For some students, Tuesday was a day of nerves. For others, it was a question of what’s next as final school results were published.
“I felt a bit nervous, but I did the hard work, so the rest should just come,” Holy Spirit Catholic College, in Western Sydney, student Miguel Hanein told SBS News.
Student Miguel Hanein (R) speaking with his peers. Source: SBS News
Miguel and his friends are some 75,000 students across New South Wales to receive their HSC results on Tuesday.
The marks were released at 6am – forcing some teenagers to spring out of bed early to check their scores.
Christiane Nakhle wasn't one of those, but said she was pleasantly surprised when she did log on.
“I didn't wake up as soon as the marks came out, it was probably around quarter to seven, and I eased my way to look at my phone, to see what I got," she said.
“I was pleasantly surprised which was good."
All eight of the students SBS News spoke to are now waiting to see if they get into their preferred university course.
Emmanuel Garley (C) wants to do a degree in science. Source: SBS News
Emmanuel Garley, 18, is planning to study a clinical science degree, which will help him get into medicine long term.
While Jenny Tran, who focused on maths and science at school, wants to enrol in a bachelor of psychology.
She was one of many girls who shone in STEM subjects this year - with female students finishing first in NSW for chemistry, advanced maths and science extension.
Jenny Tran wants to do psychology. Source: SBS News
Graduates who've applied for tertiary education now face another nervous wait to see if they've done enough to get into their chosen course.
For Melbourne-based twins, Maya and Sarah Ghasseli, who received their ATAR in Victoria last week, getting into university would be a dream come true.
The pair moved to Australia with their family on a skilled migrant visa from Syria just before beginning high school.
Melbourne students Sarah and Maya Ghassali did very well in their ATARs. Source: SBS News
"We're both looking to attend university, different ones, so it's going to be a big jump between us, to be apart,” Sarah told SBS News.
She is hoping to study a film and television degree next year, while Maya is looking at politics, philosophy and economics.
But the duo said their impressive grades didn't happen overnight - especially with English as a second language.
“The first few years of coming to Australia we both found it really difficult to adapt to new environments, to be able to make new friends, and we still have those struggles every once in a while,” Maya said.
“Especially with Aussie slang, there are still some things we don't understand."
With the release of this year’s results, comes celebration, but also disappointment for many students who may not have got the marks they were hoping for.
But NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said there were plenty of alternative pathways to success.
"Whether you go to university or you don't, there are so many different options, like you could go to TAFE and do a trade, or another career based upon TAFE, it's a wonderful option,” he said.
NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee. Source: SBS News
He said there is a high demand in the workforce for people with vocational education and training (VET).
“The wonderful advantage of going to TAFE is that you learn and earn at the same time,” he said.
“Industries are telling us whether it's hospitality, IT or engineering, to say that they're looking for trained people that go through the VET system, so I encourage all young people, seriously consider all your options.”
The principal of Holy Spirit Catholic College Phillip Scollard echoed the minister’s sentiments.
He said for some of his students who have migrated to Australia from overseas, the expectation is to go to university.
“I think there's a growing pressure that university is the only way,” he said.
"Sometimes for our families who have recently arrived from overseas, the parents have that dream, 'we've moved across the world, we've looked for a better life, so we want better there.' I think we've just got to be realistic about the fact there are lots of pathways.”
