It always came out by email – our school assessment results for science. My cohort gathered in the main yard, comparing scores, whispering speculations of a few names that could (and would) dominate high school science for the next two years.

I was never one of those names.

In fact, in my first physics assessment task in Year 11, I got 65%.

My problem wasn’t a sense of self-discipline, enthusiasm or even supportive parents. Yet every paper I sat in Year 11 tested that one bit of content I failed to revise the night before. My physics marks fluctuated from 82% then down to 72% in my Preliminary exam. Eventually I was lost. I felt as though I was constantly playing a chasing game, desperately trying to bridge the gap between this hopeless reality and what I know my potential could be.

My name is Queenie Pham, and in Year 12, I ended up ranking 2nd in trials in both physics and chemistry. Around half the sample answers in the marking criterias were taken directly from my exam papers.

What did I do?

I stopped being obsessed with having the most up-to-date notes. It’s more efficient to compile notes in the form of questions I got wrong.

Research theory rigorously to clear out uncertainties and grasp concepts from its fundamentals.

Find mentors I could learn from. I was lucky to have my Chemistry teacher who regularly reminded me that one bad exam doesn’t define my HSC. As I now know, failures pave the way for your most meaningful and rewarding results. I also had extremely trustworthy and patient tutors. In hindsight, I’ve realised that a reliable tutor is most important in encouraging you to trust the process, especially when adopting new study habits.

I believe that with the correct strategies and support from a tutor, anyone can turn disappointment into confidence – and eventually, success.

How can I help you?

I’ve experienced a range of student personas. From excelling in some exams with minimal study (100% in Y12 Maths Advanced task 1) to facing challenges despite hard efforts (80% in Y12 Chemistry task 1), I understand the diverse perspectives students bring. With this first-hand insight, I can empathise with your experiences, and provide unique academic and wellbeing advice, depending on the type of student you are.

I’m always happy to help you break down school assessment tasks, read over depth studies, written responses, and provide feedback tailored to you.

I understand the niche content that constitutes harder questions. Each week, you will be sent exam-style questions for homework that will help you explore how concepts relate. If you are unsure, you can ask me questions anytime – even if it’s 2am the day before your exam!