UniReady: My Experience Dropping out of ATAR/HSC in School

UniReady aka the ATAR escape route

Let’s be real, ATAR isn’t for everyone.  

I really struggled with ATAR during year 11. I was constantly stressing over assignments and exams and was only just passing my classes. 

Life was becoming really stressful, and I felt like I was only just scraping by. My social life and mental health were deteriorating and I knew I had to change something. 

At the beginning of Year 11, I believed ATAR was the only way I was going to be able to go to university, because that what everyone told me for years. 

But after talking to a career's counsellor about my ATAR struggles, they told me my school was offering an enabling program in year 12 called UniReady. 

Let me tell you why switching from ATAR to the UniReady program was the best decision for me. 

My experience with ATAR 

I started off Year 11 with five ATAR subjects and one general, as this was the recommended structure for me.  

But halfway through the year, the workload hit like a truck, so I dropped down to four ATAR subjects and two general, hoping it would help.  

But it didn’t. I was still struggling, hating school, and feeling the pressure 24/7. By the end of the year, I was barely hanging on. 

All the things you should be enjoying about school? I couldn’t even think about, as I was just stressed all the time.  

My mental health was taking a hit, and I knew I had to switch things up. 

Discovering UniReady 

I remembered my school mentioning they would be offering a university enabling program called UniReady.  

The UniReady in Schools Program offers a pathway into university by teaching the essential skills and knowledge needed for university, things like academic literacy, numeracy and critical thinking.  

What it would mean was that I had a dedicated UniReady subject every day, and if I passed the program, I would be awarded a 70 ATAR and English language proficiency. 

After speaking to my school’s careers counsellor, I decided this program seemed like a good idea to help ease the stress and give me a better study/life balance, as well as provide me with the necessary skills for university. 

My experience with UniReady 

At the end of Year 11, I decided to switch my pathway to the UniReady program while continuing with two ATAR subjects, Mathematics Applications and Economics.  

Maths Apps is often a prerequisite for some university courses, and I had a keen interest in Economics, so I chose to stick with both. 

In Year 12, my study load included two ATAR classes, one UniReady class, Media General, and my school’s compulsory subjects, English and Religion General.  

Compared to ATAR subjects, I found UniReady much more manageable.  

It came with less stress around assignments and keeping up with content. 

And since I had extra room in my timetable, I was able to take Media, which ultimately led me to discover my passion for media and marketing.  

Looking back, choosing the UniReady pathway was one of the best decisions I made. 

What happened once completed? 

Thankfully, because I completed and passed the UniReady program, I achieved a 70 ATAR, which allowed me to apply for my dream marketing course at Edith Cowan University. 

Fast forward to today, I’m in my third year of uni, studying a Bachelor of Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations.  

I’m also working in marketing part-time and running my own marketing business. 

Choosing UniReady wasn’t just about getting into university, it set me on the path to a career I really enjoy. 

Why UniReady Could Be Your Answer 

Moral of the story? ATAR isn’t the only way.  

If you’re struggling, miserable, or just over it, UniReady is 100 per cent worth considering.  

You can still get into uni, still find your passion, and most importantly, actually enjoy school.  

Don’t let the ATAR stress define your future, there’s more than one way to make it to uni, and UniReady might just be yours.