When You Miss Out On Your First Option: Jess Orr on Pivoting and Staying Open to Adventure

If your child missed their first university preference, this is reassurance. A pivot can lead to experiences they would never have planned. What if your best school memories were not about results, but connection, laughter and a community that felt like home? For Jess Orr, it was house singing days and a close-knit year level that defined her final years. After school she pursued an Arts Law degree, but had to pivot and move to a regional city after missing her first options. That pivot led to unexpected experiences, from living on campus to studying overseas. For parents whose child misses a preferred course or pathway, this is a warm reminder that a detour can open doors, and that balance and openness to adventure matter more than a perfect plan. What you’ll discover: • When your child misses their first university option • Why a pivot can open unexpected doors • Finding balance beyond results • Staying open to adventure and new experiences • How connection shapes the school years Because success is built on balance, connection, and the courage to be yourself - not a final score. Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at [email protected]! More Than a Score: Redefining Success Beyond School is hosted by Laura Pitt and Dan Steele, a former teacher and award-winning school leader on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. New episodes fortnightly. Subscribe to follow along.