I'm sure that most people who tries hard in school or even remotely wanted to be successful in the future have tried out for a selective school or private school scholarship before. I'm reading a lot of the forums in lieu of the posting of the most recent selective entry examination results; just wondering was there anyone who didn't get into a school they wanted or how they're coping with it even years after being rejected. Asking for a friend, 😅 . In all seriousness, I sat the examination and was rejected like 3 years ago and still can't get over it. I just wanted some other viewpoints on how some other, and probably more emotionally mature, individuals keep themselves motivated even after loss.

Have you tried to get into a selective school or private school scholarship?

    I tried out for the Haileybury scholarship in year 6, didn’t get in. Then I did that test again in year 8 and got the scholarship I needed to afford tuition from years 10-12

    Hi Lixin!

    I probs shouldn't have much of a say in this, but heres my 5c.

    I personally didn't try out for any scholarship because I was lazy haha.

    I just think that in life there are times where we get accepted or rejected. Its ok to be sad after being rejected. After all, we are only human. As much as school is important, its only one of the many parts of our intricate lives as we get older. Especially those who are about to graduate soon (which is me!). At the end of the day, while it does matter sometimes what school we go to, what resources we have etc. Sure it would be nice to be there but its all up to the individual. We can be surrounded by the smartest people in the room or have world-class resources but at the end of the day, its how the person approaches their studies and motivates themselves.

    All of the time, what we put in is what we get out. As schooling comes to an end for a lot of us and exams are fast approaching. I can see that if you have the will to study, try your best and ask for help when needed it usually doesn't matter what type of environment you're in.

    Sorry for rambling haha. I just wanted to put in my perspective thats all. 😆

      I didn’t even know this was a thing - lol;

      I’m just another part of the rural vic education system…

      Regardless… I don’t think it matters too much. Just try ur best - use what support you have - and that’s all u can do!

      Good luck 🙂

        beep_boop , yeah that's the thing. I probably shouldn't still be distraught over being rejected since it was so long ago and I'm nearing the end of high school anyways but it's mostly because I feel like I have plateaued as a student at my school. Because it's a public school, I'm already the top of the grade since there is like literally zero competition. The reality is, my personal motivation currently comes from the fact that I failed to get into a good school; I watched both my best friend and my girlfriend go to the selective school I was trying to get into and after I got rejected, I started working myself to death to try and make up for my previous failures. Nevertheless, thanks for the reply; 😃.

          God. You're honestly pretty lucky, if you go to any public school that is more in an urban area; there are so many students, at my school at least, who have tried but didn't get into their desired school. Although most of them seem like they didn't really care about failing and just go on with the rest of their day. I never understood this mentality because I was mentally and emotionally destroyed after failing, even though I didn't study that hard back then. Anyways, what school do you go to or did go to? Just asking since I see you posting and replying a lot on the ATAR notes discussion forums.

              Lixin

              U know what - I reckon there's a fair chance you've made up for not getting in several times over. (IMO, The greatest motivator is loss & failure).

              I'm from a smallish town, go to the local catholic school, about an hour or two (closer to two) out of Ballarat/Geelong. So I've no clue what posho Melbs schools are like (let alone Sydney) - but from my experience - VCE is more about 'teaching urself'. As long as u put in the effort - u can do really well. The only downside of going to a less competitive school is if u stuff up the exam - you don't have the SAC marks to fall back on. So... Just don't stuff up! Lol

              As the saying goes, 'all u can do is try'!

              -G

                Lixin hello! I sat the selective entry exam as well, and was rejected. Honestly, I never really wanted to get in, I mostly did it to satisfy my parents. But even then, I was slightly upset because my results weren’t terrible, it just wasn’t good enough compared to other people. I guess it was that feeling of thinking you’re not as good as other people, and therefore will never amount to anything.

                I think the biggest thing I’ve realised since then is that your school doesn’t dictate how well you’ll do in VCE, and how successful you’ll be in life. In 20 years people won’t be saying “haha, remember when you didn’t get into Nossal” or whatever. There are plenty of students who go to poorly ranked public schools and get high 90 ATARs. And that was because they put in the effort to get the results that they wanted/needed.

                As for dealing with losses in general, I think that you should remember why you’re doing this in the first place. Ideally it wouldn’t be something superficial like “I wanna be rich”, but if that’s what motivates you then go for it. Find what you really want out of life, and stick to it. Sometimes you’ll realise maybe that isn’t academic or school related, and if anything that just helps you to know what you really value in life. There’s no point in doing something without knowing why you’re doing it. (Whether it be for amusement, or to get a good grade, etc)

                And if your motivation comes from the fact that you failed to get into that selective school, then be petty lol, let that be your motivation. Personally, mine stems from the fact that I’ve had family members assume that I’ll never amount to anything, and I wanna prove them wrong.

                    lxna. Thanks for the advice, even though I have been told a million times that I should 'just get over it' from everyone imaginable; hearing it from you just makes me feel a little bit better 👍️.

                      8 days later

                      I did try to get into my school’s selective class but due to moving away suddenly for just a few months (family drama) I never found out if I was eligible. Bugs me to this day, but I think being a mainstream kid made me fight harder and learn how to teach myself.

                      Lixin
                      Just saw this and I wanted to add something from someone who was one of the kids that was failing at school a few years ago.

                      You'll soon find that going to a selective school, or even getting that 99.95 ATAR will not really affect your life in the long run. Sure, it will open up new pathways and you'll probably make your life at high school a bit more smoother, but that's where the differences end. The fact that you've "failed" means that you'll likely be more resilient than those who have not yet faced any difficulties.

                      You've probably heard of this so many times before, but the only thing that matters is you don't give up. And there's nothing wrong to still feel distraught over failures. I still remember back in year 10 when I was failing at school. It was a horrible experience because I would just compare my scores with everyone even for insignificant things like a topic test. But I soon learned that there's no point in complaining, and I've tried to redeem myself by thinking about exactly what I need to do to get better.

                      I'm not gonna lie and say that I'm the top student at my school or anything like that, but I'm better than the previous me who was failing. And that's how I motivate myself - I just compare myself to the previous me (don't restrict yourself to what other people get, for all you know, your true potential is much higher 🙂🙂 )

                        Write a Reply...