Organiser and deputy principal of year 12, James Ostermann, said most learning conferences focused on how to achieve a high ATAR and applying for university, but he wanted to provide "two days of a different perspective".

"We can do that over the next 12 months," he said.

"I wanted to focus on what students need to know now, as well as perspective, fun and balance."

On Monday, the cohort heard from past students, executive members of staff and current students preparing to sit the 2019 HSC; learned about the best foods for brain performance and the difference between good stress and bad stress; did a quiz to see if they were technical, precise, sequential or creative learners; and listened to a guest speaker, Armondo.

On Tuesday they did activities, including African drumming, mindfulness, circus skills and a problem-solving exercise that involved breaking into a locked box; learned about goal setting and heard from guest speaker Dr Joel Wenitong.

"There's a lot of pressure put on the HSC but it does not determine who you are," Mr Ostermann said.

"We need to focus on why you're doing what you're doing.

"There's more to it than just the written paper.

"It's great to get good results, but if we build students' knowledge of good values, then good results will come from that.

"I hope it takes some of the pressure off."

Captains Sophie Broadbent, Emmer Tracey-Richards, Blayne Griffin and Shannon Brown said the conference had reframed the way they saw the HSC , helped them feel more confident and comfortable and gave them valuable life skills.

"I was looking at the HSC like it was the be-all-and-end-all and was putting a lot of pressure on myself," Sophie, 17, said.

"After this conference I don't see it as the last hurdle - there are so many other options and opportunities, even if you don't get the marks."

She said she learned the importance of balancing study with breaks and it was okay to change your mind about your future.

Emmer, 16, said the conference was a chance for students to learn more about themselves and normalise some of the emotions they were feeling.

"You need to focus on what motivates you to get you through - why you're doing it."

Shannon, 16, said he enjoyed learning how to transform bad stress into good stress.

He said he had previously been concerned he was going to burn out, but now knew he had the tools to manage stress and do his best.

Blayne, 17, said he realised the HSC was not just one test, "but the year leading up to it".

HSC 2019 written exams start on Thursday.