03 Jan 2023 | 3 mins

To tell you the honest truth, my ATAR was red hot. So red hot that, at first, I was convinced it was a mistake.

I was spoilt with praise from mates and family members and man did it feel good... until it got to my head. See, my whole life I knew I'd pursue something in the realm of art, but suddenly everyone was convincing me to do something that aligned with that silly number. I starting thinking that it'd be a waste and disservice to my ATAR to study art.

Maybe if I got a high ATAR in 'common sense', I would have still followed my passions. Instead, I stupidly got accepted into a five-year law and communications degree.

Was I possessed? I mean seriously, the extent of my knowledge of law was the movie 'Legally Blonde'. And trust me, I felt like Elle Woods as soon as I walked into that first lecture. My peers' eyes glowered with curiosity, listening intently about legislation and making a constructive change.

They were there because they were genuinely passionate about law.

I was there because I got a good ATAR.

But that didn't stop me, folks! I was persistent and stubborn. I was driven by how much I frothed when I'd tell people what I was studying. I loved hearing how proud my parents were of me. My mates thought I was slaying it in life. I felt validated and worthy.

No matter how much I hated every class, how behind I felt compared to everyone else, I was determined to succeed. But for what? Seriously? So I could have a career in something I hated but loved to brag about? 

During a semester break, I went to a festival and it genuinely snapped me out of my delusions. See, you know how magical moshes are? The onslaught of music pumping through everyone's souls, glitter floating around like snow and vodka red bulls splashing everywhere. Everyone is just loving life. Anyways, I was in the mosh, laughing and dancing. I looked around and though 'holy moly, what am I doing with my life?' 

This is the feeling I should be chasing. Happiness, joy, passion! No one in that mosh gave a rats ass whether I was studying law or not so what was the point?!

Hungover the next day, I deferred from uni. I took the rest of the year off and later enrolled in an art degree.

And guess what, in that first lecture, I was one of the kids glowering with curiosity, listening intently to colour theory and philosophy in art.

At the end of the day, an ATAR is just an entry requirement to university. A higher score gives you more choice, but it shouldn't mean that it makes the choice for you. No matter what your score is, ask yourself first, what am I passionate about?

If you need a helping hand when it comes to passions, suss out our Post-School Plan here! It's essentially a fun quiz with q's that’ll dig deep into your talents, values, interests and personality. It'll be a helping hand to figure out what career path you'd suit, what qualifications or experience you’d need and what skillset you’d want to have!