The Graduation Project | Year 12 Stawell student Kayla-Mae Hyslop student finding a balance to cope

Holed up at home at a desk all day, the 18-year-old takes the focus off schoolwork by helping on the family farm when she can.

She said getting out into the fresh air for longer than one hour and taking your mind off studying is a luxury many students don't have across the state.

"Living in rural Victoria does have its advantages and disadvantages," she said.

"It's a big advantage right now of being able to be out in the fresh air and just enjoying the different surroundings.

The Graduation Project Series:

"When you're concentrating on something else, it takes your mind off school and lets you come back to your studies more refreshed."

Despite the positive outlook, Miss Hyslop doesn't shy away from the fact remote learning was difficult to navigate at times.

"The first time around I found it easier," she said.

"I was motivated and I feel I am an independent learner and didn't mind being by myself. I felt I achieved more.

OTHER NEWS:

"This time around it's different. It's just mentally draining, knowing we are so close to the end but we've still got some big hurdles to get over."

Miss Hyslop wasn't new to remote learning, in 2020 she took on the challenge of studying business manage through distance education due to a clash of classes.

"You can work through things at your own pace - the same with remote learning in some ways," she said.

"I tend to always work ahead so I can have the weekend off to spend out at the farm and block out school for awhile.

"You can also work on what you feel like at the time. At school, sometimes you might feel like doing Maths but you are in English or the bell will go and you just want to get something finished.

READ MORE:

"You just have to make sure you manage your time and not put things off. I find remote learning beneficial in some ways because if you can block out distractions at home while on video calls you can listen to the teachers more, sometimes even better than when you are at school."

Miss Hyslop said it was disappointing some of the "fun things" were missed for the last year of her schooling, but placed an emphasis on the importance of community health and safety.

"There are things like dressing up for sports days and other activities the year 12s normally do we haven't been able to do," she said. "We are so close and yes the year hasn't panned out how we have planned but I feel like we've adapted pretty well, but now, let's just get it done and move on."

Miss Hyslop said she hoped to go to attend Longerenong College after high school and study agriculture.

MORE NEWS:

Do you want to take part in The Graduation Project or want to nominate someone. Get in touch - cassandra.langley@stawelltimes.com.au

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Stawell Times-News. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Northern Grampians shire, sign up here.

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Stawell Times-News, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Stawell's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great town.