Curious Conundrum

I'm not having a go at anyone here, I just want to get out what's in my head.
Today a whole bunch of young people got given a number (well quite a few numbers, but one big one). They've spent all year working towards that number, most of them hoping for a certain number or higher. Quite a few of these young people that I know are a little bit disappointed with their number. Some are very disappointed. Some are actually quite happy. Yes - I'm talking about yr 12 results.
As a yr 12 teacher I think I get almost as anxious as the students about how they went - at least in my subject- and I am more than a little curious about their overall grade. I can also remember how much I cared about my own grade and being happy/sad about my score when it arrived.
I knew that I'd worked fairly hard towards those grades, but I also knew that if I'd put in a couple more hours a week (maybe even 1 more hour a week) I might have scored a few extra points and been one of those 90's people. Having said that I worked, played sport and had a social life during yr 12 - which I wouldn't change if I had to do it again. BUT - my social life was not what a lot of young people would now describe as a social life. I didn't have a mobile, didn't have facebook etc, didn't accept phone calls from people until I'd done homework (mum and dad knew to say "she'll get back to you") and generally only went out with friends on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus I had a midnight curfew. And I didn't write myself off with booze or other substances (not once I swear) during yr 12. NERD I hear you all scream? Well yes. Self confessed. But I definitely could've worked harder on school work without other parts of my life suffering.
Still, a lot of the students  I teach (and I'm sorry if any of my past students read this - some of you did actually work hard) really aren't realistic about what they want and what they choose to do during yr 12. If you want a TER oops sorry ATAR of more than 80, you really do have to work for it. In yr 12, you're up against every other yr 12 in the state. Yes, there are students out there who spend 5-6 hours each week on EACH subject. Those are the ones who will get the high grades. They will know their stuff inside and out. 1-2 hours a week per subject just doesn't cut it. Neither does doing assignments until 2/3am. That generally is a BAD idea.
So there needs to be some kind of deal struck between socialising/working/playing sport and study. If you want a high grade - work for it. Same goes in Uni and TAFE and will carry over to work. You need to work hard to get to the higher places. There are a few very rare and lucky people who can just DO things without working too hard. Most people aren't like that.
Now, these ramblings bring me to my point, kind of. All through High School we push our students to do the very best they can. We tell them all about what they need to do to get the very best grades. But not many seem to listen. Obviously some do - because they get on and do what needs to be done.
So many senior students I come across now live very adult lives and working hard in school doesn't fit into their lifestyle... but for some reason, they still have their hearts set on those high scores because they want the best of what an adult life has to offer. The $$$ the status etc I guess. They're not willing to compromise too much for the 10 months of yr 12, but then they feel let down when they get their results. An interesting conundrum and one I have no idea how to solve - it all seems to make sense in my head, but it doesn't make sense to most adolescents... maybe that's just it?