schools has finished now what to do

My daughter finished years 11 and 12 and went on to do a TAFE course. Her plan was to get a qualification and get herself a reasonably good job to put herself through Uni. So she studied aged and community care, got her certificate and got a job. When her position was certain, she applied for Uni. She’s currently studying nursing and working in aged care. So proud of her

Fantastic news. Good on her!

that is good to hear. congrats to her and you! all that hard work pays off

Just keep showing her many options! Anything and everything! Try not to pressure her to much!

Many thanks for all the positive comments which I passed on to my daughter
She received her HSC marks and she did really well it looks like she will be able to do the University course she wanted to do so many thanks everyone for all your help

great advice as usual ..
relax and wait, things will fall into place.

There is so much pressure on kids doing their HSC. Let her know that it is not the be all and end all. There are so many pathways into most careers. I personally struggled through the HSC because of emotional issues but I still ended up studying for my Bachelor of Science (after a TAFE course), then going on to do my Graduate Diploma. I was in a position where I was helping to set up a department in a new hospital and doctors were taking my advice, and would seek that advice. I got myself into a position where at 6 months pregnant I walked into an interview and said I would work for the next 13 weeks and I may or may not come back and the response I got was “when can you start”?
Another thing to remember is that whatever she chooses may not be lifelong. I have spent 20 years in healthcare and now I am starting an interior design course. Tell her to enjoy her time now. If she gets the marks that is great. If not, she can work and travel for a year, study part time, study by correspondence, and then go and do what she wants to do. There is no rush. As long as she is happy because that is the real measure of success.

I know a lass who wanted to be a physiotherapist but her marks were 1% than what she needed. Her 2nd choice was Occupational Therapy. Initially she found it difficult to find a full time job or even part time which paid enough to support her. She has worked at several Hospitals in Vict, and one organisation for a specific disabled group, many of those were children whose parents she contacted to see if they needed home visits or assistance. Each job she has had she has learnt and shared her practical experience and knowledge. Part of one of her jobs was assessing the safety of homes that a lot of elderly folk lived in when they were in hospital following falls etc. and discussing the availablity of some minor changes for safety. e.g. removing loose mats on floors, sometimes moving furniture a little bit to make manouvring walkers or other equipment easier, putting in rails in places such as toilets, bathrooms and also verandahs where there are steps. it enables people and their loved ones to have the confindence that as much safety and support is in place……This is just an example of how you can change to your 2nd choice and be very happy with your decision.

I suggest to wait for the results. Often kids are surprised! There are so many pathways to get into university and TAFE. Time to take a deep breath and think about what she really wants!

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 30 Dec 2014 , 7:10 pm

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  Also; keep busy with a part time job.

Encourage her to relax until she gets her results. Tell her to give herself a break! It is awful how kids are pressured to plan their future before they are ready to make such a long term decision. Guidance Officers and Career Officers really do not always help.
If she begins in one field of study or employment that she does not feel is a good fit, she can change; many people do, some several times.

1 and most important WAIT FOR THE DAMN RESULTS!!
Till then have fun maybe take an extra 6 months to figure out what she likes/wants then if she didnt get a good enough grade to get the course she wants go to the university she plans to go talk and ask them about there alternate pathways into uni. I did a 6 minyh free course (TPP) at USC and got into biomedical sscience degree without even finishing high school. Grade 12 results are honestly not that important

She may get into another course and be able to change into her preferred course the year after. Lots of people do this and perhaps the school careers adviser can tell her about different pathways to get to do what she wants. Good luck for her results.

what subjects did she enjoy at school?
She could always get a job or travel. Have a gap year to decide.
I wasnt sure what to do when i left school.
I just got a full time job for a couple of years and really enjoyed it. I have also started studying part time in accounting as i may persue this later on.

Hard to answer without knowing her interests. Consider volunteer work, or actual work for a year, then re-apply. Apprenticeships may be an option.