10 Tips For Year 12 Students Before Starting University

I'm currently studying Bachelor of Communications in Western Sydney University,…

Congratulations!!! You just survived year 11 and finally in year 12! How was it? Realised it was different from how it used to be in year 10? Well, the good news is, this year is your final year in high school and from there you get to decide if you want to do once you leave. You may want to go to university, TAFE or private college. You may want to take a break from the educational scene and take a gap year overseas. Or maybe have a part time job or two. Either way, the choice is up to you! This is your final year as high school students, the final lap to the finish line and as a recent high school graduate of 2015, there are a few things I want to tell you some final advice before you say goodbye and walk out that gate with pride and relief. Keep reading for 10 tips for year 12 students before starting university!

1. Make use of your final year since now is the time to fully participate in what the school has to offer.

This is one of the best tips for year 12 students. Join as many clubs, be part of many groups, be part of the school community. Whatever it is that finds your fancy, you should join. Most universities likes to accept students who is part of the school community since they know there is more to them than their academic results.

2. Respect the teachers since they are doing their very best to help you get the academic results you wish to achieve but you also need to put in the effort as well to make both ends meet.

Teachers are what lies in front of you before you walk out of that gate (besides exams) and they are also the ones who will leave a good word for you if you want to apply for a part time job or an early entry to university. Yes, I know they may be boring and you rather ditch school than be in class but trust me, they’re your only hope. Just give them a chance to help you. They’ll offer the best tips for year 12 students!

3. Be there for your friends since I hate to break it to you but you wont see them that often anymore once you leave.

Now is the time to cherish the final moments you guys have until you all part ways and meet new people in the future. Facebook conversations and Snapchat stories don’t last forever. Now is the time where you strengthen your bond before the final frontier. So form study groups, go to places together, do whatever it takes to be there for each other before you all say goodbye.

4. ATAR or non-ATAR, you need to study.

You need to prove to your school and your family that you haven’t been wasting your time in the education that you are being provided (especially when it’s your final year). Remember, you should be lucky to be at school since there are people in third world countries and in poverty who wish to be there.

5. Find a study method that works for you.

Do you work with groups or you rather work alone? You remember things faster with dot points? Do you like doing past papers? Or is doing things last minute really does get that brain to work?

6. Study when there is ABSOLUTELY nothing left for you do.

Done with that TV show marathon? Maybe now is the perfect time to study. Just make sure you don’t waste your time doing useless things since it will not help you and might end up as a distraction.

7. On the day you get your rank, don’t you ever think that the ATAR you receive defines who you are or what your academic level is like or what your future will become.

Sure it may be a bit upsetting and it means that you won’t be able to enter the course you wanted but know that there are alternative options like private college and TAFE or a pathway course to get there.

8. Also, did you know that there are some courses and universities that are willing and will accept you even if you are bellow the cut off?

They are willing to lower the entrance rank if you provide them a portfolio or if you joined some extra curriculum activity because they believe that you should be judge on what you can do, not on your grades alone. Some early entries will lower the entrance rank by a decent amount of points and some will permit you to do the course without your ATAR (but still requires you to finish the HSC Exam). All you have to do is apply during the early parts or in the middle of the year and hope that they will accept you.

9. And lastly, to those who feels like they’re alone in high school or feels like giving up, I want to let you know that high school does not last forever and it will end at some point.

I know I’m ending this in a sad note but this is important. I know you may be unhappy and things aren’t going so smoothly as intended that you’re now feeling hopeless about your future but know that it will not last forever. The people who are making you feel this way and the things that you’re dealing with will not follow you once it ends. All the pain will end at one point so you just have to keep on fighting, even if it feels like there is no one there for you.

10. Remember, You are a human with one life and it’s up to you to make it the best life you can. Don’t let the negativity get to you.

I hope these tips for year 12 students are helpful to you! I wish you all well in your future endeavors and hope you enjoy your final year in high school. Make the most of the final times you have left because it will all come to an end and you will be ending another chapter of your story.

Do you have other tips for year 12 students before they start university? Feel free to comment below and share the article!

Featured photo source: favim.com

Erielle Sudario

I'm currently studying Bachelor of Communications in Western Sydney University, majoring in Media Arts Production, but subbing in Journalism. During my spare time, I create content on the internet. Enjoy :-)