Matric may not be the ‘Be all and end all’ of your life
It does not matter how many times you fall – it matters only how many times you stand up.
FAILURE is painful and disappointing – but it is only a catastrophe if you don’t stand up and face it.
This according to Independent Institute of Education in SA Director, Dr Felicity Coughlan, who says that below par matric results do not mean you have to give up on your dreams and aspirations.
‘In fact, if handled maturely and pragmatically, a disappointing performance could be just the catalyst needed to propel a learner in a new and better direction, with more determination and resolve than before.’
Coughlan says parents, guardians and other caregivers should ensure they positively support learners during this difficult time as they may be facing a number of concerns, such as not being able to get into the higher education institution they expected, having to choose a different course, having to write supplementary exams, or even having to repeat the year.
‘There are still many options available, but it is imperative that proper research into all these options be conducted,’ she says.
These include options in the public and private sector, different degrees or diplomas, a higher certificate instead of a degree as a stepping stone, volunteer work opportunities or part-time study, second semester registrations, supplementary exams or redoing the school year in a more supportive environment.
‘First, adults should assist disappointed learners to get the poor results into perspective. This is often best done by plotting all the options that are still available and weighing them up against each other,’ she says.
Writing supplementary exams
Not everyone will qualify for supplementary exams, but if they do, they should definitely register and do their very best to pass.
Check with your school whether you qualify, and then go all out these next few weeks in ensuring that you spend as much time as possible behind your books.
Repeating the year
Having another go at matric is not a happy prospect for anyone who has just been through the mill, but it could be an exciting second chance if you go about it differently this time round.
For instance you might choose to do some part-time work while being enrolled in a distance learning course, or you could choose to attend a different institution that specialises in rewriting.
Many will even allow you to change your subjects.
Enrolling at a difference institution
South Africa has only one quality assurance system, which means that private institutions and public universities are subjected to the same registration and accreditation checks and balances.
If your marks mean that you pass but are not able to go to your institution of first choice, have a look around. There are some fantastic and often more work-oriented options available out there that you might not even have considered.
