How do i become ok with getting a low atar? (+a note to myself in december) (2 Viewers)

[radioheadfan42]

Hey! So, havent been doing to hot this year. I don't expect to get a high atar whatsoever, maximum in the 60s range for me.

Im not at all worried about universities and things, really there are so many other pathways, and the courses i am aiming for have a very achievable range, or have good acceptance rates.

The problem surrounds guilt, i think. Genuinely, i love school - and i love learning. Every single subject i do i wish i could just take the time to truly immerse myself in it, and appreciate it for what it is...because these things excite me. So its the fact that i feel i am doing the subjects i love a disservce. I haven't shown them enough love, or i haven't taken the time to appreciate them. Or, i overthink things so much to the point i loose all practicality in what im doing.

Im just not a practical person, im not fast, i think too much and i stall - and its getting to a point im beginning to try and accept the fact that i will be heartbroken by my atar.

How does one come to accept it? This isn't to say im not trying at all anymore, god no -i just don't want to shock myself.

Theres so much social and personal pressure on getting a high mark, like it says something about your worth as a person Or your intelligence, or how much you care about a subject - and i really struggle to break away from that.

Sorry if this is at all a bit dreary, i think i just need to write something - somewhere - i need guidance i think.

(Note to myself in December:
Whatever happens now, you shouldn't be afraid. Because today is the most perfect day i have ever seen.
Now, get outside and go take a walk, you absolute silly egg. And then reply to this message with a YELP review of your sob. (1-5 stars - 1 being a terrible, uncomfortable sob - 5 being one of those really gross and snotty but like really satisfying ones. You know the one....))

 

[wildwestworm]

Wow this sounds just like me at the start of this year Btw this reflection is so amazing and well written, you explained it so well!!
My predicted ATAR is similar to yours - 60s to low 70s, but I'm actually completely fine with it now. Obviously I didn't feel this way for a majority of year 12 but I learned to just accept that it doesn't really define me at all. I know that's cliche and many people will disagree but I still believe it's true

I started doing things outside of school, I got a job, I talked to other people older and younger than me and I realised how little it (their ATAR or grades) defined them. I would talk to them about things I was interested in and it made me realise how little my (predicted) ATAR changed that about me. I was still passionate and knowledgeable about things I wasn't good at in school and I still had so much love for those subjects, just not in a school setting. Your passion for your subjects is what matters the most, that's what sustains your interests and gives you more satisfaction in life. I know a lot of this is easier said than done, but don't anticipate disappointment because what you're worrying about is still uncertain. You have no clue how things will play out and we still have a decent amount of time. I hope this made sense and honestly I'm the worst person to get guidance from but good luck I'm rooting for you

Btw everyone learns so differently. When you start learning at your own pace and in a way that suits you best you will truly understand how capable you are and definitely not think of yourself as impractical. You are an entirely different person to everyone else doing the HSC, you have to definitely learn to accept that. Again good luck

 

[axe]

Hey! So, havent been doing to hot this year. I don't expect to get a high atar whatsoever, maximum in the 60s range for me.

Im not at all worried about universities and things, really there are so many other pathways, and the courses i am aiming for have a very achievable range, or have good acceptance rates.

The problem surrounds guilt, i think. Genuinely, i love school - and i love learning. Every single subject i do i wish i could just take the time to truly immerse myself in it, and appreciate it for what it is...because these things excite me. So its the fact that i feel i am doing the subjects i love a disservce. I haven't shown them enough love, or i haven't taken the time to appreciate them. Or, i overthink things so much to the point i loose all practicality in what im doing.

Im just not a practical person, im not fast, i think too much and i stall - and its getting to a point im beginning to try and accept the fact that i will be heartbroken by my atar.

How does one come to accept it? This isn't to say im not trying at all anymore, god no -i just don't want to shock myself.

Theres so much social and personal pressure on getting a high mark, like it says something about your worth as a person Or your intelligence, or how much you care about a subject - and i really struggle to break away from that.

Sorry if this is at all a bit dreary, i think i just need to write something - somewhere - i need guidance i think.

(Note to myself in December:
Whatever happens now, you shouldn't be afraid. Because today is the most perfect day i have ever seen.
Now, get outside and go take a walk, you absolute silly egg. And then reply to this message with a YELP review of your sob. (1-5 stars - 1 being a terrible, uncomfortable sob - 5 being one of those really gross and snotty but like really satisfying ones. You know the one....))

someone has to get a shit atar its a ranking, you rank will be placed somewhere, simply how it works u cannot be the best at everything

 

[coolcat6778]

Hey! So, havent been doing to hot this year. I don't expect to get a high atar whatsoever, maximum in the 60s range for me.

Im not at all worried about universities and things, really there are so many other pathways, and the courses i am aiming for have a very achievable range, or have good acceptance rates.

The problem surrounds guilt, i think. Genuinely, i love school - and i love learning. Every single subject i do i wish i could just take the time to truly immerse myself in it, and appreciate it for what it is...because these things excite me. So its the fact that i feel i am doing the subjects i love a disservce. I haven't shown them enough love, or i haven't taken the time to appreciate them. Or, i overthink things so much to the point i loose all practicality in what im doing.

Im just not a practical person, im not fast, i think too much and i stall - and its getting to a point im beginning to try and accept the fact that i will be heartbroken by my atar.

How does one come to accept it? This isn't to say im not trying at all anymore, god no -i just don't want to shock myself.

Theres so much social and personal pressure on getting a high mark, like it says something about your worth as a person Or your intelligence, or how much you care about a subject - and i really struggle to break away from that.

Sorry if this is at all a bit dreary, i think i just need to write something - somewhere - i need guidance i think.

(Note to myself in December:
Whatever happens now, you shouldn't be afraid. Because today is the most perfect day i have ever seen.
Now, get outside and go take a walk, you absolute silly egg. And then reply to this message with a YELP review of your sob. (1-5 stars - 1 being a terrible, uncomfortable sob - 5 being one of those really gross and snotty but like really satisfying ones. You know the one....))

TLDR, Just remember you had it coming (subjects)

 

[v.tex]

TLDR, Just remember you had it coming (subjects)

bruh come one

subjects don't mean anything bro, everyone will make it eventually where they want to be. I know a ton of people who failed their ATAR and are way more successful then people who literally studied every day to get a 90+

 

[igor9]

hey trawg, someone has to take last place bawg, it's a talent within itself, don't be upset cheer up.

 

[igor9]

TLDR, Just remember you had it coming (subjects)

his subjects are fine blud . Don't blame the game, blame the player.

 

[Test-king12]

someone has to get a shit atar its a ranking, you rank will be placed somewhere, simply how it works u cannot be the best at everything

doesnt look like ol mate is the best at anything

 

[igor9]

the courses i am aiming for have a very achievable range, or have good acceptance rates.

and which course would this be, bachelor of midwifery??

 

[sakinluvo]

Hey! So, havent been doing to hot this year. I don't expect to get a high atar whatsoever, maximum in the 60s range for me.

Im not at all worried about universities and things, really there are so many other pathways, and the courses i am aiming for have a very achievable range, or have good acceptance rates.

The problem surrounds guilt, i think. Genuinely, i love school - and i love learning. Every single subject i do i wish i could just take the time to truly immerse myself in it, and appreciate it for what it is...because these things excite me. So its the fact that i feel i am doing the subjects i love a disservce. I haven't shown them enough love, or i haven't taken the time to appreciate them. Or, i overthink things so much to the point i loose all practicality in what im doing.

Im just not a practical person, im not fast, i think too much and i stall - and its getting to a point im beginning to try and accept the fact that i will be heartbroken by my atar.

How does one come to accept it? This isn't to say im not trying at all anymore, god no -i just don't want to shock myself.

Theres so much social and personal pressure on getting a high mark, like it says something about your worth as a person Or your intelligence, or how much you care about a subject - and i really struggle to break away from that.

Sorry if this is at all a bit dreary, i think i just need to write something - somewhere - i need guidance i think.

(Note to myself in December:
Whatever happens now, you shouldn't be afraid. Because today is the most perfect day i have ever seen.
Now, get outside and go take a walk, you absolute silly egg. And then reply to this message with a YELP review of your sob. (1-5 stars - 1 being a terrible, uncomfortable sob - 5 being one of those really gross and snotty but like really satisfying ones. You know the one....))

bro how cooked are you to start pondering about the different 5 stages of grief.

 

[fesi2w3]

Once you realise there's a world outside of the ATAR HSC "Here's how to get 99.95 ..." study grind etc etc chamber, you'll come to terms with your ATAR. There's a billion different pathways you can go on, the tiny box that is high school is nothing in comparison to it. You should take your guilt and put it towards being productive in other ways Self-improvement, starting a new hobby, meet new people, plan out your goals etc. When you feel as though there's nothing of you/your world other than this one specific thing, it hurts like hell when it's taken away from you in some way, and it's only natural since you've spent so many years of your life, so many nights working towards it. But that's all in your head, it's not really the be-all end-all. Nobody even cares about or mentions ATAR after settling into young-adulthood

If you feel guilty about your ATAR, find a new endeavour to make yourself proud about

 

[enoilgam]

Once you realise there's a world outside of the ATAR HSC "Here's how to get 99.95 ..." study grind etc etc chamber, you'll come to terms with your ATAR. There's a billion different pathways you can go on, the tiny box that is high school is nothing in comparison to it. You should take your guilt and put it towards being productive in other ways Self-improvement, starting a new hobby, meet new people, plan out your goals etc. When you feel as though there's nothing of you/your world other than this one specific thing, it hurts like hell when it's taken away from you in some way, and it's only natural since you've spent so many years of your life, so many nights working towards it. But that's all in your head, it's not really the be-all end-all. Nobody even cares about or mentions ATAR after settling into young-adulthood

If you feel guilty about your ATAR, find a new endeavour to make yourself proud about

So true. The HSC/ATAR is so so overrated in terms of importance.

 

[spiderfan44]

TLDR, Just remember you had it coming (subjects)

doing shit subjects doesnt necessarily mean you will do poorly, also theyre doing english advanced, extension and chem wtf are u on about

 

[anonymouslystruggling]

i think it's worth noting plenty of courses accept 60 atars, if u still plan to uni. even mainstream unis like wsu hv lsr requirements so low.

i think thinking of atar as just a pathway to enter the course u want to enter (sometimes with benefits such as scholarships and internships) helps to put things into perspective. ur worth doesn't come from a number that reflects how long u studied during ur late teens. unless u went to a private school and did extensive tutoring that u did not pay for, thereby wasting someone's money, there are no real justifications to feel guilty for getting a bad atar. so it'll be ok. life will go on and u can find ur way regardless of atar. look after urself

 

[radioheadfan42]

Thank you all for your advice!! I'm feeling a lot better since i made this post...this was very helpful to read, thank you all dearly


Ive come to realise since that my desire to get a high atar was more due to external pressures as opposed to what i truly want...i love school a lot, i love every single one of my subjects by themselves but I'm not the sort of person who is very good at the memorisation and tests under timed conditions kind of thing. I panic, and my brain has about 3 squillion things going on in my head at once, and i cannot for the life of me hold on to any of them. Its frustrating, i have the memory of a squishy raisin!

I like to take my time with things...which is certainly not a very productive way to do things in the hsc. I am on the asd spectrum...this may be why, LOL! It leads to me learning some things in really awesome detail, but its unhelpful in terms of productivity.

I mean ill still do things under timed conditions, I'm ok with that! But for multiple subjects at once? Bah, i struggle with it. My teachers tend to joke that i am a bit intense about the research side of things...in a test i truly find it hard to move on unless i understand the question. Im not an efficient person, and that's ok - its an aspect of myself that's impossible to change for the hsc. And I'm a bit stubborn to change it if ill be honest. Going into huge depth into one subject, as opposed to just a little on multiple, is what i love. Which is why I'm excited for uni!

The HSC is only for NESA, Its only for a university...i got quite fancy results in year 11 so maybe SRS will work out! We shall see...

I am told by people that the hsc is something they expect of me to be high...clearly, if i love all my subjects, that should shine through in my atar? Which is why i feel quite guilty about this all.

I am just scared of people being disappointed.

But i have found it really helpful to ground myself, and to try and figure out whats important to me...not to expectations, or my perceived expectations, of others. Whats important to me is that, at the end of the hsc, i am learning something...be it about my subjects, or about organisation. Not necessarily what number i get.

I have come to much better terms with this all after looking at the hsc less as a reflection of how much i care about my subjects, but as a reflection of how i did on this particular year.

I still love to learn things. I don't want to give that up after the hsc. I want to keep at it until i am too old to read, lol. Thats whats important. I am a goo goo gaga baby in terms of how much more there is to learn...i cant wait to get back into it again.

HA. Nerd....amirite?

 

[radioheadfan42]

Wow this sounds just like me at the start of this year Btw this reflection is so amazing and well written, you explained it so well!!
My predicted ATAR is similar to yours - 60s to low 70s, but I'm actually completely fine with it now. Obviously I didn't feel this way for a majority of year 12 but I learned to just accept that it doesn't really define me at all. I know that's cliche and many people will disagree but I still believe it's true

I started doing things outside of school, I got a job, I talked to other people older and younger than me and I realised how little it (their ATAR or grades) defined them. I would talk to them about things I was interested in and it made me realise how little my (predicted) ATAR changed that about me. I was still passionate and knowledgeable about things I wasn't good at in school and I still had so much love for those subjects, just not in a school setting. Your passion for your subjects is what matters the most, that's what sustains your interests and gives you more satisfaction in life. I know a lot of this is easier said than done, but don't anticipate disappointment because what you're worrying about is still uncertain. You have no clue how things will play out and we still have a decent amount of time. I hope this made sense and honestly I'm the worst person to get guidance from but good luck I'm rooting for you

Btw everyone learns so differently. When you start learning at your own pace and in a way that suits you best you will truly understand how capable you are and definitely not think of yourself as impractical. You are an entirely different person to everyone else doing the HSC, you have to definitely learn to accept that. Again good luck

Oh my goodness I'm so happy I'm not alone!! Ahh, thank you, this makes me feel much better about things!!

Yes, what matters to me is that i still love these subjects...though impractical i may be at them. I cant wait to learn at my own pace

Good luck to you too!!

 

[radioheadfan42]

someone has to get a shit atar its a ranking, you rank will be placed somewhere, simply how it works u cannot be the best at everything

its gotta be someone! Ill embrace that, i volunteer as tribute

 

[radioheadfan42]

and which course would this be, bachelor of midwifery??

media and communications. There are many pathways one can take

 

[radioheadfan42]

bro how cooked are you to start pondering about the different 5 stages of grief.

Im hard boiled at this stage

 

[Cathode_RT]

As long as its enough to get into the course you want. Throughout my entire first year of uni, atar hasn't been brought up once - literally nobody will care after the 19th of December, its more of an "oh cool" moment than a "OMG MY LIFE IS CHANGING FOREVER" deal

However, do your absolute best to aim for the ATAR you need to get into your desired course. No one cares whether you score 99.95 or 85 as long as you meet the entry requirement. However, missing out by a small margin can leave you stuck in an undesired course, trying to transfer later. Make it easier by earning bonus points or hitting the required ATAR from the start, rather than relying on alternative pathways, which often waste time and money.