Disruptions due to COVID-19 meant students had to adapt like never before, but with the HSC now behind them, they can finally focus on the next chapter of their lives.

At Calrossy Anglican School, an ecstatic group of students finished their last exam, Investigating Science, on Thursday, officially marking the end of 13 years of schooling.

At Oxley High School, it was also books closed on Thursday, with students bursting with excitement about their future.

More than 50 kids at Oxley High have already received an early entry offer to university in 2022.

Oxley High School Year 12 student Danielle Bishop said the HSC was an interesting experience with COVID and isolation from face-to face learning.

"It was a struggle to find motivation to keep my studies up and not slip into bad habits of leaving work too late as well as not being able to have the same support from peers and teachers," she said.

"After finishing my last exam I was very relieved to not have anymore stress about school, but it was a bittersweet moment when I realised that I would be leaving a place I had spent six years forming relationships at and would move away from my friends and family."

The 18-year-old said plans to study a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at University of Newcastle, and like the thousands of other students across the state, is awaiting the release of her ATAR on January 20.

"Despite a rough year, I do believe that we as the classes of 2021 have learnt to be resilient and appreciated the support from everyone around us who pushed us right to the finish," she added.

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At Peel High School, a small group of Food Technology students sat the final HSC exam on Friday, and principal Rod Jones said he wasn't sure who was most excited, him or the kids.

"It's been a really challenging year," he said.

"This Year 12 group went through last year's COVID, and then they went through this year's COVID and then we've had some floods, and some anxious days around that in the last month.

"But I couldn't be prouder of my Year 12 students. They've really knuckled down to the task and seem very happy with the exams which is always great.

"They've come out of it with smiles on their faces, so that's all I can ask for."

Peel High had 62 students sit the HSC this year, an increase from the previous year.

"We've had around 17 early entry university offers and from a variety of universities, and an enormous variety of courses which is really pleasing," Mr Jones said.

"Those kids are all accepting their early entries which is great, and they will move off next year and join university life and I'm very confident they'll be successful in what they're dong."

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