WITH the aim of working in medical research, Swan Hill College Year 12 graduate Amy Van Liessum’s 98.55 ATAR result has guaranteed her entry to her university preferences.
Completing psychology, physics, chemistry, maths methods and English this year and biology last year, Amy wants to pursue immunology.
“Medicine research, particularly immunology is interesting and I’ve always liked it, and it means I get to learn more,” she said.
“I applied for medicine at Monash University and biomedicine at Melbourne University, but I’m looking more to Melbourne University.
“I’m not taking a gap year, I’m going straight to uni – I’ve already arranged on-campus accommodation before exams because it would be too hard to do it during them.”
Balancing a big workload and part-time work left Miss Van Liessum with little spare time, but she made time for herself through it all.
“I went to the gym fairly regularly which kept me stable,” she said.
“My friend group was a good space for support, as well as my family who wanted me to do well but weren’t too hardcore about it.
“My teachers were good, too.
“For the students doing Year 12 next year, relax a bit more than I did.”
ST MARY MacKillop College 2024 dux William Gilchrist is a step closer to achieving his dream of becoming a general practitioner.
Having received a 97.40 ATAR result on Thursday, William’s 2025 plans are coming together.
“I want to become a GP because it’s what we need here, it’s hard to ignore the problem in Swan Hill,” he said.
“I knew I had to get a high ATAR to achieve my goal of going into medicine, so I’m relieved that I’ve done so well.
“It will be a long road, but it will definitely be worth it.”
William completed two subjects in Year 11 last year, before completing English, math methods, chemistry and biology this year.
“I really set myself up last year, getting a 50 for sports and recreation and general maths, so I just tried to continue that this year,” he said.
While William will relocate to the city to pursue his studies, he hopes to return to Swan Hill.
“I’ve applied to a few different medical schools, and it’s all still working itself out,” he said.
“We’ll see how I go with offers in the next couple of weeks, but I’ll get myself there some day.
“I want to have a taste of living in the city, but it’s the plan to come back when I finish.”
Having put the hard work in to get this result, William knows what the class of 2025 can expect.
“Don’t give up the things that make you happy in Year 12, it’s all right to sacrifice some things but still make sure you’re having fun,” he said.
“That’s what got me through.”
