How to get your Year 12 ready for university

How to get your Year 12 ready for university

It’s natural to want to help your teen as they prepare for university, but it can be difficult to know where to start and how involved you should be.

It’s natural to want to help your teen as they prepare for university, but it can be difficult to know where to start and how involved you should be.

It’s natural to want to help your teen as they prepare for university, but it can be difficult to know where to start and how involved you should be.

As a parent, guardian or carer of a teen whose learning journey is about to take them from high school to university, your parental sixth sense to guide them might be pulled in all sorts of directions. It can be a tumultuous time for a high schooler as they traverse exams and try to understand what's next, and guiding them through that can be confusing. 

To support you and your teen, we’ve collected tips about getting ready for university, from dos and don’ts to advice from fellow parents.  

A parent and their child exploring university options with the help of an RMIT staff member

#1: Learn the important dates 

Year 12 students have a lot of things competing for their attention and headspace. One of the best ways that parents can help relieve some of that pressure is by learning the important university dates.  

The most important ones for parents to know are the VTAC, Change of Preference and Semester 1 start dates. Here are the most important dates for Year 12s graduating in 2025: 

What

When
VTAC applications for 2026 courses* 1 October 2025                            
VCE exams 27 October - 19 November 2025
ATAR release date 11 December
Change of Preference* 11 December - 13 December 2025
Orientation for TAFE classes 2 - 6 February 2026
Orientation for undergraduate classes 24 - 28 February 2026

*There are more dates associated with VTAC and Change of Preference. To find out more, visit our VTAC Course Information page and our Change of Preference page.  

#2: Nurture and support their excitement

Simply being there for your teen as they unravel the mysteries of university can be an enormous help, but there is more you can do to help them feel at ease. As with everyday life, chatting with them about what they’re going through is an important part of helping. There might be a lot going through their mind, so start the conversation by asking them what excites them about university. 

Michael Burgun, whose daughter moved from New South Wales to attend RMIT in Melbourne, went through this just a few years ago. According to Michael, one of the most important things to remember is that the study-shaping decisions are ultimately theirs to make.   

"Don’t preconceive anything, [just] support them and their excitement,” said Michael. “Remember: it is not your journey, it is theirs.”

#3: Help, but don’t take away their freedom of choice

Your teen may have passions and interests that they want to pursue at university, and it’s possible that you might not understand or connect with all of these. And that’s okay.  

Career adviser and parent of university students, Julie Pilioglou, says parents should remember that often their teen knows what’s best for their study journey.   

“There are always going to be a lot of jobs in the future that we don’t even know [about],” said Julie.  “If we look at just 15 years ago, there are many jobs that have become obsolete.” 

“If they are studying something that doesn’t align with you as a parent [that’s]okay! It’s really up to the student.”  

If you find yourself in the situation where your teen is planning on studying a subject that you haven’t heard of or don’t know much about, it can be beneficial for you both to find out more. 

#4: Explore TAFE and pathway options with them

VCE exams can be a stressful time, especially if you and your teen are worried about results dictating what courses they are eligible for. If this sounds like you, it's important to keep in mind that there are other ways to get into a course other than a perfect ATAR.   

Exploring university pathways and TAFE options can be an excellent way for you and your teen to take some of the pressure off upcoming exams.   

Expand all sections

A university pathway is an alternative way into a course. RMIT's flexible pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for. Some courses provide guaranteed entry and credit, which can help you reduce the time it takes to complete your studies. 

TAFE, also known as vocational study, includes certificates and diplomas. Some can be completed in as little as six months, while others involve two years of full-time study. Generally, vocational study is designed to help students start their career sooner. RMIT’s TAFE courses give you the skills to work in a technical or specialist career, such as computer science, construction, dental studies, and youth work.    

While TAFE is a great standalone option, it doesn’t require a certain ATAR and can be a great way to pathway into a university course. For more info, explore our explanation of all the differences between university and TAFE. 

While TAFE might take away the stress of needing perfect exam results, they aren’t just a back-up option. TAFE is an excellent choice for students looking to develop a robust set of skills quickly. 

Street view of an the RMIT gallery building in Melbourne city

#5: Dos and don’ts of helping your teen with uni 

Here are our dos and don’ts for getting your teen ready for their study journey after high school: 

Do

  • Encourage them to think about their passions and hobbies  
  • Explore scholarship options with them  
  • Reassure them that an ATAR isn’t the only way into uni  
  • Learn what equity services your teen can access at their future uni  

 

Don’t

  • Don’t forget that TAFE is its own option  
  • Avoid mentioning university and future study during exam periods  
  • Don’t be completely hands-off with their uni preparation  
  • Don’t worry about their newfound independence 

 

That’s all the wisdom we’ve got to share with you – but there’s one more thing. Trust your instincts!  

The fact that you’re looking for ways to help them with university shows that you are an excellent parent. If something comes up that you’re not sure how to handle, you can always reach out to our Study@RMIT team. 

Story: Jacob Johnston

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