ATAR doesn't measure all the wonderful things that make you who you are

As a parent and a vice-chancellor at one of Australia's leading universities, I know how common it is for students to feel apprehensive about sitting the HSC. And I am very aware that for the current class of 2020 this is no ordinary year.

From the summer bushfires to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, year 12 students are gearing up to sit their HSC during some of the most extraordinary circumstances in living memory.

Sydney University's vice-chancellor Michael Spence advises students not to get stressed about their ATAR.Credit: Nick Moir

For those of you aiming to undertake a university course – and that's not the right choice for everyone – I have a very simple message.

Your ATAR is not going to follow you around for the rest of your life. It is a measure of how you performed academically over 18 months, but that is all.

It doesn't measure all the wonderful things that make you who you are. It doesn't measure all the many different kinds of intelligence. It doesn't know that you're a fabulous cook, or that you're kind or funny.

The ATAR can't take into account all the things you are learning about life and the world in which we are living. There are many things more important than the ATAR can capture, and every parent is proud of their son or daughter (as I am of mine) for far more important reasons.

Year 12 students are gearing up to sit their HSC during some of the most extraordinary circumstances in living memory.Credit: Virginia Star

Students often get stressed about their ATAR because they think it determines what they can do after school, and therefore what career they will eventually have. But that is only very partially true, at best.

The ATAR can, of course, help you to get into your first choice of course. But if things don't go quite as well you had hoped – and there are many reasons why they may not – there are multiple other pathways to a degree and a rewarding career.

When choosing a university course, make sure that it is designed to teach you crucial skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication. It should prepare you not just for your first job, but for the job after that (perhaps a job that has not been invented yet).

It should give you some chance at learning in a "real world" context, and also the chance, once borders open, to complete some of your degree overseas if you choose.

But most important of all, choose a course that you are excited and passionate about or that intrigues you.

Don't choose a course just because you got the "right" amount of points. Your ATAR is not like your phone data. It's not wasted if you don't use it all. I've taught many miserable law students doing the degree just because they (or their parents) thought that it was the "right" thing to do.

And if you don't know exactly what course you would like to take, or what career you would like to pursue, make sure you choose a course that keeps your options open. Few people know exactly what kind of career they would like when they join the university.

Remember that you are not alone. The HSC experience is a shared one, with students past and present, and getting through the year is an enormous achievement, no matter your result.

Most importantly, look after yourself. Take regular study breaks. Eat well. Sleep. Give yourself some time each day to regroup or exercise. Try to be positive as it will help you stay motivated. Even a little study is better than no study at all, so keep going and try as hard as you can for the whole year. Don't let early offers stop you from achieving your best.

We know this is a tough year and most institutions are taking that into account. At Sydney, we're in the process of adjusting our pathway programs to acknowledge the impact of the bushfires and pandemic. We want to support students who've done it hard and continue to do it hard so that they have the opportunity to join us next year.

Finally, thank your teachers and your parents. We often forget to acknowledge the important role they play in year 12. They'll be feeling the disruption of this year as much as you all are.

So class of 2020, as you prepare to finish school and set off into the world, know that we see your resilience, we admire your tenacious spirit and we all cheer you on.

Michael Spence is vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney.

Sign up to our Coronavirus Update newsletter

Get our Coronavirus Update newsletter for the day's crucial developments and the numbers you need to know. Sign up to The Sydney Morning Herald's newsletter here and The Age's here.