No. Your next steps are about picking a direction, not a destiny. If you’re feeling unsure, look at courses that match your interests and keep your options open.
No, it’s not game over. Pathways can offer an alternative route to uni. You may be able to start with TAFE and move into your dream course later (sometimes with credit!)
Uni rewards consistency more than last-minute cramming. You’ll usually have more independent study and fewer reminders, so weekly routines matter.
Start early, check instructions carefully, and get help as soon as you feel stuck – support is easiest to use before things pile up.
At VU, our unique Block Model offers students deeper learning experiences where you focus on one subject at a time with smaller, workshop-style classes.
You don’t need a “big personality”. Show up to the same spaces repeatedly – classes, orientation, clubs, peer programs, study sessions. Familiarity does a lot of the heavy lifting.
Talk to a course adviser and bring your shortlist (even if it’s messy). It’s faster to refine real options than to overthink alone.
Support for your journey
Advice and guidance as you get ready to go from high school to what comes next.
Quick tips for high schoolers
Exams & assignments
Getting started is often the hardest part – so make it as easy as you can. Create mini goals to aim for (10 minutes of study, 250 words, one page, one topic).
From there, build up to bigger sessions and add regular breaks to keep things moving. For example, take a five-minute break every 30 minutes of focused work.
Study with a friend or in a library – the right environment can really help.
Plan backwards: figure out what you need to work on and what you’re strongest at so you can prioritise the stuff that needs the most work.
If you’re really struggling, tell a teacher what you’re stuck on or reach out to the school wellbeing team or a trusted adult for advice or help.
Feeling anxious before exams is common. One way to deal with it is to make the next steps clearer and more familiar:
- Do one practice under exam rules for each subject
- Write a little plan for the first five minutes of the exam (read time, what to do first)
- Get plenty of sleep and healthy food – they’re essential study tools
- Try this breathing exercise to reset when you feel overwhelmed: inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for six and repeat five times.
If the stress is getting a lot, talk through it with a friend, parent, guardian, teacher or school counsellor.
Practice exams are feedback – they help you work out what to fix next:
- Work out why you lost marks: gaps in knowledge, misunderstanding the question, timing or careless errors
- Start an “error log”: the question type + what went wrong + the fixed version
- Focus on the highest-payoff areas: common topics, common question styles, easy marks you might be missing
- Re-sit questions you got wrong after 3-7 days (that’s where learning actually sticks).
Resitting practice exams is most helpful when you review previous attempts properly and learn from the mistakes.
Balancing all the different things in life all comes down to planning:
- Make a weekly plan with non-negotiables first (work shifts, sport, family stuff)
- Build “study blocks” that are actually doable. For example, it might be more realistic for you to commit to multiple half hour blocks each day instead of one big four hour block
- Do your admin in batches (emails, printing, notes) so it doesn’t eat up time.
Communicate early with teachers, work, coaches, etc. – most people can be flexible if you ask them.
ATAR & preferences
It can be confusing to decide just by looking at course names, especially when some sound similar. The best approach is to work backwards:
- What jobs does it lead to (and does it require accreditation/registration)?
- Placements – when they happen, how they are organised, who with, where they are located
- Will you have the flexibility to change majors or specialities?
- What will you learn in first year – and do you want to do that weekly?
- Which campus is the course taught at?
If you’re unsure, pick the course that keeps more doors open in year one – switching is usually easier than people think.
That’s great – but don’t choose a course just because you “can”. List your preferences by courses you actually want to do, in the order you want to do them.
A high ATAR means you’ve got more flexibility in your choices. But what really matters is finding the right fit for your interests, passions, skills and goals.
Meeting the minimum means you’re eligible – now focus on giving yourself the best chance.
- Double-check prerequisites and any extra selection tasks (folios, interviews, statements)
- Consider your plan B (pathway options, diplomas/TAFE, mid-year intakes)
- Get advice early instead of waiting for offers to drop.
Keep in mind: many students reach their dream course through a pathway.
It’s frustrating, but it’s not the end of the road. You still have options:
- Change of preference rounds (reorder, add options you’re eligible for)
- Supplementary offers (some unis like VU make offers after main rounds)
- Consider later intakes (you can start in April or July at VU)
- Start with a pathway: TAFE, a diploma, or a bridging course that helps you go towards your goals.
Talk to a course advisor for advice and see if you could build a personalised plan to meet your goals.
Yes. You can:
- Update preferences in the next round (if you’re still in the VTAC cycle)
- Accept an offer now and apply to transfer later
- Choose a course with shared first-year subjects to keep switching easier.
Don't worry about getting locked into something – you’ll always have a chance to explore pathways to where you really want to go.
FAQs for students, parents & teachers
Whether you’re a student planning your next steps, a parent supporting your child or a teacher guiding students, get clear guidance on how to prepare for life after school.
Year 11 is a great time to really build your study habits and time management skills, because consistency is what carries you through Year 12. Make sure your subjects align with any prerequisites for course areas you’re exploring or use this year to learn what different study areas involve.
Look up prerequisites for the course areas you’re interested in and check you’re on track. Some pathways need specific subjects (or certain levels of maths/English), and it’s much easier to keep those in Year 11 than to fix it later.
Now is perfect for browsing, not committing. Start with broad areas, then narrow to a few course options and compare what you’d study, what the work looks like, and what jobs they lead to. If you can, attend an info session, open day, campus tour or career taster to learn more.
Sometimes everything (or nothing) can sound interesting – leaving you confused about where you want to go. Think about your strengths and interests: do you like people, problem-solving, hands-on work, creativity, structure, variety? This is often a better starting point than job titles.
That’s perfectly fine. Your goal in Year 11 isn’t to lock in one path – it’s to understand your options and keep the right subjects in place. As you get more information (and your interests shift), you can adjust your direction without starting from scratch.
Year 10 is your runway into VCE. Pay attention to which subjects you enjoy and do well in, because that’s your best clue for what to choose in Year 11. If there are subjects you might need later for uni (like maths or science), it’s worth keeping them on your list now so you’ve got options.
Pick subjects that keep doors open and match your interests. Shortlist 2-3 areas you’re curious about (like health, business, trades, sport, tech, arts). If you’re really unsure, go for a mix of different subjects and see how you feel as the year goes on.
Think about what you like doing and what you’re good at, then work backwards. For example, enjoying sport might connect to physio, sport management or teaching, liking tech might connect to IT or cyber security, wanting to help people might connect to youth work, nursing or paramedicine.
Things like work experience, career tasters, volunteering or watching day-in-the-life videos can all help you figure out if a job or industry is a good fit for you.
No, changing your mind is normal. Just focus on exploring your interests and passions while building confidence in a few core subjects. You can refine your direction in Year 11 and Year 12 once you’ve had more exposure to different subjects and career ideas.
Be the calm logistics brain: help them build study plans, make shortlists, book advice sessions and learn more about how to help them reach their goals. Avoid “what ATAR do you need?” as the only conversation.
Help make a preference plan and discuss backups (including pathways). Gather any documents needed for applications. Planning early reduces panic later. Read more about preferences and change of preference.
Uni is one option, not the “correct” option. Look into some of the other options like TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships, short courses and work pathways that still lead to long-term careers.
Uni courses typically range from $20,000 to $55,000 in cost for a 3-4 year bachelor’s degree, depending on the field of study. Most courses offered through VTAC are Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), meaning the government pays part of the tuition fee, and the student covers the remaining amount. Most students defer their fees through a HECS-HELP loan, paying it off incrementally once they graduate and are in the workforce.
There’s also the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) to pay – a compulsory fee for non-academic services like recreational facilities, counselling and student unions (capped at $373 in 2026).
If you need more advice or have questions about courses, entry requirements and pathways, you can reach out to our course advisors.
Tell a balanced story that looks at the bigger picture – great results open doors in the short term but it’s not everything. Normalise pathways as legitimate, strategic options.
Clear explainers on VTAC preferences, prerequisites, SEAS/special consideration, pathways (TAFE to uni) and key dates are all incredibly helpful. Encourage them to explore this Year 10-12 hub to find answers to any questions they may have. You could also offer a simple checklist students can follow.
Encourage them to explore courses based on outcomes and day-to-day reality: teaching style, placements, accreditation and career opportunities.
Yes – you can connect with VU for career taster days tailored for different year levels, campus visits or chat to us directly.
From Year 12 to life after school – top tips & tricks
Here are some quick tips, tricks and tools to help you figure out what to do after high school and get ready for uni, TAFE or work.
What matters most after school isn’t “being smart” – it’s being organised and having a study plan you can rely on. Work out where you focus best and study in focused blocks that fit your schedule and energy levels. Use a diary to control your calendar and keep track of current assignment deadlines.
Starting somewhere new usually feels awkward at first. Expect to learn new systems, meet new people, and take on more independence. Remember there’s plenty of support to help you settle in, from orientation to student advisors. Take the time early to learn where things are and how your timetable works.
More independence means juggling more than just your study responsibilities. Make a basic budget so you know what you can spend each week. Get a concession card and student myki. Look up what other discounts, concessions and scholarships you might be eligible for. Set up one place for important logins, documents and dates (notes app or a folder is enough). If you work, see if you can plan shifts around big deadlines to reduce pressure.
Transitions are stressful even when you’re excited. Stick to the fundamentals: sleep, food, movement and breaks away from screens. Keep one or two regular things in your week that help you reset (sport, gym, walking, seeing friends, hobbies). If stress, low mood or anxiety are affecting you for weeks or disrupting sleep and daily life – it’s worth talking to someone early. Support works best early before things spiral.
Read our tips for looking after your mental health while studying.
Uni isn’t just about building industry-specific skills and knowledge. You’re also developing critical soft skills that’ll come in handy throughout work and life. Things like communication, teamwork and critical thinking. Build your soft skills like a muscle. Analyse arguments to sharpen critical thinking, practise collaborating with others in group projects, and embrace the resilience you’re building as you tackle hard tasks.
Read about the soft skills that will boost your employability.
Keep exploring
Hear from students who’ve been there
Plan your next steps after school
Need advice?
Get in touch with our student advisor team to get all your questions answered on courses, pathways, careers and more.
