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October 05, 2025, 07:29:39 am

Author Topic: Anxiety and ATAR  (Read 4259 times)  Share 

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90+FTW

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Anxiety and ATAR
« on: December 13, 2013, 04:36:00 pm »
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I don't know how else to describe it really. The closer Monday gets the sicker I begin to feel. I'm so anxious about aching a 90+ ATAR that I'm literally making myself sick (I've got the shakes, my heart is beating like crazy and I feel like I'm going to throw up every time I think of it). This ALWAYS happens to me when I reach the limit of my anxiety, but the stupid thing is that I can't STOP thinking about it. Ugh.

Any advice, anyone else in this situation?

Sorry to bother you guys, but thank you :')

achre

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2013, 04:42:25 pm »
+1
Getting a 90+ ATAR is a goal you've set for yourself, and it's admirable, and I can totaly empathise with you on the matter, but a month or two from now, that number you get will not be the thing you define yourself by, nor will it be something you even mention to others. It's just the fastest pathway of a range of options into accessing your dream course. Whatever it is that you want to do after secondary school, you'll get there, so long as it's what you really want to do.
Just have a glass of water, and put it off your mind, there's nothing you can do about it now.

fridge

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2013, 04:43:25 pm »
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Not in your situation right now, but definitely had similar feelings before and around exam time. I know it's tough and you're probably trying to do this already, but try to find something to distract yourself. A hobby that you really like, maybe hang out with friends. If there's a sport you really enjoy, I find that really takes your mind off things. Just try and involve yourself in random things. Find people to talk to. Surround yourself with other people, because that way your mind will be occupied. Hope this helped :)

EspoirTron

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2013, 04:45:52 pm »
+7
Hey, being anxious around the time of ATAR release is not something stupid.
I am sorry to hear that it is having physical effects on you!

However, I would suggest doing the things you enjoy for this weekend to completely take your mind off it. Maybe you could spend a day out with your friends or play some sport. If the weather is good this weekend you could even go to the beach, and the warm sun will be another way to get your mind off things -maybe even go for a surf :D. You could go on a movie marathon or a T.V show marathon. I would recommend a comical show such as Adventure time!

So in key, do something to keep your mind off things until Monday! :)
2012-2013: VCE
2014-2016: Bachelor of Biomedicine at Monash University

90+FTW

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2013, 04:46:01 pm »
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Quote
a month or two from now, that number you get will not be the thing you define yourself by, nor will it be something you even mention to others
This is what a lot of people have said to me in the past, but very few people know that that the ATAR is more than just a number to me (it's a long story). I appreciate your help though.

Special At Specialist

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2013, 05:04:33 pm »
+8
This is what a lot of people have said to me in the past, but very few people know that that the ATAR is more than just a number to me (it's a long story). I appreciate your help though.

I thought the exact same way as you last year. I really wanted a 90+ ATAR, but most important of all was that I really wanted a 50 in specialist maths. I know that looking at my score now, you're probably thinking "you weren't even close, you got nowhere near a 50, you shouldn't have set such unrealistic expectations for yourself", but I was getting 100% on most of my SAC's and I got either 39/40 or 40/40 on the tech-free exam (depending on some technicality in one of my answers), so I was actually pretty close, until the very last hurdle, the tech-assist exam...

But now I realise that, although it would've been nice to get a 50 in specialist maths, it's one of those things that you can brag about to a few people or think about to yourself when you're alone and need some cheering up, but at the end of the day, it really isn't adequate or necessary to achieve happiness. Once you get caught up in other things: university, work, buying a house, marriage/social life etc., you'll find that the ATAR bears a very low significance on your life, even though it might seem like a huge thing now. Imagine it like missing out on a grade 6 award. Yes, you might look back on it once in a while and say to yourself "I almost got that award", but in the long run, it really doesn't matter that much. It's just one of those tiny little insignificant things that you forget about for 99% of your life, until one day you become really bored and start reflecting on little things that happened in your life. But I doubt you'll get emotional about it. For the first few weeks you will, but after that, you won't really care about it.

Good luck on achieving your ATAR goal, but remember that whether you reach it or not, we won't judge you and I'm sure that you will soon come to terms with whatever you get.
2012 ATAR - 86.75
2013 ATAR - 88.50
2014: BSci (Statistics) at RMIT
2015 - 2017: BCom at UoM

90+FTW

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2013, 05:08:04 pm »
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I thought the exact same way as you last year.
I have been thinking this way for the past 11 years, and it has landed me in hospital a few times (collapsing from panic attacks etc). Still, I want to thank you for your advice, you really manage to put things  into perspective, and sometimes I need to be reminded of that. I only hope that I achieve my goal, and I hope that you achieve yours :)

brightsky

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2013, 05:18:05 pm »
+11
Endeavor to put things into perspective. Find a quiet location, sit down and close your eyes. Empty your mind of all thoughts. Listen intently to the beating of your heart. Focus your attention on all the emotions bubbling inside of you and try to calm to waters so the speak. Then, evaluate the thoughts that you have only recently expunged from your mind. You will discover how irrational they really are. Success, wealth, reputation. All of them are external to the self. Lose them and your soul will remain intact. You will continue to 'be'. Love, however, is inextricably linked with the self. The hearts of your friends and family members beat with yours. When you listened to the beating of your heart a moment ago, you would have heard theirs in the background. The relationships you have established throughout your life time mean a great deal more than that social construct called VCE. Lose them and you lose yourself. Do not let external factors impinge on your spiritual well being. Don't let them make you lose sight of what is most important. Try to rediscover yourself.
2020 - 2021: Master of Public Health, The University of Sydney
2017 - 2020: Doctor of Medicine, The University of Melbourne
2014 - 2016: Bachelor of Biomedicine, The University of Melbourne
2013 ATAR: 99.95

Currently selling copies of the VCE Chinese Exam Revision Book and UMEP Maths Exam Revision Book, and accepting students for Maths Methods and Specialist Maths Tutoring in 2020!

brenden

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2013, 06:06:41 pm »
+3
This is what a lot of people have said to me in the past, but very few people know that that the ATAR is more than just a number to me (it's a long story). I appreciate your help though.
It was more than a number to me as well. Literally more important than anything else in the world to me at some points... Trust me, it's irrelevant by February (but you won't believe anyone until you get there).

Definitely do all-day things until Monday. Go to the beach or something. On Monday, you should line up someone to call if you get lower so you've got some support
✌️just do what makes you happy ✌️

LastOfUs

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2013, 06:17:14 pm »
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There is nothing you can do but sit back, try and relax and try enjoy the ride. You are unable to change that number now so you get what you really deserve! Best of luck!
My VCE 2014 Goal is to not end consciousness ... and a respectable ATAR.

s.ay

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2013, 06:21:39 pm »
+4
It sounds as if you have battled so hard to be in this position. Just functioning with such constant stress is close to impossible, so for you to finish VCE is a great achievement in itself. I don't mean that in a patronising way, or to suggest that you won't reach your goals on Monday. I just want you to keep in mind what you have overcome, and to take the emphasis away from the number (as hard as that may be). Be proud, and believe in yourself.
Always here to help!

lala1911

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2013, 09:05:38 pm »
+1
Your experience sounds similar to mine. I worried a lot during year 12 but only recently it hit me that it really shouldn't have. Ultimately, worrying will only deter your chances of success. It's good and natural to worry a little because it keeps you alert, however it begins to take over your life.

Your ATAR is more than a number I will confess that, but it won't define your life. I won't get started with the "its what you make of it" cliche, but if you don't get into your exact course then you're going to have to suck it up and work harder to achieve your goal. Things don't always go according to plan and as for myself, I have missed opportunities and it burns, but what else can you do?

If you achieve your goal, congratulations, and if you don't well if you really wanted something you'll scratch and claw to get it.

All I'm trying to say is that there is nothing you can do now, you can be proud of your effort and you can always work harder in the future to get where you want to be.

Good luck

Limista

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2013, 09:12:49 pm »
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Don't worry. You will get above 90  :) YOU WILL. Just have faith.

If you know in your heart that you have given VCE your all, you will.
Bachelor of Biomedicine @ The University of Melbourne (II) 2014-2016
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fridge

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2013, 10:54:24 pm »
+4
So much great advice from everyone here. I also just want to say to Special At Specialist, I remember last year seeing your posts and thinking "OMG, what an arrogant dude, thinks he's so good...", but this year seeing your attitude (and approach to life in general) change to something really mature has actually been inspirational for me. For you to take your disappointment and do something positive about it is really impressive. I too care a lot about my ATAR, but i just hope if I don't get the results I want, I'll take it in my stride like you did.

90+FTW

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Re: Anxiety and ATAR
« Reply #14 on: December 16, 2013, 01:12:21 am »
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Thank you everyone, I truly appreciate your help and kindness.