The parents' guide to ATAR results

The transition from high school to university is a significant step in a young person’s life. For many students, it’s an emotional period of time, as feelings of relief and elation quickly transform into anxiety as the countdown to the release of results begins. As a parent or caregiver, there are some simple strategies you can implement to make this experience easier for everyone in the family.

A male student sitting at a desk with headphones on

1. Celebrate!

Finishing school is a momentous achievement that deserves to be celebrated. Whilst you may want your child to start thinking seriously about study and career options, it’s important to give them the space to let off some steam and celebrate. A bit of freedom and independence might be just what they need before making such a major life decision.

2. Keep life at home as ‘normal’ as possible

Upon the completion of the HSC, the pressure of exams dissipates but your child still has a lot of big decisions ahead of them. Even the most diligent students will have a level of uncertainty in the lead up to receiving their ATAR - even if they don’t externalise it.

If you feel like your child’s future is riding on their ATAR, empathise with how they must be feeling.

It’s important that you don’t increase the pressure on your child by changing how you interact with them. As a parent or caregiver, your role is to maintain a degree of stability so they feel comfortable and confident taking their first steps into adulthood. Being overly involved in the decision making process will only heighten the anxiety your child is feeling.

3. Explore and discuss alternative options

It’s important to encourage your child to aim for their goals but sometimes things don’t go to plan. Co-creating a back-up plan of alternative options or pathways may help reduce the stress of waiting for results. Attending an information session like UTS Info Day is a great opportunity for you and your child to affirm or reassess study options, as well as explore potential pathways to their dream course. It may also be useful to become familiar with any entry schemes such as the UTS Year 12 Adjustment Factors (previously known as bonus points), which are awarded to students who perform highly in relevant HSC subjects.

4. Provide support, not advice

In the lead up to the release of results, your child will most likely already have a strong idea of what they want to study and where. Try not to make the situation more complex and stressful by attempting to sway their decision or discussing what they could have done differently. Instead, provide support so that your child knows they can turn to you - whether they receive the ATAR they need or not.

Reassure your child that they’ve done all that they can and remind them that a number does not define their self-worth. If your child has older siblings, this may be an opportunity for them to provide some perspective on life after the HSC.

5. Prepare for results day

For many students, the fear of disappointing their parents is greater than the fear of not getting into their first university preference. Therefore, it’s important for you to take some time to prepare your response on results day. Here are a couple of tips, to make the day as smooth as possible.  

  • Wait for your child’s response before you react. They might be pleased with their results and you don’t want to dampen their joy by layering your personal disappointment on them.

  • If your child does not get the ATAR they hoped for, allow them to process their results in their own time. It’s a parental instinct to immediately try and solve your child’s problem but it’s important that you first allow them to come to terms with the situation and their emotions.

  • If your child reaches out to you, let them drive the conversation. Simply listen, acknowledge their feelings and empathise. Try to avoid asking what marks your child’s peers received, as this comparison can be unhelpful and more damaging.

  • Some students will be more proactive than others in regards to finding alternative study paths. It is perfectly normal for your child to be initially withdrawn if they don’t get the results they were expecting. Use your judgement to determine if and when you should initiate conversations about changing preferences or exploring other study options. In these discussions, find out what factors made their first preference their dream choice, and together plan some strategies that will give them a similar outcome.

  • Focus on the future. Instead of dwelling on the past, help your child understand that no matter the path they choose, they can still achieve their dream career.

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UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.