Georgios Pirpiris is studying medicine at Monash University after achieving an ATAR of 99.95 at Melbourne Grammar School. Eddie Jim · The third most common subject students completed to achieve top marks was chemistry – chosen by 37 students – followed by English, which is compulsory, and counted towards 24 perfect scores. Victoria’s 43 top performers were among 49,310 VCE students who received an ATAR last year and all have earned praise from Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) chief executive officer Teresa Tjia.
Ah, the ATAR – that magical number that determines your fate in the world of higher education and, let’s be honest, the anxiety levels of high school students across Victoria. If you’ve ever wondered what makes those perfect ATAR achievers tick, you’re not alone. Reddit user /u/marketrent recently dropped a post in the Melbourne subreddit that got us all thinking: what do these academic superstars have in common? Spoiler alert: it’s not just about having a brain that functions at a superhuman level.
So, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what these high achievers share. It might just help you or someone you know in navigating the treacherous waters of VCE.
1. A Strong Work Ethic
Let’s face it, if you’re expecting to breeze through without putting in the hours, you might want to rethink your life choices. These students didn’t just stumble upon their perfect scores while binge-watching the latest Netflix series (though they might have squeezed in a few episodes during study breaks). Most of them have cultivated a strong work ethic, which means consistent study habits, prioritizing schoolwork over social outings, and maybe even sacrificing that third slice of pizza at lunch.
2. Effective Study Techniques
We’ve all heard of the classic cramming method—studying the night before an exam while chugging energy drinks and praying for divine intervention. But the perfect ATAR achievers? They’re more likely to use effective study techniques like spaced repetition, active recall, and a little something called organization. Who knew that keeping a planner could be so life-changing? They’re probably the same folks who color-code their notes and have a system for everything.
3. Supportive Environment
No one achieves greatness in isolation, and that’s especially true for our top ATAR students. Many of these achievers come from supportive families and have access to resources that help them succeed—think tutors, study groups, and parents who don’t just shout, “Get off your phone!” but actually engage in their education. It’s like having a personal cheer squad, minus the pom-poms.
4. Resilience and Adaptability
Let’s be real: life throws curveballs, and sometimes those curveballs are in the shape of unexpected exam questions or a sudden bout of illness. High achievers exhibit resilience—they bounce back from setbacks and adapt their strategies when things don’t go as planned. It’s like they’re the superheroes of the academic world.
5. Passion for Learning
This one might seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Many perfect ATAR achievers have a genuine love for learning. They’re not just in it for the grades; they’re curious about the world and enjoy delving deep into subjects that interest them. So, if you’re just in it for the bragging rights at family dinners, you might want to rethink your approach.
6. Time Management Skills
If there’s one thing that sets these overachievers apart, it’s their ability to manage their time effectively. They know when to hit the books and when to take a break (hint: it’s not when they’ve hit a wall of confusion). Balancing study, extracurricular activities, and a social life is no small feat, but these students have figured out how to juggle it all without dropping the ball.
So, what’s the takeaway? While there’s no magic formula for achieving a perfect ATAR, it seems that a combination of hard work, effective study strategies, support, resilience, passion, and time management can pave the way to success. And if all else fails, just remember to breathe and maybe don’t take yourself too seriously. After all, it’s just a number—albeit one that can determine your future in more ways than one. Good luck, future ATAR achievers! You’ve got this!
Inspired by: “What Victoria’s perfect ATAR achievers all had in common” (r/melbourne)