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.
Outside of school, learn two or three skills and try to get very good at them. Even if you don’t need them in your future career, the experience will widen your perspective on the world.
Joshua Ryu
Brisbane State High School
Don't make school your whole life — pick up hobbies, exercise, and give yourself a break.
Ethan Naylor
Mountain Creek State High School
Teach people at every opportunity — this will ensure you fully understand a topic.
Sahan Conaghan
Brisbane State High School
Be open to challenges and learning new things, and ask lots of questions!
Shani Darling
Grace Lutheran College
Ask for support when you need it, whether that be academic, emotional, or practical advice.
Hasara Ekanayake
Brisbane State High School
Study and learn at your own pace, and have confidence in your ability to do well, if you put in the work.
Emma Fensom
Brisbane State High School
Make your academic decisions by considering what you find most exciting. School shouldn’t be boring!
James Ferguson
Brisbane State High School
Find a good balance between studying and having fun. Studying 24/7 will only be counterproductive.
Toby Heytman
St Peters Lutheran College
Consider each piece of assessment as extremely important up until the moment it is due, but don't overthink it once it’s submitted because you have done everything you can.
Charlotte Landherr
Kingaroy State High School
Keep showing up, keep persevering and always be yourself.
Chinara Lau
Brisbane State High School
Believe in yourself!
Tung-Hi Ma
Brisbane Girls Grammar School
As long as you put effort into building strong relationships and enjoying your subjects, the big daunting last year of school can be not just manageable, but enjoyable.
Amelia Mason
Kenmore State High School
Communicate with your teachers about what they expect of you and stay on top of content.
Sam Millar-East
All Saints Anglican School
Keeping busy with sport, co-curricular activities, and family time is a great way to balance the demands of a heavy workload and remind you of the importance of social connections and holistic development.
Natasha Miric
Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Don’t overload yourself with studying — take breaks and mix up how you study to keep it enjoyable.
Joshua Newnes
The Gap State High School
Believe in yourself and take care of your physical and mental health. Be open to trying new things!
Nicholas Nikov
Brisbane State High School
Find a study space that works for you. Having a division between a study space and a relaxing space helped me switch on and off.
Jun Young Park
The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James
Commit to your goal, get focused, and ask for help if you need it. You don’t have to spend hours figuring something out yourself that someone else could explain to you in minutes!
Leila Raad
Kenmore State High School
Choose your friends well — they should be good people who push you to do better.
Eric Salkeld
Brisbane State High School
Don’t take the easy route, even if it’s the one most followed. Brave the challenge and appreciate your efforts regardless of the result.
Anna Sekulic
Brisbane State High School
Have a clear goal and work hard towards achieving it. Only worry about the things you can control.
Pranathi Sivakkumar
Mansfield State High School
Focus on quality of study over length. Short efficient study is much more effective.
Jayden Young
Aspley State High School
