70 ATAR goal or 90 ATAR goal? (5 Viewers)

[jane1820]

i rlly hope for a 90+ ATAR (idc if its a low 90 as long as its 90) but i wanna do math teaching n the ATAR requirement is 60+

this kinda demotivates me like "why am i studying so hard n stressing just to end up doing a 60+ ATAR course?"

for those who aim to get high ATARs but their course has low ATAR requirements how did you stay motivated?

 

[empowered]

studying to have no regrets later

 

[Study to success]

i rlly hope for a 90+ ATAR (idc if its a low 90 as long as its 90) but i wanna do math teaching n the ATAR requirement is 60+

this kinda demotivates me like "why am i studying so hard n stressing just to end up doing a 60+ ATAR course?"

for those who aim to get high ATARs but their course has low ATAR requirements how did you stay motivated?

Studying just in case u change ur mind about ur career might motivate u more. Also the satisfaction from doing better than ur friends on exams and getting top marks and awards

 

[SMARTYPANTS_SINGH]

i rlly hope for a 90+ ATAR (idc if its a low 90 as long as its 90) but i wanna do math teaching n the ATAR requirement is 60+

this kinda demotivates me like "why am i studying so hard n stressing just to end up doing a 60+ ATAR course?"

for those who aim to get high ATARs but their course has low ATAR requirements how did you stay motivated?

I don’t want to be cliche by pulling out a quote but though “atar is just a number, make it one you can be proud of”. That was kinda helpful throughout y12

 

[iloveeggs]

i rlly hope for a 90+ ATAR (idc if its a low 90 as long as its 90) but i wanna do math teaching n the ATAR requirement is 60+

this kinda demotivates me like "why am i studying so hard n stressing just to end up doing a 60+ ATAR course?"

for those who aim to get high ATARs but their course has low ATAR requirements how did you stay motivated?

i would say if i were in your position i would feel the same way. the other suggestions here are nice and if they work for you, great. honestly tho if i don't need a high atar i wouldn't care abt getting one unless i did need it for something. i would say aiming to get specific scholarships that need high atars or whatever might be something you could look into as a secondary goal which will help motivate you to get a high atar

 

[compd]

i rlly hope for a 90+ ATAR (idc if its a low 90 as long as its 90) but i wanna do math teaching n the ATAR requirement is 60+

this kinda demotivates me like "why am i studying so hard n stressing just to end up doing a 60+ ATAR course?"

for those who aim to get high ATARs but their course has low ATAR requirements how did you stay motivated?

Completely agree with @iloveeggs on this one.

You shouldn't aim for 90+ just for the sake of getting it. If 60 gets you into your course, there is no point in stressing yourself out and wasting time on something that will be useless anyways. If you think that getting the high ATAR itself is a reward, trust me - it's not. When you get a high ATAR but don't use it, you feel happy for like 2 days and then a sense of sadness that you invested so much time into a number that is used for nothing. You don't even get validation from others, because barely anyone really cares anymore in university, and those who do are people who don't have a life, so yeah...

That being said, if you DO have a use for a high ATAR, by all means, go for it. Just remember, at the end of the day, the ATAR is a means to an end - by itself, it means nothing.

PS. If you want to go to a high-ATAR course but have a low ATAR, just take a postgrad route!

 

[Armon]

I could have gotten a mystery mark and still gone into my course (since I had unconditional early entry). That being said, I don't regret the extra study at all. I'm just going to share a few things that might help motivate you:

1. Having a higher ATAR will keep your options open - If you decide later for some reason that you really want to do teaching at USYD or UNSW, rather than wherever your currently looking at, the minimum requirement is 80, not 60. You might also find later on that teaching is not be the right fit, and you instead want to study something else. Assuming Mathematics is definitely something you're into, you might end up interested in a Bachelor of Advanced Mathematics or something instead, which has a selection rank requirement of 93 at UNSW.

2. Having a higher ATAR will give you more scholarship opportunities at your chosen university. For example, I received an extra $5000 studying at UNSW because I was the dux of my cohort. I was similarly offered $30,000 to attend UTS, which for some stupid reason I didn't take. Getting a Co-op scholarship in certain courses like CS at UNSW drastically improves ones likelihood of finding a great job quickly after university and is a unique networking experience. Some courses also offer unique access to classes or special programs for very academically capable students, for example Dalyell Scholars at USYD for those with an ATAR over 98, and the Talented Student MATH1141 classes at UNSW.

3. Having a higher ATAR will give you confidence and prevent imposter syndrome. When you go to university, it feels like everyone (barring your group project teammates) is smarter than you, and having achieved good results previously in your HSC makes you feel more like you deserve to be at this course and your capable of performing well in it.

4. Having a higher ATAR (or more accurately, higher marks in your relevant HSC subjects), will make Uni easier. Students who performed well in 4 unit maths often find the adjustment to Uni maths super chill and far less stressful. The skills you develop in HSC are very valuable in your courses, and from my anecdotal experience, the students who struggled at the beginning of Uni maths tended to struggle throughout, whereas those who did well to begin with (because they had a lot of past HSC experience with the content) were able to keep the momentum going.

5. Having a higher ATAR might make your parents proud.

 

[compd]

I could have gotten a mystery mark and still gone into my course (since I had unconditional early entry). That being said, I don't regret the extra study at all. I'm just going to share a few things that might help motivate you:

1. Having a higher ATAR will keep your options open - If you decide later for some reason that you really want to do teaching at USYD or UNSW, rather than wherever your currently looking at, the minimum requirement is 80, not 60. You might also find later on that teaching is not be the right fit, and you instead want to study something else. Assuming Mathematics is definitely something you're into, you might end up interested in a Bachelor of Advanced Mathematics or something instead, which has a selection rank requirement of 93 at UNSW.

2. Having a higher ATAR will give you more scholarship opportunities at your chosen university. For example, I received an extra $5000 studying at UNSW because I was the dux of my cohort. I was similarly offered $30,000 to attend UTS, which for some stupid reason I didn't take. Getting a Co-op scholarship in certain courses like CS at UNSW drastically improves ones likelihood of finding a great job quickly after university and is a unique networking experience. Some courses also offer unique access to classes or special programs for very academically capable students, for example Dalyell Scholars at USYD for those with an ATAR over 98, and the Talented Student MATH1141 classes at UNSW.

3. Having a higher ATAR will give you confidence and prevent imposter syndrome. When you go to university, it feels like everyone (barring your group project teammates) is smarter than you, and having achieved good results previously in your HSC makes you feel more like you deserve to be at this course and your capable of performing well in it.

4. Having a higher ATAR (or more accurately, higher marks in your relevant HSC subjects), will make Uni easier. Students who performed well in 4 unit maths often find the adjustment to Uni maths super chill and far less stressful. The skills you develop in HSC are very valuable in your courses, and from my anecdotal experience, the students who struggled at the beginning of Uni maths tended to struggle throughout, whereas those who did well to begin with (because they had a lot of past HSC experience with the content) were able to keep the momentum going.

5. Having a higher ATAR might make your parents proud.

Some of the points here are invalid.

1. Once you have already started a course for a couple of years and want to change, by that time, your ATAR has expired. You will NOT be able to use it - instead you will have to undertake the postgraduate route as I have mentioned.

2. Absolutely true. Can't disagree. Free $$$ is always something good to have!!

3. This is ridiculous and honestly embarrassing if you think this actually true. In no way is your ATAR a judgement of your character/skills, and you shouldn't pursue a high ATAR just to boost your ego or "confidence" as you say in university. On the contrary, nobody cares about ATAR in university (something that becomes more prominent for 2nd year onwards), and in fact it is generally frowned upon to boast about one's high school results. Additionally, you will be working with many mature-age students (postgraduate) who don't CARE about a 4 digit ranking. Even if you DO somehow truly feel more confident solely due to your high ATAR, this is NOT a good sign. It simply shows that you are a shallow person with no life, with no other redeeming characteristics other than your ATAR. Your self-esteem should be intrinsic, not based on the mark that you achieved.

4. This is true to an extent, if some of the course content in university aligns with high school. Valid point.

5. Again, your self-worth shouldn't be derived from how others perceive you. You shouldn't just pursue high marks because your parents want you to. If you do, it just shows how insecure you are. That being said, I do understand that people want to "pay back" the sacrifice and effort that their parents put into them. But live for yourself too!

 

[jane1820]

Reading all your messages i think ill just continue hoping for a high ATAR (90+) despite my career choice but also i wont be beating myself if i dont achieve it
i think thats the best way to motivate myself without throwing myself off (if ykwim)

 

[lunaaaa4403]

i rlly hope for a 90+ ATAR (idc if its a low 90 as long as its 90) but i wanna do math teaching n the ATAR requirement is 60+

this kinda demotivates me like "why am i studying so hard n stressing just to end up doing a 60+ ATAR course?"

for those who aim to get high ATARs but their course has low ATAR requirements how did you stay motivated?

No point of trying that hard unless you’re going for a scholarship but u may need to raise ur goal to 99+ for that

 

[lunaaaa4403]

Reading all your messages i think ill just continue hoping for a high ATAR (90+) despite my career choice but also i wont be beating myself if i dont achieve it
i think thats the best way to motivate myself without throwing myself off (if ykwim)

good. U will regret not trying hard. If u bust ur ass off and fail you’ll probs try gauge ur eyes out tho

 

[Shavi Masee]

i rlly hope for a 90+ ATAR (idc if its a low 90 as long as its 90) but i wanna do math teaching n the ATAR requirement is 60+

this kinda demotivates me like "why am i studying so hard n stressing just to end up doing a 60+ ATAR course?"

for those who aim to get high ATARs but their course has low ATAR requirements how did you stay motivated?

do you not wanna go into optom anymore?

 

[jane1820]

good. U will regret not trying hard. If u bust ur ass off and fail you’ll probs try gauge ur eyes out tho

Who said anything abt not trying hard n failing?

 

[jane1820]

do you not wanna go into optom anymore?

no i still am im just more into math teacher which is my first option

 

[lunaaaa4403]

Who said anything abt not trying hard n failing?

is getting a 70 atar a lot of effort for u?

 

[jane1820]

is getting a 70 atar a lot of effort for u?

No

 

[lunaaaa4403]

No

omg then what didnt u understand??

 

[jane1820]

omg then what didnt u understand??

mb i thought u said ‘you'll regret working hard when you fail’
(i studied 6hrs today need a break ig)

 

[lunaaaa4403]

mb i thought u said ‘you'll regret working hard when you fail’
(i studied 6hrs today need a break ig)

all that studying must be distorting ur ability to read. go get that scholarship girlboss

 

[Armon]

Some of the points here are invalid.

1. Once you have already started a course for a couple of years and want to change, by that time, your ATAR has expired. You will NOT be able to use it - instead you will have to undertake the postgraduate route as I have mentioned.

2. Absolutely true. Can't disagree. Free $$$ is always something good to have!!

3. This is ridiculous and honestly embarrassing if you think this actually true. In no way is your ATAR a judgement of your character/skills, and you shouldn't pursue a high ATAR just to boost your ego or "confidence" as you say in university. On the contrary, nobody cares about ATAR in university (something that becomes more prominent for 2nd year onwards), and in fact it is generally frowned upon to boast about one's high school results. Additionally, you will be working with many mature-age students (postgraduate) who don't CARE about a 4 digit ranking. Even if you DO somehow truly feel more confident solely due to your high ATAR, this is NOT a good sign. It simply shows that you are a shallow person with no life, with no other redeeming characteristics other than your ATAR. Your self-esteem should be intrinsic, not based on the mark that you achieved.

4. This is true to an extent, if some of the course content in university aligns with high school. Valid point.

5. Again, your self-worth shouldn't be derived from how others perceive you. You shouldn't just pursue high marks because your parents want you to. If you do, it just shows how insecure you are. That being said, I do understand that people want to "pay back" the sacrifice and effort that their parents put into them. But live for yourself too!

I completely disagree on some of these:

Your ATAR never expires and most people make their switch just after first year. Especially if you want to move unis, reapplying with your ATAR through UAC is very common. But I was moreso talking about if you change your career goals halfway through year 12.

As for your dismissal of the imposter syndrome point, I am not suggesting that one boast about their ATAR to others, that is antisocial behaviour and weird. It is however a reflection of you being able to put it some hard work and study, and certainly gives an example of accomplishment that you can look back on. A lot of my friends have struggled adjusting to uni because they don't feel like they belong in the course, that they only got in through early entry or bonus points and that they are not smart enough. Obviously do not build your self esteem on an ATAR, but theres nothing wrong in personally feeling happy about your achievements, and it definitely makes you feel more deserving of your university admission.

As for the parents thing, maybe this is cultural. My marks definitely gave my Dad more joy than they gave me and I like seeing him happy.