After 13 years of schooling, I must have done something right!!

Popi

MM.

On the other side though,I'd hate to give anyone else coming on the thread the idea that success in these exams is the most important thing. It's like everything in life you learn different lessons with each situation. I completely imploded during my HSC some years ago, needless to say I got a disappointing result. Best thing that ever happened to me in terms of academics. I learnt so much from the experience and am a MUCH better person for it. I believe the world teaches you the lessons you need to learn. I needed to learn the lesson my HSC disappointment taught me.

No offence roysta, I know it was well meant, but it worries me very much to compare a disappointing exam result for some poor young adult, with their parents having produced weeds. Each person is valuable for who they are, not how well they do at one particular point in their lives. There's far too much emphasis placed on this educational milestone....

...I suppose I should say, I've had two kids complete their HSC so far. Both did very well. The elder doing very very well. Interestingly enough, the one that got the lower mark, is doing BRILLIANTLY in his Computer Engineering Course..the one that did better HATED the course she enrolled in, dropped out, then changed courses, changed unis, works full time, studies a full time load....on the other hand my niece is has two young children and didn't complete her apprenticeship...and I am every bit as proud of her as my own kids. She's a fabulous, responsible mother. I think her parents did a fabulous job too.

I agree with you Snodge, but I do think exams are important and if you do well when you are young you reep the rewards when you are older.

Popi

You're only as good as your most recent qualification. It's REALLY handy to get into the course you (believe you)want straight off. However many students change their mind when they get to uni and want to change directions. The importance placed on the HSC can lead to a false impression for the students. You get told all through high school that your HSC will have a big impact on your future, like it's the be all and end all.

It's really worth knowing that the Universities place most emphasis on how you go in your first year than they do in your HSC result. Take care not to fall into the trap my daughter did. Hated the course she enrolled in, made a decision to change faculties, got caught up in a new relationship and totally lost commitment to the course she was already in. Disappointing results of course. She was counting on her excellent HSC result getting her across to the other course. Uni didn't see it that way. So to do the course she wanted she had to change to a less prestigious uni. A year or two on, she realises (and regrets) her mistake and that she should have listened to the advice given to her at the time (by me and her uncle, who once worked as an advisor at Sydney Uni...now a barrister).
In the other direction, with some misgivings on my part, my son, who was absolutely desperate to study software engineering and already thorougly fluent in half a dozen different programming languages, decided that he was just going to aim to get into the faculty and university he wanted, and not worry about getting enough for Software Engineering in his HSC. This meant he could get anything over about 80. We waited with baited breath. He was happy enough, and accepted a place in Electrical Engineering (I think). A bit of alarm around here when he discovered he'd have to average distinction to be allowed to swap, he'd been told credit average when making his plans.
However, the subjects he had to study were more to his taste than those in his HSC. Naturally he absolutely blitzed advanced programming, coming within the top 20 of his cohort and getting a congratulatory letter from head of faculty, saying they were looking forward to seeing what he does in the remainder of his degree. Easily made the distinction average required (which has continued to maintain).

Now the key thing is that he discovered that Software Engineering was a great deal of study in a subject that he loathes, so he decided Computer Engineering was the way to go and was accepted after first semester, so getting stressed about whether he made it or not (with the likely associated impact on his result) would have been a total waste of time. A nerve racking few years for mum (dad's more laid back) I can tell you, even if I did keep telling myself and him that if it's what he really wanted that's were he'd end up regardless of any setbacks along the way.

...So yeah, CONGRATULATIONS Popi and your daughter...enjoy this euphoria - just remember the journey's not over yet.....I guess you can tell this topic hits a bit of a nerve for me. I hope my kid's experience is useful info for you. Certainly the mistake my daughter made post HSC was very unfortunate...but then, perhaps she had a lesson to learn too. Sometimes when you're brilliant, and can get great results with bugger all effort you can get a bit arrogant about things. She hated full time study and loves her work. So really it'll all work out for her in the end.

OH dear, two down...two to go.....

For letting me know your experience with Uni's etc. It pays to keep an open mind and not be too complacent when you have braininess!!

Popi

Well done Kris.....its nice to get good exam results isnt it?

Popi

Personally, I think that the HSC puts young people under too much stress for what it's worth. It is no indication of how well a student will do at university - but unfortunately no-one has come up with an alternative. Some universities are moving to other admission criteria - early entry based on school results and references, etc.

Son No 1 followed the accepted pattern for success - studied hard at school, did well in his HSC, BUT ended up doing double degree in Music (entry based on audition, not HSC results) and Teaching (entry based on enrolment in Music. Graduated in 2002.

Son No 2 loved school. That is, the social aspects of school. Very bright kid (all 3 were classified as Gifted and/or Talented) who got by with the minimum of work. Made a few mistakes in HSC subjects. Physics??? Liked the teacher. Pity about the marks. Had absolutley no idea of what he wanted to do until late November and then found the Holy Grail - Sound & Music Production. After a flurry of phone calls and late application fees, was interviewed/auditioned and wa accepted into the course prior to the release of the HSC results. Have no idea what he got for that but I do know that his two years of uni has resulted in a string of Distinctions and High Distinctions - and he still loves the social life.

Kris, special congratulations to you. What degree did you get? Obviously something botanical/environmental.