The clock is ticking down a little too fast for the students as the exams start on Monday October 16.

The Nowra Library is a good place to go and hit the books for many of the local HSC students, like Finn Wilson.

The St John the Evangelist High student said too much pressure came with sitting the HSC.

“Everyone goes ‘it's not going to decide your future - it’s just another set of tests’ but then everyone drills in that if you don't do well you're not going to go to uni which is contradictory,” he said.

“All you can do is your best and just answer every question.”

Finn said the looming start to the exams had started to weigh in on him.

“It has all just got me in the past two weeks and it’s like ‘whack’ this is it,” he said.

“I thought yeah it’s just going to be another set of exams and it does not necessarily decide my future but it will help a lot if I do well now and I don’t have to do it later in life.

“Now I have a lot of emotions at the moment and nerves are definitely a big one.

“I am bit worried and a bit scared but also excited and definitely looking forward to what is going to come after.”

Finn said life has lots of possibilities for him which will include some travel.

His academic aim is to study medical science at a university.

He, like many other students, tries to stick to a study routine.

“I try to study two to three hours a day but now I am trying to ramp it up,” Finn said.

Finn is lucky to have a great support base which includes the many friends he has known for years.

“I think they are also worried now and things are starting to hit home now,” he said.

“We do have each other’s backs which is important and nice.

“It’s nice to have someone you can go to say ‘I need some help now’.

“I can go to them anytime or any day and they would listen and help.”