It's really just a matter of doing your best in each of your subjects.
Have you checked out the QCE articles on this website? They might prove useful to you.
Though I'm curious, what makes you so interested in the University of Cambridge?
What degree would you do there?
Would it be education, psychology or something else?
I had aspirations about those top-tier universities as well but then I realised that I wasn't a top student already so there was no way I could possibly make it there. Besides you also have to consider if you can take care of yourself at such a young age in a foreign country. You also have to consider how much more expensive a foreign university's fees might be. Add the fees to other things such as flight costs, amenities and study materials. You can see how this makes studying in a foreign country more expensive.
Hi Jerry,
Thank you so much for your quick and informative response. I have actually checked out the QCE articles and I agree, the articles are really useful which is why I'm writing two of my own (yay!). Ever since I was younger, the University of Cambridge as well as studying in England has always been my dream. I don't want to set my expectations too high but I also would like to use as many opportunities as possible. For example, I have worked out an alternate route to the University of Cambridge if my ATAR isn't high enough. I'm planning (as one of my options - it's not definite or set in stone yet) to study A-Levels at Bellerbys College and then if my grades are high enough (and if I get accepted into Cambridge of course), transition to university.
I'm thinking of doing a degree in Education, English or Psychology and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. But yet again, I completely agree with you -- top tier universities are
not everything. Besides, I could be just as happy studying a similar course in Australia and then doing an exchange via the university program. At the moment, I'm just trying to keep my options open. But in the long-term, after my undergraduate degree and my Master's degree, I do imagine myself living somewhere in the countryside of England or in Melbourne. It just depends where fate takes me.
And while I have considered the financial aspects and my accommodation (the College provides accommodation for their students) of studying overseas (abroad), I haven't considered how I'm going to take care of myself at such a young age in a foreign country or the flight costs, amenities and study materials.
But of course, as always, I'll keep you in the loop of my university decisions
Thank you for your advice and kind regards,
Darcy Dillon.