Catherine McAuley College students Charlotte Brook and Tania Hutchinson reflect on studying during a pandemic, just days after their final Victorian Certificate of Education exams.

Tania Hutchinson

So we have finally made it to the end of our 13-year school journey.

Looking back, the year we've had seems unbelievable. If you had told me a year ago that I would be spending the majority of year 12 doing school from my bedroom in my pyjamas while masks became a popular fashion icon, I wouldn't have believed you for a second.

This year has been undoubtedly one of the most difficult we have seen this century, if not since the wars. Some people may frown at this - how could it have been that difficult? No, we did not live on rations. No, we didn't live in fear of war, invasion, or mass violence.

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We may not have had imminent threats, but we lived one of the worst possible human experiences - isolation. Being disconnected from our friends, families, peers, and community took a significant emotional and mental toll on our wellbeing, not to mention those who experienced financial trouble due to restrictions.

We missed some of the most key milestones of not only our last year of school, but of our lives. Instead of having fun and being with those we love, we will have to look back on this year as the one that was cancelled.

As much as it was a devastating year, I believe we've all gained and grown. We've learnt what is truly important to us, our friends and families. We've learnt that plans change and life is unpredictable.

Most of all, I believe we've learnt to be true to ourselves and that life is too short to worry about things that don't make us happy. I believe we will go down in history as the Class of 2020.

Charlotte Brook

The end is here... a phrase I thought I would never say with the events of this year. The ending of our high school journey. The end of studying for exams and SACs, and the end of the high school routine. Also the end of wearing a school uniform after 13 years.

The exam period that just finished felt like a year put into just a few weeks, pushing through the trials and tribulations of 2020. Attempting to find the motivation to study had been difficult, particularly as my exams were spread from the first week until the second last day of exams.

But it was beneficial that I had my exams spread out instead of being packed together, as it allowed me more time to focus individually on each subject. It enabled me to spend more time in classes and extend my ability of improving the skills I needed for each exam.

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For some exams, it was easier to do that and there was no stress. Yet other exams seemed to be almost a different subject. But there was a sense of community as after each exam we would gather as a class with our teacher and talk about the exam.

It was quite stressful trying to remember all the content that had been taught throughout the year. But it also allowed me to create ways to try and remember everything.

Upon completion of exams, we had our graduation. Although our families and friends could not be with us, as a cohort we were allowed to gather together, listen to speeches that reflected on our time at school and all the memories we created.

A final celebration of a time together before we embark on the next step of our lives.

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