"The HSC represents an important milestone in a young person's life and I wish all our students the very best when they sit their exams over the coming weeks," Mr Park said.

"This is also a time to acknowledge our teachers and school principals - and I thank them for their dedication in preparing the class of 2014 for the opportunities that lie ahead."

"The HSC represents the culmination of more than 12 years of schooling and is a marker of the transition from adolescence to young adulthood - it's an exciting time in a young person's life but as all things needs perspective.

"The HSC is a very stressful time for any young person but the most important thing anyone can do with the HSC is to just to give it your best - it is not the end of the world if you don't do as well as you might have liked.

"My advice to students sitting their HSC exams is to take a deep breath, read the questions carefully and take a moment to think about your answer before you start writing.

"I also encourage every student to access the Board of Studies' Students Online site (http://studentsonline.bos.nsw.edu.au/) for study tips and exam information.

"The break you will get to enjoy after you complete your HSC exams will be well deserved."