What to do if your OP isn’t high enough
With more than 18,000 Year 12 graduates learning their OP result this weekend, some may feel disheartened. But there are still pathways to their preferred career. SEE RESULTS
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STRESSED-out students who miss out on their desired OP should not despair, experts say, with multiple pathways to cracking their dream career.
With more than 18,000 Year 12 graduates learning their OP result this weekend, after many years of schooling, chances are some may feel disheartened.
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Education expert Katrina Barker said the release of final Year 12 results could be an anxious time for students, and it was crucial to keep things in perspective.
“It’s a very narrow view of intelligence, and just because you didn’t do as well as you hoped in high school does not mean you won’t do well at university, or in your career.” she said.
Dr Barker said students should talk to university course advisors to seek guidance about what subjects they would need to transfer, and make good use of their time.
“A lot of parents would not be aware of how much university has changed, in terms of gaining access into courses,” she said.
“The traditional view was you finished high school, you got straight into a course and you stayed on that pathway.
“That’s no longer the reality – education and students are quite transient, and options change quite regularly.”
Youth Mental Health Foundation headspace offers career mentoring as well as work and study specialist support, designed to help young people build their confidence, explore their job and education opportunities and build job seeking skills.
National manager (vocational programs) Carolyn Watts said it was important students who may be worried about their results or future know help is available.
“This is really just the beginning, not the end, of a pathway, and it doesn’t define you,” she said.
“We know there is a lot of pressure on school leavers to have their work and study plans all figured out, but we want young people to know there are many paths to achieving goals, even if you didn’t get the score you were expecting.
“There are lots of different alternatives for higher education – open your mind, open your options, and get informed.”
Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network executive officer Justine Cirocco said the organisation had put together a website detailing upcoming open days plus career pathway options.
“At ages 17 and 18, these young men and women have time on their side to try different study or employment options to narrow down what interests and motivates them,” she said.
“Students still need the encouragement and support of their parents and carers during this important changeover from familiar school routines to post-school independence.”
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