Blog

  • Snack Smarter: A Guide to After-School Eating and Homework Routines

    Snack Smarter: A Guide to After-School Eating and Homework Routines

    We all know breakfast and lunch are vital for keeping kids fuelled and focused during the school day. But what about when they come home — tired, hungry, and still faced with homework? Dietitian Eloise Turner and Aussie Edu Hub Chief Learning Officer, Dr Selina Samuels, share their expert tips on what and when to eat to support learning after school.


    Food is Fuel

    Nutritious food doesn’t just support healthy growth and development — it also plays a crucial role in mental health, academic performance, and cognitive skills like concentration and memory.

    Eloise Turner, dietitian at healthy snack company Fodbods, explains:

    “Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and vitamins B6, B12, and D are essential for brain function. Diets high in added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats — think lollies, chips, soft drinks, fried foods — have been linked to behavioural and emotional challenges. On the other hand, balanced diets with lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-GI carbohydrates can boost mood and overall wellbeing.”


    The Importance of the After-School Snack

    An after-school snack should be substantial enough to keep kids going until dinner. It restores energy and helps maintain focus for homework.

    Eloise recommends options such as cheese and crackers, yoghurt, fruit, popcorn, nuts, veggie sticks with hummus, or Fodbod Buddies. The timing can vary — before or after homework depending on the child — but she advises avoiding snacks during homework to prevent distraction and mindless eating.


    The Value of a Break Before Homework

    Dr Samuels advises students to take a short break before starting homework:

    “Get moving — go for a walk with the dog, play outside, or run around with siblings. Then they can focus on homework with a clear mind.”


    When’s the Best Time for Homework?

    Homework timing depends on the child and the family environment:

    • Busy households: Some students may benefit from staying at school to use the library or heading to a local library.
    • Tired after school: Others might need downtime or even a quick nap before tackling work.
    • Teenagers: Often focus better in the evening, sometimes splitting homework into before-dinner and after-dinner sessions.

    Whatever the timing, Dr Samuels stresses the importance of prioritising sleep, as tired brains learn less effectively.


    When’s the Best Time for Dinner?

    Eloise recommends keeping dinner time consistent to support healthy sleep patterns. Balanced meals should include:

    • Lean proteins (chicken, fish, tofu)
    • Whole grains or low-GI carbs (brown rice, whole wheat pasta)
    • Plenty of colourful vegetables

    Avoid heavy, high-fat meals too close to bedtime, as they can cause discomfort and disrupt sleep.


    How Much Homework Should Kids Do?

    • Year 3: About 30 minutes of reading or times tables each night; minimal weekend work.
    • Years 5–6: Longer projects on weekends to develop planning and time management skills.
    • Years 7–8: Around one hour per night, plus weekend reading.
    • Years 9–10: 1–2 hours most nights; roughly four hours on weekends.
    • Years 11–12: At least two hours a night (sometimes three) and around six hours on weekends, increasing before final exams.

    The Takeaway

    After-school hunger and fatigue can lead to lower focus, motivation, and energy — all of which make homework harder. Combining nutritious food with adequate rest and smart scheduling ensures children can learn effectively, stay motivated, and maintain their overall wellbeing.

    At Aussie Edu Hub, we know that healthy routines — both in eating and studying — are key to academic success.

  • The Sorting Hat of Education: Busting the Myth of Multiple Learning Styles

    The Sorting Hat of Education: Busting the Myth of Multiple Learning Styles

    We often hear that every child learns differently — but do “learning styles” still matter? According to Dr. Selina Samuels from Aussie Edu Hub, the long-held belief in rigid categories like visual, auditory, reading, and kinaesthetic learners has been debunked.

    While it’s true that no two children learn in exactly the same way, research now shows that most people don’t fit neatly into one learning style. The notion that each student belongs to a fixed “type” requiring a specific teaching method — the so-called “sorting hat” of education — is outdated, even though it still lingers in classrooms and conversations.


    Learning Is Influenced by Many Factors

    The way a child learns is shaped by far more than their supposed “style.” Their literacy and numeracy skills, the amount of sleep they’ve had, the pressure they’re under, family circumstances, and other social factors all play a part. Every student brings their entire life into the classroom.

    Labelling someone as purely auditory, visual, or kinaesthetic oversimplifies this reality. While each child is unique, there are strategies for absorbing information that benefit most learners, regardless of their background, subject, or age.


    Common, Effective Ways Children Learn

    1. Promoting Transparency and Clarity

    Parents can make a big difference by helping children understand why they’re learning something. When they say, “I’ll never use this in real life,” explain how maths is essential for careers, budgeting, or running a household. Show how crafting a logical argument can help in everyday discussions and professional situations.

    If your child doesn’t understand why they received a certain grade, encourage them to ask their teacher for an explanation. Feedback without clarity is unhelpful — and it’s worth advocating for transparency if you feel it’s lacking.


    2. Breaking Information into Manageable Pieces

    Most learners don’t absorb large chunks of information well. Instead, break down content and tasks into smaller, logical segments they can work through one at a time. This not only gives them a sense of accomplishment but also allows their understanding to grow step-by-step, each part building on the last.


    3. Connecting Ideas Across Subjects

    In school, subjects are often taught in isolation, but in reality, knowledge is interconnected. When students make links between concepts in different areas, they become better at applying what they know in new contexts.

    This cross-connection strengthens neural pathways, making knowledge stick longer. Instead of cramming facts for an exam and forgetting them right after, they integrate information into their understanding for future use.


    4. Learning by Teaching Others

    One of the most effective ways for children to consolidate their learning is to teach it to someone else. As a parent, asking your child to explain a topic to you not only shows you what they’ve grasped but also boosts their confidence.

    The key is to let them lead the “lesson” without correcting or outshining them. Giving them ownership of teaching you makes the experience both empowering and reinforcing.


    At Aussie Edu Hub, we embrace these evidence-based learning principles to support students in ways that go beyond outdated labels. By focusing on understanding, connection, and active engagement, we help children develop skills that last a lifetime.

  • The NAPLAN Quiz That Stumped Aussie Parents

    The NAPLAN Quiz That Stumped Aussie Parents

    We recently put parents to the test with a sample NAPLAN-style quiz — and the results may surprise you. In the lead-up to this year’s assessments, over 600 people took our online quiz featuring questions similar to those students will face. The verdict? Many parents found it tougher than expected, with one-third scoring six or fewer out of 10.

    While the average score was seven correct answers, 15 participants didn’t get a single question right.

    Interestingly, the biggest discussion on our Facebook page wasn’t about the results, but about NAPLAN itself — and whether it’s even necessary.

    One parent commented, “NAPLAN is nothing but stress for students and teachers. That money could be better spent on education rather than testing.”

    Another wrote, “Honestly, I don’t care about NAPLAN. I’ve been told it has nothing to do with my child’s grades — it’s just about measuring how well the curriculum is working. It’s for data collection.”

    Some also questioned whether preparing for NAPLAN was worthwhile. “Prepping for a test doesn’t prove what a child is capable of. Let them sit it, then work on the gaps if needed.”


    More Than Just a Benchmark

    According to Aussie Edu Hub Chief Learning Officer, Dr Selina Samuels, NAPLAN is not just a benchmarking tool.

    “Yes, it helps us understand student progress nationally, but it also gives teachers and parents insight into how an individual child is learning. That means we can better support and challenge them so they build confidence and achieve stronger results in schoolwork overall,” Dr Samuels explained.

    She added that critics of NAPLAN preparation often overlook the fact that the skills practised in the lead-up are genuinely useful — and won’t disappear once the tests are done.

    “I agree that unnecessary stress is counterproductive. But this can be avoided by giving students enough practice so they feel confident, understand the format, and know how to approach test questions.”


    Practical Skills Beyond NAPLAN

    For younger students, especially in Years 3 and 5, Dr Samuels highlighted the importance of learning how to manage time under test conditions.

    “We also teach students how to navigate multiple-choice questions and how to unpack questions that may be phrased in unfamiliar ways. These are essential test-taking skills that go far beyond NAPLAN,” she said.

    Ultimately, she stressed that literacy and numeracy are foundational for future education and employment.

    “The skills tested in NAPLAN are skills we want all children to have — they’re not just for passing a test, they’re for life.”

  • The Role of Parents in Supporting Learning at Home

    The Role of Parents in Supporting Learning at Home

    How to be your child’s learning supporter, not their main teacher

    It’s often said that parents are a child’s first teachers. But once children begin receiving homework from school, it’s important to see yourself more as a supporter than as the primary teacher. At Aussie Edu Hub, we often refer to homework as practice, because its real purpose is to help students apply what they’ve learned in class and grow into more independent learners.

    There are two key aspects to supporting learning at home:

    1. Helping with specific homework tasks
    2. Encouraging a positive approach to learning in general

    Understanding the difference between the two can help you better fulfil your role.


    Supporting Homework

    While homework sometimes gets a bad reputation, research shows it has real value — especially for secondary students. Homework works because it allows students to apply and reinforce what they’ve learned at school. That’s why it’s important to let children complete the work themselves.

    This doesn’t mean you can’t help. You can explain concepts, answer questions, and guide them — but doing the work for them defeats the purpose. (And yes, teachers can usually spot “parent-completed” work a mile away!)

    The best way to support homework is by providing structure and space:

    • A quiet, dedicated spot for study
    • A consistent time each day for homework
    • Minimal distractions

    If your home environment makes this difficult, look for alternatives. Some schools allow students to use the library after hours. Public libraries are also a great option. Many families turn to Aussie Edu Hub tutoring to provide structured time, personalised support, and a dedicated digital learning space where students can strengthen skills and get help with homework.

    Building these routines doesn’t just help in the short term — it sets the foundation for lifelong positive work habits.


    Supporting Learning in a Broader Sense

    Beyond homework, supporting learning at home is about mindset. Parents can nurture a love for learning by:

    • Speaking positively about their own learning experiences
    • Reframing challenges as opportunities
    • Showing curiosity about the world and about what their child is studying
    • Emphasising that learning is a valuable, ongoing process — not just about grades or test scores

    When children see learning as something enjoyable and meaningful, they’re more likely to stay engaged and develop resilience for when the process gets tough.


    The Simplest (and Most Overlooked) Form of Support

    Sometimes, the best way to support learning at home is surprisingly simple: make sure your child gets enough sleep. Neuroscience shows that new concepts and skills are consolidated in the brain during sleep — particularly in the nights immediately following new learning. Regular, high-quality sleep is one of the most powerful ways to ensure your child truly retains and can apply what they’ve learned.


    Final Thought
    Your role as a parent isn’t to replace the teacher, but to provide the environment, encouragement, and habits that help your child succeed. With the right balance of support and independence, you’ll help them develop skills that last far beyond their school years.

  • Helping with Homework Without Being an Expert

    Helping with Homework Without Being an Expert

    As parents, we’re our children’s most important teachers — but what happens when we can’t quite recall the difference between ratios and radians? While we play a huge role in shaping the kind of people our children become, not every skill we pass on involves advanced maths, perfect essay structure, or the finer points of grammar.


    School Has Changed Since We Were There

    Even if you manage to dig up long-forgotten facts from your school days, your teenager might respond with a dismissive, “That’s not how we do Maths anymore.” Teaching approaches are constantly evolving, and what worked decades ago might not align with today’s curriculum.

    Thanks to regularly updated teaching strategies, simply retelling what you remember from your own education won’t help much when preparing for assessments like NAPLAN — especially if you didn’t attend school in Australia.

    The good news is, supporting your child’s homework doesn’t require you to have all the answers yourself.


    Focus on the Process, Not Just the Content

    When kids struggle with homework, the biggest challenge is often not the subject matter but time management. Helping your child break down assignments into smaller, manageable tasks and estimating how long each should take can transform overwhelming projects into achievable goals.

    For habitual procrastinators (and that’s most kids), setting clear milestones and offering incentives — such as a snack or some screen time — can encourage steady progress.

    Some children dislike working alone in their bedroom. In these cases, a workspace in a central area of your home allows you to keep an eye on them while making homework feel less isolating. You might even work on your own tasks alongside them, acting as a “study buddy” to foster companionship and focus.

    By doing this, you’re teaching organisation, deadline management, and the mindset needed to be both a successful student and, one day, a reliable professional.


    Why Kids Often Won’t Listen to Us

    It’s notoriously hard to tutor your own children. Homework battles can start in primary school and escalate over time. Even parents who are teachers often find their children resist their help. Sometimes, letting them wrestle with the work — or even fail — is less stressful than engaging in yet another argument.

    Teenagers, with their mix of hormonal changes and developing independence, are often more interested in asserting autonomy than in absorbing parental wisdom.


    Accept It — and Outsource When Needed

    Many parents eventually face the frustrating truth: their children often respond better and learn faster with someone else. Accepting this can be liberating.

    Outsourcing doesn’t mean you’re not involved. You still play the essential role of providing time, space, and a positive environment for learning. While an expert tutor from Aussie Edu Hub handles the teaching, you ensure your child is well-fed, rested, and knows they are loved — regardless of their grades.

  • The Power of Fostering a Growth Mindset in Your Child

    The Power of Fostering a Growth Mindset in Your Child

    How to help your child develop a positive approach to learning

    The concept of growth mindset — and its opposite, fixed mindset — was first introduced by Professor Carol Dweck of Stanford University. A growth mindset is the belief that skills and abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. A fixed mindset, by contrast, assumes that these abilities are innate and cannot be changed.

    Someone with a fixed mindset might think, “I’m just not good at maths”, while someone with a growth mindset would say, “I’m not good at maths yet”.

    For those with a growth mindset, intelligence and talents are seen as flexible, improving through effort, practice, and persistence. Mistakes and failures are viewed as valuable opportunities to learn and grow. By contrast, those with a fixed mindset see intelligence as static. Errors and setbacks can threaten their self-esteem, as they interpret these as evidence of limited ability.


    The Parent’s Role in Encouraging a Growth Mindset

    Parents play a powerful role in shaping their children’s mindset. It starts with self-awareness — recognising whether your own thinking leans more towards a fixed or growth perspective.

    When I first came across these concepts, I was surprised to realise that my own mindset was more fixed than I’d thought. On reflection, this came from my own school experiences and my family’s long-held beliefs about intelligence. Without being aware of it, a parent with a fixed mindset can unintentionally pass those beliefs onto their child.

    At Aussie Edu Hub, we sometimes hear parents say things like, “I’m not surprised my child isn’t good at English — I wasn’t either.” While well-meaning, this attitude can reinforce a child’s belief that they are inherently limited in that subject, making it harder for them to imagine improvement.


    Shifting the Focus to Possibility

    Encouraging a growth mindset means seeing challenges and setbacks as possibilities for growth. Mistakes aren’t something to hide from — they’re opportunities to learn. That doesn’t mean minimising your child’s disappointment. Acknowledge their feelings and let them process the frustration. Recognising and talking about difficult emotions is an important part of building empathy and emotional intelligence.

    Once those feelings are acknowledged, guide them to consider how they might approach the task differently next time. Over time, they’ll begin to understand that mistakes have value. As I used to tell my students: accidentally getting something right teaches you far less than intentionally making — and then learning from — a mistake.


    Celebrating Achievements as Part of the Journey

    Wins and successes should be celebrated, but framed as steps along an ongoing learning path, rather than as final endpoints. This approach avoids the “now what?” feeling that can come from a fixed mindset, where achievements feel inevitable or final. In a growth mindset, each success naturally leads to the next challenge.


    The Lifelong Benefits of a Growth Mindset

    Most importantly, a growth mindset teaches children that learning is the key to success. This perspective makes them more positive about learning and more likely to seek out opportunities to develop new skills. It also helps them adapt to change, turning challenges into opportunities at every stage of life.

    By fostering a growth mindset, you’re giving your child one of the most valuable tools they’ll ever have — the belief that they can improve, grow, and shape their own future.

  • 8 ‘Secret Weapon’ Study Tips to Make Learning Easier

    8 ‘Secret Weapon’ Study Tips to Make Learning Easier

    Ask almost anyone — young or old — about homework, and chances are you won’t get many glowing reviews. It’s often seen as time-consuming, stressful, and boring.

    But according to Dr Selina Samuels from Aussie Edu Hub, there are clever, lesser-known strategies that can make study time far less painful for high school students. In fact, two of her favourites — the “Café Test” and the “90 + 20 Minute Rule” — have proven especially effective for studying, planning, and revising.

    “You can search for ‘effective study tips’ online and find plenty of standard advice we’ve all heard before,” Dr Samuels says. “But there are other powerful techniques that students may not have encountered — my personal ‘secret weapons’. With many schools holding exams in Term 2, here are my top tips gathered from years as both a student and a teacher of high-achieving learners.”


    1. Treat Everything as a Draft

    Perfectionism can be the enemy of productivity, causing anxiety and slowing progress. If you view every piece of work as a draft until you submit it, you’ll give yourself permission to make mistakes — and learn from them. Feedback on those mistakes is one of the best learning tools you have.


    2. Beat Blank Page Fear with the One Paragraph Rule

    Never start an assignment at the very end of the evening. Even writing just one paragraph the night before makes it much easier to pick up where you left off the next day. Think of it as giving yourself a head start and removing the intimidation of a blank page.


    3. Follow the 90 + 20 Minute Rule

    Neuroscientist Dr Andrew Huberman suggests that 90 minutes is the optimal time to learn something new — enough to go from confusion to engagement before focus drops off. After that, follow with 20 minutes of rest to lock in what you’ve learned. The initial struggle is a sign you’re learning, so push through it.


    4. Schedule Rest to Reduce Stress

    Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga nidra into your routine. These almost-sleep states boost brain plasticity and help you absorb information more effectively.


    5. Walk to Reinforce Learning

    Walking has been shown to improve memory, cognitive function, and mood. For maximum benefit, skip the music or calls and instead explain your key study points to yourself out loud while you walk. The movement and recall together help embed concepts — even if you look a little eccentric doing it.


    6. Use the “Café Test” to Build Connections

    When Dr Samuels taught literature, she’d have students imagine all the authors they studied sitting together in a café, debating their ideas. This playful exercise helped link ideas, themes, and contexts, making them easier to remember. You can adapt this for any subject by creating mental “connections” between topics.


    7. Prioritise Sleep

    It’s not new advice, but it’s one of the most important. Sleep is when your brain consolidates and stores what you’ve learned. Without enough rest, much of your study effort will be wasted.


    8. Study with Someone

    Studying doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Working with a partner, joining a study group, or getting tutoring from an experienced educator can significantly boost understanding, confidence, and motivation.


    Final Word
    If homework and revision feel overwhelming, remember that there are smart, effective ways to make studying easier — and help is always available. At Aussie Edu Hub, our expert tutors guide students through proven strategies to make learning less stressful and far more productive.

  • Time-Saving Tips for Busy Parents Helping with Homework

    Time-Saving Tips for Busy Parents Helping with Homework

    Trying to squeeze in time to support your child’s schoolwork can feel impossible when your evenings are already overflowing. Between juggling multiple kids, a job, endless laundry, dinners, swimming lessons, missing shoes, no milk, meltdowns, music practice, birthday parties, broken goggles, lunch prep, and the occasional sibling wrestling match — all before bedtime — it’s easy to feel like there’s no space left for homework.

    Sound familiar?

    Finding enough time to sit with each child, review what they’ve been learning, identify where they’re struggling, and source the right resources can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve pulled together these practical organisation tips to make homework help more manageable.


    1. Set Up a Homework-Only Space

    Create a quiet, clutter-free spot dedicated to study time. This not only gives you and your child the mental and physical space to focus but also saves precious minutes spent searching for lost textbooks or stationery. A designated workspace also reinforces that schoolwork matters — to both you and them.


    2. Use Tools to Stay Organised

    Leverage free online tools and apps to plan homework schedules, track progress, and keep both you and your child accountable. Platforms like Trello or Asana can help you break projects into tasks, attach necessary resources, and update progress. A shared Google Calendar can also keep everyone on the same page, accessible from any device.


    3. Set Achievable Goals

    Don’t aim to finish an entire project or revise half a textbook in one evening. Break assignments into smaller, manageable chunks — for younger kids, aim for no more than 30 minutes a night per subject. If time allows, you can always add more.


    4. Avoid Multitasking

    Focus breeds focus. When you give homework your full attention, your child is more likely to do the same. If you step away to cook dinner or check emails, their concentration will slip too. A short, dedicated block of focus time can make the process faster and more effective.


    5. Know When to Delegate

    There are only so many hours in a day. You can’t attend every school meeting, cook a fresh meal every night, meet all your work deadlines, and still supervise every homework task. Sometimes outsourcing is the smartest move.

    With Aussie Edu Hub, students can upload and work through their homework directly with their tutor. An expert educator can answer questions, walk through problems, and use custom learning materials to reinforce understanding — freeing up your time for other family priorities. Parents can join the session or review the work afterward. The key is finding a balance that works for your household.

  • Transitioning to High School: Adjusting to New Academic Expectations

    Transitioning to High School: Adjusting to New Academic Expectations

    For many students, the jump from primary to high school is significant — and one of the biggest changes is the increased workload and higher expectations. According to Aussie Edu Hub’s resident education expert, Dr Selina Samuels, understanding and preparing for these changes can make the transition much smoother for both students and parents.

    Starting high school is often exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming — especially for students moving to a completely new school. Most Year 7 students will quickly notice that they’re expected to do and know much more than in primary school. Beyond just the academic shift, the way students are expected to manage their school life is also very different.

    Some students discover that their primary school experience didn’t fully prepare them for secondary curriculum demands, leaving them to catch up on key skills or knowledge. Even high-achieving students may find certain new subjects challenging. Navigating a broader range of subjects requires organisational skills that many are still developing. In high school, there’s an expectation of greater independence — meeting deadlines and managing homework without constant reminders.

    Another adjustment is moving from having one main teacher who knows them well to multiple subject teachers. While there may be a form teacher or year advisor, students often worry about not being fully “known” by each teacher, which can feel unsettling at first.


    Homework: A Bigger Role in Learning

    Homework generally increases in high school, and while it’s sometimes debated, research shows that secondary school homework can improve learning outcomes by up to five months. The most effective homework helps students both practise and apply class learning, as well as prepare for upcoming lessons.

    For maximum benefit, homework should be integrated into each student’s learning plan and accompanied by regular teacher feedback. However, the extra workload can put pressure on both the student and the household, making it important to set aside dedicated time and space for learning at home.


    Tips for Navigating the Transition

    • Identify the real challenge – If your child says they “don’t understand” classwork, find out if it’s the subject matter itself or the new level of self-management that’s overwhelming them.
    • Introduce assessment skills early – While the ATAR is years away, learning how to prepare for tests and assignments now will pay off later. If assessments cause anxiety, remind your child that progress matters more than perfection, and mistakes are learning opportunities.
    • Address skill gaps promptly – The longer gaps in knowledge go unaddressed, the harder they are to close.
    • Support social adjustment – Being the youngest in the school can be socially challenging. Until your child has a friend group — even just one close friend — social stress can distract from learning.
    • Monitor homework time – For Year 7, aim for no more than one hour per night. If your child is doing much more or much less, clarify the school’s expectations.
    • Create strong routines – Establish a comfortable, consistent study space, ideally in a common area, and set a regular time for homework each day.
    • Maintain a positive outlook – Change can be intimidating, but it’s also a chance for growth. Your attitude toward the transition can significantly influence how quickly your child adapts.

    Final Thought
    High school is a big step for both students and families. By recognising the shifts in academic expectations, building effective routines, and supporting both the academic and social aspects of the transition, you can help your child approach these years with confidence and resilience.

  • Transitioning to High School: Mastering Organisational Skills

    Transitioning to High School: Mastering Organisational Skills

    High school brings its own set of challenges — not just academic ones, but organisational as well. Learning how to manage your time, stay organised, and study effectively is key to success in school and beyond. Here are some simple, proven strategies to make life easier and reduce that sense of overwhelm.

    For many students, organisation is one of the first hurdles they face when starting high school. With new subjects, multiple teachers, and a greater expectation to take responsibility for their own schedules, it’s easy to feel lost at first.

    There’s a direct link between good organisational skills and academic performance. Being organised not only helps students meet deadlines for assignments and assessments, but also clears the mental clutter that can get in the way of learning.

    Dr Selina Samuels, resident education expert at Aussie Edu Hub, shares strategies she has successfully used with students to help them become more organised and learn more efficiently.


    Time Management

    Time management looks different for every student — especially for those with specific learning needs like ADHD. While there are countless time-management techniques out there, one of the most important things to remember is that focus has limits. Neuroscience tells us that adults can concentrate for about 90 minutes at a time, and for high school students, that window is even shorter.

    For example, if a student has one hour of homework, it’s better to split it into two 30-minute sessions, each followed by physical movement. Movement not only boosts energy after sitting still, but it also helps to embed what’s been learned. Even unusual movements — like balancing on one leg or hanging upside down — can help consolidate learning, though any activity is beneficial.

    When breaking tasks into smaller chunks, it’s best to be specific about the goal. Instead of writing “Do Maths”, aim for “Complete exercises A to C and redo any incorrect answers”. This makes it easier to measure progress and feel a sense of accomplishment.


    Organisational Tools

    The “perfect” organisational tool doesn’t really exist — and searching for it can take more time than using it. A simple diary, whether digital or paper, works best when used consistently. Students should record deadlines as soon as they’re given, then work backwards to schedule time for planning, drafting, and revising.

    One highly effective method is colour coding. Assign a colour to each subject and gradually increase the colour’s intensity as the assessment date approaches. For example, if English is blue, “plan essay” two weeks out might be light blue, “draft essay” the following week could be cobalt, and submission week would be the darkest blue. This visual cue helps students prioritise tasks across multiple subjects.


    Study Habits

    Many students finish high school saying they were never really taught how to study. The key is to make learning active, not passive. Simply re-reading notes has limited value, and rote memorisation should be reserved for specific needs like learning formulas or quotations.

    Active learning means applying knowledge to see if it’s truly understood — doing timed practice papers for Maths, writing sample essays for English, or summarising History notes. Another excellent habit is to “teach” the material to someone else, such as a parent, sibling, or friend. Teaching forces students to recall and explain concepts, reinforcing understanding and highlighting areas that need more attention.


    A Final Note

    For all students — especially those adjusting to a new school environment — adequate sleep is critical. Sleep is when learning is processed and stored, making it arguably the most important study habit of all.

    At Aussie Edu Hub, we help students not only master subject content but also develop the organisational, time-management, and study skills that set them up for long-term success in high school and beyond.