Six tips to help support your child with ATAR stress

For many Year 12 students, the final months of high school can feel overwhelming as they balance exams, ATAR results and plans for their future. While students are focused on achieving their goals, parents and carers often feel the pressure too – and remember, there is no expectation for you to have all the answers.

Every student responds to stress differently, and some may start to doubt themselves or worry about what comes next. You may hear your child say they need a specific ATAR to get into their preferred course. 

As a parent or carer, you can help them keep things in perspective. It's easy for students to become so focused on their ATAR that they overlook the many pathways available to them. As your teen navigates this important stage, you can play a key role in helping them remain calm, confident and focused. Here are some practical ways to help your teen manage ATAR stress and keep things in perspective.

1. Give them time to recharge after the HSC

After months of studying and exams, your child may need time to switch off and recover. Give them time to rest, catch up with friends and family, enjoy hobbies or spend time doing activities they may have put on hold during Year 12. Try celebrating the completion of Year 12 itself, whether that's a family meal or special outing. Focusing on efforts rather than results can help shift the conversation away from ATARs and towards personal growth and development.

2. Help them adjust to life after Year 12

For many students, finishing high school can feel like a sudden shift in routine. Encourage your teen to think about how they’d like to spend the weeks ahead. Help them create a new rhythm by encouraging them to consider part-time work, volunteering, travelling or exploring new hobbies. Having a sense of purpose during this transitional period can help reduce feelings of uncertainty and stress.

3. Encourage healthy habits while they wait 

You can set a positive example by practising healthy habits and helping your teen focus on their overall wellbeing instead of their academic results.

You can help your teen maintain healthy routines by:

• getting enough rest
• eating balanced meals
• staying active 
• spending time outdoors
• staying connected with friends and family.

4. Help them manage uncertainty about their results

The waiting period between exams and ATAR results can feel challenging for both students and parents. Try not to speculate about marks or repeatedly ask them how they think they performed. If your child wants to talk about their exams, listen without judgement and avoid immediately offering solutions. 

Instead, focus on having conversations on what they learned, what they look forward to and the opportunities that await after school. This can help shift the attention away from things beyond their control.

5. Explore different ways to reach their goals

It's natural for your child to hope for a particular ATAR, but their result doesn’t have to determine what happens next. Research alternative degrees, adjustment factors and admission pathways together, so your child understands their options. Understanding these options before results day can make unexpected outcomes feel less overwhelming. There is more than one pathway to university and sometimes a different route can lead to the same destination.

6. Remind them that their ATAR doesn't define their future

Encourage them to think beyond a number and instead focus on the difference they can make. Have a conversation on what their interests are, what else they would like to study and what kind of career or impact would they like to work towards. Your child's ATAR is only one part of their education journey; it's not a measure of their potential and the person they will become. Remind them that many successful people have taken different routes to achieve their goals. Whether they receive their preferred ATAR or not, there are multiple pathways that can help them reach their study and career aspirations.

Your support can make a difference

You don’t need to map out your teen’s entire future before their ATAR arrives. No matter the outcome, your support can make a real difference to your teenager, regardless of their ATAR. Stay calm, keep an open mind about the opportunities available, and remind them that there is more than one pathway to their chosen degree. 

Looking for more information?

Register for our online Parents' Information Evening on Tuesday, 15 December and empower yourself to support your child on their journey to university. You can also join us on campus with your teen for Info Day on Thursday, 17 December, where they can get advice about their preferred programs, explore their study options and finalise their preferences with confidence.