Hayley Grigg has found this year's VCE to be a juggling act. So it was "a huge relief" when it was announced on Friday, students would be individually assessed for their scores and ATAR ranks due to the COVID-19 upheaval.
The Edenhope Collge student - who is completing five VCE subjects - said the move would help students whose workload had increased.
"It's a huge relief because I have friends who look after younger siblings whilst their parents are at work," she said.
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"There were a lot of students taking up extra responsibilities and facing difficulties due to the pandemic.
"Today I had my physical education class and my internet dropped out twice ... I had to go on my phone.
"I have spent a lot of time trying to fix my internet connection."
Hayley considered studying physiotherapy at Flinders University in Adelaide but could not attend the open day due the COVID-19 border restrictions.
"Everything is up in the air but I am looking at doing agricultural studies," she said.
On Friday Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino announced every Victorian year 12 student would be assessed individually for their VCE scores and ATAR ranking, with any impacts from COVID-19 taken into account.
This included school closures, long absences and significant increases in family responsibilities as a result of COVID-19.
"We know that there are many students, many parents, who are worried about how COVID-19 will impact on their VCE scores and impact on their ATAR ranking," Mr Merlino said.
"They'll go into their exams knowing that their final scores and their ATAR ranking will be a fair reflection of their year, and they will not be disadvantaged as a result of COVID-19."
Year 12 student Georgia Thompson said studying year 12 at home had been difficult while also looking after her seven-year-old and nine-year-old brothers.
"My brothers aren't at school either, so sometimes I have to look after them while my parents are at work," she said.
Georgia is completing four VCE subjects and said some subjects have been challenging to learn remotely.
"It has been difficult connecting to my internet service because it glitches and freezes," she said.
"Sometimes I miss out on information or can't connect with calls.
"It was disappointing when we found out the school was closing again ... we are also missing out on 18th birthdays."
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