After 13 years of schooling, you have finally gotten your ATAR and the time has come to close this chapter in your life. Some of you may be relieved, while others may be disappointed, but one thing is certain: it is finally over!
This may be unsettling for those who are unsure what to do now that the turmoil of year 12 has passed and their new ‘normal’ does not involve their usual school day.
So what now?
Tip 1: Celebrate! You deserve it!
First and foremost, you must celebrate! An even greater success than your grade is the fact that you persisted and worked as hard as you could until the very end; this is a big accomplishment and milestone that you should be proud of. You can celebrate however you want, whether that's by spending time with your friends and family, going on a mini getaway, or even heading out to the restaurant you’ve seen mentioned 100 times on TikTok.
This is just the beginning of so many exciting opportunities to come your way! For now, celebrate and live in this moment.
Tip 2: Research your University, Course & Pathway Options
If you haven't decided on a university or course yet, or if you're feeling stuck and overwhelmed, remember that it's normal and many others have been and are in the same boat. You might begin by considering your interests, hobbies, and academic strengths.
Is there anything you loved studying in school that you would like to pursue further?
Is there a passion or interest that you believe you could make a profession out of?
Make sure you think about all of your options.
With so many course options available, it can sometimes be challenging to decide what to put on your course preference lists. Refer to University Handbooks (helpful links below) and meet with course counselors to help you understand the courses that you’re considering.
- What are the prerequisites?
- What’s the course curriculum?
- What’s the mode of delivery?
- What are the career options after graduating?
- Why should you consider that particular university?
PRO TIP: Find someone on LinkedIn or in your network that is now working your dream job or studying the course you’re considering and ask for their advice over a coffee or Zoom.
- University preferencing: Most universities have a particular specialisation; some excel in business, art, science, and so on. In addition to looking at the institution as a whole, check into your individual course and speak with the head of the department to learn more about the course and what it has to offer you
- Entry difficulty: Be mindful of the entry requirements for each course, some courses require prerequisites done in year 12 such as Maths Methods or Specialist Maths so it is important to make sure you are checking these details
- Where the course leads: if you are unsure about what you want to study but have a general idea of what you are interested in, it may be a better idea to research broader degrees such as those in arts and science as opposed to enrolling in a degree for dentistry that locks you into a career with little wiggle room
Australia is known for having an excellent range of universities and courses. We have included a list of some popular universities with links to their course handbooks:
- Australian National University (ANU): https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/search
- The University of Melbourne: https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/search
- The University of Sydney: https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/
- University of New South Wales (UNSW): https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/find-a-degree-or-course
- University of Queensland (UQ): https://future-students.uq.edu.au/study/programs?year=2022
- Monash University: https://handbook.monash.edu/
- University of Western Australia (UWA): https://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/
- The University of Adelaide: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/course-outlines/
Tip 3: De-stress, unwind, and enjoy the summer.
Use this time to unplug, switch off your computer, and detach from tUse this time to unplug, switch off your computer, and detach from the outside world. Go offline and attempt to immerse yourself in a good book. Try exercising and going outside; in the chaos of year 12, these simple things are sometimes neglected, and we forget the weight of their importance. Merely getting outside may help you to centre yourself and feel more at ease and happy.
Tip 4: Apply for Jobs that will look great on your resume (Aka Learnmate)
After finishing high school, many students begin looking for casual part-time jobs to fill their time throughout the summer and when they attend university. It is important to evaluate the kinds of work you are looking for and whether they would benefit your future and look good on a resume. Many organisations and companies look for extracurricular activities to understand candidates’ interests and how they manage conflicting priorities (an indicator of high performance).
If you’re someone who did well in years 11 and 12, have a track record of academic excellence and received above an 85 ATAR or equivalent, then tutoring might be the extra-curricular activity for you.
Not only will you be able to monetise all of your hard work in Year 12, it’s rewarding helping others overcome knowledge gaps, excel in their studies, and achieve their academic and ATAR goals. It’s also a unique time in your life where you will be one of the few who are the most knowledgeable and skilled in a subject. Because of that unique skill and experience, tutors on Learnmate earn up to $70 per hour.
As a Learnmate tutor, you can choose to tutor online, in person, or both. You may also choose where and when you want to teach, how you want to adapt classes to your specific students' requirements, and how much you want to charge each hour. Unlike other teaching platforms that impose predetermined hourly rates or set the amount you are paid per hour, Learnmate gives you the option to select your worth and keep more of what you earn.
More advantages of tutoring with Learnmate include:
- Access to our cutting-edge online learning platform.
- Access to all aspects of tutoring administration, including calendar management, payment processing, and specialised assistance.
- There is no such thing as exclusivity. You are free to tutor independently or with other companies. Don’t lock yourself in!
- Tutors benefit from a low commission of 30% on each completed lesson, which represents exceptional value for money (especially when compared to Learnmate's competitors).
- Open invitation to attend educational meetups with like-minded tutors.
- Access to collaborative Facebook groups with our tutors.
Ready to become a tutor? Register online here: https://learnmate.com.au/tutor-registration
About Learnmate
Learnmate is a trusted Australian community platform that connects students who want 1:1 or small group study support, with tutors who are looking to share their knowledge and earn an income. From primary school to high school subjects — from science and maths to niche subjects like visual communication — Learnmate can help you improve academic performance or boost confidence, at your pace with the tutor that you choose.
We pride ourselves in offering a reliable and positive experience for both our students and tutors. Every tutor that joins the platform is vetted to meet a level of academic excellence, teaching qualification or relevant experience. All tutors are provided the opportunity to complete professional training.
Students and parents can easily find and screen for tutors based on their location, their subject results or skill level, and whether they provide in-person or online sessions. Learnmate is proud to provide tutors in Melbourne, Sydney, Geelong, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra, Perth & Adelaide, and other locations.
