When Imogen arrived at MLC as a boarder from Boyup Brook, the transition was far from easy. Growing up on a farm, she was used to open space, fresh air and a tight-knit rural community. “The transition was hard for the first year. I really missed the farm and being outside all the time,” she says. But within those early challenges, the MLC Boarding House became a comforting constant.  

“Boarding helped me get used to the idea of this massive school… it was like a small community in its own with friendly faces all around.” Some days felt confining, she admits, “but most days it was my home away from home.” After coming from a high school with only around 80 students from Years 7–10, the familiarity of boarding helped her adjust to life in a much larger environment, offering space to breathe, reflect and find her feet. 

In Year 11, Imogen began on the ATAR Pathway, but by the end of the year, she knew something needed to change. “I realised that the ATAR Pathway wasn’t the best for me, it was making me put a lot of pressure on myself, I wasn’t enjoying the learning, and I didn’t feel confident in my abilities.” She started thinking more deeply about her future – and the possibilities available to her. “I understood that there were many different pathways to get where I wanted. Changing pathways felt like a relief. It felt like choosing a pathway that suited how I learn and it took a lot of pressure off my workload so I could enjoy Year 12.” 

That decision reshaped her entire experience of school. “By changing my pathway, it allowed me to stop feeling so overwhelmed and start to be more motivated to learn new things and was more engaged,” she explains. Without the constant pressure of marks, she found she could focus more, enjoy class and participate in the learning rather than stress about keeping up. The change also gave her room to reconnect with the parts of school life she loved – sport, friendships and balance. “It helped me to have a more balanced study life with time for sport and to hang out with friends.” 

Through this shift, Imogen learned more about herself than she expected. “I discovered that I’m more capable than I gave myself credit for when I’m in the right environment and that it’s okay to change paths – it only means you’re growing.” At first, she worried that changing direction meant she wasn’t good enough. “I didn’t think I was as smart as anyone else,” she reflects. But as the year unfolded, she started to see success differently. “I learned that success looks different for everyone, and figuring out what works and doesn’t work for you is more important than following everyone else.” 

One of the unexpected opportunities that came from this pathway was completing a Certificate IV in Business. “It helped me gain skills for after school and built up my confidence,” she says. The weekly off campus study also required her to develop strong independence. “I had to rely on myself balancing school and further study… meaning I needed to catch up with my classes in my own time.” This independence helped shape her confidence as she began thinking about life after school. 

Imogen’s love for the environment, sparked through her childhood on the farm and holidays to the coast, ultimately led her to Marine Biology. “I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean and the amazing marine life in it,” she says. Now, with an early offer to study Marine Biology in Tasmania, she feels both nervous and excited. “It feels like a massive step moving so far away… but I’m excited about being somewhere completely new.” Boarding, she says, has prepared her for the transition. 

To students unsure of their pathway, Imogen offers simple advice: “Choose what feels right for you, and not what feels right for everyone else… sometimes the best decisions are the ones that are scary at first but are the best for you.”