Successful early entry applications didn't stop Figtree High School's best HSC performers putting in the hard yards to achieve high results.
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Savannah Reali was greeted by an impressive ATAR of 95.55 when the scores were released on Thursday, a number she put down to consistent study throughout her senior years, not just cramming prior to exams.
The importance of continued revision wasn't lost on classmate Jamie Novak, who scored a 94.9, but he admitted getting the right ratio of homework to social life wasn't easy.
"It [the HSC] is really about finding that balance," Jamie said.
"It's about making up priorities; you always try and find some time to fit in study."
Savannah and Jamie were both on the distinguished achievers list and both plan to study Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Wollongong.
The pair were were offered early entry into the course.
However, knowing she had secured a university spot didn't change Savannah's approach to exams.
"I still wanted to perform the best I could to keep my options open," she said.
Savannah's advice for students yet to tackle the HSC was to remain focused on what needed to be done.
"Don't compare yourself to everyone else," Savannah said.
Jamie's words of wisdom also focused on the individual.
"Trust and believe in yourself and you're already [excelling]," he said.
Figtree High careers adviser Adam Sargent-Wilson couldn't be more happy with the marks, which he said were on par with results received in previous years.
"We're really pleased with what [Savannah and Jamie] have done," Mr Sargent-Wilson said.
According to Mr Sargent-Wilson, about 60 per cent of the 2014 year-12 class would move on to study at UOW.