Year-12 students of Narooma High School poured out of the hall with smiles on their faces after completing their first HSC exam on Thursday, October 17.
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Students across the state sat their first paper of English studies, English Advanced and English Standard subjects.
Deputy principal Andrew Thomas congratulated students and gave his best wishes.
"I wish them all the best from staff, the school and broader community to what will be a trying time - but worth it in the end," Mr Thomas said.
"Students have been very positive.
"We don't base success on the outcome of the HSC - a lot of students already have traineeships or work lined up. We measure their success on their exiting outcome," he said.
Narooma News met up with Liam Russell, Huon Lemarshall and Shona Allison after their first exam.
Here's what they had to say ...
How do you feel after your first exam?
Liam said: "I am very happy to get one out of the way."
Huon said: "It was pretty deadly. I want to prove that just because I am Aboriginal, doesn't mean I won't make it the whole way through."
Shona said: "I was anxious going in, but am pretty happy with how I took on the questions - I was a bit shocked reading some, but happy how I overcame them."
How prepared were you?
Liam said: "English isn't my strongest subject, I felt I could have been more prepared."
Huon said: "I didn't study much at all."
Shona said. "I felt as prepared as I could be, I put a lot of work in during trials - which feels like it's paying off."
Stress levels on a scale of 1-10?
Liam rated his stress level at 5: "I'm not too stressed, but I want to do the best I can considering I have been in school the past 13 years."
Huon rated his stress level at 5.5: "The teachers talked it up a lot, I am not too stressed because I am already doing work placement in landscaping and construction."
Shona rated her stress level at 7: "I am little bit stressed, but I have noticed some of my friends are struggling a lot more with their stress levels."
Thoughts on the HSC?
Liam said: "It's not a big priority for me because I will be going into a trade."
Huon said: "I am the first one on my dad's side to finish year 12, and I didn't think I would make it this far - so it will be a pretty big accomplishment."
Shona said: "Over the years, I always thought it was something to define my high school career, but now I just want to get it done and prove to myself, I can accomplish it."