Actually, I didn't really have typical 'Asian' parents, my parents on the contrary was deliberately very free to allow me to do whatever I wanted to do, they truly was supportive in everything I do, they go to the extent of not reacting too much when I get good results or poor results, so that I could not have too much pressure when I didn't get such good results that I had hoped. A lot of the pressure was I put on myself, because although it was unspoken, my parents have sacrificed literally everything for me to have an education, particularly pursue a tertiary education in Australia that I could never have had the opportunity in China, they sacrificed their professional careers (very successful for that matter) and had to start all over again in Australia with literally not much support at all. They subsequently had to work in jobs that did not allow them to use their professional capacities to their full extent, but because of how hard my parents work to provide me with tuition and all the educational resources that I felt I required, I felt there was no way I can let them down, I need to exceed their and my own expectations. I aimed for an ATAR not exactly 99.95, but slightly below it because I really wanted to be able to get into law without any bonus points, even if it was just a fraction of a bonus point. I think in the end I had felt a little bit too much pressure from my teachers, my peers and myself and I couldn't cope it as well as I could, otherwise I probably would have performed better in my external HSC exams. And it wasn't just my parents, all of my family (extended) sacrificed in their own ways (which I am not going to go into details here), but particularly and eternally grateful towards my grandmother, for the sacrifices they have made to give me this opportunity to change my life.
Thanks, can't believe you still remember those words. I think other people could probably think me crazy for being saddened once upon a time by such an ATAR. You don't need to be sorry that I didn't achieve my aims, to be honest, in many ways I have achieved my aims, perhaps there wasn't really a limit to my aim, hence it was hard to assess just what threshold I can say I have fulfilled my initial goals, but life doesn't stop after the HSC, and I think it has truly given me the opportunity to do what I can to give back to my community and hopefully inspire others to do so as well. Best wishes and I truly hope all your HSC aspirations will be fulfilled