Family health problems, a concussion, a twice-postponed driving test and a global pandemic – “it can’t get much worse” says Geelong High School year 12 student Jasmine King.
She and St Joseph’s College student Oliver Henry speak to Luke Voogt about the pressure of exams and how 2020 has taught them to cope with almost anything.
Jasmine King was “getting ready for a good year” after her godparents “very kindly” gifted her a Hyundai I30 – her first car – in January.
“But this year was not what I expected,” she said 10 months later, after completing her English exam on Tuesday alongside 41,000 VCE students.
“I’m relieved that’s over. I never want to do it again.
“I finished the three essays, which I think a lot of people didn’t, and I understood the three topics.
“I just struggled to remember quotes and make it sound good. By the end of it I was just like, ‘I want to go home’.”
The exam was just the latest challenge for Jasmine in a year that began unravelling when COVID-19 hit Australia in March.
The virus put her dad “at severe risk ” due to his bronchiectasis, doctors warned.
He has since been working at home due to the condition, which causes scarring to the airways.
“My dad’s a big tough dude and to see him worry about something really made think that it’s serious,” Jasmine said.
With her mum dealing with a back injury while working in mental health, Jasmine pitched in by helping with the groceries.
She would drive to the supermarket on her L-plates and do the shopping while her dad stayed in the car.
She had hoped she could help out more when she got her P-plates.
Before the pandemic hit she booked a test for her 18th birthday on June 18.
But a massive VicRoads backlog from the first lockdown postponed her test.
She rebooked for August 6 – the earliest day possible – only for Victoria’s second wave to cause the cancellation of that too.
“I was thinking, ‘what’s the point of being 18?’” she said.
“All I wanted was the freedom of being able to drive. It was so disappointing and heart-breaking. I cried, and I’m not usually a crier.”
She also sustained a concussion playing football for St Albans Park’s under 18 girls’ team in the last minute of the side’s only game for the year in July.
Her Jiu Jitsu classes halted, she lost her job at an ice cream shop and she was two months too young for JobKeeper.
But she had some luck on September 28 when she finally took her driving test.
Her heart skipped a beat when her driving instructor asked, “do you know what you did wrong?”
“I was like, ‘oh my god!’”
Luckily, Jasmine had immediately corrected her speed after going slightly over the limit, the instructor explained.
“I cried happy tears in VicRoads just before they took my picture.”
The Geelong High School captain now has three exams left after she dropped PE earlier in the year, as she was struggling to cope.
“Dropping a subject could have disadvantaged me but I think that was the best decision I could have made at the time – I don’t regret it,” she said.
While Jasmine had enjoyed studying in her own time, she said remote learning had made class discussion very difficult.
“Everyone would be on mute with their cameras off,” she said.
“It was an uncomfortable experience. I don’t think it was the teacher’s fault – it was just the online experience.”
This, along with her maths teacher being replaced with a substitute, was particularly detrimental in maths and English, she said.
“If you weren’t organised or couldn’t do the work yourself, you were stuffed.”
She applied for special consideration under the Special Entry Access Scheme, which has new calculating processes to determine the disadvantages of COVID-19.
The application included questions about internet access, study space at home and COVID-related hardship.
“I feel as though everyone needs special consideration for this year,” she said.
But 2020 had helped her bond with her younger sister at home and boosted her resilience, she said.
And her improved remote study skills had increased her university options in pursuit of career as an occupational therapist, she said.
“It’s built me up into a stronger person.”
St Joseph’s College year 12 student Oliver Henry shared that sentiment.
“I’ve built up some resilience in a tough year,” he said after finishing his English exam.
“Three hours for three essays isn’t fun but I prepared well, so I think I went as well as I could.”
“Just a couple more exams to go. I’m looking forward to finishing up.”
Like Jasmine, Oliver had missed class discussions but enjoyed learning independently.
“A lot of people would say it’s a lot more challenging [than normal year 12] and I’d say the same,” he said.
“I probably learn best from my school mates, and you also miss out on the social events like sporting days and graduation.
“But you get to create your own structure and your own independence, and spend a lot more time with your family.”
This year had been tough but “everyone in year 12 is in the same boat”, he said.
“Now it’s exam time – time to show what our resilience has been like throughout the year,” he said.
