The girls were both kept awake by nerves awaiting their HSC results, but their worries were unfounded as both made the NSW All-Rounders List.

"It just goes to show that if you work hard enough you can do really well," Danika said.

Next year the 18-year-old, from Austinmer, hopes to study media communications and international studies at the University of Technology, Sydney.

The HSC results came as a particular surprise to Erin, as she did best in the subject she was dreading - ancient history.

"I didn't feel confident in the exam but I scored 97 - I couldn't believe it," she said.

"There's such a big gap between exams and getting the results that it feels surreal. It's a big relief though."

Erin hopes to complete a double degree at the University of Wollongong but hasn't decided on her subjects.

Stephen Dodd kept a cool head when it came to the HSC, but admits he was still up at 6am to check his results online.

Making the all-rounders list came as a pleasant surprise to the Mt Kembla student, whose highest score was 98 in legal studies.

"I was a little bit nervous, there's always a degree of apprehension, but the HSC is not the end of the world," Stephen said. "It takes plenty of hard work if you want to do well in any endeavour and there are sacrifices to make. But it's important to keep a balance and I tried to do that."

Stephen hopes to study law at the University of Sydney next year.

Smith's Hill student Lisa Deng was also named in the NSW All-Rounders List.