Don’t lose your focus

With the matric class of 2019 in the final days of their mid-year exams, an education expert has warned that they need to remain disciplined and focused right to the end, and not underestimate the importance of this round of assessments.

“Grade 12s will have noticed that the ante has been upped in these exams, and it will be their first real encounter with the high expectations they will need to meet this year,” says Peter Kriel, general manager at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest private higher education institution.

“Once the going gets tough, as is bound to happen, the temptation might be there to take a step back and dismiss these exams as no big deal in the greater scheme of things, in the mistaken belief that the real challenge lies ahead when the finals arrive. But that would be the wrong approach, as the mid-year exams play a crucial role not only in the matriculant’s preparation for the final exams, but also on their prospects after school.”

With the increased competition for tertiary study space, particularly for popular and respected institutions and qualifications, it is important that pupils apply for higher education opportunities soon.

Kriel said it was vital that matric pupils who have not yet applied for post-school study do so without delay.