TWO high-achieving students are helping psychology researchers develop an app designed to ease the stress of the HSC.
Year 11 students Carise Ong and Elizabeth Ollerton have an ongoing role in the project, which is led by Rebecca Sng from University of Wollongong's School of Psychology.
The HSC Stress Less app works by taking students through a series of mindfulness meditation techniques whereby students are taught how to manage their thoughts through the intense study period.
It includes a series of audio-guided meditations of between one and 10 minutes that enable a student to build up their "mindfulness muscle".
The girls made a video to teach students about the app, and are collecting data and promoting the app.
The students of St George Christian School Hurstville learned about the project at the university, where they participated in a gifted and talented workshop.
Ms Sng said previous studies revealed that mindfulness meditation could also assist with managing depression.
"Mindfulness meditation is essentially clearing your mind of clutter and only bringing one thing to your attention at a time . . . it can be described as living in the present," she said.
Carise said the app helped with her studies.
"I am using the app on a daily basis," she said.
"With my exams coming up, I certainly hope to see real benefits in using this type of technology to reduce stress."
Elizabeth agreed.
"The app will be useful in helping me focus," she said.
"We are part of the accelerated maths program, so we actually have to sit the HSC for maths this year."
The free app is available from iTunes and Google Play stores.