Hey everyone,
As the new year is upon us, I decided to close up this journal on a positive note. All I’ve been doing now is working, really - I got promoted to manager so my pay rate is insanely good now but the hours are horrible. I’m literally doing anywhere between 37-40 hour weeks. It’s definitely physically exhausting, but I’d much rather be productive in this way than be sitting at home doing nothing - I legit have not spent a whole day at home since the end of HSC. I’ve been working around my work schedule to catch up with my friends as well, so it’s been good to be busy basically 24/7 lmao - I’ve been seeing a lot of people from school but it’s difficult because everyone has their own thing going on now, you know? I went to a massive new years party last night, and it was so heartwarming to see all my friends from school in one place ahh. I got super smashed though, and ended up falling down a flight of stairs from the balcony, which has left me with gigantic bruises all over my inner thigh and butt. I literally can’t even fucking go to the toilet without squatting because any pressure on the wound fucking hurts like a bitch. Tbh I think I need to go on an alcohol cleanse lmao
In terms of the completion of HSC, I am beyond ecstatic with my results, although a tad disappointed I didn’t fulfil my initial goal of 97 ATAR wise. I ended up with 96.35 and the respective marks -
Subject - Overall Mark (External/Internal)
English Advanced - 96 (97, 95)
Maths - 87 (84, 89)
Legal - 94 (92, 96)
Economics - 89 (93, 85)
Industrial Technology - 94 (92, 97)
My English mark honestly blew me away, I got 97 externally which was shocking because I legit thought I bombed the exam lmao. Kinda makes me wish I hadn’t dropped English Ext, because my horrible maths marks wouldn’t have dragged my ATAR down so much. I’ve had students in the year below asking me to tutor them in Eng Adv which I think is an incredible opportunity but I literally don’t have the time ahh. Everything else was more or less what I was predicting. Was a bit bummed that I got 89 for eco, I got 93 as my external mark but my internal rank pulled me down significantly smh
I got into my first preference of B Commerce/B Laws at UNSW, which was such a surprise with an ATAR of merely 96 but I guess my LAT score saved me here. I’m a bit devo because heaps of my friends are going to USYD, but I doubt we’d really be seeing eachother on campus much anyway so it’s not a big deal I guess. I’m probably going to take up this offer tbh because law is an absolute dream for me. I’m still waiting for an offer of B Politics & Intl Relations at USYD (which I should get into since the cut off for guaranteed entry is 95, but I also know spots are limited so idk if I’ll even get one) in the second round, but I most likely won’t consider it. I haven’t enrolled into UNSW yet because dang the process is so daunting! Like I keep putting it off because I need some fucking guidance lmao, which probs isn’t ideal since classes are filling up fast but whatever lmao
So, that’s it! Hope y’all have enjoyed reading this journal, and wishing the incoming year 12s all the best!! Remember, work hard but by no means do you have to give up your entire life for the HSC - I was working 20-30 hours/week during HSC, got hammered legit every weekend after trials up to the second week of HSC and still managed to comfortably get a 95+ ATAR. If you haven’t adopted a good study routine by now, it’s not too late at all!! At this point in time, I legit got asked by the Eng faculty to drop to Standard English from Advanced because my year 11 marks were so mediocre compared to the rest of the cohort (I remember being super embarrassed cos I was also an extension student at this time considering 4u lmao). In the end I got the school’s highest exam mark of 97 in English Advanced. It is pretty insane to look back on now - you seriously never know what you’re capable of until you really try. I know I put blood, sweat and tears into all those evil practice essays I did to get my goal of 96 in English and it was fucking worth it. It’s even crazier to read my first ever journal post here in 2017, when I was a tiny year 11, where I lamented the sheer impossibility to attain the 95 atar required for politics/intl relations, needless to for law. Well, I ultimately got into both. Honestly it’s all about time management, and how effectively you prioritise and use your time. Surround yourself with likeminded people. Balance is key.
I’m definitely not as active here anymore compared to the good old days, but I do pop on occasionally to see how everyone is. If anyone needs any help (particularly for English, Legal, Eco), feel free to message me on Facebook (name is Julie Xie) - I’d be more than happy to lend a hand! Xx
Love,
Lumenoria