“Talk to a career’s adviser as they have huge range of networks, there are a multitude of post-school destinations,” she said.

“There are always options and quite often the student is not aware of the options.”

Ms Wall said this year’s contingent of graduates were heading in a variety of directions such as studying law, business and education, to taking on apprenticeships.

Warilla High School deputy principal Michelle Bennett-Brook agreed and said some people may be more suited to TAFE or a college, while some bridging courses can assist in getting into university.

Meantime, Ms Bennett-Brook also stressed the transition to life after school would be a very different experience.

“Life isn't measured out in lots of 10 weeks, which is what we’re used to. I think they’re just going to have to go slowly, have short term goals and long term goals,” she said.

Getting a full-time job to “fill in the gap” before potential study was also a good was to ease the pressure, she said.

Ms Bennett-Brook praised the diversity of her school leavers, many who had overcome adversity, and others who were the first in their families to finish high school.

“I’m just keen for every kid to be pleased for themselves and their families to be pleased with them,” she said.

“Learning is a life long activity, I only just finished my Masters six months ago.”

Josh Bate, 17, is pretty keen on a career in science, but he also loves playing the drums.

Instead of taking a usual gap year travelling the world like many teenagers opt to do after finishing their HSC, Mr Bate will be completing a Diploma of Contemporary Performance at the JMC Academy in Sydney.

“I wanted to take a break from the hardcore studying but … I’ve always wanted to study music,” he said.

“I grew up playing the piano, the saxophone, but I moved to drums at about 12 and have been playing ever since.”

The Woonona High School graduate said his ATAR was a little lower than what he was expecting, but overall he was really happy and looking forward to studying a Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Dean’s Scholar) at the University of Wollongong in 2018.

There are plenty of options for what to do once high school is over and university may not be for everyone.

When Kerem Yavuz, 17, received his ATAR of 86.15 on Friday he was “astonished” at what he’d achieved.

“[Warrawong High School] is a low-socioeconomic school, it’s very rare to get results like this,” he said.

“At end of the day, it proves with mindset and dedication you can achieve anything.”

Mr Yavuz, who will hopefully be the second in his family to eventually graduate from university, praised the teaching support at his school who were there for anyone who reached out for extra help.

“No-one is limited to where they can go to ... anyone can aspire to what they want to achieve,” he said.

One of the things that helped Mr Yavuz break up the study during the year was fundraising activities for a cause he’s passionate about, brain cancer.

“Currently brain cancer doesn't have [much of] a voice. I’ve done work experience across Wollongong Hospital and one of those wards was the neuroscience wards and I got to see the personal effects brain cancer has on people’s lives, and that really moved me,” he said.

“I wanted to do something after researching how disadvantaged brain cancer is when it comes to funding.”

His ultimate goal now is to become a neurosurgeon and help “reduce the burden on society".

Warilla High School graduate Jessica Naumovski, 17, said her ATAR wasn’t quite as high as she had hoped but that wasn’t going to stop her from eventually becoming a doctor.

Miss Naumovski is set to study Medical and Health Science at the University of Wollongong next year with early entry and other offers on the table.

One of her highlights was being on the school’s Student Representative Council with friend Rachael Holland.

The pair said it helped break up the stress of study and was fun participating in leadership activities, fundraisers and organising other social activities for students.

Miss Holland, and her family, was surprised to discover she’d received an ATAR of 95.

Despite being better than expected and opening more doors, it didn’t change her mind on wanting to becoming a high school dance teacher.

A dancer of 12 years, the 18-year-old hopes to help others grow their passion for the creative arts and “showcase their personal skills”.