Three Things I'd Like to Tell Every Year 12 Student

Year 12 is nearly finished in Australia. Pressure! Cramming. Worrying over an ATAR*. This is the common story in hundreds of families. If I could say three things to every hopeful graduate facing exams here is what I'd say:

First, this is a rung in your ladder not a fork in your road. God will use this experience to elevate you if you let him. It is very unlikely that your second employer will ever ask you about high school (unless you are employed real young and change jobs quickly). Study hard, but check out this surprising list of high school dropouts just to keep perspective. 

Second, school exams are not scoring what matters most. Character. They test for memory skills, aptitude with numbers, knowledge of literature, and so on. What will make or break you in life however, is character (Gal. 5:22-23). If you don't do your best or you cheat, then you have failed regardless of your scores. On the other hand if year 12, with all its pressures, makes you a more Godly person, then you possess a greatness which the ATAR can't measure. 

Third, God wants to help you. Ask him. Invite some friends to pray for you. If you attend NewHope know that we are praying for you this week.

Contrary to popular thought, final exams are not final, they are not comprehensive and you don't need to take them alone. Asking God to go with you is NOT cheating. 

Encourage a student this week. Pray for them and care for them this month. 

If you still have exams ahead of you click here for some practical tips. And, please leave a comment below.

*Australian Tertiary Admission Rank