I do know it seems a lot more stressful, when compared to what it used to be.

There’s incredible pressure on students to ‘perform’ and ultimately to get good grades.

I don’t remember it being that way when I was at school.

Of course I could be looking at this through rose-coloured glasses – but isn’t everything better with hindsight.

I wasn’t the best student in the class, but I wasn’t the worst either. 

I loved history, drama, and it might surprise some of you, English.

I was a bit of a sporty person back in the day, though not a swimmer.

If I could get out of swimming, I would. 

I wasn’t a fan of maths class either.

I just didn’t get why I needed to know all that stuff, because let’s face it I was never going to use it in ‘real life’. 

I guess this is as good a time as any to apologise to my maths tutor.

There really wasn’t anything that could be done, so don’t feel too bad.

I had my circle of friends, many of whom have gone on to bigger and better things – lawyers, doctors and the like, you know what I mean.

I suppose you could say school for me was more about the journey, than the outcome.

I never really did more than I had to.

It’s a different story for kids these days though, where it’s all about the HSC.

If you have no intention of going on to university you’re probably not feeling the pressure. 

If a university degree is the next step for you, you well and truly will be.

It’s with this in mind that I worry about what it will be like for my own daughter.

Heaven knows I won’t be much help when it comes to her academic heights. 

Having said that it’s worth remembering that little number at the end of it all, is just that – a number.

It’s not a judge of who you are, or how you will contribute to society. 

It has no idea who you will become, or how you will treat others.

It doesn’t know what fate has in store for you down the road, where you will end up.

That power is still very much in your hands, no matter what that little number says.

Fiona Ferguson is a Fairfax Media journalist.