School and study

Starting high school. Changing schools. Choosing subjects. Leaving school. Life after school. If you're feeling stressed or just have tonnes of questions, like how to be prepared when starting high school, what the best exam study tips and methods are, what you need when preparing for uni, and how to generally stop worrying about the future (if that’s at all possible!), check out these helpful articles and resources.

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Quiz: Are you burning out?

Do you feel drained, run down and unmotivated? Take this quiz to help figure out if you’re burning out and what you can do about it.

School anxiety: how to cope if you're anxious about going to school

If you’ve been having a tough time and feel you can’t go to school because of it, you might be experiencing school refusal. Here’s how to cope with and find support for school refusal.

How to start the school year strong

Starting the school year can be really stressful. Check out these easy tips for staying calm, confident and ready to take on anything that comes your way.

3 tips for starting high school

Feeling nervous about starting high school? You’re not alone. Check out our top three tips to ease the transition, embrace the change and boost your confidence.

boy and girl in school uniforms laughing

How to make friends at school

Forming strong friendships can make your school days way more memorable. Explore our top tips for building solid connections at school.

What to do if you're dealing with a racist teacher at school

Coping with racism at school or dealing with a racist teacher is really tough. Hear from Meissa Mason on how to look after yourself and report racist incidents.

Georgia's story: What happens when you feel too anxious to go to school

In high school, Georgia experienced school refusal – which is when someone experiences severe distress or anxiety about school, and so refuses to attend. She shares what it was like, and how she and her family got through it together.

How to handle fear about the future: A guide for year 12 students

Knowing what to do after Year 12 can feel pretty stressful. Here are some tips for handling fear about the future.

5 apps you need for when school starts

Get yourself sorted by downloading these 5 apps before school starts.

5 things to remember when starting at a new school

Starting at a new school is a big change, but embracing this new chapter can really help you to grow and build confidence.

Your guide to starting uni

Going from school to uni is a big change, but you can make things a little easier by planning ahead.

Slowing down at school

Read how Emily learnt to be realistic about her workload during her final years at school, making some difficult decisions that benefited her in the end.

Failing a course or subject

Failing a course or subject can be pretty rough. The most important thing to remember is that failing doesn’t make you a failure.

Thinking about dropping out?

It’s okay to quit something when it’s not working for you, but before you make a big decision there are a few things you should consider.

Finishing school

Amy Ma, who's about to graduate from high school, discusses the excitement, fear and apprehension that she's feeling.

There are other ways to get into uni

There are many paths to the same destination. This is the story of a girl who took a slight detour on her way to the university course of her dreams.

How Becks got the guts to head back to school

Becks regretted dropping out of school and feared a future of selling french-fries. Read about how she got back into education.

Frequently asked questions

Finishing high school is often called ‘graduating’ or ‘completing Year 12'. In Australia, this usually means you’ve received your HSC (Higher School Certificate), VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education), or another state-based senior high school qualification. It marks the end of your secondary schooling and opens up pathways to work, and further study or training.

Yes, it’s possible to go to uni even if you don’t finish high school in Australia. While most people start university after finishing Year 12, there are other ways to get into uni . Many universities offer alternative entry pathways, like bridging courses, mature-age entry, or preparation programs, including those offered by Open Universities Australia or TAFE . These options are great for people who didn’t finish school but still want to pursue higher education.

Graduating from high school isn’t the only way to get a good job. While finishing school can help open up more opportunities, there are other paths to success. Many young people find meaningful, well-paying jobs through apprenticeships, traineeships, TAFE courses, or by building experience in an industry they’re passionate about. Everyone’s journey looks different, and ‘success’ doesn’t have just one definition. Check out these stories from young people if you’re still not sure what you want to do .

If your degree isn’t the right fit for you, it’s important to consider all your options. It’s okay to change your mind and explore other paths that feel more aligned with your goals, values, or interests. You could also change degrees at your existing uni or apply for something new altogether. It really depends on what’s right for you, and talking to someone, like a careers counsellor , can help you figure out what that looks like. Read more about what to consider if you’re thinking about dropping out of uni .

We’ve created a collection all about study skills, strategies and exam support with resources to help you understand your study style , manage your study time , get stuff done and maintain your study-life balance .

You can also find support through your high school, whether it’s your teacher, year advisor, a librarian or school counsellor. Your school may also run study groups or peer support programs you can join or refer you to other resources depending on what you’re looking for.

You might also find study support in your community, like local study groups and tutoring services, as well as online, like this Australian government education support resource .