HSC exams begin on Tuesday, but it's been a difficult year for students with the COVID pandemic

Taking on the challenge of the HSC during a pandemic has been a difficult experience for thousands of students.

Since the return to classrooms on October 18, students have relished being able to reconnect in-person with teachers and friends.

Remote learning has not been easy for many students. Some have remarked that they learn best in the classroom, a place they haven't seen too much of in the past year.

Students have been on a rollercoaster ride, so they would be forgiven for struggling to find motivation at times.

They have been described as "collateral damage" in the efforts to keep us safe from COVID-19.

However, some students have shared their stories of feeling plenty of support from schools and peers throughout lockdown and COVID restrictions.

And many have already received early offers from universities, taking some of the pressure off the exams.

Nevertheless, the stress and nerves that come with exams can't be erased. Students face pressure and expectations from parents, schools and themselves. Psychologists say exercise, sleep and balance are particularly important at this time.

Having been through three date changes for their exams, they finally begin on Tuesday with English, Aboriginal Studies and languages, including Chinese, Greek and German.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian assured parents that year 12 students would be fairly assessed for this HSC. This is important because fairness has been a big issue on the minds of many students.

It's a long journey to make it through 13 years of school. For some, as they prepare to sit their exams, it will seem like a blur.

It may seem that doing well in the HSC is the be-all and end-all. It's not. Today's story by education reporter Helen Gregory on Lucinda Shilcock is a case in point.

HSC students have their whole lives ahead of them. In the months ahead, they will choose work, university or a gap year.

But perhaps they shouldn't think too far ahead just yet. Once exams end, they can look forward to having time to celebrate together, face-to-face.

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