Marian Dux Elizabeth Portolesi achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 95.7, with Sarah Connelly (94.5), Luke Franco (92.0) and Annaliese Quarisa (92.1) not far behind. 

All agreed with the Eminem-inspired advice from Luke Franco to those entering Year 12 next year.

“You have one opportunity, it’s only one year of your life. So you may as well try as hard as you can”. 

Luke said he would studies four to five hours every night throughout the year, and up to 10 hours a day during the  HSC exam period – a study program on par with his three peers. 

Annaliese said, “I studied the best I could throughout the year, I didn’t just leave it all to HSC time”. 

But she also stressed the need for balance. 

“I always found time for Netflix”.

Sarah offered further advice, “use all the resources you can. Get advice from both teachers and online".

Elizabeth agreed, “students should never be afraid to ask for help. We have all these great teachers at the school, and they’re a great resource”. 

Elizabeth has been accepted to study law and international relations at the Australian National University, and hopes to use her skills to change a lot of what she sees in public life.

“A lot of our priorities are just not right. They spend $11 million on a Sydney statue that looks like a tape worm, when our rural hospitals are not up to standard… Sydney gets enough, it doesn’t need to have more”. 

The less politically-outspoken Luke is planning to do mechanical engineering in Melbourne, while Annaliese will study management and accounting in Wagga.

Sarah is taking a gap year to work and earn money, but intends to do either physiotherapy or nursing in 2019. 

The good news for the MIA is both Annaliese and Sarah plan to come back to Griffith after they study. Luke will likely stay in Melbourne, while Elizabeth is eyeing a stint in the UK. 

Griffith students who have applied for a NSW university found out if they were accepted to the course of their choice on Thursday.