can be really overwhelming and challenging to know where to start. It’s always hardest to write the first page - maybe you might regret using a particular structure, format, style. You might realise later on that you’re lacking content on a few units, you’ll have to thoroughly check and making sure you haven’t missed stuff at the end (which means going back to those wordy and unhelpful textbooks), and you’ll have to add new things you learn from past papers, revision, and new research along the way - nobody said it would be easy, but for most people, this whole process of writing, practicing, and reflecting will help them remember key content, avoid repeating mistakes, and give them a feeling of confidence and security.

And so what exactly makes a great note or resource? Whether you’re a parent helping your kid to make high school notes for the first time, or a HSC veteran revising like crazy the week before trials, here are some rules that should go a long way in helping your cause:

1. Use pictures, diagrams, and colour - these details paint a vibrant picture that’s more likely to stick in your mind, and ensure your notes are readable and fun to look at while you’re studying. Visual aids like diagrams, flowcharts, and infographics help break down complex concepts into digestible pieces, and colour-coding can highlight key information and establish logical connections. For subjects like maths, you can give increasingly harder examples of concepts with your own worked solutions and annotations so you don’t forget how to do something once you stop studying it for a term or two and then have to come back to it for the yearly exam!!
2. Don’t try to cover everything. The best notes are concise and focused. Instead of drowning yourself in endless detail, aim to distill key ideas, formulas, and concepts into manageable chunks. A good resource doesn’t try to rephrase the textbook; it complements it by organising information in a way that’s easier to review and apply.
3. Include real-world examples and applications! Especially for subjects like Maths and Science, integrating examples of how theories work in practice or how formulas are applied can deepen your understanding. For essay-based subjects, include model responses or a teacher/senior’s analysis that demonstrates how to effectively use quotes, evidence, and/or techniques in exams.
4. Keep it personal - like what we said earlier, everyone learns differently, so tailor your notes to suit your style. Whether you prefer detailed summaries or short, snappy flashcards, focus on what works best for you. If you’re creating really valuable notes, maybe think about providing multiple formats (e.g., summaries, practice questions, annotated essays) to cater to a variety of different learning sub-styles within your methods.
5. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate! While rank protection and misplaced competitiveness are all too common nowadays, two heads (or more!) are always better than one. Working with classmates with different learning skills and styles allows you to pool knowledge, get different perspectives, and identify gaps in your own understanding. Each contributor may bring a unique strength - whether it’s a knack for diagrams, a deep understanding of tricky topics, or a clear writing style. Platforms like Google Docs make collaboration easy and efficient, and the result is often a comprehensive, polished set of notes that benefits everyone involved and encourages you to work harder than you otherwise would!
6. Great resources evolve. As you progress in your studies, revisit your notes to add new insights, fix mistakes, or refine their structure. This process reinforces your learning while ensuring that your materials stay relevant and accurate. If all your notes were made before you attempted a set of practice tests or past papers, edit them to highlight the most common mistakes you made so you don’t keep repeating them again and again - and also add in any new content you found while checking answers or doing further research. You can keep this as a separate section in your notes if you’d like!

Why should I buy notes and essays from Notes2u?

Hopefully these tips help you out in making notes and resource collections that comprehensively cover your needs and make the process of learning more fun and purposeful. Here at Notes2u, we recognise that learning doesn’t always follow the straight line or the path well travelled - that’s why we’re well-placed to support your unique learning journey, offering tailor-made resources from high-achieving tutors and graduates that match your style, fit your vibe, and flow with your voice. Whether you’re looking to understand a subject from scratch, find brilliant examples of how to use a challenging concept, or get on top of that last-minute grind, Notes2u has got the help for you!

Click here to purchase the best HSC notes and essays.