How to prepare for life after Year 12 exams   

You might have a colour coded binder with study notes for every subject, but how ready are you when it comes planning out the rest of your life?  

If you’ve got a binder for that too, then this article is probably not for you.  

Source: Tenor, 2020 

Deciding what to study after Year 12 is overwhelming for most people.  

With exams on the horizon and so many course options available, it’s no wonder that some of us look for answers online to help deal with the uncertainty of life after Year 12.  

Source: Tenor, 2013

Fortunately, you’re not alone. There’s a whole lot of life after you finish Year 12 exams and high school, and we’re here to help you navigate this exciting new chapter.  

Consider these five winning tips to help you drown out the noise of Year 12 exam stress:

1. Make some hard choices and trust the process

We get it, it’s hard to decide what you want to do after Year 12, especially once the exam period is over.  

With literally hundreds of possibilities, it probably feels like making a decision means saying goodbye to some great options.  

It’s important to realise that these decisions don’t have to be permanent. You can absolutely change your mind after trying something new, especially if you decide it’s not for you.  

Just like trying one yoga class doesn’t automatically lock you into a lifelong career as a yoga instructor, choosing to do a university degree doesn’t mean that you can’t change your mind down the track.  

Most university courses at Deakin have some degree (excuse the pun) of flexibility and allow you to pick electives from different faculties. This opens the door to new experiences and possibilities.  

There are even dedicated resources to help you at every stage of your university journey.  

Your tertiary study journey doesn’t have to be linear; many students choose to stop-start their studies based on life stages and events.  

2. Feel all the feelings about exams and life after Year 12

Most people can recall exactly how they felt as they trekked their way through Year 12. You may have felt some of these emotions yourself:  

• Anxiety about upcoming Year 12 exams and wondering if your preparation is up to scratch  

• Fear about how you performed and whether your ATAR will be high enough to get into the course of your dreams 

• Excitement about life after high school and taking your next steps into adulthood 

3. Only ask people you trust for advice about what you should do after Year 12 

Everyone is happy to give their two cents on what you should do after you finish Year 12 exams, but be mindful that this is their opinion based on a limited perception of you and your abilities.  

More often than not, these (sometimes unsolicited) opinions and pieces of advice comes from a place of love; to your parents or carers, you’re always going to be the tiny two-year-old who needed help tying their shoes, and to your mates, you’re always going to be the one who tried to microwave a fork in Food Tech..   

While their perspectives can be valuable, your friends and family might not fully grasp your current aspirations and the unique path you want to carve out for yourself.  

It’s important to stay true to yourself / dance to your own beat and make decisions that align with YOUR personal goals and passions. 

4. Consider taking a gap year after your Year 12 exams to do whatever you want!

Consider taking a gap year after your Year 12 exams to explore your interests and passions!  

You might even choose to put off going to university for a little while and do some travelling, volunteering or even do some work during your gap year.  

While a year off may seem like a long time, many experts and past gap year-ers agree that it doesn’t make a difference in the long run. In fact, it can provide you with invaluable experiences, clarity on your goals, and even prevent burnout. 

Many students find taking a gap year allowed them to return to studies with renewed energy and focus, fully prepared to embrace new challenges at university.

5. Seek help when you need to for Year 12 exams and life stress

To state the obvious, Year 12 exams can be stressful; it’s totally okay to ask for help when you need it.  

Knowing when to ask for support is an essential form of self-care. Whether it’s chatting to a friend, getting advice from your favourite teacher or just taking a well-deserved break, support-seeking practices will go a long way in helping you through those bumpy moments.  

And lastly, it gets better

Remember, life is so much more than high school and there is so much to look forward to after Year 12 exams. Yes, it does seem scary right now but it’s important to recognise that it gets better.  

High school isn’t a walk in the park for everyone, but many students find relief and joy in the opportunities that come afterwards.  

There are countless roads you can take and whether you decide to study, work or take up competitive fly fishing for a while – what’s important is that it’s your choice.   

So, as you prepare for Year 12 exams and beyond, know that life does get better after high school. 

Take care of yourself, ask for help when you need it and stay open to all the wonderful possibilities ahead. You got this!