For Burgmann alumna Aanya Singhal, Class of 2025, success was not instant. A challenging start to Year 11 became the catalyst for a shift in mindset, leading her to achieve the ATAR required for Law and International Relations at ANU.
Aanya Singhal, who graduated in 2025, made the most of her time at Burgmann. But it was in Senior School that her approach to learning truly shifted.
When she began Year 11, she was confident. Like many capable students, learning had always come naturally. That changed quickly after her first assessment result, which came as a shock and forced her to reassess how she approached her studies.
Rather than seeing it as a setback, Aanya recognised it as a shift in expectations. The standard had changed, and she needed to change with it.
With her sights set on studying Law and International Relations at ANU, she knew she had to take ownership of her progress. The ATAR required was high, and her early results suggested she was not there yet.
What followed was a deliberate and sustained shift in mindset. Aanya began building consistent study habits, actively seeking feedback from her teachers and focusing on steady improvement over time.
“It’s not about going from a 60 to a 90 straight away. It’s about the slow progression.”
By Year 12, that approach was paying off. Her results improved significantly, including a jump from the 60s to 97 in one subject, a reflection of the discipline and consistency she had developed.
Importantly, her success was not built on sacrificing everything else. Aanya continued to play football, stayed connected with friends and embraced the social side of her final year, understanding that balance was essential to sustaining her effort.
Without an early university offer, she had to maintain that focus while others around her began to ease off. She stayed committed to her goal, knowing that her opportunity would come at the end of the year.
That persistence paid off. Aanya achieved the ATAR she needed and secured her place at ANU, where she is now studying a double degree in Law and International Relations.
Looking back, her advice to current students reflects the mindset that shaped her success.
“Don’t let the little things get you down. Work hard, but don’t lose the balance, especially in Year 12. And don’t gatekeep, help your friends. You’ll find that when you all succeed together, it makes it that much better.”
As she begins this next chapter at ANU, we wish Aanya every success and look forward to following her journey in the years ahead.