ARARAT - Ararat College dux Ashleigh Hull said it is a huge relief to finally find out her results after a long year.
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The 18-year-old topped the Ararat College class of 2012, but said she was initially disappointed when she discovered her results on Monday morning.
"When I saw my results I cried and then Mrs Sherwell called to tell me that I was dux and I couldn't believe it," she said.
"It was a hard year and exams were a lot tougher than I expected."
Ararat College VCE co-ordinator Lee-Ann Sherwell said Ms Hull had no reason to be upset.
"The reaction Ashleigh did have was only because she had exceptionally high expectations and put the pressure on herself. She had no need to be disappointed because she did a wonderful job," she said.
"She was an extremely dedicated and hardworking student."
Ms Hull said she plans to study Paramedics at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne following a gap year in 2013.
"I was hoping for higher, but it was just enough to get into my course," she said.
"I am hoping to take a GAP year first, just working hopefully somewhere in Melbourne."
Ms Sherwell said the school was happy with the results of all its students, with the college recording a 100 per cent rate.
"It was as expected and I was really pleased with a number of the results for students," she said.
Ms Sherwell said no student should be disappointed with their ATAR score because it is not the end of the world
"Forget about your ATAR score, because after today they don't really mean anything," she said.
She had one piece of advice for the next crop of VCE students - "You need to get yourself organised early because it creeps up on you," she said.
"No matter what your teachers teach you, they (the examiners) will always try to chuck in something new."
Casey Blake and Jacob Johnson were announced as joint dux of Lake Bolac College on Tuesday night, while Chris Dempsey was named Marian College dux. See next Friday's Ararat Advertiser for full story.