Hunter's Higher School Certificate students arrive at final hurdle, as exams start next week

St Paul's Catholic College Booragul students Alyssa Bishop and Kian Livingstone, both 18, said they had mixed emotions ahead of the final milestone in their schooling.

"I'm feeling quite stressed, but also sort of relaxed," Kian said.

"I feel like everything I've done in my entire memory has been leading up to these moments, so there's a lot of weight on it. It's almost humbling to know that in a few weeks everything will change, everything will be worth it."

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He said he felt during remote learning there weren't enough hours in the day, but reconnecting with teachers and friends helped him feel more relaxed.

Alyssa agreed it was a "boost".

"Coming up to these last few days before we start exams I definitely know my motivation probably isn't where it needs to be, [but] I think I've put in the effort and the work to get through what I need to get through," she said.

"I'm feeling excited for the journey to be finally done, it's been so drawn out, I'm just excited to finally reach the end goal, to finish the HSC, and move into next year."

The students will sit English Paper 1 on Tuesday and English Paper 2 on Wednesday. Both will spend the weekend doing past papers.

Kian said after spending remote learning online, he would be practising hand writing essays over three hours.

They said exercise, sleep and balance would be critical over the next month.

Kian said he would list six tasks he wanted to achieve each day, while Alyssa said she would be "go go go" when not working "and look to that break at the end as the reward".

Under the original timetable, both would have finished their exams last week. The exams were originally scheduled to start on October 12, but were moved to October 19 and then November 9.

Still, both are glad the exams weren't cancelled.

"I'd feel cheated if the work we put in from year seven to 12 didn't count," Alyssa said.

"I feel if it was different circumstances I would have been able to achieve probably more than what I've been able to with home learning, but I definitely would like the opportunity to sit them and see how I go. It will give us a sense of reward, 'I did this in COVID, I still gave it my best effort'.

"We don't really get the choice, so we might as well make the most of them. It could have been different, but it is what it is.

"We've got to look at the bigger picture - everyone is in the same boat."

Kian said he didn't want the cohort's efforts "thrown away at the end" and hoped to prove to himself he could do it.

"I want to be able to look back and think I gave it my all and did everything I could regardless of the conditions," he said.

"I want to be able to look back and not think 'I wish I had done more'."

The students said they were grateful for the support of St Paul's, which hosted a graduation in small groups and has organised a graduation ball.

"It's lifted everyone's spirits," Alyssa said.

Year 12 leader of wellbeing and engagement Blair Brownlee said COVID protocols will include students sitting the papers wearing masks and in small groups in classrooms.

They won't be allowed to mingle and if there is a case the exams will be moved to a hall in Kilaben Bay.

Ms Brownlee said she was "incredibly proud" of students.

"It's been long and it's been challenging but they've just showed this resilience and grit to get them to the end. They need to know their best is always good enough - and they've done their best under the most trying of times."

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