It’s a thought that parents of teens have daily: “What is my teenager thinking?” A new survey of Year 12 students across Australia offers some helpful, and surprising, insight.  

In its biggest survey yet of school leavers, the University Admissions Centre (UAC) asked nearly 17,000 students what matters most to them — and the results were revealing. The main takeaway: Year 12s are resilient but they’re feeling the pinch like their parents. 

Overall, the report found, mental health concerns are down. Students feel stressed less frequently in 2024 compared to 2023. This marks the best mental health score in the survey’s four-year history.

But the cost-of-living crisis is traversing generations. In 2024, “cost” is an issue for 43 per cent of students choosing where to study, up from 34 per cent in 2023. When asked what mattered most to them, 42 per cent answered with “supporting my family”, followed by affordable housing and job security.

Holly Pastor, Careers and Transition Advisor for Bomaderry High School, says the report rings true for local schoolchildren. 

“Many of our students indicate they are worried about supporting their families and about securing affordable housing post-school, highlighting the need for careers education in schools to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions about their future,” says Pastor. 

“The ongoing support of Careers Advisers and teachers more broadly is vital to help students build resilience and confidence as they transition to higher education and the workforce.”

Young people are working more, eating less, avoiding medical support and borrowing money to cope with the rising cost of living, according to data from the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP); 31 per cent of young people are skipping meals and 27 per cent have avoided seeking medical services. 

Chris Scobie, School Counsellor for Kiama High School, says students are concerned about the economy, and practical support is crucial.

“Firstly, I encourage students and young people to know and utilise their support network — older personal and professional contacts that can help guide them to educated decisions on career, wellbeing and financial pathways,” he says. “This could include parents, carers, teachers, counsellors, careers advisors.”

Instead of downplaying the cost-of-living crisis, he says it’s important to teach young people the skills to cope with a challenging economy.

“Acknowledging and practising the wellbeing benefits of time management, organisation and budgeting can help instil a sense of confidence, life competence and an ‘I got this’ attitude,” says Scobie.

“Monitoring and budgeting money spent on eating out, socialising and entertainment can be a vital factor in ‘staying on top’ of the financial challenges of modern times — no matter what age you are.”

To read the full version of the Student Lifestyle and Learning Report 2024, visit: uac.edu.au