5 things you need to know now you have your ATAR

1. First off, don’t freak out. If the score wasn’t quite what you were aiming for there are tonnes of ways to still graduate from the course of your dreams. Have a chat to your careers counsellor and review your preferences.

2. Take action! Lots of Universities hold specific course information days for you and your parents. These are a great way to find out about entry requirements, different pathways, deferral options and more!

3. Remember, you are more than a number. Now is possibly the only time when it’s normal to go around talking about your ATAR results. Trust us, when you hit your 20s (or even a week from today!) there will be very rare occasions when conversations turn to the grade you got in your final Chemistry exam.

4. Time for a Gap Year? Taking a year off after high school often helps students clarify when direction they want to take with their study. And to make it even more appealing, recent studies show that students who take a gap year, achieve better results at university then their non-travelling friends. Sweet right?

5. Don’t treat your ATAR like frequent flyer points. You shouldn't feel like you have to use your score or you'll waste it. Scored 99? Epic! Do an Arts degree, study Law or heck – go to design school. You ATAR shouldn’t change the direction you want to go, or define who you want to be.

For more information on taking a Gap Year to volunteer, work or travel with Antipodeans Abroad, go to antipodeans.com.au/GapBreak
We offer 1-6 month programs departing throughout the year.