Lulu Peate says trickiness is relative, though she acknowledges her year 11 and 12 studies were perhaps a little tricker than most.
The Wanniassa 18-year-old was born with oculocutaneous albinism and is legally blind.
"I suffer from visual fatigue, so looking at things is really difficult - I can't read the board and I can't drive and I can't read small text or anything ... and I get tired after 20 minutes of looking at something," she said.
Adjustments were required for her to achieve in class, including digitising texts and taking photos of her work so she could zoom in for a better look.
But with the mental and physical support of Canberra Girls Grammar, Ms Peate is on track for an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of at least 90 - a requirement if she is to fulfil her dream of studying psychology at the Australian National University.
"I'm very proud of how far I've come," the humanities devotee said.
"Even just two years ago I was struggling and not happy and I've become this whole new person."
Canberra students will receive their ATARs on Wednesday.
Data released by the Board of Senior Secondary Studies shows Radford College students received the highest average ATAR at 86.10.
Canberra Girls Grammar followed at 84.75, then Brindabella Christian College (84.25), Marist College and Narrabundah College (83.75) and Trinity Christian School (83.05).
The average ATAR for all ACT colleges was 77.7, above last year's 76.9. Almost 80 per cent of all students recorded a tertiary entrance score above the 65-point cutoff.
The ACT's top achievers were recognised at a ceremony at the Canberra Theatre Centre on Tuesday, including Narrabundah College students Claire Yung and Deepan Kumar, who received the top ATARs of 99.95.
Ms Yung, of Lyneham, hopes to study a science subject at the ANU. Tuggeranong 18-year-old Mr Kumar will move to Sydney to study mechanical engineering and computer science with UNSW.
Both students focused on maths and science subjects over the past two years - and both plan to head overseas over summer for a well-deserved break.
"It was definitely a lot of work," Mr Kumar said of years 11 and 12.
Ms Yung agreed: "It's been two years of hard work, but with lots of help from school and good teachers."
Every student who received a Senior Secondary Certificate from the BSSS studied English and most studied maths.
BSSS director John Stenhouse said it was pleasing to see science, technology, engineering and maths subjects were popular among the most recent college cohort.
He reminded students receiving their ATAR this week that "a number doesn't define who you are".
"Your ATAR is something that's only useful for a single moment in time because it will either get you into the course you've applied for or you might miss out," he said.
"Even if you miss out, there are other pathways to get where you want nowadays ... there's a whole life ahead of you."
ACT year 12 outcomes will be available at bsss.act.edu.au on Wednesday and students can access their ATAR via the University Admission Centre website on Friday.
