Year 12 students from around Victoria are currently in a state of limbo.
Their classes have wrapped up and they’ve said goodbye to their school but they’re not truly free yet with exams waiting for them around the corner.
The biggest is the English exam, which falls on Tuesday, October 24.
The News spoke to students from the Shepparton region to ask how they’re feeling about the upcoming exams and what they’re doing to keep themselves sane.
Notre Dame College
Francis Fabregas has “mainly focused on arts subjects”, including VET media, product design and literature.
Francis has kept a positive outlook throughout his time at Notre Dame. However, due to events over recent years, it’s become more challenging to maintain.
“Initially it was a good start for me, thinking that because it’s my last year I was trying to give most of it as I can since I’ll never have this again,” he said.
“But to be honest, I’ve struggled to just try and maintain the work levels since Year 10 because of the number of disasters I went through with the floods and COVID.
“I wouldn’t say that I’ve done the best that I’ve done in the past, but I’d say it’s the best that I could have done.”
Next year, Francis hopes to keep his connection with the school as he applies for the media trainee at Notre.
Angel Tacey has found Year 12 to be a “whirlwind” but is “excited to see the other end of the tunnel”.
When thinking back to the start of the year, Angel said she would advise next year’s cohort to embrace their final year.
“Make sure you enjoy the year, go to parties, go to the eighteenths, go hang out with your friends and just take some time out of your day for yourself,” she said.
“There are more important things than school because school’s gonna be done in soon but your friends and your family will always be there so make an effort to spend time with them too.”
Angel’s plans include taking a gap year before studying zoology at university.
Lochlan Darby took a more academic road, studying English, further maths, physics and chemistry as well as fast-tracking maths methods.
“Year 12 has been relatively easy for me,” Lochlan said.
“It’s more of the same of Year 10 and Year 11 where it’s similar content, just a little bit harder so I’ve been able to keep up with the workload.”
He has a strict study routine that he’s been using to prepare for exams.
“I do one or two practice exams for one subject at a time and then do strict self marking on each one so I can iron out the kinks,” Lochlan said.
Greater Shepparton Secondary College
Vanessa Asante is tackling biology, chemistry, maths methods, English language and English this year.
In preparation for her exams, she has been ensuring that she takes time for socialising and catching up with friends for a debrief and to take a break from studying.
With the future in mind, Vanessa is looking forward to the relief of finishing high school.
“It’ll be good to not have the stress of school and going to places and not being worried about study and feeling bad about it,” she said.
Following graduation, Vanessa wants to go into nursing to continue a legacy and provide support to those who need it.
“I have a lot of family that study nursing and I've always been interested in health and the body,” she said.
“I also want to help people when I'm older, so I just thought it was the best choice for me.”
Easten Henderson is studying for his philosophy, psychology, English language and maths methods exams this year, having fast-tracked accounting and business last year.
He’s felt prepared for his final year, having completed a third of his subjects in Year 11.
Fast-tracking these classes in Year 11 has helped Easten feel prepared for his final year.
“Fast tracking two subjects last year set me up to know what I have to do this year and I'm pretty comfortable around exams now,” he said.
Easten acknowledged that there will be aspects of school he’ll look back on most fondly.
“I’ll miss times with my friends the most, like having that set time where you are always together for the week,” he said.
Easten’s advice for next year’s Year 12 cohort is to take the year as it comes.
“Short-term pain, long-term gain is a pretty good way to describe it,” he said.
Goulburn Valley Grammar School
Zachary Rensford is a Year 11 student at GVGS and will be undertaking his first VCE exam this year as he has chosen to fast-track legal studies.
Although it seems intimidating, Zachary has kept a positive outlook on his academic situation.
“I’m feeling great and I’m actually really excited for the exam because it’s a good taste of what Year 12 will be like,” he said.
So far, he has enjoyed his subject choice and recommends that students who can fast-track a subject do it.
“I wanted to push my limits academically and I also really enjoy legal studies and one of the teachers here encouraged me to do it,” Zachary said.
“It’s really rewarding, and it’s still a good experience.
“If someone wants to I’d tell them find something you love, stick with that but also find something you’re good at.”
Next year, Zachary will continue his VCE studies at GVGS.
Georgina McKellar is currently undergoing Year 12 and will be taking exams for English, further maths, geography, psychology and health and human development.
“I have found it [Year 12] really exhausting and challenging, but also really rewarding because it’s shown me that what you put in, you get back so, it’s been a good year overall,” Georgina said.
Exam preparation has been a mix of emotions for Georgina, but the end is drawing closer to her high school career.
“I’m feeling really nervous but really excited because it means that the end of a really strenuous year is coming,” she said.
The future for Georgina holds travel and further study, including a trip to Japan and New Zealand and plans to study a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University.
Shepparton Christian College
Michaela Moore was not only completing Year 12 this year but she also led the cohort and student body in her role as school captain.
On top of her captaincy, she is part of the student leadership program and coached a netball team.
Her key to getting everything done has been to enjoy a wide variety of activities while also keeping on top of her education.
“It’s been good but stressful and now I’m nervous but excited to be finished Year 12,” she said.
“I’ve been doing a lot of practice exams to calm my nerves but also taking time for myself.”
Michaela has been studying maths methods, chemistry, English, health and human development, as well as allied health through GOTAFE and last year, she fast-tracked biology.
Next year, she is hoping to go into paediatric physiotherapy.
Mason Minotti has made it this far into his studies by ensuring he takes care of himself before anyone else.
“I’ve tried to keep sort of a good mentality on where I’m at personally,” he said.
“Obviously everyone sort of expects you to do really well and that can take a toll on you mentally so you’ve just got to block that out and just focus on what you want to do moving forward.”
His nerves regarding exams are lowered when he thinks about the freedom he’ll gain following his graduation.
“Exams, for me, are sort of just that idea of ‘okay, school’s finished, this is the last thing I need to do and I’m free to do whatever I want’,” he said.
In 2024, Mason will be taking a gap year, working as a manager at a local fast-food restaurant.