YEAR 12 students across the region are undergoing one of the most nerve wracking times in their high school education with exams in full swing.
Kicking off on Monday with biology, thousands of South Australian students will continue to put their knowledge to the test over the coming weeks by taking part in Stage 2 South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) examinations.
Breathing a sigh of relief after completing her second exam for the year yesterday, St Martins Lutheran College student Elizabeth Le Roux said her most challenging exam is still to come.
“I have completed English literary studies and general maths, but on Monday I have physics and there is definitely more pressure with that one,” she said.
“I’m feeling a bit nervous about it, but will do some more study over the weekend.”
Hoping to study architecture at the University of South Australia in Adelaide next year, Elizabeth said she was quietly confident she would secure a sufficient result.
“This year at UniSA guaranteed entry was 85, so hopefully I will get an ATAR above that, but if not Adelaide University offers the course as well and with a lower ATAR so I do have a backup plan,” she said.
Also in study mode yesterday was Mount Gambier High School student Elizabeth Durbridge as she prepared for her legal studies exam, which will take place today.
Already completing English literary studies, this will be the second of four exams for the hard working student with psychology and Australian history still to come.
“My first exam didn’t go too bad, I have been studying lots in the lead up with practice exams, flash cards and further notes, so I have been pretty prepared,” she said.
“The aim is to pass and just to say that I have completed the year.”
With plans to complete foundation studies and then social work at the University of South Australia Mount Gambier campus, Ms Durbridge stressed to next year’s Year 12s that ATARs are not everything.
“Don’t define yourself by the ATAR at the end, because it is not the main thing, we get told they are important, but there are many other ways you can get to where you want to be,” she said.
“Study hard, because you need to know the content, but remember at the end of the day it isn’t the biggest thing in the world.”
Exams will take place for another week and a half with Australian and international politics and musical styles finishing off the stressful few weeks on November 22.
SACE Board of SA acting chief executive Jan Raymond wished students well as they embark on the final weeks of their school careers.
“Students have worked extremely hard throughout the year and have already completed 70pc of their work,” she said.
“It is important students give themselves the best possible chance to achieve their personal learning goals by remaining calm and focused for the last few weeks of their school lives.”
Students will be able to view their SACE results online from 8.30am on December 19.
