This year Orange will have candidates from Canobolas Rural Technology High School, James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange Christian School and Orange High School.

Several students are also completing the HSC at the Orange TAFE campus.

Codey McHatton says she already has her study program worked out so she can keep her part-time job one afternoon a week after school.

“I read you have to do between 20 and 24 hours study a week,” she said.

“Because I work on Tuesdays after school, I’ve worked it out that I will do four hours study a day through the week and six hours on the weekends. I need to pace myself.”

Hannah White knows she is not alone in having to put in many hours of study a week.

“It does help to know that everyone else is in the same situation,” she said.

Luke Petraglia says most of his friends will be pulling out the earplugs when it comes to study time and he won’t be listening to music to help him focus.

“We have been told though, that if you do listen to music while studying it should be instrumental with no music,” he said.

Chris Gogala says he is not daunted by the amount of study he has to do this year and wants to put all his energy into his work.

“There is pressure, but you just have to keep in mind it is our last year and we have to make the most of it,” he said.

Olivia Brooks, a student of Kinross Wolaroi School has elected to study the difficult level four maths curriculum for her HSC, along with fellow school student Eric Han, at a time when the NSW Board of Studies has maths in the spotlight.

The NSW government is considering a recommendation to make maths compulsory for Year 12 students.

Senior maths studies for the HSC have not been compulsory in NSW for 10 years.

“I still wanted to continue with my maths studies,” Olivia said.

Eric says he enjoys the subject, but it does not come without hard work.

“I still have to work at it,” he said.

James Sheahan Catholic High School students Matthew Eyles and Hilary Eddy are studying top level maths for the HSC and agree at that level it does not come naturally.

“It’s hard work,” Matthew said.

“I would spend an hour at least a night on my maths. I wouldn’t say it comes naturally, but I think maths should be reintroduced for all students because it doesn’t matter what level you are you still have to work at the subject,” Hilary said.

Students at James Sheahan Catholic High School must study Studies of Religion for the HSC.

“When you study all the religions and what is involved it does give you a greater understanding of the world,” Natasha Hewitt said.

“I think many Australians don’t fully understand the difference in religions and what they really mean.”

This year the Higher School Certificate examinations start on October 18 and conclude on November 6.

Before then all students will undertake half-yearly examinations and the trial HSC.

janice.harris@

fairfaxmedia.com.au