Thornton, 22

What do you do for work?

I'm an Account Manager for a solar company.

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not? 

No, I actually didn't need my ATAR to get my current job (just my wonderful personality haha).

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

The HSC is a great opportunity and should be taken seriously. However, it will not define your future. There are many other pathways to get where you want to be if you do not do as well as you expected in your final exams. The HSC should be a learning curve, where you learn more about yourself, how you work and learn. Doing well and achieving your goals in the HCS is a wonderful achievement but no matter what the result, with determination and courage everyone can strive whatever their heart desires afterwards.

Erin, 36

What do you do for work?

I'm a Mental Health Professional.

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not? 

TW: Suicide

No! I lost my of my best friend's to suicide as the HSC exams started and I didn't do very well in my exams as a result. I took a few years off study after this as I tried to figure out what it was I wanted to do in the world. I was eventually able to get an adult entry in the Uni of my choice a few years later.

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

Everything you have done to get to this point is a huge achievement in itself. No matter the outcome of your exams, know that there are so many exciting roads that can take you to where you want to go in life.

Portia, 23

What do you do for work?

I'm an Mental Health Professional with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not? 

Yes and no. I was fortunate enough to do very well in the HSC, which meant that I got into the course of my choosing on a scholarship. But, as it turned out...I hated that course. I switched into psychology based solely on my university results, and managed to hang onto my scholarship along the way because I was doing well in my classes. Now, I'm getting ready to do a Masters and become a clinical psychologist, which is totally different from the vision I had for my future when I was in Year 12. While I'm incredibly proud of my ATAR, it's primary benefit was that it gave me options straight out of school so that I could explore my passions and interests. I've learned from experience that if you apply yourself at uni or work, then opportunities will come your way regardless of what you did at school.

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

Do your best and leave it all out on the field. If you can walk away from these exams feeling like you've given it your best shot, then that's all anyone can ask of you. Regardless of whether you get the results you want, you will be able to pursue whatever career you want - there's always more than one pathway to the same goal, so be proud of what you've achieved and know that you matter and you are enough just as you are. No exam gets to determine your worth or value, only you do.

Kai, 23

What do you do for work?

I'm a Photographer.

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not?

Not in the slightest, I got accepted into uni later on down the track just because I completed year 12. I was still able to do what I wanted despite not getting the best ATAR.

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

I know that these exams feel like it's the be all and end all to your future but there are other ways to get into uni or that job you want. Most of the time, all employees want to see is that you complete high school. Make sure to take some time for self care and remember that your grades don't define you or your self work. You've done amazing to get this far!

KJ

What do you do for work?

I'm a Relationship Manager.

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not? 

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

Whatever happens in each exam, try to put it behind you as soon as it's done. Best not to over think how you did, what you could have done better. It's done. Do your best to compartmentalise and re-set for the next exam! And at the end of it all, congratulate yourself. And don't worry, the results won't define your success. You can travel many paths to the same place.

Chase, 22

What do you do for work?

Completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Deakin this year.

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not?

No, I got into my preferred course at my preferred uni. Looking back, I think I could have done better during Year 12 however I was facing some challenges in my personal life and went to a school that didn't perform the best in VCE. I still tried my best and kept persisting with my studies.

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

You've come so far already. You may not feel completely prepared and time has run out, however don't let this stress you out. You can only do your best. Take care of yourself during this time and remember there's always a way to achieve your study/career goals despite how you do during year 12.

Tom, 31

What do you do for work?

I'm a Marketing Manager.

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not? 

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

There is going to be a lot of external pressure - from parents, to friends wanting to compare marks, to universities setting entry marks. Ultimately your self worth as a person isn't reliant on one year when you are 18. Getting 99 doesn't mean everything - if I have learned anything, its that you'll be ok if you keep putting in effort, and keep being a sponge. A hard worker trumps smart people with a bad attitude!

Bre'Arne, 28

What do you do for work?

I'm a ReachOut Moderator and an Art Therapy student

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not?

If someone told me at the end of year 12 that I'd be so lucky to work with an organisation like ReachOut whilst working towards being a counsellor and art therapist I would’ve laughed in disbelief. I had a shocking time in school, and exams never showed what I was capable of doing. The HSC wasn’t a good time for me, and I didn’t do “well” at all, but after school, I found my feet and my own success regardless. If anything my HSC experience taught me that exams don’t define my intellect and helped me build resilience to reach my goals.

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

It’s okay to care about your results, even after reading through all these stories, it’s kinda hard not to when you’re in the middle of it all! Similarly, it’s okay to just get through this time and not put too much pressure on yourself to get a high ATAR. Just know that there are plenty of opportunities, happiness and fun on the other side of year 12 waiting for you not matter how you go in exams.

Bella, 26

What do you do for work?

I'm a Criminal Lawyer.

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not? 

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

Your value as a person isn't derived from a single number or test result, which is something that I struggled with during my HSC year and haven't fully realised until later in life.

Also, eat a big breakfast before exams - 3 hours is a long time...

Zoe, 28

What do you do for work?

I'm currently doing a Bachelor of Advanced Studies majoring in International Relations and Anthropology.

Did your HSC/VCE/Year 12 final exam results impact your career goals? Why/why not?

There is no denying that the final Year 12 exams can be brutal. It feels as if everything is riding on those few hours that flash by in seconds, but truthfully, you can do anything you strive toward regardless of the exam outcome. Nothing is impossible. It took me a solid year to transfer into the degree I missed when emerging from the HSC and even now I’m unsure if it is the right path for me to be walking. Although things take time, there is always a way to do what you love. Lean into your passions and you will find a way.

What advice would you give to Year 12 students who are about to start their final exams?

Everyone tells you not to stress, but there is no denying how scary this big exam monster we have created can feel. Just know that, regardless of how well you think you have performed, or how much you have studied, your mind and drive will take you to amazing heights. There is no limit to what you can achieve: doing the best you can is bloody amazing. Once it is all over you will look back and be astonished at how you conquered such a difficult task. You got this.

From everyone here at ReachOut, I want to wish you all the best in your upcoming exams. I won't wish you luck, because you don't need luck - you are all smart, hard-working, amazing students so I have every confidence you'll be fine. Stay hydrated, write fast, and be sure to make some time for post-exam self-care 💜