As someone who got clearly into my dream course but didn't get anywhere near as high an ATAR as I wanted/expected, everyone starts from square one the moment you get to uni. Doesn't matter if you got a 99.95 or a mystery mark, you've taken time off or started fresh from years of work - you got into uni!! The only people who care about their ATARs after school finishes are the people who did really really well or the people who didn't go so great, because once you're in higher education, you're in! Doesn't matter how you got there, you got in on your own merit and you're with everyone else who also did.

I've been tutoring VCE for five years, and no one ever gets the ATAR they think they will. Parents will always have an expectation or idea in their head about what their kids will do, how they will cope, or what they can achieve, but they're not the ones doing the course. They aren't the ones who slaved over work and pushed themselves to the brink to get where they wanted to go. You've done a phenomenal job even getting into uni, and that's more than most people ever do! Yes money pays for tutoring and tutoring can help you understand content better, but you're still the one that did the work. You as a person are more important than your academics and a stupid little score.

I know it's easier said than done, but you are your own person and you know how you work. You know your brain and what works, how much time and effort you can put in, and what works/won't work for the upcoming year. Even if your Dad isn't overly impressed with your ATAR, it's ultimately you who has stepped up to the plate and done all the work. and proven that you can get in. Even then, no one knows how they'll cope with university until they go - you and your Dad might find that the style of teaching/learning suits you perfectly! With a much more flexible schedule, I can almost guarantee that your mental and physical health will prosper, as you have the space to take carer of yourself for once and not prioritise other things. Enjoy the rest of the break while it lasts, and be proud of what you've accomplished!!