You are only 18! Being back at WCC has made me realise how young we actually were in Year 12. I know that sounds ridiculous, since the majority of people turn 18 in year 12, legally making you an adult. It is a scary thought. You have to start thinking about what you’re going to do once you leave school, what you want to study, do you even want to study, and you are constantly thinking; “what Atar will I get?,” “what if I don’t get into my dream course, what is plan B?” … The list goes on. But you are only 18. 

Being back I hear the words I dreaded to hear when in year 12 – what’s your rank, what did you get in the Maths test, when is the assessment due. Lowkey makes me stressed just hearing all of the discussion … even though I’m not even in it anymore! It’s crazy that once you leave school you realise that all the things that seem like the most important thing now, didn’t really matter. Not that school or Year 12 doesn’t matter, but the stress and pressure you put on yourself isn’t worth it. Looking back, I think to myself, “why did I put so much stress on myself when I only needed to get a 60 Atar to get into my course?” I understand that it can be all consuming at the time, can cause you to have sleepless nights and causes you a lot of stress.  

My advice to you: don’t sweat the small stuff.  

Don’t be consumed by all the ‘noise’ around you, and people telling you what you should and shouldn’t be doing. All individuals are different, along with their goals and ambitions. Collaborate and help each other, but in doing this don’t compare yourself to one another. Focus on what’s important. 

So remember you are only 18, this is your time to dream, not stress. For tomorrow has enough worries of its own. God has a plan for each one of you and Year 12/ graduating high school is only the beginning.