Former HSC students featured across outlets say their exam success comes down to combining preparation routines with deliberate subject selection. The stories profile high-achieving graduates from varied backgrounds, including dancers, a pilot, a lawyer and a farmer, and compile the strategies they say helped them perform well. A common message across the reports is that students are more likely to do well when they choose courses they genuinely enjoy, rather than selecting subjects primarily for perceived prestige or external pressure. Alongside this, the graduates describe the importance of sustained study habits leading into exams, using practice and revision to build confidence, and managing workload across the year. The articles also present the idea that students can draw motivation from personal goals and interests, which can support persistence when assessment periods intensify. While each graduate’s path differs, the shared themes focus on consistent preparation and making study choices that align with students’ interests and strengths.