Now that VCE exams are finished, it's time for Year 12 students to prepare their VTAC preference list before results are released next week. In this episode, I explain why finalising preferences early leads to better choices, how to set up your list with dream courses and pathways, and what to do if you still have no idea what you want to study next year.

Timestamps:
1:30 — What to do after VCE exams
4:45 — Why you should finalise VTAC preferences before results
8:30 — What to do if you don't know what you want to study

Links:
Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services
VTAC dates: https://vtac.edu.au/dates

In this episode, I share why setting goals around a specific ATAR or study score can actually increase stress, reduce motivation and lead to burnout. Inspired by Dr Emily on The Imperfects Podcast, we explore a healthier approach to VCE goal setting — one that focuses on future pathways, not numbers students can't fully control.

Timestamps:
1:48 — Why I've never liked ATAR-based goals
3:55 — Dr Emily's take on goal setting
5:20 — Why students burn out when they chase a number
8:20 — How to create healthier, more meaningful VCE goals

Links:
Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services
The Imperfects Podcast episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-imperfects/id1476501557?i=1000731475926

In this episode, I share how trying to navigate my son's cricket club with zero information helped me understand exactly how parents feel when their child starts VCE.

You'll hear why VCE feels so overwhelming, why schools often don't communicate clearly, and how understanding the system helps you make better decisions about VCE subjects, tertiary pathways and supporting your teen through Year 11 and 12.

Timestamps:
0:45 — Trying to start cricket with no information
6:11 — Why VCE parents feel lost
10:24 — How I support families through VCE

Links:
Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services
The Parents' Guide to VCE: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/95

Choosing VCE subjects and planning a tertiary pathway can feel overwhelming — especially when you're worried about closing off future options.

In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I share stories of four students who were unintentionally limiting their choices because of assumptions about what they could or couldn't do. You'll hear how, once they had the right information, they were able to make informed decisions about their VCE subjects, courses, and career pathways — and feel confident about their next steps.

Timestamps:
1:00 – Penny's story: Exploring creative careers and overcoming self-doubt
5:30 – Hailey's story: Finding health and medicine pathways that work
10:50 – Two more stories: Deciding between Year 12 and trade pathways

Links mentioned:
Work with me → roadmapeducation.com/services

You've seen the tutoring ads — the ones bragging about all their tutors getting ATARs over 99, studying medicine or law, or being dux of their schools. These ads drive me crazy because they completely miss the point.

In this episode, I explain why high ATARs don't make someone a good tutor, how tutoring companies lean into a broken VCE system, and why they make promises they can't keep. Most importantly, I'll share how students can actually beat ATAR anxiety by finding their own path — no matter what results they get.

4:02 – Doing well in school doesn't make someone a good tutor
9:04 – The VCE system is broken, and tutoring companies lean into it
10:28 – The tutoring companies are making promises they cannot keep
11:53 – How to actually beat ATAR anxiety

Links mentioned:
Work with me – Career counselling for high school students in Melbourne: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services
Do You Need a Tutor or a Career Counsellor: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/76
Listen to more Course and Career Chat episodes: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast

In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I talk with Tamara, who is currently studying a Master of Counselling at Deakin University. She shares her journey from completing a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Psychology and History) to discovering her passion for supporting others through counselling.

We discuss what it's really like to study counselling at postgraduate level, the difference between counselling and psychology, and the career opportunities available after a Master of Counselling in Australia.

If you're thinking about a career change into counselling, or wondering how to become a counsellor in Australia, this episode will give you a realistic and inspiring insight.

4:50 – Tamara's high school experience and early career interests
9:40 – Why she chose a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and History)
13:48 – Honours in History: research and learning
16:54 – First full-time role and transferable skills
19:30 – Studying the Master of Counselling at Deakin University

Links mentioned:
Work with me – Career counselling for high school students in Melbourne: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services
Learn more about the Master of Counselling at Deakin University: https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/master-counselling
Listen to more Course and Career Chat episodes: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast

It's nearly the end of Term 2, and I've had a lot of conversations with students lately where they've been trying to decide whether or not to drop a VCE subject that they're studying. To make an informed decision, there's a few things you need to consider - do you know what you want to do when you finish school? Is this subject a prerequisite for that course? Can you support yourself to feel more confident in the subject with some extra help? Could you look at similar courses that don't need it as a prerequisite? Is not liking the subject a clue that maybe your dream course isn't really the one you want after all?

Listen up so you can consider your options and decide what will be best for you and your future.

Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services

VTAC CourseSearch: https://delta.vtac.edu.au/coursesearch/#/search

In this third part of my mini series "How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses" I'm diving into another question that I'd love for you to consider - What are you good at? I don't mean what subject you're good at (although I did talk about that in episode 102), but instead what is something that comes naturally to you that you use in your everyday life that could be applied to any career you choose?

Knowing this can help you see how you can bring key parts of yourself to any role you choose to take in the future.

Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services