Exams start today for more than 42,000 VCE students.

The three-hour English paper kicks off the exam period for more than 40,000 students.

Dean of students at Strathcona Girls Grammar, Amber Sowden, says student nerves will dissipate once they put pen to paper.

“The students will have been well-prepared by their teachers and part of that will be that they should make a plan,” she told Ross and Russel.

“As soon as they get out of reading time … the first few minutes of the exam should actually be spent planning accordingly for the three different parts.”

Press PLAY below to hear Ms Sowden’s advice for students sitting the exam today