TIPS FROM THE TOP ... ST ANDREW’S DUXES OFFER ADVICE
IT’S an honour to be recognised as one of the four duxes of St Andrew’s for 2019. This achievement has given me a great sense of selfsatisfaction and has illustrated to me the possibilities provided by consistent perseverance, determination, and application to a given field of life.
I hope this achievement may serve as an inspiration and provide motivation to the younger students of St Andrew’s.
In pursuit of success, we are invariably faced with and forced to overcome various forms of adversity, in a test of our drive and will to persevere. No matter where an individual finds his or her passion in life, their dreams will only ever be realised through reliable application to their field.
For myself, this entailed forming regular study habits and maintaining a healthy study-life balance, which I had not always done.
Through primary school and until Year 10, I always received similar feedback from my teachers; namely that I was performing soundly but would benefit dramatically from further applying myself to schoolwork, rather than ‘‘coasting’’ as I had been doing much of the time.
During these years my effort had been whatever was needed to get a decent passing grade and my focus lay more on leisure, inside and outside school.
It’s difficult to say exactly what changed my outlook and mindset toward school, but I don’t think the specifics are important. Every person has different drives and unique motivations, and what may work for one student might not for another. In saying this, I’ve always enjoyed learning, and I believe the shift in the environment from my old high school to St Andrew’s, as well as sound guidance from my teachers truly did help motivate me.
Subsequently, during my senior years I decided to apply myself further to my studies. I began revising for exams in the weeks leading up to them and made a point of working through assignments rather than procrastinating. In doing so I was rewarded with greater academic recognition, and more importantly a sense of satisfaction.
Fortunately, I was still able to maintain a social life and to find time to spend with friends and family.
My time spent at St Andrew’s had many highlights and happy memories. Rather than provide a specific event, I would say that almost every day of Year 12 held something new for me. If I could provide a piece of advice to future students it would be to learn to love coming to school.
Recognise the amazing opportunity you have before you. Find an aspect of your time here that you enjoy and focus on it, whether that’s a subject, a sport, or in my case, the people around you.
I was lucky enough to have a fantastic group of peers, many of whom I admire and deeply appreciate and intend to stay in touch with. School provided me with the opportunity to be in great company five days a week, and if you know me, then you will know that I have no issues with telling people that I loved school for this very reason.
Finding this appreciation for your education will undoubtedly help you to apply yourself and succeed.
I am taking a gap year during 2020 and will spend the year working, travelling and relaxing. I am planning to go to university next year and have been accepted into the Bachelor of Pharmacy at The University of Queensland, but I have not yet made a final decision about what I would like to do for a career ultimately. I want to conclude by thanking the family members and teachers that pushed me to do well, helped me foster a greater appreciation for school, and made my time at St Andrew’s Catholic College a great experience.