8 Success Stories You'll Want To Hear If High School Sucked

“When I completed the HSC and my result arrived in the mail, I told my mum it was out of 20 instead of 100 – that’s how bad it was.”

If high school really isn't your thing, we've got good news for you: High school isn't going to determine how successful you're going to be.

With places like Western Sydney University's The College dedicated to helping you build the career of your dreams even if you didn't get the grades you needed, it proves that high school isn't the be-all and end-all of your success.

But don't just take our word for it. Here are eight different people who didn't have a great time at high school but who have gone on to achieve amazing things, presenting their tips for how to build a successful career.

1. Follow your passion

Jada McNeil / Nusa Indah / Via nusaindahsurfboards.com, Nusa Indah / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/nusaindahsurfboards/?hl=en

For Jada McNeil, owner of designer surfboard and lifestyle business Nusa Indah, success means following your passions. Despite having dropped out of school in year 12, Jada was accepted into university through an alternative entry program.

“Being at uni was like a breath of fresh air. Being able to study a subject I was passionate about made all the difference. And the skills I learned in psychology really helped me be successful in business.”

After leaving school and attending university, Jada spent time doing things she was passionate about: surfing and travelling. These experiences inspired her to start her designer surfboard business, which is thriving.

“Through Nusa Indah, I'm partnering with awesome artists and businesses, like Le Sirenuse Hotel Positano and The Cove Atlantis. Last year I partied at one of the hotel openings with a celebrity and accepted an invitation to visit Vogue headquarters in NYC – a pretty crazy ride for this country high school dropout!”

2. Try different things

Michelle Trimble / Poppy Seed Media / Via poppyseedmedia.com.au

From working in publishing and marketing to now running her own business, Michelle Trimble knows trying new things and getting work experience is important in building an awesome career.

"I was very disengaged at school, if I’m being honest. I would often fake sick or just leave the school grounds to head to the beach instead. It wasn’t until I found my passion later in life that education clicked with me."

After school, Michelle undertook a diploma program as a pathway to gaining entry into a communications degree at university. Now, as the owner of marketing agency Poppy Seed Media, Michelle attributes her success to trying lots of different things, from working part-time to volunteering at a publishing house. "After graduating, I would also take annual leave just so I could complete internships within the marketing industry.”

“It’s OK if you haven’t decided what you want to do with the rest of your life. You may find yourself working in different industries, changing degrees, but that’s completely fine. Just keep making your way towards what makes you happy.”

3. Don't be afraid to ask for help

Natalie Perkins / Fancy Lady Industries / Via fancyladyindustries.com, Fancy Lady Industries / Via fancyladyindustries.com

With rates of mental illness at an all-time high, mental health challenges in high school can take a huge toll on your high school experience. That's exactly what happened for jewellery designer Natalie Perkins.

"In high school, I had terrible insomnia, so I was like a zombie at school. I didn't have the ability to focus for long periods of time. Even though I tried really hard and was diligent with my homework, my grades never showed that work."

Natalie's true calling has always been in the creative industries, so studying art at uni seemed like a natural fit. Natalie is now a successful jewellery designer, selling funky brooches, necklaces, and earrings through her brand, Fancy Lady Industries.

Getting support for her mental health issues, as well as following her passions, really made a difference. “My advice to young people would be to tell your support network about your mental health and to trust your gut about what really interests you. Use the university's career and mental health support system. Talk to your friends and family, and find a GP you trust.”

4. Step out of your comfort zone

Tram Tran / KOOGAL / Via koogal.com.au, KOOGAL / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/koogallove/?hl=en

Successful people know the best things happen outside of your comfort zone. For Tram Tran, owner of fashion label KOOGAL, success has meant finding a way to thrive in uncomfortable and adverse situations.

“When I was 14 years old, I moved to Australia from Vietnam. With the language barrier, the classes were hard, I didn't have friends, and I felt so overwhelmed with juggling schoolwork, loneliness, and homesickness.”

Despite these challenges at high school, when Tram was in year 10, she started KOOGAL, a women's clothing brand. She continued to grow while studying PR and communications at uni, which helped her build her business skills. Today, KOOGAL exports to 94 countries around the world and even supports Blue Dragon, an organisation that supports victims of sex trafficking.

Tram's advice? “Don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s scary sometimes to step out of your comfort zone, but it’s worth it. If others can do it, so can you.”

5. Always be learning

Paridhi Jain / SkilledSmart / Via skilledsmart.com.au, SkilledSmart / Via skilledsmart.com.au

Successful people know that continuing to learn is necessary for growth. For Paridhi Jain, owner of SkilledSmart (an education company that teaches adults about money), she knows learning is lifelong.

After having to move overseas with her family for 18 months during year 10, Paridhi had to continue her studies via distance education. "It was a huge shift from what I was used to. I was in a new country and was not attending a regular school with structured classes, classmates, and teachers. That whole period was really challenging but also did build a lot of resilience and independence."

After studying business at uni and seeing everyday Australians experience serious consequences of poor financial literacy during her career, SkilledSmart was born. As a business that makes accessing professional financial planners more affordable, Paridhi has seen how ongoing learning has helped her students turn their finances around. "One of my students even managed to save $8,000 in just eight months!"

For young people taking their first steps towards a career, Paridhi’s advice is to always be learning. “If you can fall in love with learning and trying new things, you'll always be growing – both personally and professionally. Stay curious."

6. Work really, really hard

Domenico Lopresti / Gelatoria

“When I completed the HSC and my result arrived in the mail, I told my mum it was out of 20 instead of 100 – that’s how bad it was.”

While Domenico Lopresti didn’t excel in school, that didn’t stop him from being successful in his career. The trick? A lot of hard work.

Once Domenico finished high school, he got put straight to work at his family's café. It was here that he learned how to run a business and make gelato from scratch. At 21, he started his first wholesale business, Bravo Gelato, before going on to create Gelatissimo, a global retail chain of gelato bars, seven years later.

“Bottom line is I was always hungry, super ambitious, and worked my ass off for a very, very long time. And I never, ever let the fact that I didn’t do well at school stop me from reaching my goals!”

7. Find your purpose and set clear goals

Anthea Stevanovic / Intelligent Directions / Via intelligentdirections.com.au, Anthea Stevanovic / Dazzled Events and Styling / Via dazzledeventsandstyling.com

For entrepreneur Anthea Stevanovic, setting goals has been key in helping her overcome the challenges she faced at school and create a killer career.

"I was bullied a lot in school. When I was 12, my parents split up. Things were very tough after that. My dad didn’t help us financially, so I had to start working at 13 to help support my family. This had an impact on my social and emotional wellbeing at school.”

Anthea worked all throughout high school and uni – sometimes six days a week – and all through her holidays to keep her family afloat, which was challenging. After completing a business degree at Western Sydney University, Anthea began working as a consultant. She now owns two businesses: Intelligent Directions consultancy as well as Dazzled Events and Styling.

“Once you have your goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them written down, you will have a greater chance of actually getting to where you want to be.”

8. Surround yourself with supportive people

Mille Zinner / The Motherhood App, Mille Zinner & Alice Pritchard-Davies / The Motherhood App / Via motherhoodapp.com

For Motherhood App cofounder Millie Zinner, being around people who support and inspire you is the key to success.

“Throughout my school years, I suffered from terrible anxiety and depression, which had an impact on my high school experience. I also wasn't naturally the most academic, but a lot my friends were the top scholars. They all seemed to whip up their assessments the night before it was due and get an A+. Not me. I had to work really, really hard."

Luckily, Millie's teachers were incredibly supportive of her mental health struggles, and they helped get her through this tough time. As an adult, after seeing her friends struggling with a similar isolation during motherhood, Millie was inspired to partner with childhood friend Alice Pritchard-Davies to build the Motherhood App.

"We have just had Tim Fung (founder/CEO of Airtasker) join our advisory board. Learning from the industry’s best and surrounding yourself with wonderful, supportive people is key.”

Just because you didn't get the marks you needed to get straight into uni doesn't mean you don't belong there. The College at Western Sydney University can help guarantee you entry into your dream uni course so you can start building the career of your dreams today.

The College at Western Sydney University / Via youtube.com