From the perspective of the student sitting down to face blank booklets at the beginning of each exam, it is a daunting process - perhaps the toughest rite of passage undertaken in their short life.

Ask any adult, however, and most will have well and truly forgotten the HSC. The lesson they have learnt is that while the HSC was an important milestone, it was not the signal event that defined their future or purpose in life.

These days a poor result in a particular exam or a disappointing ATAR need not crush ambition. There are plenty of options around to improve one’s chances of undertaking study or technical training.

Naturally, it’s difficult for a student to see that when the next week and a half hold nothing but the prospect of more scary exams. For parents, this can mean navigating a whole new world of anxiety brought on by stressed teenagers worried they have ruined their chances by performing poorly in the exam room. The only message is that it’s not the end of the world.

Of course, there will be plenty of candidates who sail through the HSC.

Year after year, it’s been a point of local pride in mid December when the results come out and we see a growing legion of high achievers.

We know many of them will leave the region to undertake tertiary studies and build fulfilling careers. But we we hope many of them will return later in life to enrich our community.

Tribute should also be paid to the teachers who devote many hours – and often sleepless nights – to help their students prepare for the HSC. Modern teaching methods and communication means their job does not end when the bell sounds at the close of the school day. Emails from students worried about their progress and preparedness often fill large parts of evenings and weekends.

So, to students sitting the HSC, and their parents and teachers who are also feeling the stress, all of us at the Register wish you the best and urge you, above all, to keep calm and carry on.