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:
This episode is all about explaining how VCE works and translating the jargon around VCE so that you can understand it more clearly and feel more confident supporting your child. Grab the free download The Parents’ Guide to VCE to have on hand (https://www.roadmapeducation.com/parents-guide), and listen up as I clarify what the key organisations like VCAA and VTAC do, what all the acronyms mean, and tell you what you need to focus on and what you can ignore as white noise.
5:22 What does VCAA stand for and what do they do?
The VCAA is the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. They set the curriculum for schools in Victoria from early childhood through to VCE (including creating VCE study designs), organise the external exams at the end of Unit 3 and 4 subjects, and calculate a student’s study scores for their subjects.
7:00 What is VTAC and what do they do?
VTAC is the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre and they facilitate the transition between high school and tertiary education. They get students raw study scores from VCAA, use them to calculate students’ ATARs, and manage the offer process for tertiary institutions. Keep an eye on their website for important dates for VTAC applications and offers, and also for all of the University and TAFE Open Days (links below)
8:15 What is VCE?
VCE stands for Victorian Certificate of Education, and it is the secondary qualification for students in Victoria. It now includes the VCE - Vocational Major which has replaced VCAL and allows students to explore vocational studies as part of their secondary education.
9:50 What is a SAC?
SAC stands for School Assessed Coursework. They are set out by the VCAA in the subject study designs which can be accessed on the VCAA website, and a student’s ranking after all of the SACs are completed in a subject is used as part of the calculation of the study score for the subject. Not all assessment completed in Year 12 is a SAC.
11:49 What is a study score?
A study score is the result that students get for each of the Unit 3&4 subjects they complete. It is a number out of 50 and it’s a ranking showing where you sit compared to everyone else who completed that subject in the same year. VCAA calculates the raw study score for each student, and then study scores are scaled depending on how well each cohort of students has done well across all of their subjects to be used in the calculation of each student’s ATAR.
14:38 What is an ATAR?
ATAR stands for Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank and it is a ranking showing how well each student did in VCE compared to all other students who completed VCE in the same year. The highest ATAR a student can get is 99.95, which means that they’re in the top 0.05% of the state. It only exists because it is the most efficient way for students to get an offer into (a lot of) university and TAFE courses. It is not the only way of getting into tertiary courses, and as a society we need to stop giving it so much power.
17:28 What is SEAS?
SEAS stands for Special Entry Access Scheme and it is the way that students can get extra points added to their selection rank if they have had any type of disadvantage in VCE compared to their peers, such as financial difficulties, health issues and other difficult circumstances. The focus of a SEAS application is how the issue has affected the student’s ability to perform at their best in VCE. A SEAS application will only ever be used to your child’s advantage.
Links mentioned:
Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services
Free Download - The Parents’ Guide to VCE: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/parents-guide
How are ATARs Calculated? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58
What Happens If You Do An Unscored VCE or VCE-VM? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/87
VTAC dates: https://vtac.edu.au/dates.html
University and TAFE Open Days (Please note that at the time of publishing this page still has dates from 2024, but it will be updated closer to July 2025): https://vtac.edu.au/opendays.html?highlight=WyJvcGVuIiwiZGF5cyJd