If your child missed their first university preference, this is reassurance. A pivot can lead to experiences they would never have planned.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
What you\u2019ll discover:
\n\u2022 When your child misses their first university option
\n\u2022\tWhy a pivot can open unexpected doors
\n\u2022\tFinding balance beyond results
\n\u2022\tStaying open to adventure and new experiences
\n\u2022\tHow connection shapes the school years<\/p>\n
Because success is built on balance, connection, and the courage to be yourself – not a final score.<\/p>\n
Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/feeds.podcastle.ai\/6d402aeb-5e67-4eaf-b951-d44d09ab5388\/Jess%20Orr%20final.mp3","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"https:\/\/mtas.pixelreardon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1000018975-png-scaled.jpeg","cover_image_id":"212643231","duration":"","filesize":"45.51M","filesize_raw":"47722189","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":""},"tags":[],"series":[4],"class_list":["post-212643230","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","hentry","series-much-more-than-a-score"],"episode_featured_image":false,"episode_player_image":"https:\/\/mtas.pixelreardon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1000018975-png-scaled.jpeg","download_link":"https:\/\/mtas.pixelreardon.com\/podcast-download\/212643230\/when-you-miss-out-on-your-first-option-jess-orr-on-pivoting-and-staying-open-to-adventure","player_link":"https:\/\/mtas.pixelreardon.com\/podcast-player\/212643230\/when-you-miss-out-on-your-first-option-jess-orr-on-pivoting-and-staying-open-to-adventure","audio_player":"https:\/\/mtas.pixelreardon.com\/podcast-player\/212643230\/when-you-miss-out-on-your-first-option-jess-orr-on-pivoting-and-staying-open-to-adventure<\/a>","episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/mtas.pixelreardon.com\/feed\/podcast\/much-more-than-a-score","embedCode":"When You Miss Out On Your First Option: Jess Orr on Pivoting and Staying Open to Adventure<\/a><\/blockquote>