Deakin University: Why Should You Consider It?
Course and Career Chat
Open Days are happening at the moment, and I want to pop in and give you a snapshot of the things I think are really important to consider about each of the major universities so that you can make the most of the Open Day and get what you need to make an informed decision about your future. So why should you consider Deakin University? The main aspects I talk about in this episode are: Sport Science. Deakin is the #1 Sport Science school in the world. If you're interested in a career in the sports industry, Deakin is the university for you. The other courses and faculties that Deakin has...
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VU: Why Should You Consider Victoria University
Course and Career Chat
Open Days are happening at the moment, and I want to pop in and give you a snapshot of the things I think are really important to consider about each of the major universities so that you can make the most of the Open Day and get what you need to make an informed decision about your future. So why should you consider Victoria University? The main aspects I talk about in this episode are: The negative misconceptions many people still have about Victoria University and where they came from Facts to counter the misconceptions, including student perspectives and subject rankings The courses and...
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The University of Melbourne: Why Should You Consider It?
Course and Career Chat
Open Days are happening at the moment, and I want to pop in and give you a snapshot of the things I think are really important to consider about each of the major universities so that you can make the most of the Open Day and get what you need to make an informed decision about your future. So why should you consider The University of Melbourne? The main aspects I talk about in this episode are: The Melbourne Model. What is it and what are the pros and cons? The number of majors available in The University of Melbourne's generalist undergraduate degrees like Arts and Science Breadth subjects...
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ACU: Why should you consider Australian Catholic University?
Course and Career Chat
Open Days are happening at the moment, and I want to pop in and give you a snapshot of the things I think are really important to consider about each of the major universities so that you can make the most of the Open Day and get what you need to make an informed decision about your future. So why should you consider Australian Catholic University? The main aspects I talk about in this episode are: You don't need to be Catholic to go to ACU, and you won't have to study religion in your course ACU has a smaller campus than the other major universities in Melbourne, and that could be pro or a...
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RMIT University: Why Should You Consider It?
Course and Career Chat
Open Days are happening at the moment, and I want to pop in and give you a snapshot of the things I think are really important to consider about each of the major universities so that you can make the most of the Open Day and get what you need to make an informed decision about your future. So why should you consider RMIT University? The main aspects I talk about in this episode are: RMIT's location in the middle of Melbourne The fact that RMIT is dual sector and what that means for students looking at vocational training, higher education and pathway courses RMIT's amazing industry...
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VCE Results Are Coming: Understanding Your ATAR and Finding the Right Pathway
Course and Career Chat
VCE results are released tomorrow, and whether you’re feeling excited, nervous, or a mix of both, this episode is here to support you. Even though we all know ATARs aren’t the most important thing in the long run, they do feel important right now — and that’s completely normal. In this short pep talk, I explain why your ATAR is simply a piece of data that helps you make your next step, not a measure of your worth, potential, or future success. You’re allowed to celebrate if you’re proud of your results, and you’re allowed to feel disappointed if they’re not what you expected. I...
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What Year 12 Students Should Do Before VCE Results: How to Finalise VTAC Preferences
Course and Career Chat
Now that VCE exams are finished, it’s time for Year 12 students to prepare their VTAC preference list before results are released next week. In this episode, I explain why finalising preferences early leads to better choices, how to set up your list with dream courses and pathways, and what to do if you still have no idea what you want to study next year. Timestamps: 1:30 — What to do after VCE exams 4:45 — Why you should finalise VTAC preferences before results 8:30 — What to do if you don’t know what you want to study Links: Work with me: VTAC dates:
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Why ATAR Goals Can Backfire — A Healthier Way to Approach VCE Goal Setting
Course and Career Chat
In this episode, I share why setting goals around a specific ATAR or study score can actually increase stress, reduce motivation and lead to burnout. Inspired by Dr Emily on The Imperfects Podcast, we explore a healthier approach to VCE goal setting — one that focuses on future pathways, not numbers students can’t fully control. Timestamps: 1:48 — Why I’ve never liked ATAR-based goals 3:55 — Dr Emily’s take on goal setting 5:20 — Why students burn out when they chase a number 8:20 — How to create healthier, more meaningful VCE goals Links: Work with me: The Imperfects Podcast...
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Why VCE Feels So Confusing for Parents — And How to Get the Information You Actually Need
Course and Career Chat
In this episode, I share how trying to navigate my son’s cricket club with zero information helped me understand exactly how parents feel when their child starts VCE. You’ll hear why VCE feels so overwhelming, why schools often don’t communicate clearly, and how understanding the system helps you make better decisions about VCE subjects, tertiary pathways and supporting your teen through Year 11 and 12. Timestamps: 0:45 — Trying to start cricket with no information 6:11 — Why VCE parents feel lost 10:24 — How I support families through VCE Links: Work with me: The Parents’ Guide...
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How to Choose the Right VCE Subjects, Tertiary Courses and Career Pathways (and Stop Cutting Off Your Options)
Course and Career Chat
Choosing VCE subjects and planning a tertiary pathway can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re worried about closing off future options. In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I share stories of four students who were unintentionally limiting their choices because of assumptions about what they could or couldn’t do. You’ll hear how, once they had the right information, they were able to make informed decisions about their VCE subjects, courses, and career pathways — and feel confident about their next steps. Timestamps: 1:00 – Penny’s story: Exploring creative careers...
info_outlineWhat we’re talking about:
1:40 What you can do if your measure of success in VCE is to get the best ATAR you can
Using a planner to keep on track, creating a study timetable, using a calendar to keep track of SACs, extracurricular activities and your casual job if you have one. Work out how you will get help when you need it eg homework club at school or getting a tutor (see the link to an episode below where I talk about how to choose the right tutor for you). Choosing the “right” subjects - some people will think this means choosing subjects that scale up, I think the right subjects for you are the ones that suit you best so that you will lean into your strengths and not have as much trouble finding the motivation to study.
6:21 Why I don’t think that getting a good ATAR should be your only measure of success in VCE.
If your only measure of success in VCE is to get a really good ATAR, you are going to spend a lot of time over the next two years feeling stressed out, feeling inadequate if you’re not ranked first in the subjects you want to rank first in for example or if you’re not doing as well on SACs as you think that you might. If that’s your only measure of success in VCE you are setting yourself up for a pretty awful couple of years. Two years of stress is too much as far as I’m concerned. There’s a difference between little pockets of stress the night before a SAC, and being completely stressed out for 2 years.
7:26 Your measure of success in VCE could be having a really great couple of years.
Take advantage of all the amazing opportunities your school has to offer, including extracurricular activities like sport, drama, music and debating, as well as fun activities like the school formal.
8:30 How can we reframe the importance of your ATAR and it being a measure of success.
The only reason that an ATAR exists is because it’s the most efficient way to get into a course. That’s it. Getting an amazing ATAR and having no idea what you want to do, that’s very short-lived success. And I know that because that’s what I did. I got the great ATAR, I got into the course that I thought I wanted, spent two and a half years in it being miserable until I changed my plans, and went back to wanting to be a teacher. I worked out how to do that and had an amazing career as a teacher. But getting that good ATAR was not what got me there. The plan was what got me to where I wanted, and successfully into a career that I really enjoyed. Really what I want you to think about is what success in VCE looks like to you, and what you can do to have a really great couple of years AND set yourself up for having many many fun, exciting years after VCE as well.
Links mentioned:
Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services
Do You Need a Tutor or a Career Counsellor?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/76