I go to a pretty disadvantaged Catholic private school in West Melbourne. Won't disclose too much but its so irrelevant on rankings to the point that sometimes it won't show up on websites asking "What school do you go to?"

Anyways, in past years around 10-15 students from a 270+ cohort score an ATAR >90.
The SAC's here are also not too difficult compared to other schools, and the 2024 VCE results for my school went from an ATAR average of 73 to 64. (Extremely poor and scaled down)
We are considered m2 "rural" though but I'm not to sure if that makes a huge difference.

I fear I'm also cooked, with the very limited resources given as well as how easy the practice material is.
I'm aiming for medicine and I know I've got an extremely competitive state cohort and must also consider other students from high ranking public schools, selective kids and even the very best grammar school students.

I recently sat a Chemistry SAC and scored a terrible 48%, is it too late for a 40+ study score or am I ruined?
My cohort for each class is also relatively competitive and I'm not ranking 1-4 in any subject except Biology.

I did to a VCE subject last year in 2024, and ended up with a 35 study score.

I am definitely willing to do whatever it takes to get a 95. Am I cooked?

Can I still get a 95 atar despite these circumstances?

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    I couldn't relate to this more. I also go to a private school, and honestly, it's so bad. We get no resources, and the teachers I have are really bad too. No one at my school gets a good ATAR—it’s only once in a random blue moon that someone actually does well.

    As a private school, you’d expect a lot of students to get high ATARs, but that’s not the case. People assume that private school students are automatically advantaged, but in reality, we’re not. If anything, some private schools are even more disadvantaged.

    Seeing someone else go through the same experience as me is crazy because I thought my school was the only messed-up one 😭 On top of that, my cohort doesn’t care, and sometimes I worry their marks will affect me. But I’ve heard plenty of stories about students that went to a bad school still securing their dream ATAR.

    Don’t lose hope you literally got a 35 study score, and you can 100% get your dream ATAR. Keep working hard, we’re in this together, and I believe in you!

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    8 days later

    VCE Student

    Its scary how much I relate to this 😭 I also go to a private catholic school in west melb! Trust me, I also have no hope for my cohort and i am so cooked because the sacs are NOT that challenging and our schools atar average is....average.
    The kids in my cohort literally don't try and and people think our school is so good because it has a good reputation...my school invests more time in how it LOOKS than the actual education. I mean, we have automatic doors in every building and my school is HUGE 😭 They are NOT prioritising what they need to.
    Wait, I'm literally also aiming for healthcare, and if i can medicine, but not sure yet...
    Wait this is so weird....I also do chemistry and I got a 44% 😭 I mean I'm not aiming for 40+ more like a 35+, but I lost marks mostly on silly things like my answers were correct but I didn't articulate myself properly, like i didn't use correct terminology 😭

    Overall, I feel like its still definitely possible to get 95+, because your sac rank is just a rank and it doesn't matter in the exam. The exams can make or break your study score but thats why you do what you can now so that we aren't stressed later on. I mean, I'm not really one to talk but I'm working on it! Think of the things in the sacs like a work in progress; even if you failed now, you still have time to improve!! Don't worry too much about it, because what really matters is the exam (unless its a folio subject), though i'm not trying to discount the importance of sacs; they do still matter. We can all do this together, just be resilient!! Keep working hard and we can totally get through this year <333

      s97

      OMG stoopppp sameee 😭😭 most of the people in my cohort are in full on vacation mode like they’ve already retired.
      My school? Below average at this point literally giving me high blood pressure for free.

      LIKE SAME HEREEE. I swear my school’s priorities are on a different planet. I’m relating so hard right now because why do they care more about the shade of our socks than the quality of our education?? Like I’m tryna pass, not model for a uniform catalog....

      My school is the most unserious private school ever, I can’t even laugh anymore it’s just pain 💀. And don’t even get me started on my cohort they’ve fully given up. Like no one wants to work together. But hey, what can I do except suffer in silence 😩

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        Anonymous2007
        FRRR like I'm going through some personal stuff and thats why i've been finding this first term a little tough but at least i'm still trying...but these people? They don't even try like hello? Soo cookedd our schools r probably going to scale down at this point😭

        Ikr!! Exactly!! Our school rules r so ridiculous...to the point that if you have the wrong uniform they can send u home 💀 Also the year 12 jacket? Apparently at my school its a "privilege" to be earned from "good behaviour and uniform". So even when we get the ugly year 12 jacket, we can't even wear it whenever we want because of some students💀 Also the fact that its purple and black when our uniform is predominantly dark green 😭 Soo ugly. Also, the uniform is so OVERPRICED as well?? Like come on...
        Don't even get me started about this one teacher at my school she is actually a little excessive....put nicely. Basically she REALLY cares about uniform...once she tried to measure someones BUZZCUT and someones earrings (Apparently you're not allowed to be bald at my school thats why) 😭 Its really not that deep thooo

        Lmaoo so trueee 😭 Are you sure we don't go to the same school like what??
        Yeah, thats why I've made sure to definitely talk to the teachers and year level coordinators for support; I feel like they can be somewhat understanding, but it depends. Just a thought 🙂 Support systems are better than doing this year alone 🙂 otherwise I would genuinely go insane 😭

          s97

          LITERALLY omg these people at school are something else😭 I seriously hope next term goes amazing for you because we deserve a break from the madness.

          But bro... the way some people don’t even try??? It’s actually painful to watch 💀 like they put zero effort and then have the nerve to be nosy about my marks??? Like HELLO why are you begging me for my results like it's your ATAR on the line 😭 and then they hit me with the “it’s not that deep” line… okay then WHY are you still asking? Be so serious rn 😂

          And don’t get me started on the school rules. WHY does it feel like we’re attending Australia’s Next Top Model instead of actual school like you forgot to wear the right shoes? Boom, sent home. That’s a crime. Senior kids out of uniform? Suddenly it’s the end of the world 😭 like pls we’re all one broken shoelace away from a breakdown, let us live.

          My school gives us laptops and GUESS WHAT — our parents paid for them as part of school fees, right? But these people blocked everything. They even blocked YouTube at one point??? Like huh??? My parents paid for this but I can’t even use it?? AND THEN if something breaks, we get charged. Bro, what are we even paying for 💀 oh and we’re not allowed to bring our own laptops either. We must suffer with the cursed one they provide.

          Don’t even get me started on our senior coordinator 💀 every. single. morning. Uniform check like it’s the highlight of his day. Like… find a hobby 😩 and THEN we got them teachers who have completely given up on teaching — like why are you making my already stressful life harder 🫠

          At this point… are we even at different schools? Cuz everything you said feels way too familiar 😂😭

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            Anonymous2007
            LOLL literally!! Aww thanks fr u too!!
            IKR. Its so weird how people think your marks are their business, when you're not even obligated to give them your marks. Man, some people r js so insecure abt other people doing better than them....like, if u want those marks, work for it!! So simple its common sense lmao, like js focus on yourself😭 At that point they r willing to be put their mark on the line JUST to start drama lol.

            LITERALLYYY!! This is NOT a competition of who looks the best lmao, because how in any way does NOT wearing uniform interfere with learning?? EXACTLY. Also some of them r so unnecessary and weird....like the girls couldn't have visible jewelery, had to wear a specific hair tie, couldn't wear their hair down. Like come on...is self-expression not a thing anymore?? Like we're not npcs or robots be so fr....

            OMG SAME!!! WAIT THEY BLOCKED YOUTUBE FOR US AT SOME POINT AS WELL WHATTT
            Literallyyy!!! The device i'm using rn is the school laptop 😭 What have private schools come to...
            High school here should be like how it is in Finland 😭 Not only are they happy but they thrive in school with good marks unlike this crappy ranking system....

            OHH that must be so annoying 💀 FRR - luckily my teachers r thankfully quite decent - but i'm sorry that yours aren't good luck girl hopefully it turns out okay😭🙏🏽
            LOL literally I thought this was something only I faced but I guess i was wrong 💀

              s97 IKR. Its so weird how people think your marks are their business, when you're not even obligated to give them your marks. Man, some people r js so insecure abt other people doing better than them....like, if u want those marks, work for it!! So simple its common sense lmao, like js focus on yourself😭 At that point they r willing to be put their mark on the line JUST to start drama lol.

              IKRRR tell me about it LOL. Like exactly why do they always want problems?? People get so pressed over the tiniest things, my god. Mind your own business.

              STOPPP we used to get in trouble for wearing jewellery too, like apparently it’s “too distracting”? WHATT I’ve never heard anything more nonsense in my life. Who is it even distracting?? And how does that interfere with learning?? Such stupid rules, on god.

              s97 OMG SAME!!! WAIT THEY BLOCKED YOUTUBE FOR US AT SOME POINT AS WELL WHATTT

              GIRL you’re joking WHATTT 😭😭 at this point there’s literally no difference between our schools and the dumb rules they throw at us. And what’s worse?? We’re private schools and STILL not doing good like… be serious. This is not what we signed up for HAHAH.

              s97 OHH that must be so annoying 💀 FRR - luckily my teachers r thankfully quite decent - but i'm sorry that yours aren't good luck girl hopefully it turns out okay😭🙏🏽

              AWWW thank youuu 🥹🫶 GIRL I hope we both survive this madness fr private school trauma is real 😭😭

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                Anonymous2007

                Anonymous2007 IKRRR tell me about it LOL. Like exactly why do they always want problems?? People get so pressed over the tiniest things, my god. Mind your own business.

                STOPPP we used to get in trouble for wearing jewellery too, like apparently it’s “too distracting”? WHATT I’ve never heard anything more nonsense in my life. Who is it even distracting?? And how does that interfere with learning?? Such stupid rules, on god.

                YEAH petty much....those people: peak now, flop later. Us: peak now, peak later 😎

                Yeah the "too distracting" excuse is lowkey kind of weird. We're young adults aren't we allowed to express ourselves?? I mean, we're literally not primary school kids so it doesn't matter istg. FRR, its REALLY weird...if anything maybe it distracts the teachers but they don't wanna admit it but like thats kind of strange if it does ngl....

                Anonymous2007 GIRL you’re joking WHATTT 😭😭 at this point there’s literally no difference between our schools and the dumb rules they throw at us. And what’s worse?? We’re private schools and STILL not doing good like… be serious. This is not what we signed up for HAHAH.

                LITERALLYY!! You're so right, private schools are NOT as good as everyone thinks they are..but tbf this is my 2nd high school and ngl I have to say it is WAY better than the public school i used to go to....at my old school it was a normal occurence to walk past people physically fighting and people recording and stuff....so i'm glad i got away from THAT....though the kids at private schools r still cooked ig....

                Anonymous2007 AWWW thank youuu 🥹🫶 GIRL I hope we both survive this madness fr private school trauma is real 😭😭

                Aww its okay 🤗 LOL frrr!! and is your private school catholic? because mine is and religion is compulsory....but literally no one cares about it and its basically useless and lowkey kind of annoying bc it could've been used for a study period. I mean, sometimes its fine but if you don't pass religion apparently you don't get your study contract or whatever??😭 Be so frr...

                  s97 Yeah the "too distracting" excuse is lowkey kind of weird. We're young adults aren't we allowed to express ourselves?? I mean, we're literally not primary school kids so it doesn't matter istg. FRR, its REALLY weird...if anything maybe it distracts the teachers but they don't wanna admit it but like thats kind of strange if it does ngl....

                  Literally lmao, that’s such a stupid excuse to ban something. Like at least come up with a better reason than 'it’s too distracting'

                  s97 LITERALLYY!! You're so right, private schools are NOT as good as everyone thinks they are..but tbf this is my 2nd high school and ngl I have to say it is WAY better than the public school i used to go to....at my old school it was a normal occurence to walk past people physically fighting and people recording and stuff....so i'm glad i got away from THAT....though the kids at private schools r still cooked ig....

                  Yesss omg, they’re not as good as people make them sound. Like no way, that’s actually crazyyy. No fr, most of them don't care LOL

                  s97 Aww its okay 🤗 LOL frrr!! and is your private school catholic?

                  Nope Its not catholic

                  Oh no way is your school actually that strict about it? My school gives us study periods, but I guess it's because in lower high school we used to have religious studies. But for you guys not to even be allowed to study? That’s wild. And to not get a study contract either?? WHATTT. 😭

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                    Anonymous2007

                    Anonymous2007 Literally lmao, that’s such a stupid excuse to ban something. Like at least come up with a better reason than 'it’s too distracting'

                    FRRR - like what? They wanna control what they can't control....

                    Anonymous2007 Yesss omg, they’re not as good as people make them sound. Like no way, that’s actually crazyyy. No fr, most of them don't care LOL

                    LOL so true!! Right?? 😂

                    Anonymous2007 Nope Its not catholic

                    Oh no way is your school actually that strict about it? My school gives us study periods, but I guess it's because in lower high school we used to have religious studies. But for you guys not to even be allowed to study? That’s wild. And to not get a study contract either?? WHATTT. 😭

                    YEAH ITS NOT FAIRRR. I mean sometimes in religion we can use them to study but other times it just to teach some stuff we already know or thats not exactly that helpful. Like i don't know how i'm gonna use some of the stuff I learn in it. Though, I think religion was actually okay in younger year levels and it was actually kind of interesting and helpful at some point but in YEAR 12??? Hell nah....likes its our final year please let us just have the damn study period!!! Like, I have mixed feelings about it actually....I mean once we did mindful eating and that was fun 😝 But I just feel like as year 12s, we should be allowed to not have to do it??? AND THE STUDY CONTRACT THING IS SO ANNOYING istg....

                      s97 FRRR - like what? They wanna control what they can't control....

                      Literallyyyy omg

                      s97 Hell nah....likes its our final year please let us just have the damn study period!!!

                      Exactlyyy! It's honestly so annoying not being able to have proper study periods. Like last year, the extra school my school is made us have these so called ‘study classes,’ but we had to be supervised by a teacher... because apparently, at our big ages, we can’t take ownership of our own education lmaooo. We weren’t even allowed to go to the library! We had to sit in a classroom being watched by a teacher… and to make it worse, the ‘study’ periods weren’t even for studying. It was basically a free for all—no one actually did any work. I even tried raising the concern, but of course, nothing was done. Typical private school behavior LOL. Their priorities are always somewhere else

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                        Anonymous2007

                        Anonymous2007 Exactlyyy! It's honestly so annoying not being able to have proper study periods. Like last year, the extra school my school is made us have these so called ‘study classes,’ but we had to be supervised by a teacher... because apparently, at our big ages, we can’t take ownership of our own education lmaooo. We weren’t even allowed to go to the library! We had to sit in a classroom being watched by a teacher… and to make it worse, the ‘study’ periods weren’t even for studying. It was basically a free for all—no one actually did any work. I even tried raising the concern, but of course, nothing was done. Typical private school behavior LOL. Their priorities are always somewhere else

                        THIS. This is LITERALLY how the religion study periods have been for me since year 11 up until this year 😭 I relate to this sm lol 😭😭 Like during it not a lot of people r actually studying like at least one person is 100% watching basketball or playing a game or smth lmaoo. Right? Even if you brought it up with like a teacher or smth they never actually do anything 😭 Maybe the teachers need to be paid more idk

                          s97

                          s97 THIS. This is LITERALLY how the religion study periods have been for me since year 11 up until this year 😭 I relate to this sm lol

                          I'm telling you atp there is no difference in our school lmao.

                          s97 Like during it not a lot of people r actually studying like at least one person is 100% watching basketball or playing a game or smth lmaoo

                          Exactly! Everyone’s doing everything except studying, and the teacher supervising can't even control the class lmao.

                          s97 Even if you brought it up with like a teacher or smth they never actually do anything 😭

                          Yeah, it's so frustrating! They have one job, which is to solve our issues, and they’re not even doing that, lol.

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