84, 000 kids sit the HSC this month, starting Tuesday.
This is just a reminder to all those kids (and the parents of those kids) that it really only matters for the three or so months after you finish school. It doesn't change your life, just the very next step. Do you go straight into the course you want at the Uni of your choice or do you take a more scenic route? Or in the case of one of my friend's kids, do you scramble to get into a course that you thought wouldn't be an option for you, when your mark exceeded the predictions of your life long learning difficulties?
The HSC doesn't measure smartness, just persistence and application. The ATAR is merely the cut off due to demand of places in a course (Not how smart you have to be to do the course). If you miss out on your dream, most Universities have a day in Dec or Jan where you tell them your mark and they build a pathway to get into your course eventually.
A reminder to parents to celebrate the child that has finished school, and the world opening doors for their shiny adult life that awaits.
To the kids, whatever you do next, further learning, apprenticeship, training or working - enjoy it. Your life is going to change in so many ways - speak up when it's scary or overwhelming, well adjusted adults do that, but mostly, appreciate this exciting time. Opportunities, new responsibilities, new friends or meeting new people, maybe even a new home.
This is a sparkling time in your life when the world is your oyster. Don't let exam stress (or societal pressure) take that away from you.
The photo is from the Archibald, Sulman and Wynn exhibition - if you know the artist, please let me know so I can credit it. But kids, you now follow the sign posts of your making.
Good luck, do your best and remember it's not the be all and end all, it's just the beginning!
Make sure you link back to this #AllSeasons post.
Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run.
Oh yes, that’s a good reminder. And one more thing, speaking from experience: Even if your life turns out completely differently than planned or hoped, it can still be a wonderful life!
ReplyDeleteI’m sharing something autumnal with you today, since that’s the season we’re currently in—the time of changing leaves. By chance, I’ve managed to share my travel experiences from October 2025 just now in October 2026, and here you can see some beautiful red foliage as well.
Wishing you and your loved ones a lovely spring!
All the best from Austria 🤗
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2026/10/reisebericht-2025-kekuli-bay-spion-kop.html
Love this perspective! Exams measure persistence, not potential. Best of luck to all the students stepping into this exciting next chapter!
ReplyDeleteDear Lydia...At first reading I did not understand what the abbreviations mean besides that they have to do with school...but Dr. Google was helpful again. My time in school is long long ago. But I know the feeling....
ReplyDeleteHave a good time and all the best
Violetta
Hello, Lydia. Yes, yes, yes! I agree with all that you write and having been a University Academic for many years, I can definitely say that I've seen so many unhappy students doing courses that they were not interested in, simply because their marks were good and they could get into them (because their parents coerced them to them!)... Thanks for hosting, enjoy the new week.
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