King's 2021 Alumni | Ailsa Hartley

Academic

Ailsa Hartley's exceptional character, commitment to our College community, and academic rigour led to her appointment as our 2021 College Captain and to her proudest achievement as Dux of Year 12. Ailsa is now busy studying Paramedicine at Griffith University but she kindly took some time to share her study wisdom and encouraged students to take every opportunity that comes their way:
"How did King's help prepare you for your future career path?"
- They encouraged me to work hard and strive for excellence, as well as nurture me through high school with amazing teachers.
"What was your biggest challenge in Year 12?"
- Burning out towards the end of the year...To overcome it, I made sure I had a healthy balance and dedicated time away from study. But most importantly, I set a goal that I was aiming for and this motivated me to keep working hard.
"Did you find a study group or King’s extra tutoring sessions helpful?"
- I attended lunchtime and after school tutoring for additional assistance when I was struggling with a concept or was seeking further insight from the teachers or past students. This was very beneficial as it solidified my understanding and ensured I was on the right track.
"How did you manage your time well?"
- I STARTED EARLY. I made sure I got on top of my work to avoid the last minute stress.
"How did you manage your sleep, rest, prayer or relaxation time during Year 12?"
- I found a schedule that worked well for me. I am a night owl, so I found I was more productive at night; however, I made sure this didn’t affect my sleep as I created a routine that worked for me. This routine also included room for relaxing and fun, and most importantly prayer. Don’t leave your praying for the morning of an exam!
"How did you prepare for the external end of year exams?"
- Throughout the year I compiled the answers to the learning goals on a big document and this is the material I studied. I also found mind maps very useful for me in the days leading up to each exam. It was just a great way to visualise my knowledge and view it as less daunting.

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