In this study we investigate if the experience of being among the oldest or youngest in the classroom throughout the school trajectory can have a sustained effect on behavioural traits deemed important for success later in life.
Welcome to Year 12, the final stretch of high school where stress levels are high, sleep is a distant memory, and the only thing that seems to grow faster than your workload is the number of gray hairs on your parents’ heads. But amidst the chaos of HSC preparations, there’s a unique dynamic at play for students who find themselves either the youngest or the oldest in their year. Let’s dive into the quirks of being at either end of the age spectrum in Year 12, shall we?
First up, let’s talk about the youngest students, like sixteen-year-old Angelina Sidhu. Born in July, she started kindergarten at age four, which means she’s now navigating the challenges of Year 12 while still being young enough to be mistaken for a kid who’s just had one too many sugar-filled snacks at a birthday party. It’s not just the age difference that’s noticeable; it’s the experience gap too. While her peers are busy discussing weekend plans that involve the latest blockbuster or, you know, actual adult responsibilities, Angelina might still be figuring out how to use the self-checkout at the grocery store.
And then there’s the family pressure. Angelina’s mother, Harleen Kaur, is now following in her own footsteps by enrolling her four-year-old nephew, Aviraj, into school at an equally young age. This might lead to some serious family dynamics. Imagine holidays where Aviraj is learning to read while Angelina is trying to figure out calculus. Talk about a family reunion filled with mixed messages!
Now, let’s not forget about the oldest students in the year. They’re often seen as the wise sages of their cohort, or, let’s be honest, the ones with the most back pain. These students may have taken a gap year or just been held back longer than they’d care to admit. They’re the ones who can buy their own energy drinks—legally—while their younger classmates are still sneaking sips from their older siblings.
But with great age comes great responsibility—or at least that’s what the oldest students like to tell themselves. They often feel the weight of their peers’ expectations; after all, they’re supposed to have everything figured out, right? The irony is that while they’re expected to be the mature ones, they’re likely just as lost as everyone else, perhaps even more so.
On the social side, the oldest students might find themselves being called ‘grandma’ or ‘grandpa’ by their classmates, which is really just a fancy way of saying, ‘You’ve been around here long enough to know where the good vending machines are.’ It’s a badge of honor, really, and let’s be honest, it’s much better than being called ‘the kid’ or ‘the baby’ by your peers.
Ultimately, whether you’re the youngest or the oldest, Year 12 is a wild ride filled with shared experiences, late-night study sessions, and occasional existential crises. It’s a time where everyone learns a little about themselves—age aside. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find that age is just a number, but shared memories and laughter are what truly matter.
So here’s to all the young and old souls in Year 12: may your exams be manageable, your friendships be strong, and your coffee be strong enough to survive this rollercoaster ride we call high school. Cheers!
Inspired by: “‘Everyone starts calling you grandma’: What it’s like to be the oldest or youngest in year 12” (r/Local)