She has become more aware of pathways after year 12 as the pandemic opens so many unknowns for the graduating class.

Miss Harris was elected as school captain for 2020 and hoped the position would consolidate her leadership skills.

"I had a few things organised and a lot of motivation for the role," she said.

"It definitely hasn't panned out the way I had hoped for the year.

"I feel my fellow students leaders and I have really adapted to leading from home in these circumstances."

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Miss Harris said while she believed year 12 was an important year of schooling, she had tried to put an emphasis on supporting the younger students within the school.

"I couldn't imagine how hard it would be for younger students," she said.

"We're almost adults. We have to adapt and have already developed those skills during our lives.

"It would be so confusing and daunting for those younger students."

Miss Harris said the first round of remote learning came as a shock.

"It took me by surprise as everyone didn't know what was going on," she said.

"It stressed me out a lot more the first time around then it has the second.

"It was the unknown and not knowing an end date. We didn't know how many weeks we would be learning from home and if it would last the whole year - we just had no idea.

"That was the scariest part along with all the speculation about what was going to happen with our end of year scores and even the possibility of repeating the year."

With a projected return to school close to the September holidays, remote learning could finish just before the lead into exam preparation - if everything goes according to plan

"I try and take each day as it comes," Miss Harris said.

"I'm not getting my hopes up about not going back to school. I guess we have to prepare for both scenarios and try our best at home now.

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"Even though we are at home and some could say it's a disadvantage we've been provided with so many more resources than normal.

"A lot of online classes are free outside of school and free notes are available as well. There is certainly a plus side to this year."

Miss Harris hoped she could continue to study in 2021 and had her sights set on applying for a criminology or psychology course.

"That's my hopes, I haven't really decided yet," she said.

"There is certainly more pathways available and it's a waiting game to see what the universities will offer."

Miss Harris said during the pandemic and remote learning she had gained more resilience.

"The first time around I was pretty down about it all and anxious," she said.

"When we returned to school it was so overwhelming.

"It was all about learning to bounce back and identify that there were hurdles to overcome and work through them.

"This time around wasn't so bad because I know I've done it before and can do it again.

"We're almost there, we're almost finished."

Do you want to be part of The Graduation Project or want to nominate someone to share their story? Get in touch - cassandra.langley@austcommunitymedia.com.au

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