You've probably heard 'it's time to lock in' a thousand times by now, from teachers, from parents, maybe from your own brain at 11pm. And it's true, Term 3 is when VCE steps up. But locking in doesn't mean what a lot of people think it means. It doesn't mean studying until 2am, skipping meals, ditching your mates, or quitting the things you love. Your brain doesn't work like that. This guide is about locking in properly, in a way that actually gets you better results and keeps you well while you do it.

Neurodivergence is a word used to describe brains that work in different ways. It includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia (DCD), Tourette syndrome, and other neurodevelopmental differences. If you're neurodivergent, your brain isn't broken or "wrong" - it's simply wired differently.

Neurodivergence is common. Estimates suggest around 15-20% of people in Australia may be neurodivergent, depending on how neurodivergence is defined. Neurodivergent brains come with genuine strengths as well as genuine challenges, and understanding how your own brain works is one of the most valuable things you can do as a teenager.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where the brain gets stuck in a cycle of unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours. These thoughts can feel upsetting, scary, confusing, or impossible to ignore. Despite what people often say, OCD is not just about being neat, organised, or liking things a certain way. It can be exhausting, time-consuming, and have a major impact on daily life.

Depression is more than just sadness or having a bad day. It is a mood disorder that affects your ability to cope with daily life due to persistent low energy and loss of enjoyment of life for more than two weeks. Young people can seem more irritable, withdrawn from friends, a decline in school/work performance, headaches, and stomach aches. Depression is rarely ever caused by one thing alone.