Whatever stage you're at in your journey through senior secondary school, it's good to know you're not alone.
Each year thousands of students graduate from Queensland schools and they have lots of insights that you might find helpful.
Advice from past students’ career stories
Here is some advice from past students we've profiled in our QCE career stories.
Follow your dreams — no goal is too big or small. My grandfather gave me the best advice, which I hold close to my heart: “Be a leader, not a follower.
Amber Heaton
Chef
Always be on the lookout for ways to make new connections and open yourself up to new opportunities. Connections will open doors, and hard work will help you walk through them.
Matt Craigie
Astrophysics PhD Student
Don't be too worried if you don't know what you want to do after school and don't be scared to try a few things until you find what’s right for you. It's okay to take your time and explore different options.
Morgan Liu
Architect
Find something you enjoy and build a career around it. It may take time to figure out what that is, so don't rush the process.
Jess Nick
SES volunteer and future firefighter
I really recommend doing a school-based traineeship. It takes a lot of planning and time management to juggle school and work, but it's worth it.
Angel Thomas
Trainee Nurse
If something doesn’t feel right in Year 10 or the first semester of Year 11, consider if you can do well in Year 12. If the answer is no, think about changing subjects.
Henry Bensted
Aspiring Music Teacher
My advice to senior students is that planning is the biggest thing. Make sure you’ve written out every single assessment due date, and include time for drafting and editing.
Jessica Fellows
Aspiring Actor
Advice from QCE Achievement Award winners
Get advice from top-forming students who have previously received a QCE Achievement Award.
Accept that you're not going to be able to do everything or say yes to everything, and some days you may not be as productive as you hope.
Tiah Kalaja
Brigidine College (Indooroopilly)
If you are truly passionate about something, you will find the time.
Aileen Hu
St Hilda's School (Southport)
Start your assignment and exam study early, and use class time wisely. You’ll have more time to relax, as well as study for externals. Your future you will thank you.
Joy Lin
All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
Choose your subjects with caution. Make sure you have enough interest in a subject to study it for the whole senior schooling.
Zara Kerin-Bird
Sunshine Coast Grammar School (Forest Glen)
Share your skills with others. It's good to help other people, but it also furthers your own competence in those skills. And it provides opportunities for you to learn from others.
Aidan Chumbley
Matthew Flinders Anglican College (Buderim)
Consistency and discipline determine success. It is not how much effort you put in at the last minute, but how much effort you put in since the start of the year.
Max Gao
Anglican Church Grammar School (East Brisbane)
Manage your time effectively. Smply by focussing a little harder in class instead of chatting with mates you can maximise your potential.
Archie Austin
Brisbane Grammar School (Brisbane)
Allocate your time properly. Some subjects are a lot more intensive than others.
Aryan Chandna
Brisbane State High School
As important as your academics are, it is just as important to maintain a good balance between that and the other aspects of your life— extra curricular, family and friends.
Arnav Shah
Arnav Shah
Don’t be afraid of change - whether it’s a university course, career path, or even a study method. It is never too late to explore new opportunities.
Sophia Rehn
Brisbane State High School
My main tip is to maintain balance - I benefited by having projects and creative hobbies alongside studying - it was a well needed break.
Anita Zhong
Brisbane State High School
Prioritise your health, as it is a major contributor towards academic success. Eating, sleeping and exercising well speeds up your thinking during exams!
Heather Mai
Brisbane State High School
Communicate with your teachers about what they expect of you and stay on top of content.
Will Monckton
St Joseph's College (Brisbane)
The first step toward success is believing in yourself.
Austin Liu
St Peters Lutheran College (Indooroopilly)
Stay curious and never be afraid to ask questions. The more you explore, the more you grow.
Louise Zhong
Mount Gravatt State High School
The biggest thing to do is ask questions. There is no one in the classroom who knows the syllabus better than your teacher.
Lachlan Wilson
The Rockhampton Grammar School (Agnes St, Rockhampton)
Trust in the preparation you have done before an exam. Don't revise last minute thinking it will be productive.
Ellen Baek
Brisbane Girls Grammar School (Brisbane)
Don't give up doing the things you enjoy, because that will ultimately make you more efficient in your study.
Louis Gunter
All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
Give everything a go, embrace all opportunities, balance your life, take care of yourself, and have fun!
Parmida Darouei
Kenmore State High School
Find your purpose, let go of things you can’t control, find friends who build you up, and learn from everyone you meet.
Andrew Xiao-Tang
Brisbane State High School
Your sanity is as important as your time. Don't let the hardships of life break you; be water, my friend.
Seungho (James) Shin
All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
