Careers advisor says HSC results do not define long term success

WITH Year 12 students having received their HSC results on Thursday 18 December, a local careers advisor said it’s an important time to remind students that final scores don’t determine long term success.

Heritage Christian School Careers Advisor Liza Hone said results represent one step, not an end point.

“Your result isn’t everything.

“If you really have a goal and believe you can do it, there are ways of getting there.” Ms Hone said.

She reminded students that strong results may make course entry easier but they are not the only pathway.

“I used to say medicine and law were exceptions, but even that’s not true anymore.

“I met medical students who started with scores in the 70s and still made it through alternate pathways.”

Ms Hone said academic scores lose relevance over time.

“Once you’ve been out of school for six years, no one asks what your score was.

“It doesn’t stick with you, it’s not something you wear forever.”

The career’s advisor encourages students to view their results as part of a longer process.

Universities and employers value skills, experience, and persistence alongside academic performance.

“If you really want it, there’s almost always a way, alternate entry programs, bridging courses, or experience based applications.”

Ms Hone advised that students can use several pathways to reach their goals.

These included alternate entry programs that lead into degrees, bridging courses that meet prerequisites, and experience based applications supported by work or volunteering.

“Be willing to take other steps.

“It might be a more circuitous path, but you can still get there.”

She also encourages flexibility.

Students are encouraged to consider regional universities, online study, or vocational training as a pathway into higher education.

For some students, a gap year can provide clarity.

“It’s not a year off life, it’s a year of discovery, really,” Ms Hone said.

“Trying to work out more about who you are and maybe get away from those expectations.”

For parents of HSC students who might not receive the mark they wanted, Ms Hone advises to acknowledge disappointment first and then focus on practical next steps.