Easing anxiety around VCE results

All the study and exams have led to this for the class of '22. Picture: ON FILE

VCE results are about to be released on Monday 12 December, and the class of ’22 is bound to be full of anticipation and anxiety. For some, all they have in mind are their exciting new beginnings, while others may have their plans upset by unexpected results.

Scientia Professor Andrew Martin said our ATAR matters, but not in the way you might think it does.

“Most of the focus and stress about ATARs revolve around what university course it gets you into. Sure, some students will have unconditional early entry offers—but if they change courses or universities, the ATAR may suddenly become very relevant,” he said.

“The ATAR does not determine where you end up as much as it shapes the way you get there. Your task now is to courageously and energetically embrace the ride! The reason the ATAR matters is because it shapes your post-school journey. It determines whether you get in the front door of what you want to study now—or if you need to take a couple of side routes to eventually get into what you want. Indeed, it is not uncommon for these side routes to be the very pathway that suits you best!”

Best of luck for the class of 2022.