Advice for students disappointed with ATAR results

Experts say Queensland students disappointed with their ATAR results today should not stress, with plenty of options at hand to find their path in life.

Students disappointed with their ATAR result today have been urged to stay positive, with experts saying there were multiple ways to land their dream career.

After a turbulent two years due to the pandemic, Charles Sturt University education researcher Brian Moore said for students finally receiving their results it was a “significant milestone”.

“Some Year 12 students might be unhappy, upset, or even catastrophising their results and looking to blame Covid-19,” he said.

“Feeling upset when things haven’t gone to plan is normal.”

But Dr Moore said with more students now accepted into university without an ATAR than with one, there were multiple options for students who may not have attained their ideal ranking.

“Year 12 is just one of many pathways in life and there are many avenues to enter the workforce, commence a trade, or enrol at university,” he said.

“No matter how you perceive your results, be kind to yourself and take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back.”

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry said it was “not the end of the world” if students didn’t get the ATAR they wanted for their preferred course, but said they might need to reconsider their options.

She said once a student had completed a year of full-time study towards a bachelor’s degree, UQ no longer used their Year 12 results for entry into other programs.

University of Queensland Vice Chancellor Deborah Terry says students who didn’t receive their desired ATAR have other options. Picture, John Gass

“What determines whether you will be accepted into a course in the future is essentially how well you perform at university,” Professor Terry said.

“Many students decide to enter UQ through a degree with a lower ATAR cut-off and stay because they find it’s exactly what they wanted, or they may move into another degree.

“Lots of our students do change courses.”

Co-founder of student leaver support service Year 13 Saxon Phipps said there were a range of options available for graduates, whether or not they had firm ideas about their future career.

“One of the tremendously difficult things about the transition from school to work is there is so much pressure on young people to answer that age old, ‘what are you going to do with the rest of your life’,” he said.

“You’ve had a relatively narrow existence, all you’ve really known is school and perhaps what your siblings and parents have done.”

Mr Phipps said one bright spot of the pandemic had been the range of employment opportunities on offer for young people, particular in industries like technology.