By Danielle Kutchel
As students navigate yet another complicated study year, some of the state’s top scholars have offered some words of wisdom to this year’s VCE cohort.
Nossal High School had five students receive a Premier’s VCE Award for their 2020 studies, including one Top All Rounder.
After making it through the unprecedented first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, four of the students spoke to Star News to offer their advice for 2021’s VCE students.
Lily Lunder, awarded for Philosophy
“Prioritise your own mental health but try and be consistent with your work. Try to keep up with the world because it gets a lot more difficult as you get more behind.
“Go outside and give yourself a bit of break.
“Stay in contact with your teachers.
“Just try your best, we’re all struggling but we’ll get through it in the end and I think we all felt that last year after the stress of it all, but it paid off in the end.”
Nalini Jacob-Roussety, awarded for Philosophy
“In order to not get overwhelmed I think you need to have other things to focus your attention on. If you’re studying all day, every day, studying is just going to be who you are and if you lose your sense of identity you won’t have the motivation to get through VCE.
“You have to have something on the side that motivates you, like a reward you can indulge in once you’ve done your studies for the day.”
Neha Cherayath, awarded for Psychology
“I made sure I did all the practice questions and any time I wasn’t clear on a particular topic I made sure I checked it with my teacher.
“Know what you’re working towards and do the best you can because your future self will thank you.
“Pick a subject you’re really interested in, it lines you up for success. If you’re interested in it you’re more likely to work in that subject and know more about it.”
Shalaaka Brahmavar, awarded in English Language
“Balance is really important to me … having a really good outlet, something separate to study.
“The thing that really got me through all of it was you owe it to yourself to try and push as hard as you can and do as well as you can because of how long the school journey is. It’s not over once you finish high school but it’s a good reminder for yourself, knowing what you’re able to go through and overcome and it reinforces the resilience you have.”
